4/20/25 Through 4/26/25

 4/20/25 Through 4/26/25

Sunday

Light of Nations, Dawn of Day

Risen from the grave today

No more sadness, only joy

Death and darkness You destroy.

Wash anew my heart this day

Hear the words again today.

I believe and I shall do

All the truth I hear from You

Death destroyed, all people now

Come before Your throne and bow.

Gone the reign of Satan's power

Nevermore to evil cower.

Shine Your light of love in me

Let me one like Mary be

Searching for Your word each day

Hearkening it come what may.

Monday

A bribe for a lie that persists to this day

The wicked deny what the truthful men say.

But which of them die for a lie that they know

While Christians by thousands to gallows will go.

The centuries roll, and the story's the same 

The Christians will die for the love of His name.

The wicked deny what is plain from above

Trapped by the chains of their futile self-love.

The Christian, however, looks on past the Cross

His worldly treasure is counted as loss.

He sees resurrection beyond of the grave

And trusts in the power of God that will save.

So, choose to behold and proclaim what you know

Or quiet you'll be and with wicked will go.

The young need a witness to bolster belief

From lies of the wicked to bring them relief.

So, call on the Spirit twas given that day

To form every word that to others you say.

Let God do the changing; just follow His voice

Let never a bribe, but the truth be your choice.

Tuesday

The Gard'ner He is in the garden above

The garden of order and beauty and love.

The Garden was perfect for Adam and Eve,

But then came the serpent to lie and deceive.

The order was broken and beauty was lost

The price was the fortune that sinfulness cost.

But Jesus restores what the Garden once knew

His death on the Cross was a making things new.

Baptized in the water that flows from His side

He washes away all the sins of our pride.

He shows us obedience, waters the ground,

And that's how the fruit of His love can be found.

The Gard'ner of Life now has shown us the way.

We follow along when we hear and obey

Take root in the soil of God's precious love

To find a new home in the Garden above.

Bearing fruit on the Earth we can answer His call

Reversing the trend of our parents' great fall.

The gates were held closed 'till they opened His side

The water and blood is the great cleansing tide.

So, tend to your garden of order and grace

Let your heart be a fertile and welcoming place.

Receive His instruction and follow each day

It's how to remain on the straight narrow way.

Wednesday

Help me understand Your ways

Stay with me throughout my days

Walk with me and there explain

All I try to learn in vain.

Dark my eyes, and light I need

Sow within my heart Your seed.

Sun to warm my soil first

Rain to quench my aching thirst.

Springing forth on legs renewed

Soul with peace and joy imbued.

Begging for a simple coin

Ranks of wealthy men I join.

Hearts aflame down deep within

All the ways of futile sin

Seen as chaff before the breeze

Love has done away with these.

Share the wealth and make it known

Vic'try over death was shown

One who on the Cross once died

Now for all is glorified.

Thursday

Lord, open my mind for I've lost the key

So easy this happens for many like me.

The scripture contains many stories of me,

A weak and despairing disciple I be.

A disciplined one of great firmness my aim

But weakness and sin is much to my shame.

So, open my mind to the scriptures I plead

Then give me the strength and the wisdom I need.

Send forth Your Spirit in floods to my soul,

Grant all that's needed to make my life whole.

Wisdom and Knowledge, and Fear of the Lord

Understanding and Counsel, Courage outpoured.

A will that is formed in the pattern of You

A great care for others in all that I do.

A heart that is nourished with love every day

And docile to all that to me, You will say.

Let me be Your servant and instrument used

My faults and my failings, in mercy excused.

A one of no value in many an eye

But a humble and faithful obedient guy.

Friday

Should all on the Earth hear what You say?

Do you know the Lord?  Have you found the Way?

The news that is good, is given to share,

All are His children, for all we must care.

Entrusted with treasure, we must multiply

Be ready to preach, or be ready to die

He calls from the shore that we lower the nets

Who answers the call, new life He begets.

The Spirit He sends to those who obey

Turning cowards to ones who openly say

That Jesus is Lord and King of all kings

And life resurrected to faithful He brings.

So, death has no power; the truth shall prevail

Those following truth, they never shall fail.

Though truth is assaulted, no weaker it grows

But always its strength over falsehood it shows.

So, answer His call and take up your role

The Spirit He'll give to strengthen your soul

And joy in the trials we face every day

Will come to the faithful who hear and obey.

Saturday

Know we in silence cannot stay

For Him we saw the other day

Has risen glorified as King

And so to others news we bring.

How cruel to stifle news like this

Depriving poor of hope and bliss

You, too, should know that what we say

Would light your path along the way

This name of Jesus still today

Brings stark division to the fray

The heart repentant, warm and pure

His name alone can quickly cure.

