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CONVICTION
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A DIME A DOZEN
In a hurry . . . on an errand . . . in the city,
a disheveled, filthy man steps in my path.
With hand outstretched, he asks me for a dollar.
“Get a job”, I think, and hurriedly walk past.
Rush hour on the highway and I’m running late
and, of course, it’s an elderly driver I get behind.
Creeping along, hitting her brakes, she grips the wheel;
as I speed past her, I think “Why don’t you learn to drive?”
Neighbors down the street who rarely mow their lawn,
and inside their house it’s unkempt and quite messy.
The wife sleeps ‘til noon and then goes to the pool,
and I think, “Now that is the epitome of lazy!”
A co-worker in the office isn’t pulling her load,
she misses work, she comes in late, she’s always tired;
personal calls and mistakes have gone unnoticed,
and I think, “Dead weight. It’s time that girl was fired.”
In a restaurant understaffed with cooks and waiters,
the man who takes my order sighs and grunts.
He offers no smile, poor service and a rotten attitude,
so I give him what he deserves, a tip of just 3 cents.
They say opinions are a dime a dozen;
everybody has one and they usually stink.
People don’t need my opinions, what they need is my prayer -
Surprise! God is not impressed with what I think.
For I’m not God and I don’t know the reason
behind all of the things that people do and say.
And if I have nothing good that I can say about them,
I should say nothing and instead begin to pray.
Lord, when I’m faced with people who annoy me,
frustrate me, irritate me, let me down,
let me bite my tongue, corral my thoughts, and bless them,
for what goes around may someday come around.
ALL IF COULD EVER ASK FOR
In the moments that I spend with Him, I’m like a nagging child,
taking advantage of His Fatherly love for me.
He’s given me all I could ask for, yet I keep asking Him for more;
“Give me this, give me that, won’t you please?”
“Give me health, give me strength, give me safety;
just let your many blessings be outpoured!
And, of course, I ask it in the Name of Jesus . . .
Oh, and don’t forget the prosperity either, Lord!
Just who died for who? And, further, who deserved to die?
Does the fact that I was responsible for His pain
make me something special and qualify me for more?
Did His death take place to bring me earthly gain?
I know that in His goodness, He said “Ask and you’ll receive”,
but in my selfishness, that’s all I ever do.
The hours of requests outweigh the moments spent in thanks;
do I remember Who it is I’m talking to?
I want to step away from “self” and the things I can attain;
eternal life is mine, I need no more.
I want to praise my Savior, bless His Name and give Him thanks;
He's given me all I could ever ask for.
A NEW TAKE . . . ON AN OLD PLAYGROUND RHYME
Teeter, totter,
bread and butter,
wash your face in dirty water,
living for Christ one moment,
crucifying Him afresh the next,
back and forth: the flesh, the Lord,
creature comforts in exchange for life.
Earn that money, climb that ladder,
bring home that bread and butter,
then pause for a moment
to spend time with the Father,
but exhausted and distracted,
you don’t linger.
Weakened by your life,
your wrong priorities,
you fall into your secret sin again.
With your loyalties divided,
you have no strength,
you have no power.
You cannot serve two masters.
One will win.
Teeter totter,
bread and butter,
wash your face in dirty water.
ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK
I’ve long been searching for a church where the Holy Spirit flows,
where worship is free and spontaneous and goes and goes and goes;
but do I worship that way - every chance that I get - when I’m at home alone?
The answer to the question I’m sad to say is no, quite simply, no.
I’ve long been searching for a church with a passion for the lost,
one with servant-evangelism programs galore, soup kitchens and the like.
A place where everyone can fully be used to spread the gospel to the lost,
but in my personal life – every chance that I get - do I share the love of Christ?
I’ve long been searching for a church with a good children’s ministry,
one where the little ones are nurtured in Christ and learn of spiritual things.
But at home the secular television blares, we don’t pray at length, worship or sing.
Could it be that spiritual ministry to my child is really up to me?
I’ve long been searching for a church with an equal balance of everything -
evangelism, discipleship, prophecy, worship, deliverance, intercession, healing.
And finding none, there isn’t one that offers all these things,
I express my opinion with arrogance, grab my hat and quickly leave.
I’ve often thought the time has come to take the church out to the streets,
where the power of God can be displayed to the ones who have the need.
So if the Spirit of God is in me, why aren’t I out there doing this thing???
All talk, no action - with regard to the church, I’m armchair quarterbacking.
