2-23-16 On Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV

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You go to bed assured that you will wake;

A pregnant woman knows her child will come;

You drool just thinking of that chocolate cake;

Guitarists play the song before they strum.

Now, faith is not believing it will be,

It’s knowing that it is before it is.

I do not have to touch, don’t have to see

To know that Jesus lives; my heart is His.

It was by faith Christ calmed the tempest sea,

By faith He made the blind man see anew.

Within the grace of God you’ll find the key:

You live by faith in everything you do.

In faith you have the truth to set you free.

The tiny seed contains the mighty tree.

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REMEMBER: Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation. (D. Elton Trueblood)

2-20-16 Last Chance

⁶ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, ⁷ Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Revelation 14:6-7 KJV

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Behold! Those great and fearful days will come,

The tribulation of those left behind,

Without the Holy Ghost to then become

Convicted of the Truth as so defined.

The Gospel will be spread to everyone

In every tongue that dwells upon the earth,

Salvation by the blood of Christ the Son,

As God so loved the world to bring rebirth.

The choice must then be made to choose the Lord,

To worship Him that made the universe,

Or so remain among the heathen horde

And so be judged with death and even worse.

Fear God! The angel cried across the land,

Choose now behind which banner you shall stand!

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REMEMBER: Come to the cross now without delay!

1-25-16 Millstone

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:6 KJV

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Whoever does offend a child of God

With hateful, hurtful words that’s evil drawn,

Or cause to stumble on the path he trod,

Or make his testimony be withdrawn,

Whoever leads away My sheep by guile,

To fool him into dropping his belief,

Or persecute him else by harm or trial,

Or bring My new disciple into grief,

It would be better for that wicked one

To hang a heavy stone around his neck

And jump into the sea to then be done,

Than cause My little one be harmed a speck.

Before you lead My little lamb astray,

You might just drown yourself and float away.

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REMEMBER: Treat the young in Christ with tenderness and love and proper discipleship.

1-20-16 Be Not Afraid

⁴⁸ And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. ⁴⁹ But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: ⁵⁰ For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. ⁵¹ And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Mark 6:48-51 KJV

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When troubles come to push you off your path,

And if it seems you’re rowing ‘gainst the wind,

The struggle that you face in all its wrath

Might leave your efforts moot and you chagrined.

Look through the dark of night and see Me there!

I am not just a thought inside your head,

Not just some passing need when you despair,

Nor ghostly spirit filling you with dread.

Be of good cheer! Have courage! It is I!

Be not afraid, I’ve come to bring you peace.

I’ve been here all along, I won’t pass by.

I’m right beside you now; the wind will cease.

In life when conflict blows with its attack,

Be not afraid, my child, I’ve got your back.

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REMEMBER: Even in the darkest of nights you will see Him near.

His Fisherman

¹⁶ Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

¹⁷ And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

¹⁸ And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18

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Engrafted child of God, look at yourself:

The light of Christ should shine from every pore.

When you were saved, you died to your old self.

You once were mute, now you must stand and roar!

Can’t you feel Jesus running through your veins?

With every pulse He bids you harvest souls.

The day grows short; so little time remains.

You’ve work to do to help Him reach His goals.

The day you dropped your nets to follow Christ,

You gave up all you had to be like Him.

He’s making you a fisher well sufficed

To cast the gospel wide with love and vim.

When you made Christ your Savior you began

To learn how to become His fisherman.

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REMEMBER: You are an active participant in the Great Commission. Now get to work.

11-9-15 The Peace of Jesus

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 KJV

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The peace that Christ bestowed unto His friends,

Before He walked the path that lead to death,

And sanctified as soon His blood would cleanse,

Could not be given by some worldly breath.

The moment you accepted Christ as Lord,

The Spirit of His peace did rest in you,

And though the beasts of chaos smashed and roared,

Don’t be afraid, His peace has seen you through.

The peace of Jesus calms the stormy sea,

It comforts men upon the battle field,

Descending on those struggling to be free,

And in your final moments is revealed.

Let not your heart be troubled – here is peace:

To know the love of Christ will never cease.

10-31-15 Follow Him

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Luke 5:11 KJV

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The lives of Peter, Andrew, James and John

Transformed when Jesus said ‘Come follow Me.’

How can someone refuse when spirit’s drawn,

Just like a sailor’s hunger for the sea?

There comes a moment in each person’s life

When love demands you leave it all behind.

That call of soul that cuts you like a knife;

That death of self to which you were confined.

The Savior beckons – all else disappears;

The world that you once knew just falls away.

The life before was measured once in years

But now this moment is the only way.

Drop all that you are doing. Follow Him.

If your ship moves too slow, jump in and swim.

4-23-15 The Lamb

There comes a day when all the universe

Will rise up with one voice and praise the Lamb,

And everything that is, though so diverse,

Acclaims the worthy One of the I AM.

The Lamb was slain for all the sins of man,

Receiving power as the Lord of Lords,

And riches of the grace that e’er began,

And wisdom far beyond the mind explored,

And strength to conquer evil dark and grim,

And honor equal to our Father God,

And glory of salvation promised Him,

And blessings evermore the heavens laud.

            The Lamb will always sit upon the throne

            Forever and forever, ever known.

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¹¹ And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

¹³ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:11-13 KJV

2-6-15 Call for Strength

When voices round you say it can’t be done,

And Satan whispers ‘Give it up, you fool!’

When both your legs are screaming that you run,

Then call for strength from God and keep your cool.

Sometimes it feels that you should just give up,

Just let go of your hope and walk away,

And even Jesus asked to pass the bitter cup,

But call for strength from God and don’t dismay.

Now God was there when Noah built the ark,

And He told Moses how to part the Sea;

The Lord was there when Paul dared make his mark.

Just call for strength, He’ll be there, just you see.

Just trust in God and harken His commands;

You can’t go wrong when God strengthens your hands.

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Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

Nehemiah 6:9 KJV

2-2-15 Foolishness

There are some folks you preach the gospel to

That shake their heads and laugh about the cross;

No matter what you say or what you do

They’ll call you such a fool, no more than dross,

And you will have a friend that’s not been saved

Who spends less time with you if you are bold;

He may be more refined and well behaved,

Yet he’ll believe you’re gullible and sold.

Don’t be dismayed, but weep for them instead,

For they know not the joy that could be theirs.

The power that brought Christ back from the dead

Can through their faith make them celestial heirs.

You cannot save a drowning man at sea

If he would rather drown than be pulled free.

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For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV