9/15/24 Through 9/21/24

 9/15/24 Through 9/21/24

Sunday

How willingly He suffered much

And through our pain, we feel His touch

For each, a cross has been prepared

That through our pain, His Cross be shared.

What good is faith when all is well?

It's tested when we deal with Hell.

Adversity is where we show

Just what of Christ we truly know.

Though many fall amid the pain,

A few will on the cross remain

To suffer there with Christ our Lord

And find abundant grace out-poured.

Be not afraid to follow through

Just act upon each word to you.

He's right beside you on the way,

Your guiding light for come what may.

For where could one ere see such love

Save 'neath the Cross with Him above.

His all He gave for love of you

And all He asks is ALL of you.

Monday

Oh Lord I am not worthy

That Thou should come to me

And though it may be nervy

I ask this good of Thee

A healing for my household

A restoration bring.

For me a fortune of gold

For You a little thing.

Tuesday

In need of every holy gift

The Spirit gives for strength and lift

The building up of all within

And turning from the stains of sin.

The gifts abundant, well-disbursed

Can quench the sinner's inner thirst.

But each must use what's given them

To find within the hidden gem.

He nudges each to have belief

And not let fear become a thief.

The body thrives when parts are well

And uses gifts within that dwell.

So, use and share what's given thee

I pray we all on this agree.

Each has a vital role it's true,

Don't let the lacking piece be you.

Wednesday

Born for a world quite different from this

Born for a world that's not run amiss.

Born for a world of patience and love

Born to be trusting of Him from above.

Born to be giving of all that we own

Born to be nourishing seed that was sown

Born to be grace from the time of our birth

Born to spread love over all of the Earth.

Who but our Maker, knows what is best?

Who but our Maker, so richly has blest?

Who but our Maker, knows all that we need?

Who but our Maker, Himself gives to feed?

So, why do I falter and why do I fail?

Why is my nature so fallen and frail?

So, why is the way of this world so wrong?

Why can't we find where the pieces belong?

The will must be free for love to be true

And only the best He wanted for you.

So, freedom He gives us, to love or reject

And all that you have is from what you select.

It's not from our Maker this wrong that we see,

But sins of the people like you and like me.

But this too can change if we only repent

And start acting in ways that our Maker had meant.

He's loving and kind and forgiving of man

If we just turn around in the time of our span

But oh, what a fire of torments await

If pride we let rule 'till the time is too late.

Thursday

By grace alone, I am what I am

A sinner forgiven by way of the Lamb

The tears that I shed are in sorrow of sin,

How I pray for a change to begin from within.

The way of my part is a faltering road

The weight of my sin is a tiresome load.

No more to be spiraling deeper in debt

I pray by Confession, forgiveness I'll get.

The haughty, self-righteous, in pride, never know

The gracious forgiveness the Father will show

To those who are humble, confessing their wrong

Who sing with the joy of repentance their song.

When much is forgiven, the greater the joy

With love overflowing to prideful annoy.

But just look and see  how with love all is done

And gaze on the Cross at the love of the Son.

Friday

Our Christ was raised, you can't dismiss

For everything is changed by this

This life is now the proving ground

Where life is lost or life is found.

Though some deny what Christ has proved

And many souls remain unmoved,

Come see the evidence so true

And know He died and rose for you.

Without this fact all life is nil

So we must search His holy will

Conforming all we do to love

To find our home with Him above.

For resurrection is the key

That changes life for you and me

Eternal life begins at death

Let Christ be praised with every breath.

Saturday

(To the tune of "Take Up Your Cross")

Be worthy of the call received

By other loves be not deceived

But bear the cross that you may be

A one that brings to unity

So, grow in your maturity

Equipping ones to work for Me

And build the body that we need

To sow abundantly the seed,

He came to call the sinner home

And not to leave them all alone

But call them to the banquet feast

The greatest sinners and the least

In mercy found, not sacrifice

Is love more potent to suffice

For all have sinned and mercy need

So come and with the sinner feed.