No Substitute

No Substitute

Salvation in vain rituals does not compute.
Nothing and no one can take God’s place.
All attempts, otherwise, lead to man’s disgrace.
The Lord is our salvation—there simply is no substitute.

For societal acceptance, we are more resolute.
Our customs have grown in significance
And seem to blind us to God’s magnificence.
God is glorious—there simply is no substitute.

Faith is forfeited by traditions that dilute,
Bunnies, dyed eggs with all their fanfare,
Trimmed trees, pretty presents and their air.
God is incomparable—there simply is no substitute.

Let us worship and seek God in earnest pursuit.
Let us turn to Him from our subtle idolatry.
Let us turn to Him from our spiritual harlotry,
The Lord alone is God—there simply is no substitute.

Romans 1:25NLT They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Jeremiah 10:1-3, 6-7AMP HEAR THE word which the Lord speaks to you…Thus says the Lord: Learn not the way of the [heathen] nations and be not dismayed at the signs of the heavens, though they are dismayed at them, For the customs and ordinances of the peoples are false, empty, and futile…None at all is like You, O Lord; You are great, and Your name is great in might. Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For it is fitting to You and Your due! For among all the wise [men or gods] of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
4/25/11

Just Because...

Just Because…

Thoughts of us—me and you,
Pervade with a picturesque view.
Memories of way back when up ‘til now,
Makes me ponder, “How?”
How did fate—
Know that we would relate—
Together for so long
And still going strong.
Rising above riptides,
Vanquishing valleys,
Scaling the mountainside—
Ascending to our peak.
United, by God’s grace—we still stand,
Bearing as one, what life demands.
Time has made us tenderer,
Yet, in many respects, tougher,
Owing to love, wisdom and grace
—blessed buffers.
May our best years be to the fore.
Let us love more deeply than ever before.
Together forever—you and me, me and you,
Just, because it is what we were meant to do.

Love…Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 13:7

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
4/22/11

The TRUTH

The Truth

Convicts, corrects, locks, lasts. Dispels falsity, repels false friends. Invigorates some, infuriates others. Draws, drives, makes some thrive. Tears down here, builds up there. Molds character, highlights graces. Exposes our secret hiding places, Breaks down lies; breaks apart, lovers. Some times—hard to hear. At times—hard to tell. As some are won over by it, Others feel run over by it. It reveals, and yet, seals you. Take it in and let it settle within. It will strengthen your mettle, Scour and empower you. Set you free from sin and shame. Bestow unto you a good name.

The Truth – Stand on it, stand for it…

John 8:31-32. Then said Jesus to those…which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

RevLDReedSr

I Owe Jesus

4/12/11

The Way It Is Supposed To Be

The Way It Is Supposed To Be

Whoever you are supposed to be to whomever you are supposed to be it—be it. Whether husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend, lover, or whomever—be it, for this is the way it is supposed to be…

Love the journey of life and love those who journey in life with you, for this is the way it is supposed to be… Love who you are, love who you are with, and love HIM, your Creator, your God, who gave you your all and gave you His all-His only begotten Son, who sacrificed His life that you may have life and live with Him in paradise forever... For this is the way it was supposed to be…

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
4/8/11

Goodbye, Yesterday...

Goodbye, Yesterday…

I bid thee adieu, yesterday.

A better tomorrow is coming my way.

I must delve into the mystery of today.

I will take from you, lessons learned,

Of pages turned, successes earned,

Of paths of joy and pain sojourned.

I am glad for all of me that you exposed.

Of the good, bad, and ugly, life is composed.

Now, it is best that this chapter be closed.

I shall press into the unknown with hope.

God’s grace and mercy, my envelope,

Undaunted, I shall stretch to reach my scope.

Fare thee well, there can be no further delay.

A better tomorrow is coming my way.

I bid thee adieu, yesterday.

…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before… Philippians 3:13

RevLDReedSr

I Owe Jesus

4/6/11

Life—It’s worth living!

Life—It’s worth living!

Some say life isn’t worth living. While, it’s true we’re all different, we handle things in a different way, and we view things in our own way. I would like to go on record to say my life is worth living. If GOD, HE who is holy, loving, gracious, which dwelleth in the high heavens, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, was so kind in giving it to me, it’s worth me living it to HIM, especially since HE offers the blessed opportunity to add FOREVER to it—the privilege Jesus gave His life to give all willing to believe in HIM…


Forever minus fears
Forever minus foes
Forever minus heartache
Forever minus heartbreak
Forever minus evil
Forever minus upheaval
Forever minus crying
Forever minus dying
Forever, Forever, Forever…


Jesus in me + me in Jesus = FOREVER


Is Jesus in you, if so you have life, so enjoy it…


Have faith, keep hope alive, and love, love, love…


For more fruitful living, strive to be more giving, seeking nothing in return…


RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
4/6/11

Soul Sista'

Soul Sista’

Strivin’, though strugglin’,

Learned in jugglin’…

Sometimes givin’ more,

Than gettin’.

