⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7 KJV

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The King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born

Into this world of sickness, pain and death,

A helpless infant on that chilly morn

Who in His father’s arms took His first breath.

The God of all the universe cried out,

His body cold and naked, small and weak

Until His mother wrapped Him all about

And held Him close and kissed His tiny cheek.

The Savior soon was placed with love and care

Within a manger cleaned and filled with hay.

Had those within the inn been made aware

They might have traded places right…

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:18 KJV

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LOVE IN DEED AND TRUTH

There’s nothing wrong in giving love with words,

But that should not be all you ever do,

Like in your hunger getting some cheese curds

When what you really needed was hot stew.

If words were silver, actions would be gold,

And loving deeds like diamonds cut and new.

To truly love is often to be bold:

A selfless act will show your love is true.

When you love Jesus you become like Him,

And He came not to be served but to serve.

So go throughout your day a living hymn

And give to all you meet with loving verve.

An “I love you” is music to the ears;

To show it is a symphony for years.

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REMEMBER: What…

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Matthew 14:14 KJV

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As Jesus went He saw the multitude;

Compassion moved within Him like the tide.

He knew the many reasons they pursued,

But they all wanted what He had inside.

With bodies sick and broken, some for years,

They shared a common need, a common goal.

He healed them all and took away their fears.

If you’ve been touched by Jesus you’re made whole.

One healing brought another miracle:

When people saw His power they believed.

He taught them greater things through parable,

And one by one the Kingdom they received.

Christ knows that you need healing; He’s the One,

The Doctor of your soul, the Father’s Son.

⁴⁵ And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. ⁴⁶ Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? ⁴⁷ He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

John 8:45-47 KJV

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TRUE UNBELIEVERS

Some people will not hear the Word of God

No matter how they’re told or what is said.

You will not be believed and called a fraud,

As if you were the one with the thick head.

Forgive them for they know not what they do;

There is no spark of Spirit in their heart.

You speak the truth until your face is blue;

They’ll take your words and tear them all apart.

It’s more than just resistance to the Word;

How well you know, you’ve turned it down before.

You might…

¹³ Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did itignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:13-14 KJV

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ON IGNORANCE

Your ignorance is no excuse to sin

But is instead the well from which sin springs.

Before you made the choice and let Christ in

You drank the darkness, thought it everything.

You fled from all conviction like a thief;

The gospel words you heard picked up the chase,

And though your ignorance fed unbelief

The love of God was patient with His grace.

No matter who you were or what you did,

When you came to the cross, surrendered all,

The mercy of the Lord your sins did rid;

Abundant faith and love in Him sprang tall.

Your neighbor might be…

And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:14 KJV

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THE PERFECT BOND

Of all the aspects of a Christian heart,

Of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind,

Of meekness, patience, tolerance impart,

Forgiving one another so refined,

Above them all is charity and love;

Without it all the others are a show.

Agape’s like the stitching in a glove,

The letters in these words you’ve come to know.

Love is the perfect bond of unity,

The source of all that’s beautiful and true.

The way to run a just community

Begins with selfless love from me and you.

The fountainhead of love is God Himself.

His Spirit lies in Christ and in yourself.

¹³Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 KJV

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THE STRAIT AND NARROW

The path to Heaven’s like a razors edge,

‘Twill shred your flesh to ribbons on the way.

Too few will walk this fine and narrow ledge,

This sacrifice of self, no room to sway.

Then strait ahead is Jesus; He’s the gate.

There is no other way to get inside.

His blood will cover you, your sins negate

As you walk through the Door to then abide.

But many choose the wide and easy road;

The company is gay and jubilant

But leads to sinful ruin and Hell’s abode

Where…

I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

Job 12:4 KJV

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Beware, the days are here when you are mocked

For standing on your Christian principles,

And even other Christians will concoct

The wildest things about you from their skulls.

Don’t dare defend yourself from such a crowd,

For they are fools, and fools are hard to change.

Just listen to the Lord and don’t be cowed;

The godliest of souls have all been strange.

The sort who love to gossip matter not,

It’s those who love the Lord live in your heart.

It will not matter what the scorners thought

When all is said and done the truth impart.

Be bold, be upright and believe in Christ.

Your faith in Him is worth the sacrifice.

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Psalm 25:4 KJV

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SHEW ME THY WAYS

Please show me, Lord, Your countless holy ways,

The many mysteries beyond this mind.

When I have left this world with all its days

I’ll have eternity to be inclined.

Until I’m there with You, teach me Your paths,

I’ve faith You’ll shepherd me the whole way Home.

I’ll need Your guidance through the aftermath;

While I’m still in this body I may roam.

Beloved Savior, keep me ‘neath Your wing;

I know Your loving Spirit lies within.

You are my Teacher, Counselor and King:

Please show me, teach me, lead me out and in.

But most of all, have mercy on me, Lord!

I want so many things, this smorgasbord!

For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Job 34:11 KJV

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FOUNT OF YOUR WAYS

If you are turning daily toward the One,

Your mind and words and hands reflect His love.

There is no question what His grace has done;

There is no doubt at all what you’re part of.

Good deeds themselves does not a good man make;

God knows the kind of water that you drink.

You may in all your works sure take the cake

But if you guzzle sin you still will sink.

Through grace you’re born in Christ, by faith you live;

Your acts, though meager, show a water pure,

And from this living fountainhead you give, ^{(John 7:38)}

And it will multiply and long endure.

God will not judge a man by works alone. ^{(Ephesians 2:9)}

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