November Soul Cry ©

November Soul Cry ©

Sticks and stones may break our bones,
But the words have the breaking tones.
The biggest lie,
The soul does cry.
Holy Spirit, hear our groans.

Who remembers that saying, “sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me”? As children, we were supposed to believe we could engage in name-calling and not be scarred. Sure the physical wounds were visible and would heal but the emotional wounds not so much. Emotional wounds go deep into the recesses of the heart and stay there. They are like the seed buried in the ground that one day finally pushes through and the fruit of it is exposed. You can almost be blindsided by it because it seemed to appear out of nowhere. But the roots were there all the time. Have you ever experienced having a conversation with someone and out of nowhere they zing you with some cruel words? They say they are just kidding but you feel the hurt of the words.
Sometimes that “zing” is attached to a name or words that were spoken against them from a long time ago. Words can carry through generations. Forgiveness never happened and the pain never healed. The soul is still crying. We humans have very fragile hearts. We often harden them to try and stop any more pain from entering in but it’s too late. The damage is done.
God also knows the heart of a nation. We heard an interesting phrase this election cycle, “we are fighting for the soul of the nation.” Yes, even nations have a soul and it can be wounded by those in power at all levels who wield their words to promote division, hatred, false victimhood, perversion of truth, and so on. The nation of America has fought hard to stay on the path of patriotism and a spirit of excellence. We are not perfect nor shall be without the help of God. We can only look to ourselves for the slow systematic removal of God in every facet of our lives. We threw the sticks, the stones, the hurtful words that wounded our soul. We hardened ourselves as though it didn’t matter. The fruit? A nation that raped and murdered its children, perverted the sanctity of marriage, worshipped money and sex, has no conscience about lying, all the while thinking there would be no consequences from it.
Have we thrown the stone too deep, beaten so hard with the stick, and labeled each life as though it didn’t matter? Can you hear the cry of the nation’s soul? Of your soul? Where is the justice? When does the pain end? Who can we believe? What can we do? Who will save us and put us back on course?
There is no magic word or prayer that suddenly turns it all around. But there is a God who hears every word. He hears every word you say regardless of your belief in his existence. He made you and not the other way around. This I know to be true. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Do you want that? I know I do.

Pray this prayer with me.
Lord, I humble myself before You. Forgive me for seeking my own way. Help me turn from all things that are not pleasing to You. Teach me how to seek Your face. Help my nation seek You with all their heart and soul as they turn from their wicked ways. Please hear from heaven and forgive our sin. We desperately need You to heal our land. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Romans 8:25-26 King James Version
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

2Chronicles 7:13-14 King James Version
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

A Limerick A Day To Help You On Your Way Month of May

Proverbs are simple statements that help us have high standards in how we live our life. They are timeless sayings that teach us how to stay moral. The Book of Proverbs from the Holy Scriptures was written by King Solomon. He was King David’s son. The Book of Proverbs has 31 chapters and I thought it fitting to write a limerick for each chapter. One could almost write a limerick for every line from each chapter for the wealth of wisdom in these short sayings is more than enough to live a holy, moral and blessed life.

Prepare your heart and mind to receive a truth . Read the corresponding proverb before and after each limerick. Let Holy Spirit speak to you. Write down what is said. Ponder it and see how it applies to your life. (Limericks are posed from King James Bible)

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 1

Wisdom and Understanding Proverbs 1

Solomon was the most wisest king.

Wisdom, instruction, understanding.

Wise men hear,

The Lord fear.

Proverbs: the words to live by, “just saying.”

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 2

Wisdom From Evil Proverbs 2

To the one who receives the commandments,

He is saved from evil seeking bandits.

Their goal, plunder,

Fall not under,

Their crooked paths and spells of enchantments.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 3

Wisdom For The Heart Proverbs 3

When the sons and daughters have not been taught,

A heart without wisdom is full of fraught.

Length of days,

Wisdom pays,

Teach them to find it and not be full of naught.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 4

Wisdom For Getting Proverbs 4

There once was a son instructed to retain,

His father’s words of wisdom for every gain.