Sittin' and thinkin’,

Dreamin’ amidst drama.

Whether, partnered-up or solo,

Takin’ action, toilin’,

Tryin’ to make it happen.

Dealin’ wit’ heartache,

Yet, dolin’ out love.

Makin’ many memories,

Wit’ little inventory.

Little gain, lotta’ pain,

Yet, walkin’ on, at times—

While tears fallin’ like rain.

Shoo Boo, if you won’t do—

What it takes.

It’s hard on a Sista—

To carry you and the baby too.

Sista gonna’ just grin, grit,

And go it alone,

Trusting in the Lord God,

Who reigns on Heaven’s throne…

I salute you, Soul Sista’, despite trials, trying you make it through. Live for the Lord, do what He asks, He promised to take care of you.

Psalm 62:5. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

RevLDReedSr

Owe Jesus

3/30/2011

She shall be called Woman

She shall be called Woman

It was not good that man should be alone.

God, full of compassion, took action for him.

So from him, God made a gift to give to him.

Bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh,

Out of man, for the man, to the man,

By the wisdom and grace of God,

A proper companion for life, for love.

To complete, not compete, a help that was meet—

Soft and tender alongside his hard and tough.

Brought together to manifest the manifold love—

From the unfathomable treasures of the heart of God.

Precious, lovely, intuitive, soothing, intelligent—Woman…

I praise God for the wonder that is Woman,

An expression of His image, insight, and illustriousness.

I thank Him for my phenomenal woman, my wife Abigal…

God then used the rib that he had taken from the Man to make Woman and presented her to the Man. The Man said, "Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man." Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh. Genesis 2:22-24MSG

RevLDReedSr

I Owe Jesus

3/26/11

Scarred

Scarred

I have a beauty mark,
Disguised as a scar.
The beauty is in the fact,
That I have matured afar.
No longer as confined,
By the scrutiny of another.
Those who love me accept me,
As a friend and as a brother.
If there be one who would shun—
My company because of my scar,
That’s all right, I understand.
I once was where they now are.
But me, I’ve been changed,
Mind renewed, heart smartened.
Jesus looked past all my scars.
In Him, I am heartened.
Because of love,
He became scarred for me,
With me. What a blessing.
By reason of His scars, I’m free.
Grace triumphs over every blemish.
Yes, I’m scarred now, but not ever.
Grace cleanses and makes new,
Unveiling glory that lasts forever.

Consider this—Scars can make way for new light and life.

Behold, I make all things new…
Revelation 21:5

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
3/23/11

Somebody needs you.

Somebody needs you.

Someone needs your strength, bear up.
Someone needs your courage, be brave.
Someone needs your light, shine.
Someone needs your patience, forbear.
Someone needs your empathy, be merciful.
Someone needs your honesty, be sincere.
Someone needs your ears, listen.
Someone needs your hands, embrace.
Someone needs your encouragement, speak.
Someone needs your heart, open up.
Someone needs your wisdom, impart.
Someone needs your touch, connect.
Someone needs your love, be a sweetheart.

Somebody needs you.

Galatians 6:9-10NLTSo let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
3/15/11

Ire and Desire

Ire and Desire

Have you ire?
It has desire.
What’s ire’s desire?
Destroy by fire…
Manage your ire.
Let love umpire,
Lest evil transpire.

Ephesians 4:26-27NLT
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”
Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
3/10/11

Be free…

Be free… Receive it from Christ and speak it in faith, “I’m free!!!” …thou art loosed from thine infirmity…Luke 13:12 …If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed….John 8:36

…thou art loosed from thine infirmity…Luke 13:12
“Death, I’m free and possess eternal life through Jesus!” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“Devil, I’m free and delivered by Jesus!” 1 John 4:4
“Depression, I’m free and relish joy in Jesus!” Psalms 16:11
“Doubt, I’m free and confess faith in Jesus!” Hebrews 11:6
“Fear, I’m free and have courage by Christ!” Proverbs 28:1
“Hate, I’m free and full of love by Christ!” Romans 5:5
“Ignorance, I’m free and armed with wisdom by Christ!” James 1:5
“Lack, I’m free and provided for by Christ!” Philippians 4:19
“Loneliness, I’m free and beloved of Christ!” Joshua 1:5
“Low self-esteem, I’m free and secure in Christ!” 1 Corinthians 15:10
“Lust, I’m free and enjoy contentment with Christ!” Philippians 4:11-13
“Rejection, I’m free and have divine approval and favor!” Psalms 5:12
“Sickness, I’m free and made whole by Christ!” Psalms 107:20
“Sin and past mistakes, I’m free and forgiven by Christ!” 1 John 1:9
“Weakness, I’m free and strong in the Lord!” Ephesians 6:10
“Worry, I’m free and possess the peace of God!” Philippians 4:6-7
“World, I’m free and have a new home in glory!” John 14:2

John 8: 31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Recapture what God gave you. Train and strengthen your mind through God’s word— swap negative thoughts and feelings with positive truth.

2 Timothy 1: 6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Philippians 2: 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
3/8/11