VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: PRAYER: Lord, I Am Sure!

Lord,

I Have Been Foolish!

I Asked You

Often

To Talk To My Hand

Not To My Heart

When I Was Indulging In 

"Self-sufficient Me!" Time

Ignoring The Fact

That

You Are Gloriously Divine!

Please Forgive Me!

Lord,

Like A Giddy-Headed Teenager

I Vowed

Not To Give Away My Whole Heart

To You

So That If Our Relationship Foundered

I Would Not Be Totally Devasted

When You

Tired Of Me

Should Depart!

I Bow My Head In Shame!

Please Raise Me Up!

Lord, Forgive Me

For I Treated You

As If You Are Mere Man

Temperamental

Testy

Of Attention Short-Spanned

Fickle

Unregenerate

Given To Ignoble Deeds

And

Quick

To Kick The Can!

I Repent Of My Folly!

I Disremembered

That You Are Holy

Faithful

Kind

Eternally Loving

Unfailingly True!

I Forgot

That You Are Friend

Soul-Lover

Holy God

Sustainer

Savior

Shepherd

And

Provider So True!

Help Me Ever Remember The Living Truth!

Lord,

I Want Us To Start Over!

I Want To Belong To Only You!

I Can See Your Hand

Being Held Out!

I Can Hear Your Gentle Voice Calling

Which

I Do Remember

Never - Ever -  Shouts!

I Can See Your Face

Tear Stained

Sorrowing

Over My Straying Ways

And

I Feel So Empty

Because

We Have Not Connected

Truly Connected

In These Recent Days!

My Praying Has Been So Shallow, Lord

And I Beseech You Help Me, Please

To Get Out From Under This New Low!

The Things

That I Should Do

Are The Things

That I Don't Do

And The Things I Don't Want To

Are The Very Things Walking About

Wearing My Dress Shoes!

Lift Me Up, Lord

For You Are Able

Not Fable!

Lord,

I Don't Want To Live

Like This Anymore!

I Desire Constant Communion With You

Before I Move A Finger

Before I Walk Though A Door

Before I Make A Decision

Before I Utter To Another

Even A Single Word!

I Desire You

To Be My First Thought

My First Word

My Every Breath

Spent

In Denial Of The Goat Leader

And His Boastful Herd!

I Desire With You

Oneness

My Will Wrapped Up In Yours

And

Your Word

My Every Desire

For

I Yearn

For My Voice

In Heaven's Grand Choir

One Day Soon

To Be Joyfully Heard!

I Am Pouring Out My Heart

To You, Lord

For

I Know That You Care!

I Know That You

To Death

Loved Me

And To Life Will Raise Me

And This Is Why

As A Little Child

I Approach You

Drawing Nigh

Without Fear!

Father,

Fix My Shortcomings

My Backslidings

My Willfulness

My Selfishness 

And

Waywardness

For

My Heart

For You

Is Longing

And I Am Begging ... Please?!

I Love You!

I Desire To Live In Your House!

Help Me To Walk Through Your Open Door!

I Am Ready, Lord

And

Now

I Am Sure!

Oh, Lord, Forgive!

Oh, Lord, Hear And Do!

In The Name Of Jesus Christ The Righteous

I Stand And Plead!

AMEN.

PRAYER : Thank You, Lord, For Your Myriad Blessings!

Dear Lord,

My Heart Is Thankful

Even As I Ask You

To Help Me To Conquer

The Mountains I Must Climb Today

Using The Faith And The Grace 

That You Provided To Me For The Day!

Tomorrow Is Yours!

You Are Divine!

Lord, Grant Me The Wisdom

And

Wisdom's Understanding

So That I Will Diligently Walk

Through Your Opened Door!

 - The Building May Be Mine

But

The Doors Are Surely Yours!

I Desire To Reach Home

To Be With You

So Please

Help Me To Me To Be

- By Your Knowledge -

Kind!