An armchair quarterback, I think I know all the perfect ins and outs,
but I’m starting to realize the perfect one isn’t you or me - it’s God.
And the bottom line question for all of us is: Have we truly made Jesus our Lord?
If you say yes and I say yes, then guess what? We’re in one accord.
I’m done with all the criticism, the opinionism, and self-righteous judging;
God’s looking down and shaking His head as we’re accomplishing nothing
except immobilizing ourselves as we analyze each other with all our petty nitpicking.
And a lost world stays lost, the sick remain sick, and the dead all around us are
dying.
A VIEW OF THE WORLD
I’ve been watching the young, precious women
who profess to be followers of Christ,
and my heart is filled with loving concern
as they live and they walk through this life.
A mature Christian woman . . . I’ve lived many years
and, obviously, the exterior has aged,
but the Holy Spirit within me and the Holy Spirit within you
is exactly the same . . . without age.
I’ve said these things so you’ll understand
the message I’m about to convey
comes not from a “fuddy-dud” who cannot relate,
but from God’s Spirit “to you” today:
Young women bare their bellies, their navels they adorn,
turning the heads of men they do not know . . .
to be popular and trendy, in sync with the view of the world;
Christian women . . . just going with the flow . . .
they party and they play, some give their virginity away;
it’s a much more modern day than ever before . . .
living by the view of the world; the world watches, but so does the Lord,
and someday the view of the Lord . . .
will be all they’ll know.
“For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God . . . So then, each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:10, 12
BEHOLD YOUR GOD
Glimpses of Jesus occasionally
in the faces of the saints we see,
but not long ago it was all we saw -
Jesus . . . in us . . . constantly.
But that was a holy visitation,
a unique time, a special day, an appointed hour
when we were revived and filled to overflowing
and walking in His mighty love and power.
But today . . . well today is just another day;
we're saved and loving Him and living the life,
but the passion and the power seem to be waning
as we sit waiting . . . waiting for another "wave" to ride
or a cataclysmic event that will propel us forth
to preach and minister and move in mighty ways,
where Christ's the last resort for an evil, wicked world
to get right before we enter the "last days".
So what has changed? Who has changed?
Has He changed? Or is it us?
Did He revive us all . . . so we could sit and sigh,
awaiting a "new wave" to stir us up?
Or could it be we've lost the desire to be with Him?
We're not pursuing Him in the way we did before?
It's time, saints, to come back to the place of passion
where nothing matters,
nothing else,
but to serve the Lord.
If you're on hold,
it's time to again behold
the presence of your God.
Come back to the place of passion.
COME FORTH!
An overgrown, overdue baby,
curled up, safe and warm in the womb,
feeding off the ministries and teachings of others,
absorbing nutrients from all the things they do.
Wrapped up in an aging umbilical cord,
it's time to stop feeding, disentangle, and break free.
The time has now come for you to be birthed.
Come forth, my child, into your ministry.
This isn't about sitting in a certain church,
feeding off of one anointed man,
it's about Me in you . . . and you in Me,
walking together . . . in My power . . . in My plan.
DON’T LOOK BACK
Men’s eyes are as pieces of steel
and the world is a magnet that draws the weak.
The Prince of Darkness whispers “Look at me . . . Look at me.
I’ll give you the happiness you seek.”
Keep your eyes straight ahead . . . straight ahead!
To the left or right, do not be turned,
for one longing glance at the things of the past
may lure you back . . . never to return.
Flee for your life! Don’t look back . . . don’t look back!
Remember the fate of Lot’s wife.
The Lord in his mercy can deliver you,
but stand firm against wandering eyes.
DO YOU REMEMBER ME?
You and I -- we used to be friends.
Remember the love you had for me then?
I was the one on whom you'd always depend.
Please come to me, love me again.
There was a time when you'd call me for help.
All of your needs I handled so well.
But, now you're dependent on only yourself
as you search for new happiness and wealth.
Yet your days are filled with such loneliness.
You find that the world brings no gladness
and your heart now knows nothing but sadness.
You wanted much more and found less.
So many times I have knocked at your door,
but my presence is one you choose to ignore.
Why? When there's no one who loves you more.
Would you love me as you used to before?
For from my love there's nowhere to hide.
There isn't one moment you're free from my sight.
Have you forgotten that I gave you my life?
Do you remember me? I'm your friend, Jesus Christ.