You be the judge what we should do

Obey the Lord, or follow you.

The choice is clear: we must proclaim

The glories of His Holy Name.

04/13/25 Through 04/19/25

 04/13/25 Through 04/19/25

Sunday

Your Passion Lord has said it all 

You followed well the Father's call

The perfect and unblemished Lamb

The Holy, Mighty, Great I AM.

The total gift of self You made

To every saint and sinner bade

To turn from sin and flee to God

And follow in the steps You trod.

Two eons past, and still I see

Your death has meaning meant for me.

Submission to the Father's plan

Is always best for every man.

Monday

There's no extravagance can be

Too great a gift for One as Thee.

The broken vessel points the way

By giving weight to what we say.

No turning back, so all we give

To one day with our Savior live

In endless light and purest love

With saints and angels up above.

What's here below in passing time

Is nothing more than simple rhyme

All pleasures offered here below

Cannot compare to who we know.

The loving Maker of all things

Alone, our satisfaction brings.

The longing in each heart He fills

"Till peace and joy just overspills.

No poor forgotten in such gift

The Lord shall all the lowly lift

With His extravagance for man

According to the Father's plan.

Tuesday

Oh Lord, what pain betrayal brings,

To place Your love behind our things.

How worthless silver, paltry gold,

When such a love as You behold.

Yet so it is for every man

We, too, have turned away and ran.

We, too, have chosen selfish ways

Instead of making love our gaze.

Repentance is our only key

A humble turning back to Thee

Our only hope is mercy Lord

Your love alone our great reward.

Wednesday

Just what does sin offer but shame and disgrace,

A brief little pleasure in this passing place?

No joy in the winning of such an acclaim

With none but the selfish and prideful to blame.

The sinner sees not to the end of the game

His sights are on falsehood, not seeing the flame.

The path to destruction with pleasure replete,

But, Oh, what a diff'rence when judgment they meet.

But often I've strayed and been one of those fools

The young disobeying, or stubborn old mules.

Seeing at last where this pathway will lead

Lord, it's mercy I need, and mercy I plead.

Thursday

Hear again the ancient story

Listen to the tales of glory.

Enter into all He offers

Open up the sacred coffers.

Listen to what's true and lasting

Find the meaning of your fasting.

Not a custom without meaning,

Works the soul and spirit cleaning.

Once enslaved, but led to freedom

Born a nation and a kingdom.

Bread from Heaven daily given

Chains of slavery so riven.

This foreshadowing of glory

Far more than some children's story.

Truth sustaining generations

Set apart from other nations.

Ark, a holy sign of vict'ry,

There within was held the myst'ry.

Of priesthood, laws, and daily bread

All truths on which we're daily fed.

Good Friday

What can I say when I look at the Cross?

All confidence fails when I think of the loss.

But looking beyond to the third day I see

Twas all done by Christ just to save one like me.

How awesome the love, 'fore or since ne'er was known

Only Son of the Father, for mankind has shown.

To search out the stray and retrieve who was lost,

Unblemished true Man and true God was the cost.

This day is so good in the sight of all men

Engraved with the father's final Amen.

Death came to all by the sin of the one

But life is returned by the death of the Son.

Holy Saturday

One day within Your presence Lord

Far more than man could e'er afford

The loss of which we mourn today

These simple empty jars of clay.

Our thoughts had been, You'd save us all.

We never thought we'd see You fall.

You healed the blind, the sick, the lame.

The poor and lowly, rich became.

So many demons driven out

Those chained in sin became devout.

The lowly raised to Heaven's height

Your presence shining ever bright.

But now You lie behind the stone

Though many here, we feel alone.

There's sadness in this somber day,

It seems Your sheep have lost their way.

04/06/25 Through 04/12/25

 04/06/25 Through 04/12/25

Sunday

An upward calling all receive

In hope and trust, we must believe

What lies behind or lies ahead

All needs are met with daily bread.

What's written in the dust is gone

Just focus now on moving on

We rise above our sinful ways

When Heaven sets our forward gaze.

All beauty, pleasure, wealth, and fame

On Earth below appears so lame

When light of glory shines within

And tells us, "Put an end to sin."

Monday

Our wickedness will self-condemn

And bring God's wrath upon our stem.

The branch we follow indicates

What after death, for man awaits.

What evil breeds are lying words

To lead away complacent herds

But mercy finds a way to win

For those who turn away from sin.

Tuesday

The venom of rebellion kills,

It's fatal to the man.

With filthy lies, the heart it fills

And suffocate it can.

But looking on the Cross we live

It's called the Tree of Life.

For thereupon did Jesus give

Us freedom from the strife.

