LUKE 17: 11-19–INGRATITUDE*

Ten lepers to Jesus went,

He healed them and sent..

All to the priest

Showing their release,

Only one returned, knee bent!

–

Of the ten only one,

Returned–a Samaritan–

In gratitude

His Savior viewed,

The nine–why didn’t they come?

–

Only one in awe,

Returned with thanks without flaw…

Nine without thought

No thanks thought they ought,

To express to the One that took it all!

–

Thinking of myself,

Many “thank you’s” never leave my card shelf…

Taken for granted

People feel unwanted,

Don’t think so much of yourself!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

* Idea based on YOUR MOVE, with Andy Stanley, broadcast this morning (Sunday) on DAYSTAR TV.  Check out http://yourmove.is/   Sermon Title:  I OWE WHO?

 

 

GENTLE WARRIOR!

(The Book of Genesis 32: 22-32)

–

Jacob renamed Israel,

Strove with the Lord’s Angel…

Up went the sun

Both had won,

As Israel’s hip pain would tell!

–

Wrestled all night with God,

Stubbornly living abroad…

Planted when

They were then,

God’s loving shoulders are broad.

–

The “Liar” became the “Winner”,

In faith so can all sinners…

Truly find cleansing

Relationship mending,

To break out of spiritual winters!

–

A new Creation was he,

The lying was gone you see…

In its place

Active holy grace,

The Angel brought him to his knees.

–

The Bible says he strove with God,

Not a man or a vision odd…

The pre-incarnate Christ

Before His birth night,

Was the Angel of God!

–

God striving with man,

Doesn’t flatten us although He certainly can…

But gives choice

Listening to His voice,

Instead of a absolute demand!

–

God wants love voluntary,

Not robotic or ancillary…

Jacob renamed

By the Most High Name,

Became a friend of God, not adversary.

–

–Jonathan Caswell

(Caught from a recent WALK IN THE WORD Radio broadcast series)

ENIGMA WITHIN FAITH

Enigma within Christian faith,

Keeping “short accounts” being safe…

Living holy lives

By spiritual eyes,

Not the purview of apes!

–

Self effort has nil effect,

But the One Way through Christ accept…

To each other confess–

Pray to God, He’ll address–

But self pride for confession God rejects.

–

Security through faith, says Paul,

When law is removed Christ is all…

Act by Christ’s love–

God’s hand in your glove–

Walking more and more by Spirit’s call.

–

Spend much more time with Father, Son,

Live in the Spirit–three in One…

Bible study and frequent prayer

The tools to travel there,

To live in grace, “Thy will be done!”

–

–Jonathan Caswell

STICKING WITH LOVE

Martin Luther King Junior,

Was of a Godly humor…

In love he fought

That Christians ought

To walk by the Bible not rumor!

–

Willing to face,

Human kind’s racial disgrace…

Christian “saints”

Who said other “paints”

Were not of the human race!

–

Battled until he died

for his Lord crucified…

Hate didn’t win

when it killed him,

God’s love will never subside!

–

How many would lay down their life,

For Lord , for justice and wife?

He followed through

As I do too,

Who does all for the Lord gains new life!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

EXODUS 20: 3-5 A POEM

Have no other gods before Him,

Not even by innocent whim…

It’s suicidal

To worship an idol,

Walking on ice very thin.

–

So periodically

He must sort his files to see…

What grabs his heart–

With that he must part,

‘Tis better than hypocrisy!

–

Culling out accumulations

Of any conflagrations,,,

That hold him fast

He will cast,

Out for sanctification.

–

–Jonathan Caswell

WHERE ONE SITS…

WHERE ONE SITS…

–

There is a Bible story

About one who wished glory…

Sat too close

To his host,

Who said you have to move–you bore me!

–

To get Wi-Fi signal here,

Where one sits pays dear…

Middle of the room

It won’t come in soon,

While near the kitchen comes clear.

-0

In Jesus’ Parable,*

The man felt terrible…

Much better sober

Estimation going lower,

Told to move up–that’s declarable!

–Jonathan Caswell

* Jesus’ Parable…Check out Luke 14: 8-10.