1/11/26 Through 1/17/26

 1/11/26 Through 1/17/26

Sunday

A voice that thunders from above

The Spirit lighting as a dove,

He came to show repentance is

The way of life anew of His.

A daily change within the heart

To cling to Him and not depart

To seek His grace in all we do

And make His voice our guiding cue.

That sign once placed upon the soul

Bespeaks of grace to make us whole

But grace must be accepted or 

We lose the battle and the war.

But long as breath is still around

A full repentance may be found

Don't wait until it's far too late

And wake to find they've locked the gate.

Monday

Amid an ordinary day

The call was made to come His way

To turn from barrenness to Him

Repenting of our ways of sin.

He wants to have us fish for men

To recognize just how and when

To speak His word and share the news

That Christ has come, the King of Jews.

For faithfulness alone brings joy

And all the schemes that men employ

Apart from Him to find their way

Will only lead the more astray.

So, follow Him in all you do

And spread the news to others, too.

For all are called to bear much fruit

While on our Heavenly pursuit.

Tuesday

Amid the plain, He saw the hills

Among the One who saves, who kills.

The Healer of a diff'rent kind

Within their midst, the people find.

A One with grand authority

Unlike the ones that oft we see.

The evil spirits flee away

If just a simple word You say.

The prayer of humble heart is heard

So many times has this occurred

We've come to see it as the norm

When Christ within the heart is born.

Wednesday

He calls to all, but few will hear

For only wise will tune the ear

And wise alone will listen well

Then of the Father's glories tell.

Don't be the fool who passes by

A time to chat with God Most High.

To do His will is my delight

For so, the fires of love ignite.

Our happiness is Him alone

So, when we stray, on ways our own

We fall for glittered, shiny bling

That only grief and heartache bring.

Your word, oh Lord, and that alone

Must be our Rock and Cornerstone

Our guiding light when all is dim

Our steady aid to shore and shim.

You heal the sick and raise the dead

As all the Gospel stories said

So, why don't all believe and hear?

Because they've turned a deafened ear.

To do Your will requires a shift

No more allowing life to drift

But focusing on where You lead

And how to best, Your teaching heed.

Thursday

Because of Your mercy, redeem us, oh Lord

Our army's disgraced and defeated by sword.

We're plundered at will by this pagan regime

We need One forgiving to heal and redeem.

We're mocked and maligned in the news of the day

They say only weaklings need take time to pray.

They laugh, and they laugh at our pleas made to You

While knowing our flesh is opposing of You.

Our souls may be bent, and our bodies are bowed,

But somewhere within, there's a seed that You sowed.

Though none are deserving, redeem all the fold

That someday the light of Your love we behold.

Friday

You want us Lord, to rule our own

To show that in Your light, we've grown.

From those controlled by flesh alone,

To those great self-control have shown.

But, yea, we choose another way

To be like pagans of the day

With king to rule and fight for them

And make a slave of all the men.

So few can find the will inside

To let You be their loving guide

To turn away from temporal things

And see what joy the Father brings.

It's He who knows our every need

And He who wants us to succeed

His self-control and discipline

Will freedom for the humble win.

Saturday

The righteous ones remain uncalled

For they, at Him, remain appalled

By eating in the sinner's lair

And showing public sinners care.

A tax collector chosen here 

A one of whom the people fear.

No love for such a traitor kind

Could anyone among them find.

But Christ could see what lies within,

Profound repentance for his sin.

So, love and mercy made him new

And so, for you, would Jesus do.

No magic here, but love alone

Great mercy for the sinner shown

But only those with humble heart 

Who wish to make another start.

So, frequently, we must repent

And course-correct to where we're sent

For always in His love is where

We find that grace and mercy rare.

The call is there in every day

To follow Him, or go our way

Will you the tax collector be, 

Or just another Pharisee?