Once lifted up, The Great I AM

Obedience would show

The way to pass the last exam

And Father come to know.

But those refusing what is due

Refuse to see the King

Self-blinded to the humble Jew

And life that He would bring.

Give praise and let your voices sing

Of glories due His name

Let trumpets blast and cymbals ring

And hearts be set aflame.

The Son of God has come to Earth

To show His flock the way

One fully man of humble birth

To listen and obey.

The Father's will in everything

He did with ardent care

Not holding back on anything

With nothing left to spare.

Don't turn away from such a gift

But look upon the Cross

Allow His love your soul to lift

Count Earthly gain as loss.

Wednesday

If you were sons of Abraham

much different you would be,

Not living as an empty sham,

But one that's truly free.

We're not enslaved, have never been,

What means to be set free?

Oh yes, you're slaves each time you sin,

The devil dwells in thee.

I do what God instructs of Me,

I listen and obey.

Your work can never set one free,

You follow Satan's way.

If God were Father, you would love,

Not choose your evil ways.

My Father is the One above

And is the One who saves.

Thursday

With promise comes a change of name

This man of everlasting fame

Forever known as Abraham

A man who followed well God's plan.

A man whose trust in God became

The mark of his most storied fame

When none on Earth could find their way,

This Abraham would just obey.

No hesitance or questioning

No holding back or reckoning

But simply acting on the word

That from the mouth of God he heard.

So too, would man be better off

To listen well and not put off

Obedience in every way

To light the path through life each day.

Friday

So clear the claim that Jesus made,

So dear the price that Jesus paid.

The Son of God and Son of Man

His road to Calvary began.

By clearly claiming who He was

The Jews were outraged just because

They failed to see His works of love

Could only come from One above.

Their minds were darkened by their sin

His light they would not let within.

And so, the veil once drawn to good

They sought to hang Him on the Wood.

Don't let that veil for you be drawn,

But see the light the third day dawned.

Repent and know that He forgives.

When sinners change, the sinner lives.

Saturday

Lord, make me holy, make me pure

All my selfishness please cure.

Gather me from far away

Be my Shepherd day to day.

 

3/30325 Through 4/5/25

 3/30325 Through 4/5/25

Sunday

Not as man's, the eyes of God

He sees beyond the frontal fraud

He sees into the depths within

To read a heart of good or sin.

Once children of the dark, but changed

By love, the heart now rearranged.

No more the fruitless works of night,

All visible, now in the light.

As one born blind was made to see,

The Light of Life was sent to me.

To see my sinful ways before

Would lead to darkness evermore.

The grace to change do all men need

The voice of God we all must heed

To walk amid the light of day

And find the straight and narrow way.

Monday

You may go and find your child healed

So great the force His word can wield

For Earth is new, and Heavens too

When Christ our Lord but touches you.

The sins of past ne'er come to mind

It's pure delight His people find

No mourning in that sacred land

But every joy the Master planned.

For once His love and mercy's seen

We too, become alike His queen

No evil draws our gaze away

As Truth and Beauty we obey.

Tuesday

What's your excuse to listen not?

His words of love have you forgot?

He promises to feed us well 

If we but shall His message tell

It's easy just to waste away

And make excuses not to pray,

But soon our muscles atrophy

And crippled then shall lazy be.

No healing comes for such a man

But, turn around the lazy can

To wade in Mercy's rushing flow

And come His healing love to know.

However long it's been for you

There's mercy and forgiveness too,

But change must truly be your aim

Or else you just remain as lame.

Wednesday

The Father and Jesus completely are One

And so is the Spirit sent by the Son.

The concept abhorrent to those in His time

And so in our day to such height we must climb.

The truth of His word we have seen and proclaim

It's clear from the Father that Jesus once came.

His will so aligned with the Father's to save,

The all of His blood on the Cross He once gave.

His offering perfect, an unblemished Lamb

Passover completed by God and by man.

Imperfect our knowledge, but truth it remains

And also the Spirit, the Godhead contains.

Distinct as a person each One of the Three

A union so bonded that One it must be.

Beyond what the mind of the mortals conceive

But truth that His followers now all believe.

Thursday

Two ears to hear He gave to man

But man thinks his a better plan.

We often hear it plain as day

But turn to face another way.

Lord, let us stand within the breach

And only truthful doctrine teach

So those who stray so easily

Might persevere for love of Thee

Lord, soften hearts and help them see

Their way leads far away from Thee

A self-made god will never do

Our only hope is trust in You.

Friday

So, this is what You promise Lord

To children of Your name

Revilement and a pointed sword

Your enemies to blame.?

Don't think this path an easy one

If treated so was Christ.

Salvation which our Savior won

Was truly so high-priced.