Help Me, Lord

To Grasp Your Beckoning Hand! 

- The Offer Is Yours

But

The Will To Accept Is Mine!

I Gratefully Accept Your Offer

And

I'm Walking Faithfully Toward

The Separation Line

Even As I Await The Great Day

When Holy Light

Erasing The Separating Line

Shall Shine!

Help Me, Lord

To Hold Salvation Tight

In My Heart

So That When My Tongue Can't Sing

My Heart

Will Do All The Celebrating!

Help Me, Lord

To Let Jesus Christ

Be To Me

Everything That I Can't Even Conceive

But Which

By Current Faith

- Soon To Be Immortal Sight -

I Will Accept

Because Jesus Is My Only Savior

And

The One In Whom My Heart Does Delight!

Grant Me, Dear Lord

The Victory Already Sealed

So That In The Day

Soon Dawning

I Will

With All The Victorious Saints

Be With You

Rejoicing!

Remember, Lord

The Brethren

Near And Far!

Remember In A Very Special Way

Those Who Mourn

And

Those Who Anticipate A Mourning!

Comfort Them In Their Distress, Father

And

Bring To Their Remembrance

That There Is Indeed

A Glorious Balm In Gilead!

We Give You, Lord

Our Praise 

And

Our Worship

And

We Thank For Your Myriad Blessings

Which Have No Expiration Date

Or

Use By Date!

We Bless You, Lord!

Lift Us Up So That We May Lift You Up

For In Jesus Christ's Holy Name

We Plead, And Stand!

We Love You, Lord!

AMEN.

FAITH: Wrestling Presumption!

Miss Faith Was Building Her House!
She Claimed For Her House Name
Genuine Faith
AND
Ordered Her Bricks
And Other Supplies
And Set About Her Business
Following After God's Goodness!

For The Foundation Of Genuine Faith
Faith Had
The Promises
AND
Provisions Of The Scriptures!
It Was A Mighty Undertaking
AND
That Foundation Was Solid Rock!
Faith Was Happy In The Lord
AND
About Her Lot!

Things Were Moving Along Apace
AND
Faith Knew
Her House Would Never Show Itself A Disgrace
So
Brick By Brick
Genuine Faith
Was Being Built Up
Until The Ring Beam
Was The New Row In Sight:

• Agonizing Faith
• Saving Faith
• Trusting Faith
• Holy Faith
• Presumptuous Faith
• Wavering Faith
• Faith For Today
• Faith For The Way

Suddenly, A Shout Was Heard ...

Miss Faith!
Miss Faith!
There Is A Problem
With Two Of The Special Bricks
In Your Ring Beam!
They Are Exposing Cracks In Genuine Faith
AND
In Jesus' Name They Must Be Replaced
Or
Your Christian Faith
Will Become A Notable Disgrace!

Oh, Lord
What Shall I Do?!

Trust And Obey!

I Will Take Care Of You!

Trial Of Faith
Please Tell Me True
Which Are The Bricks
That I Must Replace
To Avoid The State Of Disgrace?

Miss Faith,
For One
You Must Replace That Presumptuous Faith!
Faith That Doesn't Lead To Obedience
Is Presumption
That Seed Of Satan
Which Claims The Promise
While Hiding Behind Sin
Excusing Bad Behavior
Daring God To Deliver Favor
When In Known Disfavor Walking!

Oh, Dear!
Oh, Dear!
Lord, Please Forgive!
I Am Sorry!
That Is Not How I Desire To Live!

Trial Of Faith
Is There Another Brick?!
I Desire A Strong House
So Tell Me, Please
So I Can Make My Necessary Changes Now!

Sorry To Say It
But
Say It
I Must
For
Wavering Faith
Is Wedged In Your Wall
AND
This Is The One Brick
Which Causes
The Deaf Ears Upon Which Such Prayers Fall!