EASTER MESSAGE
When you care
more about you
than you do
about me
it counters all your claims
about your spirituality
for if I am your Savior
and if I am your Lord
I (and all I want from you)
take first place
over your wants
and what is yours
(which, by the way, is nothing)
when you care
more about you
than you do
about me
you make yourself a god
and you have no part of me
my plans and my purposes
should be yours
and if they're not
as you celebrate today
the Resurrection
you might ask yourself
who (or what)'s become my god?
As you stand today
in the midst of the congregation
dressed up in all your Easter finery
are you here
so friends and family
can have a "look at you"
or have you come
because
you live
to
worship
me?
ELECTION YEAR VERSION
OF “IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU
(JESUS LOVER OF MY SOUL)"
It's all about me, Jesus,
and all this is for me,
for my comfort and my gain.
It's not about you,
as if I should do things your way;
I say you are my God
but my needs, Lord, take first place.
Increased wages, jobs, and tax cuts
health insurance, social security . . .
these things are important, Lord, to me.
So we kill some unborn babies
or we embrace homosexuality . . .
I just don't trust you’ll meet my needs . . .
like Kerry.
FAITH, NOT FORMULA
A man of few words, Jesus spoke with authority -
and when He did, He didn't sweat; He didn't shout.
When He said, "be healed" or "rise up", "come forth" or "come out",
the sick were healed, the dead rose up, demons came out.
And when Peter followed in the steps of the Lord,
he also said little (or his shadow did the talking).
With the words "Jesus heals you; get up and take your mat",
Aeneas got up, took his mat, and started walking.
I don't think we serve a God of verbal manipulation -
formulas work in chemistry but not with Him.
When the centurion said, "Just say the word and my servant will be healed",
He did. And she was. And that was it.
If we have His direction and He IS our inspiration,
and we're not trying to impress men with our lengthy shtick,
why the need for a long, drawn-out dissertation?
Do we think if we cover all our bases, one will stick?
A Creator with authority, He said, "Let there be" and so it was,
and the God of yesterday is the same God of today.
He's not a God of formulas or verbal manipulation,
so let's heed His voice, follow His lead, and do what HE says.
GET ON WITH IT
He says preach the gospel; we must evangelize.
She says we must prophecy; speak out those words of life.
He says read the bible; it’s a lamp unto our feet.
She says praise and worship; it’s all about intimacy.
He says intercession and warfare will bring the strongholds down.
She says deliverance ministry will free the ones who’re bound.
He says pray the prayer of faith and let the sick be healed.
She says disciple the babies. Teach them well or they will leave.
He says, no, you’re terribly wrong; we have to it THIS way!
She says, no, you’re terribly wrong; we have to do it THAT way!
This way, that way, this way, that way; we freeze in our debate,
and the world watches in amusement as our body self-mutilates.
But God would say get over yourselves and get on with what I want!
I’ve said to preach the gospel, and that is what I want!
I’ve said that you will prophesy, and that is what I want!
I’ve said for you to study the word, and that is what I want!
I’ve said you are to worship me, and that is what I want!
I’ve said to pray without ceasing, and that is what I want!
I’ve said the violent take the Kingdom, and that is what I want!
I’ve said you’ll cast out demons, and that is what I want!
I’ve said that you will heal the sick, and that is what I want!
I’ve said that you will raise the dead, and that is what I want!
I’ve said to go and make disciples, and that is what I want!
I’ve said to do these things and more, and THAT IS WHAT I WANT!
Your passion and anointing don’t negate or even precede
the passion and anointing of another part of your team.
All of you are to operate like a fine, well-oiled machine!
So get over yourselves and get on with it! And start glorifying me!
HEAD KNOWLEDGE
Ever learning, but never coming
to the knowledge of the Lord.
He’s studied the Scriptures since childhood
and he knows them word for word.
He’s memorized every chapter
and he’ll quote you any line.
The name of every character
is embedded in his mind.
For he’s learned the bible completely;
yes, he knows it front to back.
He can debate with the best of them;
in no area does he lack.
But where is the joy in the knowledge
of the wonderful things he has read?
Where is his great gladness of heart
that comes from the words Jesus said?
His knowledge is hollow and empty,
for it doesn’t apply to his life.
He isn’t aware that the Spirit convicts,
not the processes of the mind.
Accept Jesus into your heart, my friend;
He stands knocking at the door.
His Spirit will speak to your heart with love
and His words will mean so much more.
HIDING IN THE SHADOWS
Hiding in the shadows
flirting with the devil
shading your eyes from the Light
you peer out on occasion
but it's a glaring reminder
of the time you once spent
in the sunshine . . .
a place where you once lived
where you sang
and you danced
in the freedom
that comes from True Life . . .
but you stepped into the darkness
with flesh-feeding comrades
to another life . . .
which is no life . . .
it is Death.
