Doubts and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.
From Proverbs 3:5: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author and lecturer. Her own journey through blindness and deafness encouraged her to advocate for the rights of others who live with disabilities.
Self-realization leads to the enthronement of work; whereas the saint enthrones Jesus Christ in his work.
From Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Him in His death.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
From Psalm 103:2-4: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
Praising Father’s goodness
Knowing His love never ends
Forgiving sin’s transgressions
Humbling pride, truth never bends
Redeeming life from darkness
Trusting Father’s light of grace
Renewing hope from His peace
Allowing love to embrace
Teaching from Father’s Word
Abounding in steadfast love
Erasing darkest shadows
Descending Son from above
Dispersing mercy’s breath
Feeling Father’s tender hand
Breaking apart chains of sin
Sowing love across this land
Following Father’s light
Witnessing Calvary’s blood
Paying man’s debts with Son’s love
Living covenant’s fresh bud
From Psalm 103:13-14: “As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear Him. For He knows how we were made; He remembers that we are dust.”
If God is not at the center of your life, something else is.
From Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Tim Keller (1950-2023) was an American pastor and Christian theologian.
When you offer yourself to God as His servant, He first expects to shape you into the instrument of His choosing. He will always work in you before He works through you.
From Philippians 1:6: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Henry Blackaby (1935-2024) was a Canadian pastor and Christian author.
Young Lydia awakens on this December’s early morning of peace. Her imagination embraces new hope to be found in the season.
She understands that Christmas means much more than a decorated tree, wrapped presents, and fresh baked cookies. As her intuitive eyes peer outside of her bedroom window, the dawn sky offers a view of a brilliant star.
Inside her quiet thoughts, she whispers, “I need to see more.”
Throwing a long winter coat over her pajamas and remembering to wear her snow boots (just as her Mom always insists), Lydia ventures outside. Standing on the front porch, she feels surrounded by the tranquility of the winter scene.
The snow-covered yard appears perfectly groomed, and the nearby pine trees are all powdered in white. To her wandering eyes, the heavens’ star appears even closer. She feels a tug at her coat to step down from the porch.
Her steps quicken as she edges into the nearby woods. The cold air actually brings warmth to her heart. Suddenly, she stops with eager eyes looking forward.
Again Lydia’s imagination begins to wonder, “What will I find if I walk some more?”
An undistinguished pine tree, holding candles of light, invites her to enter a clearing. Right in front of her waits an unbelievable scene.
A tiny feed trough filled with hay stands alone.
From the shadow’s fringes come a man, a woman, and a newborn baby. The woman carefully places the baby in the feedbox, because there is no room for them at the inn.
Lydia’s pulse quickens as she realizes what is happening. A “real life” nativity landscape . . . or is it the story predicted through prophecy’s promises? Her young mind just isn’t sure.
She looks back up into the heavens and fixes her eyes upon the morning’s star. Suddenly she feels joy surrounding her heart. Indeed, she believes in the love found in her Savior.
Kneeling in the soft snow, Lydia offers a short prayer:
Sweet Baby Jesus
Your love warms my heart.
Your birth will lead many to worship you.
I will always walk with you.
I love you so much.
Amen.
I will have reached the point of greatest strength once I have learned to wait for hope.
From Lamentations 3:25-26: “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
George Matheson (1842-1906) was Scottish pastor, Christian author, and hymn writer. His faith in God matured after becoming blind as a young man.
A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.
From Titus 2:7: “In all things, offering yourself as a model of good works and in your teaching offering integrity.”
D. L. Moody (1837-1899), also known as Dwight Lyman Moody, was an American evangelist and Christian teacher. He is frequently credited with inspiring modern mass revivalism.
Nothing happens in any particular unless God’s will is behind it, therefore you can rest in perfect confidence in Him.
From Matthew 7:11: “If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Fill your affections with the cross of Christ that there may be no room for sin.
From Matthew 13:41-43: “The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will collect out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
John Owen (1616-1683) was an English Puritan church leader and theologian.
Big Sky Buckeye 