Forget wisdom not,

Getting he got,

Long life and health, a crown of grace without strain.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 5

Wisdom For Instruction Proverbs 5

There is not once but always before thee,

A path of discretion that calls to thee.

Bow thy ear,

So you hear,

God’s instruction to keep you from folly.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 6

Wisdom Against Debt Proverbs 6

The heart full of compassion for one in need,

Should consider the way of the ant indeed.

No guide or ruler,

No overseer.

No victim to usury of credit greed.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 7

Wisdom Is A Good Sister Proverbs 7

Wisdom is a kinswoman, a good sister.

She keeps you from the flattering twister.

On the streets,

The twister tweets,

False love of everykind, don’t listen mister.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 8

Wisdom Cries Proverbs 8

Listen to the mouth of wisdom cry.

She stands at the gate and places high.

Seek her early,

Find her surely.

Lover her and listen to her reply.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 9

Wisdom Building Proverbs 9

There was a woman of wisdom, a house she built.

Filled with understanding covered her like a quilt.

Fear of the Lord,

No need to hoard.

For the whored woman her quilt is heavy as guilt.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 10

Wisdom Son Proverbs 10

There once was a wise son who made his father glad.

He followed the commandments, that very wise lad.

Wealth by instruction,

Keeps from destruction.

The blessing of the Lord, no sorrow will He add.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 11

Wisdom Balance Proverbs 11

There is an abomination, false balance.

Void of wisdom, the wicked do live by chance.

But the Upright,

The Lord’s delight,

Will be recompensed in the earth, so let’s dance.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 12

Wisdom Commended Proverbs 12

There is a mouth that speaks prudently.

Another one that speaks brutally.

One is wise,

One despised.

It all comes back at your eulogy.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 13

Wisdom Eats Well Proverbs 13

Man shall eat good by the mouth of his fruits.

Righteous living, the Word he institutes.

Refuse instruction,

Certain destruction.

Don’t be fooled by men who just wear nice suits.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 14

Wisdom Preservation Proverbs 14

There is the way that seems right to man.

Laughter and sorrow, part of life’s plan.

Envy rots the bones.

Nations, don’t bemoan.

Fear of the Lord is your life fountain.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 15

Wisdom Answers Gently Proverbs 15

The lips of the wise have learned to turn away wrath.

Knowledge and correction are like trees in their path.

Fools stray,

And display

Evil, but the wise do discern their aftermath.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 16

Wisdom Heart Proverbs 16

A man’s heart devises his own preparations.

Commit it all to the Lord, no separations.

Remain humble.

Pride will stumble.

Be wise, the proud heart is an abomination.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 17

Wisdom Servant Proverbs 17

A wise servant shall have rule over his son.

A father’s wise rule is not long forgotten.

Evil men seek only strife,

Wise men instruction for life.

Be wise, not foolish, it leads to transgression.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 18

Wisdom Brook Proverbs 18

A man was fishing in The Wellspring of Wisdom Brook.

Floating along in his own deep thoughts, he forgot to look.

The Strong Tower,

The Safe Tower,

Thankfully his neighbor passed by and caught his hook.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 19

Wisdom Loves Its Own Soul Proverbs 19

Fools will lie with all manner of perversity.

The wise will speak discretion in integrity.

Friends and health,

Wise have wealth.

They love their souls by getting wisdom fervently.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 20

Wisdom Mocking Wine Proverbs 20

There was a young mocker who inherited some wine.

With sweet bread he hastily drank it all like a swine.

Lips that do mock,

A lot of cock,

Proclaim goodness, but will faith be found in their bloodline?

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 21

Wisdom Waters Proverbs 21

The King’s heart in the hand of the Lord moves like the waters.

The Lord ponders the hearts of all His sons and daughters.

Judgement is joy to the just,

And the upright all day trust.

