2020 February

After the Resurrection (John 21)

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/01/20

After the resurrection the fisherman went back out to fish

Their nets were empty all through the night

But then Jesus called out to them in the morning light

Try once again on the other side was his simple wish

They were amazed the nets didn't break for they had caught a lot

One realized it was the Lord who had called them from the shore

Peter jumped out and swam to be with Jesus once more

As in the beginning here once again the catchers had been caught

In the midst of those times when things just don't work out

When the going gets rough and we're at the end of our rope

When it seems that all we can do is hope against hope

Listen once more for the Master, from a divine vantage point, shout

Do You Love Me? (John 21)

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/02/20

“Do you love me?” Jesus asked Peter.

He had denied knowing Jesus, a three-time repeater.

So, Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me?”

And Peter replied, “Yes, you know I love Thee.”

Today take some time to reflect in your heart,

For in denying Jesus we have all taken part.

There were times we've been silent or just not been there.

There were times we have acted like we just didn't care.

Jesus was forgiving and full of compassion,

And asked Peter to live a life full of passion.

If he truly loved Jesus and his neighbors, too,

Then tending the flock was now his job to do.

Now Jesus asks us, “Child, do you love me?”

And how we respond will define who we’ll be.

As followers of Jesus we take up His cross and His love,

Giving our hearts and our lives for the Lord up above.

The Body of Christ (Romans 12)

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/03/20

The body of Christ has many parts,

You may be hands or feet or hearts.

Whatever your gift there's a place just for you,

Because only you can do what you can do.

Others in the body have their parts to play,

Because the God who made us made us that way.

Don't think you're so special or some how you're better.

Just do your thing well like Paul wrote in his letter.

If your gift is prophecy, then give it a shout.

If your gift is serving, then serve your heart out.

Teachers should teach and leaders should lead.

If your gift is encouragement, then encourage indeed.

Love binds us together let it abound and run deep.

Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

Love each other like members of a family should.

Don't be defeated by evil but defeat evil with good.

  

Psalm 1

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/04/20

Blessed are those who know God's word.

Many verses they can recite.

They read the scriptures faithfully.

They meditate day and night.

They're like trees planted by the streams.

There they produce much fruit.

Their leaves don't dry and fade away.

They succeed in each pursuit.

It is not so for the wicked.

Like dust they blow away.

The Lord is with the righteous.

But the wicked have lost their way.

Psalm 2

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/05/20

Why do the nations rant and rave?

Why oppose when God can save?

God will appoint the King of Kings,

Who will rule the earth and all things.

As father and son, God and this King will be,

From now until all eternity.

The early church saw how in this line,

That Jesus fulfilled this monarchy design.

Like David before him Christ would ascend,

And of His Kingdom there would be no end.

Jesus would rule over all supreme,

Riding up on his coattails was their dream.

But Jesus’ Kingdom is not from the top down,

It is found here below in the poorer parts of town.

Among shepherds and lepers, beggars and sinners,

The Kingdom of Jesus turns losers to windows.

Psalm 3

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/06/20

Oh Lord, my enemies are many.

My remaining strength I haven’t any.

You are the One who restores me.

You are my glory and my destiny!

I lie down, sleep, and arise,

Because it is the Lord, my help supplies.

I will not fear an angry crowd,

Spewing hate and clamoring loud.

Stand up, Lord! Save me, my God!

Before my enemies upon me trod.

My rescue only comes from the Lord,

Blessings upon your people will be restored.

Psalm 4

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/07/20

God answer me when I cry out.

Free me from these troubles I pray about.

Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Relieve me from my dark despair.

People utter insults, your servant they despise.

They love what is worthless and go after lies.

The Lord cares for the faithful. This you should know.

Be warned and don't sin. Bow your heads low.

Many people these days have fallen away.

They can't see the Lord's blessings to their dismay.

Because of your love, my fears I release.

With joy in my heart I can now rest in peace.

Psalm 5

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/08/20

Hear my words, Lord! Consider my groans.

Pay attention to the sounds of my moans

Lord, in the morning you hear my prayer.

I lay all before you in the morning air.

I enter your house because of your faithful love.

I bow down in your temple praying to you up above.

Lead me in righteousness because of my enemy. 

Make your way clear right in front of me.

Let all who take refuge in you celebrate!

For you are their protector, you are great.

All who love your name can rejoice in you.

Bless the righteous, O Lord. That's what you do.

Psalm 6

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/09/20

Have mercy on me, Lord, because I'm frail.