If You Want Your House Called
Genuine Faith
To Truly 
Firmly Stand
Wavering Faith Must Be Dug Out
Or 
Your House Will Be
Like A Reed House
Solidly Built On Shifting
Sinking
Even
Quick Sand!

Oh, Lord
Most Glorious!
You Who Are Kind And True
Please Fix My Faith For
I Am Pleading
And
I Am Depending Upon You!
You Word Is My Lamp
Showing Me Where To Put My Feet
And
The Light Along My Pathway
Showing Me The Clear Way!
You Are My Shepherd!
I Am Your Sheep
You Are The King Of Love
You Guide Guard
And
Me
You Safely Keep!

I Desire To See The Mount Zion
That Beautiful City Of God
But 
I Know That I Shall Not Get There
If
I Indulge Wavering  Faith
That Messenger
Sent By Satan
The Cruel Fraud!

Lord,
You Are My Father
The Lover Of My Soul
And
My Very Best Friend!
Please, I Beseech You
Defend My Cause!
Defend!

I Am Leaning On You, Lord
Believing
Trusting
Walking The Holy Way
And
I Desire My Mustard Seed Of Faith To Grow
So Help Me, Lord
To Give Wavering Faith
The Holy Heave Ho!

I Am Thine, Dear Lord!
It's The Heavenly Voice That I Long Ever To Hear
Rid Me Of ThoseTraits
That Are Not Thine!
Remove From My Heart 
Doubt
Fear
And Indeed
That Wavering Faith
And
Replace It With Genuine Faith
The Name That My House Calls Out!
AMEN.

You Should Also Know That ...

Nominal Faith 
Also Tried 
To Get In
BUT
Exercised Faith
Threw Him Out!
Many Were Faith's Tests And Trials
AND
Enduring Faith
- Longing For Salvation -
Could Be Regularly Heard Shouting Out!

Faith's Faith Was Tested And Tried
AND
Proved To Be Bona Fide
BUT
She Does Not Rest Upon Her Laurels
AND
She Does Not Let Her Vigilance
Into Complacency
Slide!

Faith's House 
Called
Genuine Faith 
Was Built
AND
It Carries A Roof 
Called
Jesus' Faith
That Goes Under The Foundation
Upon Which Faith Leans
Before She Thinks To Exit Her Door
AND
Her Faith - Genuine Faith -
Is Now Hard-Core!

The Body Without The Spirit Is Dead

AND

So, Too

Genuine Faith

Without The Love Of The Lord

That Causes Faith To Work

Is Dead

AND

Is As Useful As

A Whole Soleless Shoe!

**--**--**--**

How Is YOUR Faith

Working Out For YOU?!

**--**--**--**

Upon What

Is

The House Of Your Faith

Built?

Guard Your Tongue!

Speech 
Is A Talent!
A Gift!
A Blessing!
A Curse!
Speech Is A Great Power
Used For Either
The Devil
Or For
The Heavenly Lord!

Speech Is Split
Into Two Categories
Righteousness
AND
Unrighteousness
AND
Speech
Spoken As The Words Of The Lord
Can Cause Sorrow For Sin
AND
Also Cause The Now-Repentant One
Hence Forth To Walk In Righteousness
Giving Up Living In Sleaze!

The Devil Has His Speechifiers
Who Work With Ill Effect
Taking Great Pleasure
In Causing Gross Destruction
Whilst Being Hopeful 
Of Digging Forever-Graves
For Those Who 
Are Almighty God's Blessed Elect!
It Can't Happen!

Nevertheless ...

Please Keep
Your Mind
AND
Your Mouth
Out Of The Devil's Darkly Dismal Domain
AND
Plead With Christ Jesus
To Refine You
So That The Devil's Peculiars
Can Not You Enchain!

A Soft Answer
Turns Away Wrath!
A Word Of Love 
AND
Kindness
Can Warm
Against The Coldest Draft!
A Kind Word Of Help
Can The Grandest Load Half
AND
The Word Of The Lord
Fitly Spoken
Can
- To Struggling Man -
Become
A Sturdy Walking Staff!

