A Healthy Spirit 1 (Galatians 5.19-24) - Heather Curtis
Sin remains glaringly obvious,
your body is a gift from the Heavenly Father -
do not use it for sin,
remain pure in thoughts and actions.
Do not give into sinful desires.
Love the Lord completely,
putting no others before him.
Do not follow the ways of the world
or give yourself over to anger,
promoting disharmony.
Love people with compassion,
do not be ungrateful with God's blessings.
Do not lose self control,
or give your body outside of marriage.
If you embrace that which is not of God,
the hope of heaven will be lost to you.
A Healthy Spirit 2 (Galatians 5.19-24) - Heather Curtis
Let the Holy Spirit guide you -
the gifts of God are many,
unconditional love, abounding joy,
a peace that endures, a mind free from worries,
a kind word on your tongue,
the will to love all,
the gift of light (in which you will remain)
from your Heavenly Father.
Show your love in every situation,
remain upright to all you may encounter.
These things will grow abundantly within you.
For those who give themselves to God
have put to death the ways that lead to Satan.
The Fruitful Word (Isaiah 55.10-11) - Jimmy Johnston
As rain upon a fertile land,
and snow that melts the stream,
so is the word of God a source
of life to all who thirst,
refreshment for our souls.
As rain and snow bring nourishment
to feed the land and bring new life,
so is the word of God a force
of change which reaches to our hearts
and yields a sweet fruit there
As seed which grows and satisfies,
as bread to fill the hungry mouth,
so is the word of God a food
to help us know the living Lord,
who longs to fill us all.
The Sower and the Soils - Jimmy Johnston
The farmer sowed the seed alone,
and spread it everywhere he went.
Through sun and rain the seed grew up
till all could see the harvest yield.
Some seed had fallen by the path
and trampled, soon was eaten up.
The rocky soil seemed promising,
but growing seeds soon died away.
The seed which fell among the thorns
had little chance and then was choked;
yet when the seed grew in good soil
the yield was plentiful and fine.
Death and New Life (John 12.24) - Jimmy Johnston
When Jesus talked of planting seed,
he told us that the kernel dies;
but from that death
new life springs forth,
to usher in a brand new year.
And surely Jesus helped us see
that we must let the new seeds grow
to bring the harvest he longs for
a life of patient fruitfulness.
Psalm 126 - Heather & John Faris
Joy, at last, joy came, deep content.
Despair we had so long drunk right down.
Yet now, somehow, we were no longer spent.
Here in Zion we are restored.
Laughter on our lips, a deep release
Buried dreams burst bright,
feelings fresh, fragrant,
flowers new sprung.
2 Corinthians 9 - Anon
The days were like the clothes
drab, beige and brown.
New colours were being worn -
how could this be,
such passion, intensity and feeling,
inside – while life continued outwardly.
The days were one long struggle,
grim and dark.
Some sowed their seed,
according to His will,
provided gifts and generous provision,
food for the body and the spirit's ill.
As seed that's sown,
lies fallow in the earth,
His seed in time of trouble we accept.
Allow it to take root in days of darkness.
Know that in Him,
we're always safely kept.
And lo, the time to sow – has come again.
But in my heart,
green shoots of hope appear.
New life rekindled,
somewhat altered, different,
moves with more confidence,
in spite of tears.
His generous provision never falters.
It stands the turbulence of life
and test of time.
He did not spare,
we should not spare our sowing
and trust Him -
that the reaping will be fine!
It's His, and ours,
so plentiful and bounteous,
more wonderful
than earth and sea and sun;
he gave us all,
we give it back it in fullness.
Our reaping will overflow,
when days are done.
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