1/24/21 Through 1/30/21

 1/24/21 Through 1/30/21

Sunday

Leave behind the sordid sin

Let Former ways be gone.

No longer let the vices in,

Or to the base be drawn.

Like Ninevites, repent and turn

Your back on former ways.

Then with obedience, you'll learn

True freedom really pays.

Detached from all the world gives,

In freedom, living now.

Unbound except by love of His

That frees the soul somehow.

Monday

Each one, a story has to tell

Of being rescued back from hell.

Of loosing that which Satan held,

Becoming one by God compelled.

His voice somehow we first must hear,

And have the courage to draw near.

To see that what He says is true,

And how He suffered much for you.

It takes but just a small assesnt

To see that you've been called and sent

To spread the word to those yet blind

And change the course of all mankind.

He speaks in many varied ways

Throughout the course of normal days

And those that know His voice reply,

And then to others testify.

Perhaps today should be the day

The light would shine upon your way,

And bid you, "Come and follow me."

As blind no more, but ones that see.

Tuesday

Don't let the fire fade away,

But feed and fan the flame.

Be one to listen and obey,

And well the word proclaim.

Your gifts received are not just there

To sit upon the shelf,

But used to make the world aware

Of Christ as God Himself.

This family now that you have joined

Will form a tighter bond.

New relatives that you have coined

Will take you far beyond.

Relationships in surface ways

That root not deep within,

To brotherhood that daily prays

To save those lost in sin.

The power, love, and self-control

The Spirit grants to you

Are gifts to help you to enroll

New presbyters, like you.

Wednesday

Both listening and acting

Is what we're called to do.

The seed is sown through hearing,

But often as is true,

The birds will come and pluck away

The word not well received.

Or thorns will choke what's on its way

That newly was conceived.

Our soil must be rich and deep,

And be a place to thrive

If we expect His word to keep,

And through this life survive.

Thursday

In the sanctuary there

The veil was torn in two.

As on the Cross of Calv'ry where

His flesh was torn for you.

Our Great High Priest who entered in

Brought not the blood of beasts,

But precious blood, untouched by sin,

Not like the other priests.

His word be light upon my path,

A lamp unto my feet.

His blood a precious, cleansing bath,

His flesh my food so sweet.

No lamp is made to be obscured,

But shine to light the way.

Let every trial be endured, 

And every word obey.

The measure which you measure out

Will measure back to you.

So give, and see the goodness sprout,

As wise and humble do.

Friday

My goal to be as one of those

Who lasted to the end.

Not seeking just a life of ease,

But to this life transcend.

To look beyond the mustard seed

And see the branches spread

To trust that every single deed

Is how the seed is fed.

May time I spend with You each day

Bear fruit a hundredfold,

And clearly show the narrow way

To people young and old.

Saturday

Faith is trust when seas are high,

When all we see is darkened sky,

To trust our Lord is near and dear

Despite how storms have roused our fear.

This faith I cannot well explain.

To me, that word somewhat arcane.

It seems a knowledge deep within

Where One immense with love has been.

It calls for trust, surrender too,

To Him whose word has fashioned you.

For who knows better what we need

Than Him upon whose flesh we feed.