Conversational Prayer-Sonnets and Scriptures

The Plunge, and Five Timely Warnings

Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance -- superficially and by appearances ; but judge fairly and righteously ... judge with right judgment ... Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived ... Be merciful to me, O God ... for in thee my soul takes refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by ...
Jn.7:24 (Amp,RSV); 2Tim.3:12,13 (NAS); Ps.57:1 (RSV)

Warning Four: Probabilities

'Tis probabilities, not prophecy
we're setting forth here, warning thee:
we soon may see our loved democracy
come to an end. Religious liberty
- especially Christian practice, teaching and
assembly - next may be curtailed, e'en banned.
Which is to say, God soon His Church may test!
So learn, my soul, to hide upon His breast
-- to dwell in Him. Thy Refuge He would be!

Why would He send such testings? To bring thee
e'er further into union with Himself!
'Tis Earth's prime purpose! Far above all else
through pain's travail, God's children He'd bring forth.

Rejoice, my soul. He'd bless thee, would thy Lord!

Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials; knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing ... "I have told you these things, that you through union with me may have peace. In the world you have trouble, but be courageous! I have conquered the world" ... let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross ... Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood ... It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ...
Js.1:2-4 (NAS); Jn.16:33 (Wil); Heb.12:1,2,3-4,7 (RSV).

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