⁸ For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

¹² For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:8-12 KJV

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When you are saved by Christ’s atoning blood,

You then become much more than family;

The Spirit enters you just like a flood

And works on you uniquely by…

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,

when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Proverbs 3:27 KJV

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When payday comes around then pay your bills,

For this due to them you contract with.

When there are those in need don’t buy the frills;

Remember your poor past and give forthwith.

The Lord is full of grace beyond your ken;

The fact that you are here is proof indeed.

Extend that goodness out and now to men,

And when the Spirit tells you, then proceed.

Serve ministries and those who preach the Word;

It helps them bring the lost into the fold.

The means are in your hands, don’t be deferred;

Tomorrow is not yours to put on hold.

Withhold not good from them to whom it’s due;

Just think of all the good God’s given you.

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sonnet #374

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant

Matthew 20:27 KJV

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

If you would be a servant of the Lord,

Then be a servant now to all you meet,

But don’t serve others for some great reward;

Expecting something back just spells defeat.

The greatest of you thinks that they’re the least

And does not know that they are great at all.

You will not find them sitting at the feast;

You’ll find them washing dishes down the hall.

Give up your vain ambitions now, my friend,

For Hell would be the thing that you deserve.

There’s feet to be washed now until the end,

So roll your sleeves, get on your knees and serve.

The chief among you, let him give the most.

The more he gives the less he’s bound to boast.

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sonnet #373

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak, slow to wrath:

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:19-20 KJV

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

An angry man is blind to love and light.

And deaf to every whisper Spirit makes.

How can he serve his brothers day and night

When all that he provides are bellyaches?

If you have anger that you can’t control,

Ask Jesus to remove it by its roots.

The weeds of wrath will choke the tender soul,

But Christ can pluck them out to bear good fruits.

Be swift to hear the Spirit when He calls,

And do not speak until He gives you words.

The man who’s led by Jesus never falls.

Obey the wind to fly among the birds.

The love of God will burn away your wrath.

His righteousness will keep you on the…

Peaceful place

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6 KJV

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A Godly soul is really hard to find

Unless you go where Godly folk abide.

The place where these great ones are so inclined

Is where the Lord has told them to reside.

You cannot find them on a simple plat;

No GPS can lead you to their side.

You’ll find them so content just where they’re at

Because they are attune with Christ their guide.

A man can be content and not know God,

But deep in his contentment he must hide,

For only Jesus leaves you calm and awed;

Without the Savior peace can’t be applied.

Contentment in the Lord will bring great gain

No matter where you go His Grace will reign.

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sonnet #371

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18 KJV

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Don’t be afraid, don’t hide your head in shame;

No matter what you’ve done I still love you.

I’m not the God of vengeance as they claim;

You do not need to fear a harsh review.

Just lift your eyes and come to Christ in prayer;

It matters not if sins be crimson red.

My Son died for your sins, now don’t despair;

His blood will wash them white as snow instead.

I sent Him as the Lamb to sacrifice,

To die for all your sins both great and small.

Accept Him as your Lord, He paid the price;

Let Jesus in your heart, on Him do call.

On Judgment Day when…

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:13 KJV

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

When Jesus taught to pray He said this, too:

“O God, forgive me as I do forgive.”

As simple as it is it’s hard to do;

When someone does us wrong, we must relive.

You can forgive but you just can’t forget;

If that’s the way you want it, let it be.

You want your brother to forget your debt,

But if he owes you more, he’s never free.

As Christ atoned for you on Calvary,

He will not bring it back whene’er you sin.

Forgive and so forget and you’ll be free;

Do not expect the same and you will win.

            If you can so forget the food you ate,

            Don’t let wrongs eat you up, give Christ…

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:6-8 KJV

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

We all have talents given us by grace

According to the nature of our soul;

Just as the body has each part in place

That has a special function toward the whole.

The ones with prophesy speak truth so bold,

With ministry to aid the poor and weak;

The teachers lay the doctrine out as gold,

Exhorters urge, advise and so critique.

To those who give do with simplicity,

And those that rule are earnest in their care;

The merciful attend the anxious plea,

And everyone…

⁴ I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

⁵ Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints

Philemon 1:4-5 KJV

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

When Christ said love your neighbor as yourself

And then to love each other as He them,

This truth He spoke should not be on a shelf,

But shown to all the world a precious gem.

Faith knows that all is well, as Christ is true,

And faith with love go surely hand in hand;

Confess your faith and give your love anew;

You can’t have one without the other fanned.

If you believe in love, you’re halfway there;

Now love what you believe to mark the way.

Put all your faith in Jesus; don’t despair,

For His great love for you is here to stay.

Both faith and love are gifts of God’s…

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7 KJV

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

Then like a thief at night will Jesus come,

Surprising all but those who are prepared,

And all with eyes to see will then become

To know that He is here, His presence bared.

The dead in Christ shall rise from in the ground;

The righteous all will know and so rejoice.

The terror of His enemies abound,

And they will wail and weep as if one voice.

He’ll come to judge the quick and judge the dead,

Including those who harmed the ones He chose.

His presence in the clouds will make some dread:

The final days are coming to a close.

Oh, how magnificent that day will be!

The Savior will return for…