Heal me for my bones are shaking.

Come back to me, Lord, lest I fail.

For the sake of your love my heart’s breaking.

I'm worn out from groaning and calling to you.

Every night I’ve drenched my bed with tears.

I soak my couch all the way through.

My vision fails from my grief throughout the years.

The Lord has heard me when I cried.

The Lord has heard me patiently.

All my enemies will be terrified.

They'll be defeated and ashamed instantly.

Psalm 7

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/10/20

King David wrote this psalm,

About Cush the Benjaminite.

Who had David in his palm,

The king pleaded to God with all his might

He offers his repentance,

If unjustly he has acted.

God will hand down his sentence.

God's will will be enacted.

The Lord will judge all nations.

Justice will be established by the Lord.

Righteousness will come to all situations.

God's rule will be re stored.  

Psalm 8

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/11/20

Lord how majestic is your name.

Higher than heaven you made your glory.

You are the Lord of all creation we proclaim.

We celebrate your vast creation story.

When we look at your skies and what you have made,

The moon and the stars you set in their place.

What are humans that you come to our aid?

What are humans that our sins you erase?

You've made us just slightly less than divine,

Crowning us with glory complete,

To rule over your handiwork by your design,

Putting everything under our feet.  

Psalm 9

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/12/20

I will thank you Lord with all my heart.

I will talk about all your wonders, too.

I will celebrate and rejoice in you.

I will sing praises to your name, as my part.

When my enemies turn and retreat,

Because you have established justice for me.

Because you rule from your throne rightly,

You deliver my enemies at my feet.

The Lord is a safe place for the oppressed.

Those who know your name trust you, too.

You have not abandoned those who seek you.

Sing praises to the Lord for we are blessed.  

Psalm 10

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/13/20

Why do you stand so far away, Lord?

Hiding yourself in troubling days?

Meanwhile the wicked are proudly,

In pursuit of those who suffer always.

So now let them get caught up,

In the very same schemes, they’ve thought up.

The wicked brag about their bodies’ desires.

The greedy reject the Lord with curses.

At the peak of their wrath and scorn,

The wicked don't see God nor scripture’s verses.

“There is no God,” is what they are thinking.

Their ways are twisted, from your rules their sinking.

Get up Lord! Get your judgment ready.

Don't forget the ones who suffer.

Why do the wicked always reject God?

Why do they think that You won't discover?

But You do see troublemaking and pain.

You help the oppressed again and again.  

Psalm 11

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/15/20

I have taken refuge in the Lord,

Who is seated in heaven on the throne.

The Lord's vision examines all humanity,

Both the righteous and those wicked to the bone.

God hates anyone who loves violence,

Upon them God will rain fire day and night.

The Lord is righteous and loves righteous deeds.

They will see God's face - all whose hearts are right.

Psalm 12

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/16/20

Help, Lord, because the godly are all gone.

The faithful have disappeared from humanity.

Everyone tells lies to everyone else.

They talk with slick speech and vanity.

Let the Lord cut off all slick-talking lips,

And every tongue that brags all day.

That says, “We are unbeatable with our tongues.

Who could get the best of us?” They say.

But the Lord says, “Because the poor are oppressed,

Because of the groans of those in need,

I am now standing up and I will provide.

I will provide the help for which they plead!

The Lord's promises are pure like fine silver,

That has been refined over and over.

The Lord will protect us from this generation.

The Lord Almighty is no pushover!   

Psalm 13

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/17/20

How long will you forget me Lord? Forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long will agony fill my heart daily?

How long will I be defeated by my enemy?

Look at me! Answer me, Lord my God!

Restore sight to my eyes,

Or I'll die and my enemy will win.

My foes will rejoice over my demise.

But I have trusted in your faithful love.

My heart will rejoice in your salvation.

Yes, I will sing to the Lord.

His goodness brings restoration.

Psalm 14

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/18/20

Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt and do evil deeds.

Not one of them does anything good.

Everyone is corrupt, no one does good deeds.

The Lord looks down from heaven,

To see if anyone is wise,

To see if anyone seeks God,

But all do evil in God's eyes.

God is with the righteous generation,

Who uphold God's law to the letter.

The Lord is their refuge and strength,

And changes all things for the better.  

Psalm 15

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/19/20

Who can live in your tent, Lord?

Who can dwell on your mountain holy?

The person who lives free of blame,

Does what is right and speaks truthfully.

Who can live in your tent Lord?

