Anger may be justified, but “getting even” won’t make you feel better.
From Ephesians 4:26-27: “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.”
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and Christian theologian. He was perhaps best known for his efforts as a human rights activist in dismantling his nation’s system of apartheid.
From Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
Awaiting salvation
Praying for His coming
Lord, Savior, Prince of Peace
Crowning hope’s homecoming
Seeking mercy’s refuge
Praying for faith to speak
Rock built with God’s goodness
Boosting hope, small and weak
Sharing God’s depth of love
Praying for grace-filled news
His assurance sows trust
Walking in hope’s new shoes
Inviting our wonder
Praying hearts, blessed with praise
Darkness fades, peace arrives
Lighting hope’s steadfast blaze
One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.
Thanksgiving is not a day. It is a lifestyle.
From Psalm 118:1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!”
Praising
Heavenly Father
Quenching our thirst
Thoughts filled with gratitude
Thanksgiving
Feeling
Every blessing
Receiving God’s Word
With songs of praise
Worship
Trusting
Christ filling
Love’s grateful hearts
With His lasting hope
Grace
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
Sour godliness is the devil’s religion.
From Matthew 4:8-10: “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to Him, ‘All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.””
Thanksgiving is thanks living.
From Psalm 107:21: “Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind.”
From Luke 23:44-46: “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed his last.”
Darkness surrounds solemn ground
Bloodied cross witnesses death
Son of Man’s reign ending now
His journey, now out of breath
Heartless enemy praises
Night sky covers grave of death
Disciples fleeing . . . hiding
But grace, never out of breath
Son of God shall rise, be seen
Morning light erases death
Praising over vacant tomb
Alleluia fills each breath
Called to march with our Savior
Love forever conquers death
Crown beloved Christ, our King
Mercy’s everlasting breath
From Matthew 28:5-6: “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has been raised, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.'”
We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper down, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him.
From John 16:29-31: “His disciples said, ‘Yes, now You are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that You know all things and do not need to have anyone question You; by this we believe that You came from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe?'”
Dear Lord
Make me a man
Of fervent prayer
God’s Holy Word
Commands me to pray
Without ceasing
Encourage me
To bring everything
To you my Lord
When discouraged
Let me pray
You are my refuge
When joyful
Let me offer
Prayers of thanksgiving
In all things
Great and small
At all times
Whether happy or sad
Let me seek
Your wisdom and grace
Amen
Today, may God bring you the courage to ask him for guidance. Ask Him to lead you to a “right” place.
Originally published on June, 2019.
It is not by accident, I believe, that the Bible opens with the thunderous acclaim: “In the beginning God.” I tell you with all the conviction of which I am capable: If God is not our primary focus, then everything else will soon get out of focus.
From Genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
Selwyn Hughes (1928-2006) was a Welsh-born Christian minister and author. One of his best known works was the daily devotional EVERY DAY WITH JESUS.
Big Sky Buckeye 