12/13/20 Through 12/19/20

 12/13/20 Through 12/19/20

Sunday

In joyful praise give thanks to God,

Be steadfast all your days.

To whom you pray is not some fraud,

But One the wise obeys.

Each one a purpose, clear, distinct,

No other can fulfill.

To many others, each is linked

Within His holy will.

So be a means of grace to those

You meet throughout the day.

Show others, how in joy you chose

To thank Him as you pray.

We may not see or ever know

How God has used our day,

But patient love and kindness show,

He answers when we pray.

Not always though, as we would like,

But always for our good.

Our role is to be childlike,

And trust Him as we should.

Monday

Connecting dots, quite clear I see 

That Balaam was a bit like me.

Both knowing God and knowing not,

The awesome gift that he had got.

So too, the Pharisee did know,

John's teaching was the way to go.

In pride, refusing to repent

Those hypocrites away were sent.

For action is required where

The truth is known, and come to bear.

Conviction in our ways of sin

So growth at last, could then begin.

Tuesday

My every word received from You

The source of good in all I do.

Alone, one worthy of no praise.

His grace, the blessing of my days.

One poor, without an offering,

Yet all my sins,  to Him I bring,

And beg for Mercy's healing grace

That in His blood, my sins erase.

I often try, but cannot hide,

The depth of selfishness inside

That often leads my heart astray,

Instead of leading to obey.

But with Your grace, I'll change the mind

Then meek and humble often find

Your way, it is that brings the joy,

If I would just Your grace employ.

Wednesday

No longer wonder who is He,

Who makes lame walk and blind men see.

The leper's cleansed, the deaf man hears

The dead are raised, and poor He cheers.

No other One who forms the light

Created darkness for the night,

Makes good health and brings the woe,

He is the One that all should know.

Like gentle rain, let justice fall.

Let earth be open to His call.

From time's beginning, none but He,

And all the earth should plainly see.

All knees shall bend, all tongues confess,

The humble soul, His words shall bless.

And vindication just shall see.

For wicked, flames eternally.

Thursday

In family lies a history,

A story that is His.

Of faith, and those who fall away,

Of every kind that is.

We look and see a varied group

Of saints and sinners too.

Each one a flavor in the soup

That brings us down to you.

We see when looking back on those

How God has used each one.

Even shameful, as the keys

To whom you've now become.

But now the choice is up to you

To pass the faith along.

To be a saint in all you do,

Or one to do the wrong.

What ere the past, it's up to you.

To set the future course

So think of this in all you do,

Make love your driving force.

A savory spice, or bitter herb

The choice is up to you.

No matter which, you will disturb

The flavor of the stew.

Friday

A man of gracious, humble heart

Refused to let her suffer shame.

Decided quietly to part,

Till in a dream, the angel came.

And said, "Don't worry, true is she

He's chosen in virginity."

To bear the Son of God and be

The One to set the captives free.

Saturday

The gift of life, so great a gift

No other can compare.

It passes by so very swift

Oft times we're unaware.

Of all that He has done for us

In oh, so many ways.

So take a moment and discuss

How He is due our praise.

Each time we see an infant there

Newborn of love's embrace.

It takes us to the Godhead where

We see Him face to face.

Each face a mirror of His love,

Each one afresh and new.

Each turns our thoughts to Him above

Who sends the morning dew.