Someone who does no harm to friend or neighbor,

Despises those who act wickedly,

Honors those who to the Lord give honor.

Who can live in your tent Lord?

Someone who keeps their promises big or small,

Won't accept a bribe against an innocent person.

Whoever does these things will never stumble or fall.  

Psalm 16

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/20/20

You, Lord, are my portion, my destiny.

For me the property lines have fallen beautifully.

Yes, I have a home that is lovely.

I will bless the Lord who advises me.

I always put the Lord in front of me.

I will not stumble for God provides my safety.

That's why my heart celebrates joyfully.

My whole body will rest eternally.  

Psalm 17

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/21/20

Listen, Lord, to what is right.

Pay attention to my cry!

Listen closely to my plight.

It's spoken by lips that don't lie!

My justice comes from you.

Let your eyes see what is right!

You've examined me through and through,

Testing me both day and night.

I have avoided all violent ways,

By the command of your decree.

My steps are on your path always.

You my feet follow faithfully.  

Psalm 18

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/22/20

I love you, Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my solid rock,

My fortress and my rescuer.

God is my foundational block.

I take refuge in God.

The Lord is my shield.

My Salvation is strength.

To whom my will I yield.

God deals faithfully.

With all who are faithful.

Pure to those who are pure.

For that I am truly grateful.  

Psalm 19

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/23/20

Heaven is declaring God's glory.

The sky is proclaiming God's deeds.

One day passes news to the next.

One night informs the next it's needs.

The Lord's instruction is perfect,

Reviving people’s lives.

The Lord's laws are faithful,

Making naive people wise.

The Lords regulations are right,

Gladdening the heart.

The Lord's commands are pure,

Enlightenment to impart.

But the words of my mouth,

And the meditation of my heart,

Be pleasing to you, Lord,

My rock and Redeemer, Thou art.  

Psalm 20

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/24/20

I pray that the Lord answers you,

Whenever you are in trouble.

Let the name of Jacob's God protect you.

God will send help to you on the double.

Let God grant what is in your heart,

And fulfill each heartfelt request.

Then we will rejoice that you have been helped.

By God's mercy you have been blessed.

I know it is the Lord who saves.

From God alone acts of salvation came.

Some people trust in Chariots and horses.

But our faith is in the Lord's name.

Psalm 21

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/25/20

We celebrate your strength, O Lord.

We are blessed by your saving grace.

You've given us more than our heart’s desire.

With you, help us to keep pace.

To us you bring rich blessings,

Grace and an abundant life,

Long days forever and always,

Your peace to overcome strife.

We have come to trust you, O Lord,

Because of your grace from above.

We sing and praise your power.

We sing and praise your love.

Psalm 22

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/26/20

My God, my God!

Why have you left me alone?

Why are you so far from saving me,

So far from my anguished groan?

My God, I cry out during the day,

But you do not answer me.

Even at nighttime I don't stop,

For you are God most holy.

It was you our ancestors trusted,

Trust in you who came to their rescue.

They cried out to you and we're saved.

They weren't ashamed to trust you.

Future descendants will serve the Lord.

They will proclaim God's victories won,

To all those who are not yet born,

Telling them what God has done.  

Psalm 23

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/27/20

The Lord is my Shepherd,

What more could I want?

He provides for me along the way.

He leads me to each water font.

He guides me in all the right ways,

For the sake of His good name.

Even through the darkest valleys,

I fear not, with Him it's all the same.

The tools of your trade protect me.

You set a table before me and my foes.

You bless my head with oil,

And my cup always overflows.

I am blessed with goodness and mercy,

Each and every one of my days,

And I will live in God's house,

Forever and always.

  

Psalm 24

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/28/20

The earth is the Lord’s all in all,

The world and all its inhabitors.

Because it was God who established it.

God set it firmly on the waters.

Who can ascend the Lord’s mountain?

Who can stand in this holy place?

Only the one with clean hands,

A pure heart, and honest face.

Mighty gates: Lift up your heads!

Ancient doors: Rise up high!

So, the glorious King can enter!

Who? The Lord of earth and sky!

Psalm 25

                        Jeffrey B. Childs 02/29/20

I give my life to you, Lord.

My God, I trust you completely.

Don't let me be put to shame,

Or my enemies rejoice over me.

Make your paths known to me.

Lord, teach me your ways.

Because you are the God who saves,

I put my hope in you always.

Look at my suffering and trouble.

Look at how I'm hated by my foes.

Let integrity and virtue guard me.

Save Israel from all its foes.