Dear friends whom I long to see,

Who are my joy and crown;

Stand in the Lord to be,

For His glory shines down.

I appeal and beseech,

To agree in the Lord;

In the same mind to teach,

Being in one accord.

I say to you to aid,

Those who struggle so much;

They seem to be afraid,

In the Gospel as such.

Because your name is in,

Shows in the Book of Life;

If you live without sin,

As you cope with the strife.

Joy in the Lord always,

Telling you to rejoice;

As you worship and praise,

Praising Him with your voice.

Let everyone see,

Your humbled gentleness;

For the future to be,

Of His gracious goodness.

Do not be so anxious,

Be careful of nothing;

Make His Word contagious,

Of the grace it will bring.

Through prayer and petition,

Along with thanksgiving;

Without inhibition,

Treasuring your living.

Because the peace of God,

Passes understanding;

As you honor and laud,

Though life is demanding.

It guards your heart and mind,

In Jesus our Lord;

Keeping you humbly kind,

To keep in one accord.

So, what you may have learned,

As you heard and received;

That your mindset has earned,

In what faith has believed.



Copyright © 2018 Richard Newton Sherrer