2-1-16 Of Light and Love

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

1 John 2:10 KJV

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If you abide in light you know the source;

That light did not originate in you.

That under God’s good grace there is, of course,

The love of Christ that wants to pass it through.

Since Jesus is the light of all the world, (John 8:12)

If you believe in Him, you are that light as well. (Matthew 5:14)

The lifting wings of love cannot stay furled

If you within the arms of Jesus dwell.

So, naturally, your light’s revealed as love,

And love will radiate to all you know,

And even strangers feel the light you’re of

And be attracted to its giving glow.

With light like this there is no stumbling.

There’s so much love around it’s humbling.

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REMEMBER: Christ helps you see every step of your journey.

11-19-15 Cross This Bridge

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV

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When Adam ate the fruit forbidden him,

He then began ‘tween man and God a rift,

An endless ocean that no man could swim

Composed of slimy sin no limb could lift.

Yet God so loved the world He sent His Son

To build a bridge of grace to Heaven’s shore,

And only Jesus Christ could be the one

To take upon the sin for us He bore.

Christ spans the gulf, His body and His blood

The solitary bridge from man to God.

If we but step across in faith the flood

Will never touch us as we walk abroad.

Christ is the only one to mediate,

A bridge to intercede and advocate.

8-27-15 An Exhortation

Now we exhort you, brethren,

warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded,

support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV

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We have our own responsibilities,

And that includes a call to help the poor:

The poor in heart, in mind, in strength are these

That need some extra care we can’t ignore.

Admonish those that step across the line:

The busybody, troublemaking sort.

Teach discipline and selfless service fine;

These diamonds in the rough, do not sell short.

Uplift the ones who struggle with the cross:

The simple and the slow to understand.

The weak need love who cannot bear a loss;

Please help them with their faith and to withstand.

Have patience with the souls who trip and fall;

Be one to help them up. See Christ in all.

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sonnet #449

6-28-15 The Children of Wrath

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 2:3 KJV

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The world is filled with sin up to the brim

And we think we are outside looking in.

I tell you, brother, things are looking grim,

But don’t pretend you’re perfect in your win!

Instead of pointing fingers at the rest,

Remember you were where they are right now.

Right now it is God’s grace that has you blessed;

Without it you’d have hell to pay, and how!

You may have been a step from reprobate

When you chose to accept the Savior’s hand.

Each day such people cross right by your gate.

Please give them love, it may be their last stand!

Don’t be judgmental, be compassionate.

Without Christ’s cleansing blood you’d be unfit.

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sonnet #401

6-14-15 On Priorities

²¹ And another of his disciples said unto him,

Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

²² But Jesus said unto him, Follow me;

and let the dead bury their dead.

Matthew 8:21-22 KJV

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When Jesus calls you come and follow Him

And He has set about you plans and goals,

Don’t step aside – don’t drop your voice mid hymn,

To do the work that’s meant for other souls.

You may think it important that you go,

And there are times appropriate for this,

But when Christ marks a path to undergo,

To look behind while plowing is to miss.

When Jesus lived He had no time to wait;

Disciples fell away and ne’er came back.

I pray when you’re with Him you keep His gait,

And let somebody else take up the slack.

The presence of the Master trumps the dead;

Let others do the burying instead.

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sonnet #389

9-10-14 His Name’s Sake

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

Along the rugged straight and narrow way.

This is the route of truth and holiness

And where my Shepherd taught me how to pray.

There is just one more place I’d rather be,

Though now He bids me heed each step I take.

He guides me to the place I long to see

My Home on Heaven’s shore for His name sake.

Obedience is needed on this trek

For I am prone to stray and surely fail,

So here I track His marks and hear Him beck;

My Shepherd is the way along this trail.

            I follow as He shepherds me along

            And walk in faith to where I so belong.

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He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3 KJV

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7-19-14 From Here to There

Awaken in the morning, plan your day,

For wise is he who plots his route in life.

You set your goals in righteousness this way

To live as Christ through harmony and strife.

But more important than the day’s design

Is trusting in the Lord to guide your course.

With constant prayer your heart and soul incline

To yield each step to Jesus as the source.

As travelers their destination set,

They move by faith along the chosen road.

Then ought you so rely and not forget

The Saviour is the Light this moment showed.

Depend upon the Lord each stride you take

And you will end each day for Heaven’s sake.

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The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

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