6/16/24 Through 6/22/24

 6/16/24 Through 6/22/24

Sunday

A tender shoot from branches high

He plants to teach and edify

To grow into a cedar strong

As shelter for a winged throng.

As scattered seed in furrow lies

Beneath a loamy rich disguise,

No sight or sound the farmer hears

And yet somehow, new life appears.

Just why it happens, no one knows

Except the One who makes what grows.

In such as these the Lord provides

And such as these a mystery hides.

Monday

Your heritage is not for sale

In terms of wealth, all riches pale.

Your heritage from God alone

No other on the earth can own.

This gift alone is not for sale

But juxtaposed another tale.

A tale to turn the other cheek

And love for enemies to seek.

The difference is clear to see

The first involves integrity

The other, all that we acquire

To freely give at His desire.

Tuesday

The Father's love is like the rain

It brings to all alike the gain

It waters fields of weeds or wheat

So blessing bitter and the sweet.

So, we must also love this way

And learn, for enemies, to pray

To bless the ones who curse and swear

And demonstrate this love so rare.

Wednesday

I want to want no form of praise

But time and time again I raise

My voice above to be so heard

And so the praise of man be stirred.

So humble that I wish to be

One thought of with integrity

Enjoying accolades I hear

To such a holy one appear.

How foolish are these thoughts of mine

For all I have is truly Thine

And none I own or e'er possess

Has come from me, but how You bless.

So, good it is to raise the voice

And in Your many gifts rejoice,

But help me always give what's due

For all I have has come from You.

Thursday

Lead us not into temptation

Save our wicked sinful nation

Change our hearts to choose the good

Help us act the way we should.

Your name be held in greatest awe

From every victory we saw.

Your Kingdom comes to Earth below

When all Your children, Jesus know.

Elijah saw a sinful nation

Called them to make reparation

Still, they chose the quick and fleeting

Now our nation, such repeating.

Help us choose Your daily bread

And on Your every word be fed.

Let us not repeat the ways

That led to exile many days.

Your Kingdom is within our reach

If we but follow what You teach.

If we forgive and love like Thee

Your Kingdom here on Earth can be.

Friday

The store of treasure set aside

By Jesus for His Holy Bride

So far exceeds the all of Earth

As when a child comes to birth.

The world explodes in brilliant light

The womb no longer holds us tight.

The air surrounds, the sound is clear,

Initially, we're filled with fear.

But soon we feel a mother's hand

The welcoming that God had planned

Now treasures held on Earth below

All melt away like Springtime snow.

Saturday

How sad it is to fall away,

To turn from God and fail to pray

When oh, so much He freely gives

And oh, so much His love forgives.

I know in weakness oft I fail

And into selfish traps, I sail.

Concerned for more than just today

And turning from the narrow way.

But oh, how richly You provide

To faithful who with You abide.

Through every hardship You sustain,

Through every loss, You lead to gain.

Lord, in my failings, turn my ear

To hear Your whispered voice quite clear,

That I may trust in You alone

And find my selfish ways outgrown.