Moving at the Speed of Love

James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
 
The word ‘religion’ has a bad repute;
Most Christians tend to run away from it,
But in its purest form is resolute:
The very depth of love you can commit.
Compassion borne from Christ inside of you
Will draw you to the destitute and poor:
The widowed, orphaned and the desperate few
Spurs you to service that you can’t ignore.
Be subject to the Spirit and He’ll draw
Your heart’s desire from the world at large
Where men obey the fleshly rules of law,
And toward unspotted realm where God’s in charge.
            The true religion takes a servant’s path:
            A walk of grace and not the walk of wrath.

II Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
 
To be in Christ you must pick up your cross
And die with Him upon that lonely hill.
Once crucified, the sins you bore are dross;
The price you had to pay He’s now fulfilled.
Now dead in Christ, in Christ you are reborn
As He is resurrected from the tomb!
God’s grace replaces law, the veil is torn;
You live in Jesus, straight from Spirit’s womb.
The flesh has passed away, its nature passed,
And with it all the power that Satan bore.
A new creation now in Him surpassed
To grow into His likeness more and more.
            The old man now is gone – bid him adieu.
            Behold! In Christ alone you now are new!

Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 
Though wretched and alone you may now feel,
Though tired and afraid and full of pain,
There is a source of peace that’s more than real
And you can enter in this sweet refrain.
Come here to Jesus, rest within His love,
Your burden disappears as you draw near,
Replaced with pure serenity thereof
Beyond this world of suffering severe.
This calm within your soul His Spirit sets,
And while you’re in His presence all is well.
Tranquility in Christ lends no regrets,
For all eternity can your heart dwell.
            “Here, come to Me,” the Savior says to you,
            “And I will give you rest, your soul renew.”

John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
 
The love of Christ for us transcends the mind;
The heart cannot approach in poet’s words.
To understand agape love refined
Is like a gusty wind controlled by birds.
Suffice to say His love is better shone
Considering the needs of others first,
Directed by the Spirit’s guidance known,
Done in the moment and so unrehearsed.
Love one another as He loves you so,
And all the world will see this manifest
Your innate demonstration lets them know
This action multiplies to leave all blessed.
            A new commandment Jesus gives to you:
            Love one another as He loves you too.

Luke 14:26 - If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
 
If Jesus Christ is not your number one,
If He is not your greatest love of all,
If you put anything above the Son,
You’re headed to a spiritual downfall.
You’re not a true disciple if you hold
One single thing above the Lord of Lords,
But if you love Him first You will behold
The love within will magnify rewards.
Put Jesus first and follow in His path;
Into His likeness you will be transformed.
As you become like Him the aftermath
Increases love for all in grace conformed.
            If you will seek the Savior be prepared
            To put the world in second place declared.

Matthew 16:25 - For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
 
Take up your cross and follow Christ alone;
Be willing then to suffer, even die,
For nothing less than this will strike the tone;
To die to self and bid your life goodbye.
Bring only faith and love upon the hill;
Be crucified with Jesus: die to live!
Just leave the old self there, with it your will;
He gave His all that all your sins forgive.
If you hang on to anything that’s flesh
You cannot follow Jesus to the cross.
The flesh is doomed to die; it can’t refresh,
And all you gain in this life count as loss.
            I beg you, lose your life, surrender all;
            Forsake it all for His sake – Heed the call!

II Peter 1:21 - for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
 
How many times have we heard prophecy
From men who claim to know the word of God,
But then to find they cannot truly see
A single thing He says, for they are flawed.
The will of man won’t ever know the truth
Without the Holy Spirit as his guide;
The things he claims from God are all uncouth
And from the start are so disqualified.
Prophetic words don’t come from heart or mind;
You cannot wish the things you say are true.
The Holy Ghost with verity aligned
Reveals through revelation God’s purview.
            The will of man is marred in every way,
            So listen to the Spirit every day.

Joel 2:12 - “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
 
Repent! Repent! Repent! Repent! Repent!
The day of Christ’s return is even nigh,
And you sit there in all your sin content;
The moment comes and then will pass you by!
Don’t think with belly full you are immune!
Your idle laughter mocks the face of God!
Throw ash upon your head and fast and swoon,
And weep until your tears run deep and broad!
Repent with all sincerity and turn
Into the open arms of One who loves you so!
Seek first the King of Heaven – ache and yearn!
With fasting, weeping, mourning – now let go!
            This may be your last chance to turn around!
            Repent before that fateful trumpet sound!

Matthew 13:31-32 - Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
 
When you claim Jesus as your Lord and King,
Surrendering your all to Him alone,
Believing that for you He took death’s sting
And brings you from the cross to Heaven’s throne.
A Godly love is planted in your core:
The presence of the Savior lives in you.
A new relationship forevermore
Through Holy Spirit’s revelation true.
As you obey the guidance of His word
In scripture and in prayer you will mature
Into the image of the Son conferred;
You’ll see yourself as He does: bright and pure.
            The blood of Jesus waters spirit’s seed
            And grows into a fruitful tree indeed.

Psalm 143:8 - Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.
 
Each morning give me ears to hear the sound
Of Your pure loving kindness in my heart.
You always call me to You to be drowned
Within the living water You impart.
I trust You with my mind, my life, my all;
In everything I give this day to You.
Instruct me in each step both great and small
For I believe You’ll lead me straight and true.
I will not fear whatever this day brings,
Your gentle whisper guides me through the day.
No matter what may come, to You I cling;
You never leave my side or lead astray.
            I lift my soul to You, Lord, here’s my hand;
            You’re in control and have my whole day planned.