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.

1-11-16 Live to Serve

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45 KJV

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To be an imitation of the Lord

You must become a servant through and through,

To give love with no thought of a reward,

To minister to all, this must you do.

Christ gave His life a ransom for your soul,

Was beaten, bled and died for all your sin.

He did this for He dared assume the role

A servant with the key to let you in.

Can you do any less than minister

To everyone around you all the time?

Let Christ become your Lord so deep and pure;

He’ll then begin His work through you sublime.

Christ came not to be served, but came to serve.

Work with Him serving others – don’t conserve.

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REMEMBER: Treat everyone as if you would treat Jesus.

1-4-16 Blessed is the Man

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 1:1 KJV

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How blessed is the man that walks with God,

Who listens to His counsel night and day,

For those that don’t are living a facade,

Whose best advice no more than a cliché.

How blessed is the man that stands with Christ,

Who keeps the Lord’s commandments out of love,

For those that don’t the world has so enticed,

Whose fate is bound in darkness and thereof.

How blessed is the man that kneels in prayer,

Whose faith is in the Lord so full of grace,

For those that don’t are sitting in despair,

Whose scorn and hate are all they can embrace.

Keep focused on the Word in thought and deed.

He’ll guide you through this place of sin and need.

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REMEMBER: When you walk in the Light of Christ you will not stumble.

1-1-16 Please Let Him In

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20 KJV

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O sinner, hear Him knocking at your door!

The hour is late; don’t let Him pass you by!

Please let Him in; He’s who you’re looking for!

The beating of your heart means He’s nearby!

O sinner, hear Him calling out your name!

Do you not recognize your Savior’s voice?

Please let Him in; you’ll never be the same!

Just open up your heart and you’ll rejoice!

O sinner, Jesus died that you might live!

When He was on the cross He thought of you!

Please let Him in with all His love to give!

Don’t let another moment pass you through!

O sinner, drink with Christ His cup of bliss!

Please let Him in! Eternity’s His kiss!

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REMEMBER: The choice is yours. Choose Christ!

11-18-15 Trying Times

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 KJV

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Whenever someone speaks the ‘truth’ to you,

You want within your heart to just believe,

For if you think that all men say is pooh,

You’d be so bitter all your friends would leave.

Sometimes a speaker thought they really knew;

Sometimes they’re outright lying so severe.

How do you know if what you hear is true?

There is a way to try the spirits here.

The scriptures will reveal what is askew;

It’s so important, studying the Word.

The Holy Spirit surely sees you through;

If you’re in tune with Him, the truth’s ensured.

False prophets are a dime a dozen now;

It’s easy to know truth if you know how.

9-25-15 The Perfect Example

²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

²⁵ For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21-25 KJV

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There is no greater love than Christ has shown,

The perfect model for a perfect life,

Who chose to leave His bright celestial throne

To come and save His sheep through pain and strife.

He had no sin Himself but came for ours,

Enduring all the wrath of God and man,

Who could have freed Himself with awesome powers

But chose to bring salvation as His plan,

And all the torment that our Lord endured,

Reviled, threatened, beaten, crucified,

He did for you so you could be secured.

He loved you so He suffered, bled and died.

O friend, I know He thought of you that day

As He was hanging on the cross that way!

9-12-15 Bad Company

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV

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Beware the gathering of those unsaved

Who use their tongues to denigrate the saints,

And on the surface seem so well behaved

Until you hear them speak without restraint.

If you are not too careful you will slide

Into the way of wicked thought and speech.

Before you know it Christ have you denied,

And you’ll no longer practice what you preach.

If you must be in such bad company,

Remember Jesus lives and grows in you.

Put all your faith in Him and you will see

No matter what they say He’ll see you through.

Good character’s corrupted by such talk.

The Savior’s here to help you walk the walk.

9-2-15 Consider the Lilies

²⁸ And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

²⁹ And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:28-29 KJV

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We worry far too much on earthly things,

The ones of us who are not destitute,

And even indigents and poor who clings

Don’t walk around in their own birthday suit.

We color coordinate, accessorize,

Buy far too many shoes for our two feet,

And then we walk the mall with googly eyes,

And notice what is worn by those we meet.

Just step out side, the wildest flower calls

To show you what the Lord has dressed them in,

And O! their perfect beauty shames the malls,

Yet neither do they work, nor do they spin.

The more time that you spend on what to wear

Is less time that is spent absorbed in prayer.

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8-29-15 Treacherous Times

And then many will be offended,

and shall betray one another,

and shall hate one another.

Matthew 24:10 KJV

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These are the latter days which Christ foretold

When brethren are offended by the Word,

And even those who used to be quite bold

Will turn their backs on those the Gospel stirred.

Though many fall away these shall be worse,

Who once did follow Jesus in the day

But now will stumble back to point and curse

The Christians they once loved yet now betray.

Such hatred shall arise from those thought saved,

With vehemence they’ll trample on the flock.

The lies apostates spread are so depraved

To make the world lash out in fear and shock.

Hold fast in Christ; your faith will long endure.

When they knock down your door His love’s secure.

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sonnet #451

8-26-15 Give and Give

Give to him that asketh thee,

and from him that would borrow of thee

turn not thou away.

Matthew 5:42 KJV

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There is this spark of giving in the saved,

A constant pouring out of love to life,

Not born of duty or of laws enslaved,

Not subject to a custom, stale and rife.

The heart of Christ provides to all that needs

Without a thought of getting something back.

The hand of Christ is busy doing deeds,

For what He has He gives to those who lack.

To those who ask deliver what you can;

To those who wish to borrow, them you lend.

The grace that you exhibit once began

With God whose love we cannot comprehend.

Don’t turn away the beggar, but recall

Christ died for that man, too; He gave His all.

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sonnet #448