Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.
If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.
American writer and novelist, Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), spent much of her early life in China as a missionary. She was widely heralded for her book, THE GOOD EARTH, which was published in 1931. She garnered the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and later the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.
From John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
Imagine receiving one gift
But, never accepting its love
Forsaking Father’s lasting grace
Angels witness all from above
This precious gift brings lasting peace
Why would God’s love remain unwrapped?
Sin continues weaving darkness
Triggering mankind to feel trapped
Spirit moves into heart’s fabric
Cosmic collision stirs within
Christ stepping into this dark breach
Divine love snaps sin’s frail linchpin
For God so loved this fallen world
His Holy Son pays for sin’s debts
Unlocking eternity’s gate
Christ’s mercy saves, without regrets
Now embracing and accepting
Father’s loving gift now received
Trusting in Savior’s greatest gift
Forgiveness, all who believe
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “The greatest gift ever given was the sacrifice of Jesus, and all we must do is accept this free gift in joy forever with Him.”
The greatest faith is born in the hour of despair.
From Ephesians 6:16: “With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Looking to conquer
Bullies search for life’s island—
Mankind’s weakest link
Remember always
Our mirror’s self-reflection—
Misses life’s real truth
Life’s biggest challenge
Constructing each new puzzle—
Piece follows each piece
Where there’s hope, there’s life.
Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.
From Romans 10:12-13: “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call Him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”
Photo by Andrea P. Coan on Pexels.com
Sitting here on a quiet, morning dawn
Drinking coffee, warming a drowsy mind
Passing the time with memories, all wrong
Looking for warmhearted hopes, none to find
Wishing countless troubles would go away
Thinking another day will bring some hope
Realizing now, my dreams are crushed today
Watching out the window, through hopeless scope
Opening a Bible, found by God’s Grace
Inviting me in, His Word reaches out
Sensing a way to change life’s dismal pace
Offering a new path, without a doubt
Witnessing Christ Jesus on a cruel Cross
Accepting my Savior, no longer lost
Photo by Sindre Strøm on Pexels.com
We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are.
From Isaiah 43:1: “But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Obeying God’s will in our lives should not be a burden but a thrilling adventure that we walk through with Him each day.”
Believer’s obedience
Thrilling adventure
Filled with Father’s blessed grace
Divine, joint venture
Trusting with patience of Job
Faith’s foundation grows
Living upon Father’s rock
His way always knows
One step follows another
Smallest matters count
Daily walk of faith matures
Father’s blessings mount
Escaping from sin’s darkness
Mercy marks life’s route
Repenting for transgressions
Father’s grace takes sprout
Obedience grows with love
Leading back to God
Life’s choices, Father rewards
His glory’s tripod
From Psalm 40:6-8: “Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, ‘Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.'”
The Gospel is not speculation but fact. It is truth, because it is the record of as person who is the Truth.
From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
The town wakes up to a new day. It doesn’t quite seem like any other day. A tranquil, peaceful night has given way to a quiet sunrise.
Few have heard of the overnight excitement at a nearby stable. A babe lies wrapped in bands of cloth, and he sleeps in a simple livestock feed box.
Outside of the sleepy town, shepherds watch over their flocks at night. However, with the rising sun there awakens a buzz among them. A handful of them have returned from a most magnificent and blessed sight.
Directed by an angelic, heavenly host, these simple men were invited to witness the good news of great joy for all of God’s people. An angel of the Lord proclaims, “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
With haste, the band of shepherds swiftly journey into the town. Their quick pace is filled with overwhelming wonder.
In arriving at a simple scene, filled with livestock, a husband and wife, and a newborn baby, the shepherds pay their respects to this Prince of Peace . . . Wonderful, Counselor, King of Kings. Only a loving Father in Heaven could orchestrate such a joyous and lasting moment for the birth of His Son.
God has heard the distressed cries of His people. In this eternal moment, He forever reminds mankind that He fulfills His promises.
Later in the morning, a young shepherd boy wonders. While he didn’t have the opportunity to see the baby in the manger, he has heard all of the other shepherds talking about their amazing experience while they praise God.
Thinking to himself, the boy quietly asks a couple of questions. Perhaps God will answer them in his lifetime.
He feels astounded and kneels to pray. As he talks to the Lord, he is in awe of all that he has heard this day.
Big Sky Buckeye 