I’M A CHRISTIAN
“I’m a Christian”, you loudly proclaim!
“I go to my church each and every Sunday.
I might even throw in a service Wednesday,
but the rest of the week is my own.”
“I know your deeds, that you are
neither hot or cold. I wish you
were either one or the other! So,
because you are lukewarm – neither
hot nor cold, I will spit you out of
My mouth.” Rev. 3:16-17
“I’ll talk about Jesus, should someone ask me,
but if I bring Him up first, I’ll look like a freak.
You just turn people off when you constantly preach.
Besides, I’ve got an image to maintain.”
“Whoever acknowledges me before men,
I will also acknowledge him before my
Father in heaven. But whoever disowns
me before men, I will disown him before
my Father in heaven.” Matt. 10-32-33
The older you get; the closer to the end –
will the proximity of death wake you up, my friend?
Will you realize your life hasn’t been what God planned?
Will you choose to get serious then?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father
who is in heaven.” Matt. 7:21
IMITATORS OF CHRIST?
Big fancy "temples" - Pharisaical - seem to please us,
but dusty roads and hillside grass were good enough for Jesus.
We're all caught up in the plans of men and the methods of the world,
when what we need is the Holy Ghost and the Truth of the Living Word.
Utility rooms and nurseries, several classrooms, a gymnasium;
by marital status, age, and sex; we disciple our congregations.
But I seem to remember a passage about being gathered in one room.
Did Jesus say "put the kids on that hill and I'll get to them pretty soon"?
Worship teams and soundboards, every kind of instrument,
projectors, screens, and software - all the best AV equipment.
But in a jail cell Paul and Silas sang with no accompaniment -
and the earth shook, shackles broke, and they saw the guard repent.
Now multi-page applications must be filled out in great degree
before men will approve God's call on our lives for any ministry.
Paul's background was pretty sordid; Jesus changed him to a new man,
and without the blessing or approval of men, what a ministry he had!
The powers that be issue edicts of caution: your worship might be an offense;
don't sing too loud, don't dance or prophesy (for guest might be carnal men).
And what once was so powerfully anointed, is now only a man-operated show;
the Holy Spirit was quenched and greatly grieved, and He left a long time ago.
The church is using methods of the world, when Christ should be our imitation,
And I’m growing so very weary of manmade rules and regulations.
All I can do is cry out to you "What say You, Jesus? What say You?"
Follow You? Why that's so easy! And that's just what I'm going to do.
IT IS TIME
Devotion to the one true God,
Jesus Christ as the only way,
virtue and holiness, faith and love,
were common in that day.
A country that was founded
on its citizens' love for Me -
America, a nation I once knew -
I, now, no longer see.
Instead I watch in horror
as unborn babies die each day,
in disgust, as men make love to men,
and the "church" says it's okay,
as adultery has become acceptable,
and divorce - the common out,
as the "church" plays the game
and looks like the world,
where grace is "in", but "sin" is out,
where the people come together
to give honor unto Me,
but jointly honor other gods,
all in the name of unity,
as the "church" - not My church - appeases the world
so it can grow and thrive and prosper,
walking in a form of godliness,
but denying its actual power.
America, I have blessed you -
but I don't recognize you anymore,
and I'm not a God who will be mocked;
if you could only see what's in store.
So the Lord says, where are My people -
who are called by My Name - to pray?
Surrounded by rebellion, sin and death,
you shake your heads, but you do not pray.
You thank God that you are not "one of them"
as you watch all these things with disgust,
passing judgment in discussions amongst yourselves,
you kiss pride in self-righteousness.
You worship Me with your beautiful songs
and you sit at My feet in praise,
but you'd think after all of the time spent with me,
You would begin to feel My heartache.
It is time that you felt My heartache.
It is time for My people to pray.
IT'S TIME FOR A DECISION
The Truth
is not negated
by an absence of belief.
Its power
is not diminished by
the voice of the majority.
It remains forever steadfast,
unchanged
by current events.
It cannot be diluted
It will be
what it always
has been.
The Truth.
Your truth,
my truth,
a lie
and another lie.
The Truth belongs to no one
except the One who is:
Jesus Christ.
Available to every person,
so many choices,
but only One Truth,
and to make no choice
is a choice in itself.
So which one will you choose?
Accept it
or reject it?
