9-12-15 Bad Company

bad company 02

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.

9-1-15 On Speaking in Tongues

tongues

2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:2-4 KJV

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There’s nothing wrong with speaking unknown tongues,

Unless you’re teaching Sunday School in church.

God gave you vocal chords and also lungs

To worship Him, not leave us in the lurch.

The Spirit speaks the truth into the heart,

And sometimes whispers secrets unrevealed.

Such mysteries remain so from the start

Unless a translator is there to yield. 1

If you’re to lead your brethren into war

It’s so important they know what you mean.

An unknown call in battle they’ll ignore, 2

So speak commands that’s understood and keen. 3

An unknown tongue’s for you and you alone.

If you’re to prophesy, let it be known.

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1 1 Corinthians 14:13

2 1 Corinthians 14:8

3 1 Corinthians 14:15

7-27-15 Dumb

the_mute

32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Matthew 9:32-33 KJV

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The Devil prowls the earth with rancid breath,

Befouling souls with lies and hate and pride;

His simple goal: to lure us all to death,

To bring us down with him and there abide.

 

When Satan wraps his talons round our throat,

He robs us of our hope and leaves us dumb.

But there is One of whom the prophets wrote,

Who casts all demons out and leaves them mum.

 

When we have faith in Jesus, we reach out

And put our hand in His, then with that touch,

Our lives are changed forever with a shout!

Our tongues are then set free to praise Him much.

 

If you can’t say you’re saved and glory bound,

You’ll find your voice in Christ a loving sound.

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sonnet #418

6-1-15 All For One – Part Two

holy ghost

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:8-12 KJV

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The Spirit gifts one saint with wisdom deep,

And gives another knowledge straight and strong.

The Spirit grants another faith to keep;

He knows just where His attributes belong.

The Spirit gives one pow’rs to heal the sick,

Another miracles to show the way.

The truth through prophecy to one He picks;

These gifts the Holy Spirit does convey.

He gives to one discernment of the heart,

Reveals the gift of tongues another speaks.

He then lets one interpret tongues apart;

They all are of one Spirit, but unique.

So many diff’rent members, though as one,

We all are of one body of the Son.

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sonnet #376

5-31-15 All For One – Part One

painting by Janet McKensie

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:8-12 KJV

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When you are saved by Christ’s atoning blood,

You then become much more than family;

The Spirit enters you just like a flood

And works on you uniquely by degree.

Just as the body is comprised of parts,

Each part designed to function for the whole,

Yet none can long survive when pulled apart

But thrives with all the others in their role.

The Holy Spirit knows your aptitude

And fashions you to serve in harmony.

It may not always be what you pursued

Before you came to Christ and was set free.

The gift the Spirit lays upon your heart

You’ll find in time was perfect from the start.

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sonnet #375