When You Brush Your Teeth
Brush Your Own Tongue
Removing The Gross Debris Of Yesterday
AND
Gargle With A Living Song Of
The Father In Heaven
The Son Who For Love Died  - Yet Lives
The Holy Spirit Comforter
AND
The Guardian Angel
Influencers For Good
AND
Sing Of The Rock Of Ages
Who
In The Breach For Us
Stood!

Speak Of Love!
AND
Sing Of Love!
For
Love Is The Goal!
AND
Please Don't Let A Bad Word
Cause You
To Sin Against Your Own Soul!

Spit Into The Gutter The Disgusting!
Loft Into The Air God's Grace!
Lift Your Voice In Thanksgiving
AND
For The Blessings Of Heaven
Grandly Cheer!

What Has No Hand

No Fingers

No Bank Account

No Money

No Pen

AND

No Checkbook

BUT

Still Writes Big-Money Checks?!

STSHSESTSOSNSGSUSES!

WORDS: Weight

Words Have Weight!

Careless Words Weigh Heavy

AND

They Can Send A Person

Into A Troubled State!

How Much Weight Do Your Words Carry?

To Hear The Back-And-Forth
You Would Not Believe
That They Were Friends:

You Are Nothing But
An If But And An And!

You're Nothing More Than
A Therefore What For And A Question Mark!

You Are Unkind!
You Are Hateful!

You Make Me See Red!
You're A Technicolor Excuse Masquerading As White!

That Was Not Very Nice!
Neither Are You!

Excuse Me!
Don't You Know
That Unkind Words
Hidden Behind Your Shirt 
Hurt
When In Anger
You Open Your Mouth
AND
Do Them Blurt!

Be Angry
AND
Sin Not!
Let Not The Sun Go Down On Your Wrath!
Stop!
Think!
Turn Away!
Isn't There Something Better
That
In Kindness
You Can To Your Adversary Say?

Today!?
Today!

Let's Start Over!

God Loves You
And So Do I!
Let Us Be Friends!

I Am Willing To Try!
I Am Going The Extra Mile!

I'll Always Speak The Truth!
I'll Always Speak The Truth In Love!

I'll Extend A Helping Hand!
My Hand Offers The Touch Of The Household Of Faith!

I Walked A Mile!
I'll Walk A Mile In Your Shoes!

I Shall Pray!
I Shall Pray For Rain!

Hold Up!
Why Are You Praying For Rain?!
There Is No Drought!

I Am Praying For Showers Of Blessing
From The God Of Heaven Above!
I Am Praying That The Lord Will Bless Us
To Speak To Each Other With Love!
Words Have No Scale-Weight
BUT
Ugly Unkind Words Kill!
I Am Praying 
For Words Edifying
That Will A Yearning Soul
Fill!

Words Cause Wars 
AND
Much Strife!
AND
The Little Red Rag
That Forms Them
Gets Lit From The Devil In Hell
AND
Is The Match-Light
That Starts The Conflagration
That Will
Friends
Family
Nations
AND
Congregations
Benight!

Word!

Wordssss!
Remember The Snake!

I Love You!
I Love You More!

But ...

He Who Made Us
Loves Us Best!
So
Let Us Strive To Be
To Do Better
So That In Him
We Shall All Be Gloriously Blessed!

Yes! Yes, Indeed!

We Should Bless God
With The Fruit Of Our Mouths
AND
Curse The Devil
By Being Kind One To Another!

Let Your Words Go North

And

Not South!

Let Your Words Lift Up

And

Not Cast Down!

Let Your Words Speak Peace

And

Not Propagate Hate

For

Your Own Words 

Will Be Your Judge

When The King Comes

Through The Gate!

The Next Day ...

Hey, Child Of God!
Hello, Beloved Of The Father!