1/25/26 Through 1/31/26

1/25/26 Through 1/31/26 

Sunday

Do not empty the Cross of its meaning

For to do so would be quite demeaning

The people must see that in Christ you agree

And none, to the world, are leaning.

For Jesus is light and salvation

He came to release every nation

From slavery to sin and their confidence win

By leading to joy and elation

So, repent for the Kingdom's at hand

A great light has been shown on the land

Overshadowed by death, now breathe of His breath

Upright, now the cripple can stand.

Monday

Each was created for work of some kind

For each, a vocation to seek and to find

Each called by our Lord in some special way

To carry the torch and light up the day

Darkness is lurking wherever you turn

Aflame with the light of the Spirit, you burn

A gift of yourself to bring warming and light

The Sword of the Spirit, to win you the fight.

Don't shy from assaults, as surely they come

Don't cry in your beer, looking pittied and glum

The Spirit you have is detachment from all

Empowering grace when you answer the call.

Enslaved unto Christ, by a choice that you made

In awe of His love and the price that He paid.

He'll never abandon His Church in her need

Each martyr she claims is a life-giving seed.

Take courage as such, knowing all that you do

Is fodder that's feeding successors of you

The city beyond, in the skies up above

Is a city of peace and of brotherly love.

Tuesday

A dance of joy before the Lord

A cup of blessing, Christ out-poured

He showed the way for men to be

Adopted sons, in love with Thee.

His family does the Father's will

Each making sacrifices still

To place the other one above

And build the Paradise of love.

Lord, let me see and know Your will

Then with Your love, my quiver fill

That every arrow meet its mark

And all Your light dispel the dark.

It's discipline that brings the joy

The will, we must, all times deploy

Conforming ours to Thine alone

And making love to others known.

Wednesday

No house of cedar, stone, or gold

Could such a mighty Savior hold

The house He builds is that of men

Revealing all His glory when:

The weakling conquers over might

And poor and humble win the fight

When wicked men, the fools, are shown

And through the righteous, wisdom known

The Cornerstone He laid is Christ

Whose sacrifice alone enticed

The common man, to love embrace,

And trials, like our Savior, face.

It's such a house will never fail

And mansions of the earth but pale

When seen beside the house of love

That He prepares for you above.

Thursday

Now bless, oh Lord, your servant's house

My progeny, and yea, my spouse

With faith that's strong and true in You

And always giving rightful due.

For all I have are gifts You sent

To love You more, each gift is meant

I pray that all would follow well

And of the Gospel story tell.

What e'er I have, I now return

And offer all to someday learn

Your depth of love for all mankind

And life eternal, with You find.

So, let Your light within me shine

And let me, on Your flesh, Lord dine.

So all that I've received from you

I pass along to others, too.

Friday

Once sin is chosen over good

The heart is hardened, much like wood

Then, as we choose for self alone

The heart will soon become like stone.

Then sins which once the heart abhorred

Become the only crew aboard

Then sin, it seems, is all we know

And lost into the depths we go.

But just as sin was started small

Repentance helps us hear our call

And as we turn the ship around,

The truth of love is what is found.

As little sins all led to more,

So, little vict'ries win the war.

Each time we turn to what is true

We see a little more of You.

The beauty seen in sacrifice

Will more and more, to love entice

Then small beginnings start to bloom

And sweetness fills our every room

Saturday

Oh, what a shock when our sin is revealed!

The sin which we thought so well, we concealed.

With One who's all-knowing and sees every deed

The lies of the guilty will never succeed.

For wasting away when concealed in the heart

Repenting is always the way we must start

Confessing our sin and admitting our guilt

In only this way is a sturdy house built.

When seen in the light, every sin is quite dark

Greed, envy, and pride, always missing the mark

Our gluttony, lust, and our avarice, too,

Ever pulling us down and much further from You.

So, walk in the light knowing there you're secure

By doing what's needed to keep the heart pure.

Don't sin in the storm, but rely then on He

Who speaks and gives orders to wind and to sea.

It's Jesus alone who's forgiving of sin

His working alone, our salvation can win

So, give Him your heart in repentance each day

And turn from the sin that has darkened your way.