Saturday, April 19, 2008

Are you going to leave, too?

Are you going to leave, too?

Are you going to leave,
If in your life of faith in Me, stormy winds seem to continuously blow?
Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.

Are you going to leave,
If for your faith in Me, you endure much suffering, sorrow, and woe?
Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.

Are you going to leave,
If due to your faith in Me, your closest companion begins to act as your foe?
Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.

Are you going to leave,
If you work hard, but never receive material prosperity that you can show?
Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.

Are you going to leave,
When faithless men attack your hope in Me to make you feel you are not in the know?
Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.

Are you going to leave,
When things happen that you cannot understand leaving you perplexed and hollow?
Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.

Are you going to leave,
If you don’t ever meet and fall in love with Mrs. or Mr. Right, your dream gal or beau?
Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.

Are you going to leave,
When your friends and family turn away from Me, because, Me, they truly misknow?
Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.

John 6:64-69 (Amplified Bible) 64But [still] some of you fail to believe and trust and have faith. For Jesus knew from the first who did not believe and had no faith and who would betray Him and be false to Him. 65And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father. 66After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him. 67Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me?] 68Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life. 69And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
4/18/2008

Friday, April 11, 2008

Embracing Destiny

Embracing Destiny

Destiny is bringing opportunity your way
It may close in on you with very little delay
Don’t let delay hinder your way, proceed to your destiny

Destiny arrives for some seemingly in haste
But, consider life is much too precious to waste
With deliberate haste, no time to waste, step into your destiny

When destiny comes, all at once, you may feel a slight tug
And, then it may quickly transform into a strong bear hug
Whether a little tug or a big hug, embrace your destiny

Destiny will pull you from where it had gotten easy
And, take you where you may feel just a little queasy
Move over easy, bring it on queasy, be resolved to realize your destiny

Destiny challenges your being, puts you to the test
Its design is not to bind you, but bring out your best
Come hither my best and let us trump my tests onward toward my destiny

Destiny may take you to frontiers unknown
There may be routes you must travel all alone
But even if alone, conquer the unknown, trek into your destiny

When destiny comes, fear may come to counteract
Fear desires to handcuff and shackle you, so you won’t act
Act in faith to counteract and crush fear, and then waltz into your destiny

Destiny came to visit me the other day
I did not say much for there was not much to say
What could I say but, “Praise God! It’s a new day! I shall embrace my destiny!”

Destiny has come to me in spite of my wayward past
Regardless of my faults and failures, I don’t have to be downcast
Downcast is a thing of my past, I am forgiven and on my way to my destiny

Destiny reveals that there are tests and trials for me to the fore
But, the Lord has helped me overcome so much before
Full steam ahead no matter the obstacles, I must go forth into my destiny

Within my destiny, there are battles that must be fought
Battles without and within-in my words and deeds, and even in my thought
I think I will fight on; in the end, I shall have victory for it is my destiny

Destiny knows the paths I will plod
I have a perfect example to follow in Jesus, my Savior-the Son of God
I, with my cross and its yoke, shall plod the just paths leading to my God.
To be with Him ever is my destiny

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT)

You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honor and glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever. Psalm 73:24-26 (Amp)

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
4/11/08

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Church Worship

Church Worship

Below is a prayer that one might pray
From a heart that is misguided and sadly led astray

Lord thank you for the comforts that we have positively enjoyed
The comforts are so cozy it is hard staying spiritually employed

Thank you for the steeple’s cross atop the church so high
It proclaims in our stead to the surrounding community that there is a church close by

Thank you for the blessedly firm yet amply plushy padded pews
They support our bottom lines so wonderfully as we pay our partial dues

Thank you for the color schemes earth tones, bright bold red, or kingly purpled plum
It looks so good in our sanctuary; we hate to go out to evangelize those lost in the slum

Thank you for the broad beautiful doors that let the desired demographic in
Those doors are just as good for keeping out undesirable folks from joining us within

Thank you for the superbly embroidered carpet that adorns the sanctuary floor
It’s so sacred, if people don’t have on the right attire with shoes we escort them to the door

Thank you for the choir loft precisely placed for a pleasing panorama while they vocalize
It’s most imperative to us that the choir’s robes match the surroundings to truly harmonize

Thank you for the splendid chandeliers that garnish our expansive ceiling
We pray our good paying visitors will return because they are so appealing

Thank you for the family life center we built so we, ourselves, can have more fun
We shall most certainly fabricate our own little kingdom before all is said and done

Thank you for the pretty pulpit for the new preacher we need to fill the seats in this place
We pray you will send us a figurehead with happy homiletics, someone we can showcase

Thank you for the stained glass windows that transform the light from the sun
We do cherish those windows as they keep us from being transformed by too much light from the Son

Thank you for allowing us the choice to worship a brand new edifice
Now Lord, please send us some new members we can fleece to pay off that devilish lease

Prayer: Lord, please deliver us from idolatrous building worship. Help us to fully understand that the real building of God are the saved souls that You look upon as the true Heavenly Masterpiece. Focus our hearts, minds, and actions to adding more souls to Your Heavenly Kingdom. In Jesus Name, Amen

Matthew 24:1-2 (The Message) 1-2 Jesus then left the Temple. As He walked away, His disciples pointed out how very impressive the temple architecture was. Jesus said, "You're not impressed by all this sheer size, are you? The truth of the matter is that there's not a stone in that building that is not going to end up in a pile of rubble."

Eph 2:19-22 (Amp) Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household. You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
4/10/08

Friday, April 4, 2008

How Have the Mighty Fallen

How Have the Mighty Fallen

O’ what a sad and terrible sight,
When the mighty man loses his might!

Consider how condescending, disdainful he roared before,
Trampling over honorable people, as if they were dirt on his floor.

He dwelt smugly in a seemingly secure place, dabbling in sensuous pleasure.
He cared not for the poor and needy, for he robbed them of their most meaningful treasure.

O’ how snobbishly he sauntered and strutted all about;
Desiring that others would bow in awe at his supposedly ceaseless clout.

He became lifted up in his heart and lofty in his own eyes.
He used people as a ladder, stepping on them so he could rise.

He thought he was so much superior to those who were about him.
Now he finds himself alone and on his own, he must now sink or swim.

So soon, we are apt to forget that life’s tables typically turn.
One reaps, what one sows, is an enduring lesson we all shall have to learn.

No matter how high you may aspire and assume to ever ascend;
Be careful not to think too much of yourself nor upon yourself, too much depend.

The Almighty is God alone, great in blessedness, power, wisdom, and might.
The pride of the proud angers Him; pride reveals a heart of sin not broken, nor contrite.

If we, from the error of our way, do not swiftly, sincerely be reverent and repent;
His holy anger may be stirred to wrath leading to a showering down of righteous judgment.

Let us ever be faithful preaching the grace, mercy, and justice of God, giving Him all glory.
For there are men blindly stumbling in darkness, in need of true light-the Gospel Story.

Jesus, a mighty man of grace and truth was led like a lamb to the slaughter up on Calvary’s hill;
He hung, bled, and died for our sins; rose in three days from the grave and now His name is exalted to save, call on Him and save He will!

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. Isaiah 5:14-16

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
4/4/08