Remember, no choice
is a choice.
Now or never
will decide your forever.
Depart this life,
then reap the results.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which they can be saved. It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead . . ." Acts:4:12, 10
K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple, Saints,
and deliver my Word with a kiss;
complicated oratory serves to confuse
but my Word, clothed in love, will not miss.
Sit not within the confines of yourselves,
delivering the same messages to the choir;
while my Words bounce around your private rooms,
the lost and deceived are hearing words from the Liar.
MINISTERING IN OBSCURITY
Members of the body step out for ministry,
and those, anointed-to-pray, have been called forth.
As I stand among the ones who now are ministering,
I hear the Spirit ask, "Where is the Lord?"
"If I called you to pray for these in total obscurity,
cloak-covered and completely hidden from their view,
would you respond to the call to pray for them as quickly
if they didn't know the praying one was You?"
"Because you're not the one who's praying, it's the Spirit -
or at least that's how such ministry should be,
and if miracles are to happen, your flesh must step aside,
for miracles are meant to only exalt Me."
"This isn't about your ministry and anointing;
this isn't about your prayers, your prophecy.
Nothing you have done for me has earned this;
this has nothing to do with you - it's about Me."
"When you minister in the Spirit with humility,
and remember the Power doesn't come from you;
that you're overshadowed by I AM,
you are a nameless, faceless man,
then this is the type of vessel I can use."
Oh, consume me, Lord! And blow away the ashes
to step forth, Spirit of God, and have your way!
In the sight of every human being;
be the only One they're seeing,
that not I, but You alone, receive the praise!
MY STONES FOR THE ROCK
To the believers who've made a mistake,
committing a sin of utter distaste,
do we pour on contempt and disgrace?
Do we spit in their face
then haughtily walk away --
too "holy" to associate
with the likes of these?
Or the brother or sister in bondage
who can't seem to get free,
consumed with depression and anxiety,
addiction and moral deficiency;
even after "deliverance ministry",
still they do not walk free,
so we figure the fault lies with them,
it's their choice, it's their decision
to remain in a valley of desolation,
so that's exactly where we leave them
to wallow in this thing they've chosen --
we did our duty and tried to show them,
they had their chance, but now we must shun them
to enjoy friends who know true peace and freedom.
When will we look past the flesh and see the spirit?
When will we love God's children like we really mean it?
If Jesus is really living here within me,
where's the forgiveness? Where's the grace? Where is the mercy?
Jesus loves my brother just as much as He loves me --
why, to find the one who's strayed, He'd actually leave me.
So do I think that I'm much better than any one of these?
Filthy rags to Him who knows,
my righteousness is filthy.
But wrapped in filthy rags I hand them to Him,
as if they were a bouquet of roses blooming --
all the wonderful things I do for Him
must surely make Him smile
as I live my holy, sanctified lifestyle . . .
and stone the wounded.
Oh, Lord, You are the only One without sin
You could have ~
but You didn't ~
cast the first stone.
Instead You offered love, mercy, compassion.
How I need to be like you!
Lord, I want to be like You!
Fill my heart with Your love;
rid my hand of the hurtful stone.
NO GRAY AREAS
You may claim the Scriptures don't define with sufficient clarity
the gray areas or desires of your life.
And with self-righteous resolve you establish boundaries
between what you think is wrong and what is right.
You may justify your actions to your Christian friends and peers,
but no matter how you try to con yourself,
an inner voice reminds you that you're dabbling in sin
and destroying with great speed your Christian health.
For there isn't one gray area in your walk with Jesus Christ;
every action remains strictly black or white.
Either you choose to do your walking in the darkness,
or you listen to His voice and choose the Light.
NO MAN BUT JESUS
I follow no man but Jesus;
I'm fulfilled,
satisfied
with His love.
I don't need a "new wave",
a "new word",
or a "new thing";
he's my everything
and that's quite enough . . .
to live the life simply
with Jesus . . .
quite simply
avoids the corrupt.
OBSERVING WORSHIP
Remember when
you entered in,
how precious it could be;
cares set aside,
you laughed and cried
as your tears caressed His feet?
But you stepped away
for just a day
and the days turned into weeks;
now you sit on the sidelines
and quietly observe
as others wash His feet.
On the outside . . . looking in,
you remember that place you once knew,
and He says to you "I remember too.
I am here . . .
and I'm waiting for you."
PRIORITIES
You pull out the day's "To Do" list, and cross off points one and two.
Twenty more projects to complete before the day is through!
