Yesterday while reclining in a chair on the front porch in the moon-lit dark with my favorite alley cat (whom I call) Percy, I noticed his ears go up and then looked in the direction he was staring. It isn’t uncommon for one of the half dozen stray kitties in the neighborhood to stop by unannounced, thinking they can get a few kibbles from the supply I leave for Percy on the glass table. If the porch light is on they clearly see me, and hang out on the edge of darkness to outwait me (cats are the very pajamas of patience). In the darkness, however – depending on how still I am – a couple of them have even jumped in my lap thinking I was the chair. It doesn’t sit well with any of the strays finding themselves on my lap (except Percy, who…

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV

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Beware the gathering of those unsaved

Who use their tongues to denigrate the saints,

And on the surface seem so well behaved

Until you hear them speak without restraint.

If you are not too careful you will slide

Into the way of wicked thought and speech.

Before you know it Christ have you denied,

And you’ll no longer practice what you preach.

If you must be in such bad company,

Remember Jesus lives and grows in you.

Put all your faith in Him and you will see

No matter what they say He’ll see you through.

Good character’s corrupted by such talk.

The Savior’s here to help you walk the walk.

The eyes of the LORD areupon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Psalm 34:15 KJV

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No matter where you go you’re not alone;

The presence of the Lord will see you through.

His eyes are on you now, His grace is shown:

The righteousness of Jesus dwells in you.

God’s eye of Providence: a blanket warm,

To comfort and protect you faithfully.

His eye of Love to see you through each storm,

A Father’s gaze upon His child set free.

He hears your cries within the tempest roar

When all the world is shouting out their sins.

He answers all your prayers and even more

Responds to every groan as it begins.

You put your faith in Christ upon the throne;

Now rest assured you’ll never be alone.

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, do not fall in despair;

You realize the hopeless state you’re in.

Death calls for you – it’s more than you can bear.

You can’t escape the stain of all your sin.

Just take the hand of Jesus, make Him yours.

He’ll wash your sins from scarlet red to white.

Although the stain has sunk into your pores

He’ll take the brand of Satan from your sight.

The Son of God loved you so very much

He took all of your sins upon the cross.

Accept Him as your Savior, feel His touch;

Believe He died for you and bore your loss.

Although your sins are crimson red and…

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 KJV

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The lusts of youth don’t always mean the flesh,

But every one is meant to bring them down.

Their vanity and ego cannot mesh

With those who come to wear a humble crown.

There is a need to hear their peer’s applause,

But that lasts just a moment of their life.

Seek favor from the Lord in faith because

Unlike their friends God’s love remains through strife.

Contentions and contempt will mark their way

Unless they live in peace like Christ did show.

Abide with those whose righteousness won’t stray,

Whose charity defeats the biggest foe.

When youth resists the constant lustful lure,

They join the ranks of those whose hearts are pure.

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O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thycounsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Isaiah 25:1 KJV

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O Lord, you are my God, my sovereign King,

Not only by creation but of grace.

The covenants You’ve made my soul shall sing.

My God, the Love You are I still embrace.

I will exalt you, Lord, I’ll praise Your name.

You’re Holy and perfection without end.

The heavens and the earth will long acclaim

The glory of creation You still tend.

Such wonders have You done I cannot count;

From atoms to the stars and in between.

Your counsels of the ages give account

Of faithfulness and truth we all have seen.

I celebrate You, God, both night and day!

I celebrate with all I do and say!

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Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

Psalm 119:73 KJV

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The Lord created every part of you;

That little sparked conception was His kiss.

Your life began that moment, rare and true;

There’s nothing more mysterious than this!

God made you in His image: wonderful;

He fashioned you with love and tenderness.

No matter how you look you’re beautiful:

There is no part of you He didn’t bless.

Now pray for understanding you may learn

All God’s commandments meant to bring you home.

The longing in your heart that makes you yearn

Is Spirit guiding you so you don’t roam.

God gave you life eternal through His Son

Who bled and died that you may be as one.

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And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Genesis 39:3 KJV

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When you go through this day do not forget

The light of Christ is shining through your deeds,

And others see there’s something special yet,

In all you say and do a peace proceeds.

Remember that to most you represent

The closest thing to Jesus they will know.

Those hungry for the Word will soon relent

To find out what it is that makes you go.

When Jesus lives through you it surely shows,

Especially the moments love’s revealed.

The Holy Spirit is affirmed in those

Who feel the fire and begin to yield.

You have a deep responsibility

To serve the Lord and act as His trustee.

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So then after the Lord had spoken unto them,

he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Mark 16:19 KJV

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Imagine being there that awesome day,

Among those with the resurrected Lord,

Who learned from Christ Himself just how to pray

And seen Him make the blind and deaf restored!

O just to hear His final words on earth

As angels gathered ’round up in the air!

No one that’s ever been of mortal birth

Will fully understand the wonders there.

And then to watch the Savior start to rise!

The host of heaven there among the clouds!

If we were there we’d scarce believe our eyes

As Jesus pierced the sky above the crowd!

He sits now on the right hand next to God!

When He returns the universe will laud!

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¹⁴ And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

¹⁵ Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.

¹⁶ And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.

¹⁷ And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.

Mark 12:14-17 KJV

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We have an obligation to the world

To give unto the rulers what is theirs.

Whatever flag above…