THE ROOSTER'S CROW

I followed Christ along life's way
It was so sweet to hear His voice
But then I failed to watch and pray
And soon I wandered far away...
Until I caught His eye.

I warmed up by the flame of sin
And failed to own my sinful pride
It was so innocent a thing
To find excuse and try to hide...
Until I caught His eye.

I felt my soul all torn apart
I had no lasting peace within
Then bitter tears flowed from my heart
When I confessed my guilt and sin...
Because I caught His eye.

REFRAIN
I'm sorry Lord I turned away
I did not mean to go astray
Return Your joy within my heart
And never more from me depart.
--B. Pent

WHY GOD IS SILENT

I heard God’s voice so clear at first

His Word spoke deeply to my heart

I knew just what to do right then

It was His presence from the start.

Then other voices soon were heard

That made me turn my mind to see

If this was now the only choice

That God intended just for me.

So when my thoughts led me astray

Confusion followed me around

The voice that once was loud and clear

Became a hallow, empty sound.

As I was wandering in the night

My troubled soul was griped by fear

Until confession brought me back

To where His leading became clear.

Now when I hear the Shepherd’s voice

I follow closely by His side

Assured that when He speaks again

I know He'll be my faithful Guide.

--B. Pent.

HIS AWESOME PRESENCE

As I knelt before His presence

Wrapped in garments stained by sin

I could not look up to heaven

For the shame revealed within.

Then the Lamb of God incarnate

Stood in robes of spotless white

As His holy justice vanquished

Every pretense from His sight.

Tears of anguish broke upon me

Waves of guilt exposed my soul

As repentance ceased my wanderings

I became as white as snow.

Then His words of love came flowing

From above the Mercy Seat

Where the nail prints of His justice

Offered grace for my defeat.

Shouts of praise began to fill me

Freedom's song began to flow

As the honor and the glory

Rose to Christ who loved me so.

--B. Pent

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matt.5:3

Everyone wants to be happy! Mankind is in a mad rush driving down the fast lane of life looking for happiness. Some look for it in drugs, money, sex, cars, vacations, or other pursuits. The concept of God becoming the supreme source of true happiness is foreign to most people. They think of Him as a killjoy who is out to increase our misery Unfortunately, they never really met Jesus. But you and I have! So come with me and lets listen in on what Jesus is trying to say to us as His disciples. I want us to take small bites so we don't get too overwhelmed and quit. Are you ready for this little adventure? Of course you are! Come on! I want you to sit right here beside me on the front row. Verse 3 begins: "blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
If we want to be truly happy and maintain this happiness even in the middle of life's disappointments and hard times, Jesus tells us that the beginning point is to be "poor in spirit." What does that mean? Principally, it means we recognize our own spiritual poverty and the corruption of our own sinful nature before an absolutely holy and righteous God. Dr. James Montgomery Boice hits the nail on the head when he warns, "You see, it is never possible to create a true poverty of spirit by looking within or by looking around at other people. The human heart is corrupt. And because of it you will always latch upon someone who is worse in some respect than you. You will find someone who is prouder than you are, and although you may still be quite proud you will congratulate yourself on being humble. You will find someone who has strong fits of temper, and although you too have a temper you will congratulate yourself on being more moderate in your temper than he. So it will go with all the failings that make you less perfect than Jesus Christ and therefore the fit object of his mercy and salvation."
So today's challenge is simple! As I sit looking at Jesus, comparing my life with His, am I willing to honestly confess that I am completely filthy and bankrupt spiritually before His absolute holiness and ask Him to clean my life and fill me with Himself? If so, you've just taken the first step into the secret of the kingdom of heaven. Congratulations!