HE'LL CARRY YOU

Today you walk life's path alone

And sorrow tempts your heart to fear

Your shattered dreams drive faith from sight

While in the dark you seek for light.

God feels your pain! He sees your tears!

It is the cross He chose for you

He'll help you bear the strain and stress

While passing through this wilderness.

He is the Rock on which to stand

His Word, the Light that marks the way

His promised peace will rule your heart

As faithfully you do your part.

So ask Him now to light your path

Your night will yield a brighter day

He'll carry you with gentle hand

As you fulfill His perfect plan.

Ben Pent

PROCLAMATION OF THE KING - part 2

                    Matthew 6

THE MESSAGE THAT JESUS CONTINUED TO TEACH
BEGINS WITH A WARNING TO LIVE WHAT WE PREACH
IF SERVICE TO GOD IS NOT DONE FROM THE HEART
IT PROVES THAT OUR MOTIVES ARE WRONG FROM THE START.

THE FIRST STEP TO SERVICE IS LEARNING TO PRAY
HEEDING HIS WORD THAT APPLIES TO EACH DAY
THE HYPOCRITE WANTS TO IMPRESS WITH MERE WORDS
BUT PRAYER DONE IN SECRET RECEIVES ITS REWARDS.

THE PATTERN OF PRAYER OUTLINED FROM THE START
INCLUDES SEVERAL AREAS HE LONGED TO IMPART
NOT TO BE RITUALLY UTTERED BY ROTE
BUT TO INCLUDE THEM, WERE REASONS HE SPOKE.

PRAYER TO THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF HIS SON
DRAWS ALL OUR FOCUS ON THE GODHEAD AS ONE
THEN HOLINESS LEADS US TO SEEKING HIS WILL
SO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IN US HE'LL FULFILL.

THE BREAD THAT WE ASK FOR HE'LL DAILY PROVIDE
AND WITH HONEST CONFESSION HIS PEACE WILL ABIDE
THUS PROVIDENCE GUIDES US FROM SIN'S EVIL WAYS
WITH VICTORY ASSURED TO THE END OF OUR DAYS.

IF YOUR PRAYER IS A BURDEN BECAUSE OF LIFE'S CARE
OR YOU'RE SEEKING RELEASE FROM A SIN YOU CAN'T SHARE
THE PRACTICE OF FASTING IF DONE FROM THE HEART
WILL LEAD TO DELIVERANCE AND CLEANSING IMPART.

THE SEASONED DISCIPLE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD
WILL CAREFULLY FOLLOW THE MASTER'S CLEAR WORD
EARTH'S TREASURES NO LONGER ARE HIS TO CONTROL
SINCE GOD HAS POSSESSION OF BODY AND SOUL.

IF HIS KINGDOM IS FIRST IN OUR THOUGHTS EVERY DAY
THE TEMPTATION TO WORRY WILL SOON FADE AWAY
FOR THE GOD OF THE SPARROW AND FLOWERS THAT GROW
WILL PROVIDE EVERY NEED WITH RICH BLESSINGS BELOW.
--B. Pent

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matthew 6:25-34

Someone stated that worry is the advance interest you pay on troubles that seldom come. It springs from the desire that things should happen as we wish rather than as God wills. Pressure to succeed is today's biggest contributing factor to anxiety and worry. Worry not only affects us mentally but also physically. It affects circulation, the heart, the glands and our whole nervous system. It also affects us spiritually by robbing us of peace and trust in God's leading and plan for our lives. The Anglo-Saxon word for worry means "to strangle or chock." It also means "to divide the mind; to be drawn in different directions."

What does Jesus say about living worry free? Obviously, it was a high priority in His agenda for happy, victorious and productive living. So six times in these verses he commands us:
"do not worry about your life." He explains that the cause of worry stems from a wrong emphasis on materialism. If we get out of focus spiritually we become slaves to money or the things that money buys. When money rules, we becomes greedy, selfish, covetous and self-indulgent. Our Western cultures is obsessed with body shape, nutrition, vacations, cars, clothes, homes and an endless accumulation of toys and gadgets. Jesus stated emphatically, "no one can serve two masters."

Kingdom servants have a Master that promises to supply all our needs. So He moves from one command ("do not worry") to another command ("seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness"). If we transfer our focus from the earthly kingdom ruled by Satan to the heavenly Kingdom ruled by Christ, He promises "all these things" (what you are going to eat, drink, or wear)"will be given to you as well." While dealing with this same issue, Paul concludes in Phil.4:7, "the peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus." God's prescription sure beats the Enemies, wouldn't you say? So then, lets put it into practice and begin living it. That is what I want to do! Don't you?