Counsel and wisdom of the Lord is not for scorners.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 22

Wisdom Plan Proverbs 22

The rich and the poor shall meet at the gate,

The Lord makes both and there is no debate.

A diligent man,

Makes a business plan.

Once he is rich, the poor he must not hate.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 23

Wisdom Has Restraint Proverbs 23

There was a guest with a ravenous appetite.

His eyes were transfixed on all he could have that night.

Understanding deceit,

He restrained what to eat.

And spared himself, living a drunkard’s woeful plight.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 24

Wisdom Is Sweet Honey Proverbs 24

There once was a neighbor who liked to eat honey.

Her house was established by wisdom, not money.

You must work outside,

For rich rooms inside.

And even at night her house always felt sunny.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 25

Wisdom Is Gold Proverbs 25

To search out a matter is the honor of a king,

But the glory of God is to conceal the thing.

Let the King,

Call you in.

Wise reproof to the obedient ear wears gold bling.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 26

Wisdom Rewards A Fool Proverbs 26

There once was a pair of legs that were lame,

Unequal in length, but no one to blame.

Along came a man of conceit,

And a fool living in deceit.

But those legs, they never did feel shame.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 27

Wisdom Waits Proverbs 27

There once was a loud man who boasted of his tomorrow.

He blessed his friend loudly before the sun saw his shadow.

His friend gave him a whack,

That caused him to step back.

And now he lets each day be filled with praise and not sorrow.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 28

Wisdom Opresses Not Proverbs 28

There once was a wicked ruler who oppressed the poor.

Like a ranging bear and a lion with a great roar.

He opened not his purse,

And incurred a great curse.

Out riding his horse he encountered a hungry boar.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 29

Wisdom Watches Proverbs 29

There once was a ruler who hearkened to the call,

Of bloodthirsty lies that soon filled his heart with gall.

His servants fed him lies,

They were all wicked guys.

But the righteous did watch every wicked one fall.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 30

Wisdom Eyes Proverbs 30

The words of Agur, claiming not to be wise,

Study his words, see with your spiritual eyes.

Now weary,

But clearly,

He gained wisdom under God’s heavenly skies.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way May 31

Wisdom From Women Proverbs 31

The mother of Lemuel did teach her son well.

He was a king and her prophecy he did tell.

Stay away from drink,

Lest your strength sink.

Find a virtuous woman and you shall do well.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way April 30 Truth Thinking

April 30

Truth Thinking

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

What truth do you need to hear to not be in strife?

Come to the Father,

Go no farther.

Truly, there is no other way to live this life.

John 14:6 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

⁶Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way April 29 Buy Truth Thinking

Buy Truth Thinking

These April limericks caused me to think deep.

To think is a powerful way not to sleep.

A rich mind,

A rare find.

Buy the Truth, but don’t sell it, it isn’t cheap.

Proverbs 23:23 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

²³Buy the truth, and sell it not;
also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way April 28 Decision Thinking

April 28

Decision Thinking

There once was a mind that could decide,

Free will, emotions, a steady ride.

What a gift,

Till that rift,

Tilted the course into downward pride.

Lucifer was the first angel. He was beautiful, brilliant and the worship leader of heaven. Why did he rebel? What was in him that he wanted to be like God? (Isaiah 14:12-17)

Pride.

Lucifer, in the form of a serpent enticed Eve with pride. Don’t you want to be like God? You can know all things he said to her. It was tempting. So tempting a decision was made. Eve bit the apple.

Eve’s pride blamed the snake, Adam’s pride his wife. The consequences effected all generations after that.

I used to wonder why Adam and Eve’s decision affected us. I mean it was their decision to disobey. I wasn’t in the garden.

God gave free will to all of us. Jesus too. He could have said no, it wasn’t my fault Adam and Eve chose to disobey God.

The sin of pride says I don’t need God. I am my own God. Free will gives you the authority to say no to God. God doesn’t force anything on us. He leaves the decision up to us.

Isaiah 53 New International Version (NIV)

1 Who has believed our message

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,

and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,

a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces

he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4 Surely he took up our pain

and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

stricken by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.

