12-8-15 The Strait and Narrow

¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 KJV

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THE STRAIT AND NARROW

The path to Heaven’s like a razors edge,

‘Twill shred your flesh to ribbons on the way.

Too few will walk this fine and narrow ledge,

This sacrifice of self, no room to sway.

Then strait ahead is Jesus; He’s the gate.

There is no other way to get inside.

His blood will cover you, your sins negate

As you walk through the Door to then abide.

But many choose the wide and easy road;

The company is gay and jubilant

But leads to sinful ruin and Hell’s abode

Where all you hear is weeping and lament.

Eternal life is found through Christ alone.

You must go through the gate to reach the throne.

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!

9-24-15 His Power in You

⁸ Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

⁹ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Matthew 4:8-10 KJV

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When Satan comes and whispers in your ear,

Or more than likely shoves it in your face,

And tempts you with his guile, then have no fear

For Jesus dwells with you in every case.

The father of all lies knows who you are;

He wants to have you bow to him alone.

He’ll offer you the world and go so far

As giving you a seat upon a throne.

The Savior lives and breathes the Holy Ghost;

The power that raised Him is in you, too.

The next time Satan offers you the most

Just let the Spirit get ahold of you.

Say ‘Get behind me, Lucifer! You lose!

I serve the Lord above! It’s Him I choose!’

9-11-15 You Are Not Alone

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Psalm 34:15 KJV

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No matter where you go you’re not alone;

The presence of the Lord will see you through.

His eyes are on you now, His grace is shown:

The righteousness of Jesus dwells in you.

God’s eye of Providence: a blanket warm,

To comfort and protect you faithfully.

His eye of Love to see you through each storm,

A Father’s gaze upon His child set free.

He hears your cries within the tempest roar

When all the world is shouting out their sins.

He answers all your prayers and even more

Responds to every groan as it begins.

You put your faith in Christ upon the throne;

Now rest assured you’ll never be alone.

5-25-15 White as Snow

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18 KJV

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Don’t be afraid, don’t hide your head in shame;

No matter what you’ve done I still love you.

I’m not just made of vengeance as they claim;

You do not need to fear a harsh review.

Just lift your eyes and come to Christ in prayer;

It matters not if sins be crimson red.

My Son died for your sins, now don’t despair;

His blood will wash them white as snow instead.

I sent Him as the Lamb to sacrifice,

To die for all your sins both great and small.

Accept Him as your Lord, He paid the price;

Let Jesus in your heart, on Him do call.

On Judgment Day when you approach the throne,

You’ll have no sin, for Jesus did atone

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sonnet #370

5-20-15 Glory

² Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

³ And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Isaiah 6:2-3 KJV

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Imagine standing fore the throne of God,

With seraphims above it shouting praise.

Our best envisionings would still be flawed;

The mind cannot conceive the slightest gaze.

But here we are surrounded by our things,

While just outside the door the world is wide.

So full of God’s great glory nature sings,

And every grain of earth He did provide.

In Eden and again when all’s complete,

The Earth in all her splendor will be known,

Yet even now her beauty’s so replete

God’s glory can be found in leaf and stone.

Right now we can’t see God upon His throne,

But take a walk outdoors, His glory’s shown.

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sonnet #365

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

3-21-15 Thou Shalt Not Steal

Do not take anything that is not yours

Against another’s will by fraud or force.

If there was no more theft in all the stores

The price of everything would fall, of course.

Just know that when you tell someone a lie

You’re robbing them quite plainly of the truth,

And when you break a vow then trust will die;

You cannot get it back just like lost youth.

The things you do in secret will be shown,

So don’t think that you’re clever, smooth and deft.

Some day you will face Jesus on the throne,

And there will be exposed your every theft.

If you would be forgiven then repent;

Restore all that you took with ill intent.

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Thou shalt not steal.

Exodus 20:15 KJV

2-10-15 Clearly

The wondrous power of our God is seen,

Invisible Himself beyond our ken,

But clearly known by nature’s noble scene

From supernova grand to simple wren.

But there are those who claim God can’t exist

Because He won’t provide a selfie shot,

Yet proof of Him is always in our midst;

It’s easier to say just what He’s not.

So when the Day of Judgment is at hand

And every knee shall bow before the Lord,

There will be no excuse that can withstand

The final resolution and reward.

You cannot see God sitting on His throne,

But all that He has made is clearly shown.

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For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world are clearly seen,

being understood by the things that are made, 

even his eternal power and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

Romans 1:20 KJV

2-7-15 Thrive

Although the world around you is a mess

And everyone agrees it won’t last long

Before it all collapses in distress,

Because you are a child of God stand strong.

You live by faith so ready for the day

When you shall see the Lord in glory shown,

That even though the world will fall away

You praise the name of Jesus on His throne!

The body you inhabit soon must die,

Just like the universe so vast and grand,

But there is more to you than meets the eye

For you belong to He who will withstand.

Conduct yourself as one who will survive;

Beyond the mortal realm your soul shall thrive.

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Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be

in all holy conversation and godliness

2 Peter 3:11 KJV