ANY ENEMIES

I don’t know if I have any enemies—

And I really don’t care if I do.

The true issue, Lord, is how will I treat them,

Assuming there’s any that hate me.

If I’m a true follower of Jesus Christ,

I’ll not resent, nor retaliate;

I’ll not rejoice when they get their comeuppance;

I’ll not be happy when they stumble.

I’ll not let evil resentment destroy me,

For evil has no future ahead.

I’ll do all I can to live peacefully;

Loving Christ, I can forgive them all.

GOD'S LAVISH LOVE

God loves lavishly, soaking creation

With rain and with sunshine;

With joys and with sorrows.

The Spiritual life – a journey complete –

Entering into joy,

We’ll join our Lord in love.

Lord, in Your presence, is fullness of joy;

Your presence, forever,

Is Your free gift of love!

Although We Have Trials

Although we have trials,

Remember your hope

Your blessings are promised,

O Father, our Savior

Deliver us, Lord,

Whatever YOU wish

Will come to pass,

(In spite of, or with us.)

Your Gospel story

Will ever be told

(By us – or another.)

Help us to tell others.

When we’re in need,

Or when we have plenty,

Let not our great wealth

Keep us from You,

Doomed, Raised, Chosen

I was doomed, because of my sins.

I refused to obey my God.

But You are rich in Your mercy,

It is by Your favor I’m saved.

As Jesus was raised from the dead

I know God will raise me as well.

I’ll live as a good example

Of what You can do through Your grace.

I was created for good works

Which were chosen before my birth.

Lord, help me accept my calling,

May I do as I’ve been gifted.

For All

Thank You for Your words to us today,

Thank You, for points of insight I have gleaned

Thank you for Your cross, O Lord;

For gifts of trust, and of waiting,

And of the great gift of Your salvation.

For all, I lift up Your holy name,

For all, I praise You, O Lord, my God,

For you are deep within my heart!

A Season

Often, it seems, that evil reigns.

We’ll go through a season of brokenness,

Do not despair, for the Lord surely reigns.

Open your heart, for He‘ll yet send

A season for restoration.

In deserts, chasing mirages,

And encountering delusions;

When your heart is closed, you can’t see the truth.

So, you’ll remain in your desert

  Until you’ll seek after the Lord

When you seek more than a season,

If you’ll open your heart and invite Him,

He will dwell within, and will guide your path.

For God is kind, and He’s loving;

His mercy endures forever.

Act - Reflect

We need the pattern and rhythm

Of action and of reflection.

We need to be in God’s presence—

It’s essential for life itself.

Never forget the wonderment—

We’re chosen for greater service

Than merely surviving entails.

We’ve been chosen to do God’s work!

Action for another’s welfare,

Is but “action” if it not be

For God’s holy glory alone.

Reflect on your motivation.

If you’ve done all for God’s glory,

If you feel God’s holy presence,

Actions taken for others are

Blessings given for you as well.