Monday Memories: Worthy Soldier

From 2 Timothy 2:3-4: “Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer.”

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Born as blessed children of God

Learning the Bible’s sacred truth

Strong in grace of Savior Jesus

Worthy soldier matures from youth

 

Listening to God’s witnesses

Faithful, Godly people speaking

Maturing in Father’s Spirit

Daily blessings from Christ’s teachings

 

Humbly serving in God’s army

Following footsteps, walked by Christ

Bolstered by our own suffering

Clutching faith, never underpriced

 

Our Father’s way, rich truth to say

Bringing total understanding

His Holy Word comes without chains

Gospel, forever commanding

 

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From 2 Timothy 2:11-13:  “The saying is sure:  If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.”

Originally published January, 2021.

Hannah Whitall Smith Quote

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God is the giver, and we are the receivers.  And His richest gifts are bestowed not upon those who do the greatest things, but upon those who accept His abundance and His grace.

From Numbers 6:22-26:  “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying:  Thus you shall bless the Israelites.  You shall say to them:  The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.'”

Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911) was an American lay speaker and Christian author.  She was an active voice during the women’s suffrage movement as well as the temperance movement in the United States.

Monday Memories: Daily Blessings

From Ephesians 1:3:  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”

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Accepting life’s ongoing gifts

Filling wonder, never adrift

 

Marveling at heavens above

Inspiring vastness of God’s love

 

Walking in righteousness with God

Comforted by His love, unflawed

 

Looking ahead, with peace and hope

Holding tightly to God’s firm rope

 

Treating others with words which say

Sharing compassion’s rich bouquet

 

Gathering strength for life’s travels

Trusting God, nothing unravels

 

Listening to deepest feelings

Surveying each moment’s healing

 

Receiving mid-course corrections

Hearing God’s faithful directions

 

Sailing in darkness, never cursed

Navigating by God, headfirst

 

Achieving goals, each passing day

Tasting our Lord’s hope-filled buffet

 

Tackling challenges without fear

Taking risks, with God set to steer

 

Stepping forward beyond life’s dreams

Following each path as God deems

 

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From 1 Corinthians 10:16:  “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ?  The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?”

Originally published January, 2021.

Love’s Highest Prize

From 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:  “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

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Father smiles from above

Witnessing two people in love

 

Man sees sparkle in her eyes

Sharing heart, love’s necktie

 

Woman gifting her heart

Cherishing love’s treasured start

 

Tomorrow’s outlook brightens

Feeling love’s reins tighten

 

Spirit joins together

Fashioning love’s tether

 

Marriage vows expressing love

Walking with Christ above

 

Love’s most tender flower

Flourishing with every hour

 

Spirit’s eternal imprint

Sealing love’s fingerprint

 

Love maturing as one

Praising choices in God’s Son

 

Father blessing love’s fresh start

Bringing grace to each heart

 

New day welcomes sunrise

Affirming love’s highest prize

 

What wondrous love now received

Trusting what Father conceived

 

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This poem comes from the hearts of two people who discovered each other nearly 20 years ago.  With our faith nourished by God’s grace, He continues to walk with both of us.

— Richard and Colleen

Praise Every Blessing

From Philippians 4:8:  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

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With each morning sunrise

Lifting eyes to heavens above

Praise every blessing

Embracing Savior’s love

 

With each tribulation

Embracing Father’s grace above

Praise every blessing

Breathing from depths of His love

 

With challenges ahead

Breathing from ever tranquil seas

Praise every blessing

Taking steps to be free

 

With each evening sunset

Taking control of endless seas

Praise every blessing

Walking with Christ, now free

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll:  “Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.”

Charles Stanley Quote


Courtesy of Pinterest.

Our culture says, “Don’t let anyone push you around,” but Jesus teaches that it is the merciful, the weak, and the peacemakers who are successful in God’s Kingdom.

From Matthew 5:5-9:  “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Charles Stanley (1932-2023) was an American pastor and Christian writer.  He was dedicated to leading a teaching ministry.

Charles Hodge Quote

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The ultimate ground of faith and knowledge is confidence in God.

From Psalm 34:8:  “O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in Him.”

Charles Hodge (1797-1878) was an American theologian and Christian teacher.

Perseverance Speaks

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Each year follows another

Memories flowing downhill

Some filled with only sadness

Others sketched with joyful thrills

 

Another sunrise knocking

“Father Time” never slows down

Blessed to be alive, Amen!

One more day, praises go round

 

Sometimes days feel like winter

Overwhelmed with sky of gray

Other days waken to spring

Youthfulness wanting to play

 

Daily lessons in patience

Treasures come from smallest gifts

Appetite filled with sweetness

Road ahead, free of snowdrifts

 

Sunset wraps up one more day

Nightly dreams forever seek

Thankful for every blessing

Journey’s perseverance speaks

 

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Every Gifted Day

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Waking up early

Tasting morning’s sunrise

Brewing extra coffee

Blessed exercise

 

Turning off headlines

Producing one’s own news

Looking outside for joy

Always better view

 

Extending kindness

Helping neighbor with chores

Finishing up early

Never keeping score

 

Praising each minute

Gathering, coffee’s up

Meeting with cherished friends

Rewards with each cup

 

Witnessing sunset

Putting past hours away

Giving thanks for life’s pulse

Every gifted day

 

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