But when it seemed that all was lost,

Hid body in the grave,

He paid the highest ever cost,

But rose again to save.

For here below we cannot find

True peace within the soul

Above we find a diff'rent kind

That truly makes us whole.

So, suffer well and trust in Him

Those heartsick here below

Must see beyond the dark and dim

Above to Heaven's glow.

Saturday

All around the crowds encroaching

Evil sent but not approaching

Words like His are never spoken

All the rules of man now broken

None before as wise and knowing

Fame and reputation growing

Now threatening the status quo,

The chiefs decide this man must go.

Lions prowl in endless wanting

All their territory haunting

Always stalking prey for eating

Every day this plan repeating.

Till the Galilean preaching

Starts to bring a diff'rent teaching

With a wisdom none can counter

Truth itself does man encounter.

Now the tension daily mounting

To the final days we're counting

Evil thinks that death is winning

Yet it marks a new beginning.

3/23/25 Through 3/29/25

 3/23/25 Through 3/29/25

Sunday

Lord, make me want You more and more

Give me angel wings to soar.

Lord, make my roots grow deep and wide,

Make Your word my constant guide.

Lord, make me not a barren tree

Make me bear much fruit for Thee.

Lord, let me draw from flowing streams

Bearing fruit Your love esteems.

For late I've come to you my Lord

Another year You won't afford.

Your many gifts must make return,

Or in the lasting fire burn.

Much patience you have shown to me

I dare not be a barren tree.

For lo, Your patience has an end

Where on my fruit I must depend.

Then judgment comes, the fear of all,

When, mercy is the loudest call.

And those remaining fruitless see

There is no mercy left for thee.

Monday

A child's voice to man revealed

God's power in their time concealed.

The man of import humbled so,

In haste to Israel would go.

With gold and silver, clothing fine,

The man, a healing, hoped to find.

But gold and silver could not win

A way to heal his sickly skin.

A washing in the Jordan, though

For seven times would let him know

The God of Israel alone

As God above all gods was shown.

Tuesday

I am the servant of the Lord,

To me, His grace has been outpoured.

I, too, must magnify His name

I, too, am one for whom He came.

My soul rejoices, as does She

He came for all, including me.

The mighty cast from thrones on high,

The lowly lifted to the sky.

Great mercy He has shown mankind

A light of love on Earth He shined.

His strength was shown to scatter pride

For on the Cross the Humble died.

But three days hence, His glory shone

For then He rolled away the stone,

And rose victorious o'er the grave,

His faithful children all to save.

Wednesday

Just keep the law and pass for wise.

Be honored in your neighbor's eyes.

So, hear His word, observe His law

His love will cover every flaw.

So, keep His law, do not forget

The progeny which you beget

Must hear and learn and pass it on,

Or let His blessing soon be gone.

Thursday

From days in Egypt until now,

Your word has come to show us how,

To prosper as a nation, Lord

But oh, so often, we've ignored.

We've taken many gifts from You

But fail to then return Your due.

We act as if we've earned our way

And listen not to what You say.

Our ways are governed then by pride,

We heed not voices You provide.

We stop our ears and stomp our feet

As spoiled brats in self-conceit.

But still You call and beckon back

To keep us on the narrow track.

Too often though, we go astray

And try to find another way.

There is no way but that You show

For wise and docile sheep to go.

Lord, give us wisdom, make us strong.

Help us to get where we belong.

Help us to harden not our hearts

But heed to all Your voice imparts;

To follow every word You say;

And walk in peace the narrow way.

Friday

If Jacob simply listened well

How great the stories He could tell.

What wonders he would truly see

If he would listen well to Me.

Just open wide, and I would fill

For all who cater to My will,

And I would conquer all his foes

And cancel every debt he owes.

On wheat and honey, he would dine;

The finest wheat and choicest wine.

For all who listen and obey

Shall feast with Me that final day.

For I am Lord of all alone,

No other god be worship shown.

When mind and strength belong to me

Salvation then My children see.

Saturday

Forgive! Forgive, oh Lord, my sin!

You know my sorrow deep within.

So many times I've turned away

You called, yet still I went astray.

So foolish in so many ways

Your voice was heard throughout my days

But often I would pay no heed

Ignoring what the poor might need.

Then poverty was at my door

In spite of all that I worked for.

All riches, power, wealth, and fame

Compared to love are simply lame.

Your mercy Lord is what I need

And this is what I humbly plead.

No merit in these works of mine

That just somehow are set to rhyme.

No work of simple man could pay

For what You gave that awful day

When Love was nailed upon the tree

To save a sinner such as me.

But let me try with all I own

To make Your loving kindness known;

To spread Your love to those in need

And scatter broadly Mercy's seed.