You're really a busy person, but so very organized!
To help the day run smoothly, all your duties you've prioritized.
Let's see . . . the very next job takes an hour and a half.
That leaves the afternoon free to accomplish other tasks!
Rush! Rush! Rush! So efficient! You're running ahead of time!
Why, if you keep up at this rate, you'll be finished by eight or nine!
You say you must accomplish every duty on your list,
for tomorrow's is almost twice as long! Is there anything you've missed?
Patting yourself on the back, you breathe a sigh of relief.
How quickly the day passes by when you're handling priorities!
You yawn and stretch -- so tired! Yes, it's time to call it a night,
but your eyes fall upon the bible as you reach to turn out the light.
You pause for a few short moments -- and your guilt slowly passes away.
Tomorrow you'll have some spare time, so, you'll just skip it for today.
Should the daily tasks of life demand such priority?
Keep in mind that life is short, but forever is eternity.
ROADBLOCK
What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?
I'm calling you now!
I'm calling you now!
What are you waiting for?
Days go by,
you've heard my cry,
yet you waste away another day
as the sickly ail,
the dying go to hell,
you don't listen to a word I say.
You procrastinate,
you hesitate,
though there's nothing standing in your way.
No, there’s nothing standing in your way . . .
except for you.
SAVING WHAT?
Saving face
or saving grace;
which one do you want?
To come out on top,
always be the top dog,
or show the love of God?
Saving your dignity
or living in humility;
voicing displeasure when you’ve been wronged,
preferring yourself over another,
or preferring the will of God?
To walk in pride
or live like Christ;
that what it's all about.
So is it you
or is it Christ
to whom your friends should bow?
SHARING OR HOARDING
The anointing has been flowing, and the Lord has changed our lives.
The River's been nutritious, and our fruit is lush and ripe.
Fruit here, fruit there, Love, Joy, Patience, Peace.
But the fruit is being warehoused while the starving never eat.
Limbs quite overloaded, we drink and drink and drink.
But when fruit piles up, it starts to rot and fragrance turns to stink.
Fruit contained within four walls; we bless and feed each other
while outside the hungry roam about, eating hell's manure.
Yes, the River's been nutritious. Our fruit is lush and ripe.
But will people starve to death today because we failed to carry it outside?
SPIRIT AND TRUTH-
OR THE OLD SONG AND DANCE?
Are the songs that we play, the CDs that we buy
(the newest, the latest, the most profound),
the things that touch heaven and stir His heart?
Is He moved by pre-recorded words and sound?
Is it the beat that liberates and sets us free?
Is it the unique melody that moves His hand?
Or is it the heart of the worshipper before Him -
Spirit and truth . . . or the old "song and dance"?
If all of the music were taken away,
if I lost my ability to hear,
could I continue to worship my Jesus?
And His voice would I still clearly hear?
If my legs and my arms became paralyzed,
if my ability to speak went away,
could I dance in the spirit before Jesus?
Could I sing Him new songs? Could I pray?
Or would I dry up and just blow away?
Surely NOT?
Me and mine,
me and mine . . .
if an action would cause me discomfort
then surely it can't be Divine.
If it's distasteful . . .
if it's demeaning . . .
if it hurts just a little bit . . .
even though another would benefit . . .
God wouldn't ask me to do it . . .
would He?
We who are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties of the weak and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us make it a practice to please his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, "The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me." (Romans 15:1-3 AMP)
Greater love hath no man than this ,that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
THAT WE MAY BE ONE
The family of God, brothers and sisters in Christ;
in Him there is nothing we should lack.
So we compete for His blessings, we compete for His glory,
and we slowly knife each other in the back.
Aloofness, disinterest, and callousness,
personal and denominational lines.
Don't cross my line and I won't cross yours;
you grow your own church, I'll grow mine.
And let's see who does it better.
We'll just see who the Father likes best.
The church with the largest congregation wins . . .
(or the church with the strongest revival wins . . .)
(or the church with the most talented worship team wins . . .)
Sibling rivalry at its ugly best.
How can we bless our Father
when we can't even bless our brother?
How can we minister to the lost and hurting
when we can't even love each other?
Jesus prayed "that they all may be one.
As you, Father, are in me and I'm in you,
may they also be in us, that the world may believe . . ."
Why aren't we living this truth?
The division in the church must sadden Jesus,
who prayed that His followers would be as one.
If the church were united, our cities would take notice,
and then glorious works could be done.
Lord, I know You continue to love Your church,
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