Yet who of his generation protested?

For he was cut off from the land of the living;

for the transgression of my people he was punished.

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,

and with the rich in his death,

though he had done no violence,

nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,

he will see his offspring and prolong his days,

and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

11 After he has suffered,

he will see the light of life and be satisfied;

by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,

and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,

and he will divide the spoils with the strong,

because he poured out his life unto death,

and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many,

and made intercession for the transgressors.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way April 27 First Man Thinking

April 27

First Man Thinking

There once was a first man named Adam,

Created by God, not at random.

First human.

First man.

Jesus was God, man and last Adam.

⁴⁵So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.⁴⁶However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.⁴⁷The first man is from the earth, ^[ⁿ^]earthy; the second man is from heaven. ⁴⁸As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. ⁴⁹Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, ^[^o^]we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way April 26 Spirit Thinking

April 26

Spirit Thinking

There once was a spirit, resided within,

The body and soul of a human kin.

God created all three,

Beautiful trinity.

Now let Holy Spirit speak true life therein.

John 6:63 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁶³It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way April 25 Soul Thinking

April 25

Soul Thinking

There once was a soul, one of a kind.

It held emotions, will and the mind.

Without proper care,

Unable to hear,

Thoughts of how and why it was designed.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way April 24 Body Thinking

April 24

Body Thinking

There once was a body feeling alone,

Made of blood, tissues, vessels, nerves and bone.

Till it discovered,

As it uncovered,

Made in the image of God and not alone.

A Limerick A Day to Keep You On Your Way April 23 Poverty Thinking

April 23

Poverty Thinking

You cannot two masters serve,

Life becomes a great big swerve.

God or money,

C’mon honey.

Decide if you have the nerve.

Did you grow up believing to serve God meant you had to be poor? As long as you had enough to get by that was all you needed? Or worse, you were undeserving of being wealthy?

Poverty thinking is one of the caftiest deceptions satan has caused the church to believe. Scriptures have been taken out of context to perpetrate this lie. A perfect example:

And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20)

Jesus was telling the scribe in this story that if he wanted to follow Jesus he needed to count the cost. It is true you will need to give things up, things that do not honor holiness but it certainly does not mean you will be poor and homeless. That is what I believed for a long time. My concept of Jesus was He had no home, no money, no friends. But look at what scripture says here:

He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali… (Matthew 4:13)

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. (Mark 2:1-2)

Clearly Jesus had a home and lots of friends. He was well liked. He had a job and was a hard worker. He made money. When it was time to begin his ministry he was not broke. Ministry takes money. Judas, who betrayed him, was His treasurer. The danger is not the money, but the love of money. Judas loved the money. Clearly, Jesus being the Son of God (as well as Son of Man) could do anything without money but we needed Him to show us how to let money serve us for good and not evil. We are masters over money. The world is always trying to make it the opposite.

It takes courage to serve God.

We are programmed to trust money as our source of survival. Growing up there was never enough and you often felt you weren’t worth enough to have any spent on you. How can I trust God to take care of me? HE didn’t seem to take care of my parents. That thinking spilled over into adulthood and it has been a long journey to get free of it. As I serve God He keeps revealing it has nothing to do with being poor but everything to do with serving the God of more than enough.

It always comes down to trust.

Sometimes I miss the mark and revert to my old ways of thinking. I settle for less than what I could have. That old poverty mind-set tries to get me to believe I am less than enough and so deserve less. That thinking overflows into all areas of life as well, not just money. Take my book for example. I started writing a few years ago. I adjusted some things to stay on target but have not completed it yet. The poverty lie wants to dictate, “You don’t have enough drive, vision, skill and on and on to complete a book.” On my own I probably don’t but I trust the One who can help me be more than enough to finish it.

Today let’s remember who we serve.

If you have never made God your master, get up the nerve to do so. Ask Jesus to be your Lord. Trust Him with all the courage you have and ask Him to lead you in all truth.

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Author: Paula Kochanek