Corinthians, again Paul wrote,
And all the saints who read this note,
Praise God who comforts each of us
So that to others we're a plus.
In comfort or in great despair,
As one in Christ all things we share.
Let's not upon ourselves rely,
But set our hope on God on high.
Act always with sincerity.
Anoint your heart with charity.
Now when correcting one another,
Forgive, do not use shame to smother.
The news of Christ, like fragrant breath,
Of life to some, to others death.
The only accolate you need
Is Spirit in the hearts you feed.
The Law was written down in stone,
And through the Law God's glory shone.
And while the Law from heaven stems,
The letter of the Law condemns.
So how much more is glory rife
In ministry that brings true life?
The old was good, the new is best.
New covenant brings righteousness.
For through the veil, none has sufficed.
The only way is Jesus Christ.
Turn to the Lord, get liberty,
And unveiled glory you shall see.
We speak the truth, with God aligned.
Some do not get it 'cause they're blind.
The one who said, "Let there be light",
Shines on your heart to give you sight.
It's not from us, mere jars of clay,
But through us God his pow'r displays.
When trouble comes, he's there to guide.
When death is near, life he provides.
So don't give up though flesh decays,
Our true selves are renewed each day.
Our troubles, tiny, when compared
To future glory God's prepared.
The things you see will fade real fast.
The unseen are the things that last.
We're burdened by this flesh and bone,
For our eternal form we groan.
The Spirit is our guarantee.
We walk by faith, not what we see.
We'd rather be at home with God.
We work for his approving nod.
We fear the Lord. Men we persuade
To live for God, not accolade.
We see not flesh when we see you.
Once you're in Christ, you're something new.
Christ paid for sin, though undefiled.
God's calling you, be reconciled.
Don't waste his grace, for once you vow
To live for God, the time is now.
Now don't do anything that would
Make church seem anything but good.
When hit with troubles or distressed,
Show with what guidance you've been blessed.
If you are beaten, jailed or robbed,
Retun just kindness to the mob.
When weary, hungry, do not fear,
You have the Holy Spirit near.
You've ben made righteous, truly speak
Through glory or in harsh critique.
No matter what, be rejoicing.
In God you now have everything.
Don't partner with the faithless souls
Who've different gods and different goals.
"Be set apart. Don't be defiled.
I'll be your God, and you my child."
With godly sorrow, no regret.
Repentence and life better yet.
But worldly sorrow does not mend.
Its path to death leads in the end.
Then next Paul wrote on how to give.
First to the Lord, with how you live.
Then by your means, with willing mind.
When heart is right, the gift is fine.
It's privilege to serve this way.
Help others, you'll be helped one day.
Have much, but don't get out of whack,
and those with little shall not lack.
Be generous, get back a lot.
Sow sparingly, get diddlly squat.
Give from the heart, not doubt or fear.
God loves it when you give with cheer.
All grace and needs God has purveyed
To do the work for which you're made.
He'll swell the harvest of your ways.
Then you give more, he gets more praise.
We fight not for this earthen clod.
We fight ideas that deny God.
Don't be like those who are not wise,
Who think they're great in their own eyes.
Don't boast for credit that's undue.
Boast of the purpose God gave you.
False prophets might create a buzz
The way the Adversary does.
For they beguile, corrupt, and bend,
But get what's fitting in the end.
No matter how your strength may tower,
In weakness God shows his true power.
In weakness Christ was crucified,
But by God's power, he's alive.
And this same power is in you,
If you're in Christ, your faith is true.
Rely on Jesus, do no wrong.
When I am weak, then I am strong.
So be made perfect, of one mind.
Have peace and cheer and comfort find.
Have love for God. From Jesus, grace.
And Spirit in a close embrace.
© 2024 Jotham McCauley TheBibleRhymes.com