8/18/24 Through 8/24/24

 8/18/24 Through 8/24/24

Sunday

True flesh is given for this meal

True blood we drink to live and heal.

No sign or symbol in this act

But flesh and blood in truth and fact.

What's seen is but a thin disguise

Beyond the bread and wine there lies

The blood and body of our Lord

In every time and age outpoured.

A gift of presence, always there

Substantial to the ones aware, 

But often felt by those who seek

And enter in for just a peek.

No words express the way I feel

When basking in His presence real.

It's not some manufactured bliss

But Christ Himself, and true is this!

Monday

We all have that to which we cling

And that's the "all" that we must bring

To place upon the altar for

An offering that offers more.

For freedom sheds the heavy chains

That keep us from eternal gains.

When all is focused on our Lord

He gives what none could e'er afford.

Tuesday

What have we gotten that's all of our own,

And what have we learned that wasn't made known?

All our accomplishments, all that we've done,

Was given as gift from Father and Son.

The Spirit that animates all that we do,

Not even this was created by you.

Every fiber of flesh, every hair on your head,

Without His anointing, is lifeless and dead.

The sights that we see and the sounds that we hear

Are a gift from the One who is always so near.

Understanding and reason, our thoughts from within,

Are gifts we receive to choose good and not sin.

The all that we have and can claim as our own

Are the choices we make and the seeds we have sown.

This freedom too, is a gift from above

The choice to be selfish, or others to love.

Whatever our choices, the end rushes near

We meet it with gratitude, praises, or fear.

The haughty will find at the end of their days

An emptiness clouded in darkness and haze.

But those who acknowledge the King of all kings

Will witness the bounteous harvest He brings.

The humble will see every blessing increase

And love overflowing that never will cease.

Wednesday

When shepherds work to fleece their sheep

Along the road to Hell, they creep.

They're set within their leading place

To be a source of love and grace.

But leaders bent on self-enriching

From that trusted role are switching

To a path of self-destruction

From their role of love instruction.

Thursday

Oh. sprinkle me with water clean

That so my sins be never seen.

My soul be made afresh and new

One totally absorbed in You.

No more a selfish stony heart

But one of flesh which You impart.

A spirit willing to obey

The every word to me You say.

Not to spurn Your invitation,

But to join Your celebration.

Dressed in garments You provide

Your every word to be my guide.

Friday

The simpleness of giving all

In answer to His loving call

Is quite profound for those who do

And something good for me and you.

Amid the din of daily strife

The driest bones can come to life

With flesh and joints, and heart renewed

If with the Spirit so imbued.

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And such will be an army strong

A holy everlasting throng

To praise and glorify the name

Of Him from whom all blessings came.

Saturday

Come and I will show you truth

The things I learned as just a youth.

Apostles told me of the Lamb

The awesome, fearful, Great I AM.

Three persons clear, yet only One,

The Father, Spirit, and the Son.

A God of love for sinful men

Forgiving time and time again.

The cross, His greatest sign of love

He chose to offer proof thereof.

And bread and wine He turns to be

His flesh and blood for life of thee.

He's present here and now today

In this most sacred, holy way.

So, come and see, be quiet... still

And He, your heart, with love shall fill.