3/6/22 Through 3/12/22

 3/6/22 Through 3/12/22

Sunday

In His famished weakened state

The Lord of lords did demonstrate

A strength beyond the human will

To face the evil one and still

Hold fast to what is true and just

Rejecting every earthly lust.

From that same store of grace we draw

When answering the daily call.

A reservoir that's rich and deep

Enabling the weak to keep

His law within temptation's hour

When useless seems our earthly power.

So draw upon this great reserve

And answer well the One we serve.

When evil comes don't shy away,

But face temptation that same way,

And let His word be rooted deep

That faithful service you may keep

Monday

How many times the poor ignored

And rich go on their way

While wealth for many years is stored

To comfort them someday.

Show me Lord how I should act

Responding to Your will

Not to ideals afar abstract,

But to Your word fulfill.

One generous I've tried to be,

But miss Your mark by far.

I dread that day that I may see

How much like You they are.

With prudence as a goal of mine

I save to meet my need

That as we age and wants decline

Our store somewhat exceeds.

Then when I'm gone the rest I send

In equal shares of nine

To those that from the loins descend

With one for all of Thine.

Tuesday

Alone in freedom love is found

The slave in chains forever bound.

One will alone,

 that knows the good,

The will that chose the rugged wood.

The purposed sacrifice of all,

The ever-present upward call

To gain by giving all you own

And find your life in Him alone.

A daily portion He provides,

In Him is where forgiveness bides,

And no enticement can compare

With love that's pure and always there.

Wednesday

This evil generation's sign

Is look upon this cross of Mine

The sacrifice upon the wood.

Is One alone that's truly good.

The humble and contrite will see

What proud and haughty come to be,

And how their lack of faith and trust

Will fill the Master with disgust.

No sign sufficient, then or now

To break the bonds of pride somehow

For that which softens wax to mold

When oft deflected makes them cold.

And hardened hearts when cold and dead

With milk and honey can't be fed

Though warm and supple humble heart,

By love is made a work of art.

Thursday

The humble prayer a gift divine

The hope of all these dreams of mine

No glory here on earth to show,

But way to let descendants know.

The One we worship and adore

Wants all for you and so much more

Than eye can see or understand,

He wants pure love as He had planned.

He wants to hear our every need

And not to hear us beg and plead,

That all His children come and see

Unbounded love He has for thee.

So ask and seek, and knock and see

How much He loves and cares for thee,

But ask according to His will

For that alone will longings fill.

Friday

Turn from wicked ways and see

The bounties God prepared for thee.

In following His holy way

He leads to everlasting day.

In Him be ever held secure

A place for those who long endure,

Who turn not from the righteous way,

Nor falter in the battle's fray.

But those who weaken in the fight

And to temptation, yield their might,

The land of love will never find

For they become the willful blind.

The way you face your final breath

Determines life or darkest death.

So steadfast in the goodness be,

And life eternal, you will see.

Saturday

To love is your simple command,

The way that of old You had planned.

Not complex you see, but not easy for me,

To love, is a painful demand.

But love brings a greater reward,

For in love, all contentment is stored.

When the other is key, it is easy to see,

How love draws the sinner aboard.

And oh, that alas, I was found!

One lost in the evil around,

But there in the glare and a far distant stare,

The Shepherd, my world, did astound.