
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
From Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power.”

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
From Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power.”
From Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Man navigates life’s way
Some survey ocean’s charts
Searching through its vastness
Peace fills every heart
Other times, sailing ahead
Without any vision
Vanishing in darkness
Journey’s poor decision
Life’s opportunities
Man’s knowledge not enough
Setting sail, just by chance
Tomorrow’s seas, too rough
Sound advice waits with God
His Word highlights life’s route
Sharing grace, peace follows
Time’s fate, never in doubt
God’s righteous hand steering
Toward harbor’s safe dock
Aligning ship’s rudder
Destination . . . faith’s rock

From Psalm 37:23-24: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”

To set our mind on the things of God, we must consistently choose to have the Lord’s viewpoint and reject conformity with the ways of the world.
From Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
From Psalm 23:1-3: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”

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Walking lost in the still darkness of night
Realizing the Lord delivers His might
Knocking at the door of life, He arrives
Granting a safe place, helps us to survive
Finding lasting peace in His Holy verse
Quenching our parched thirst, like a caring nurse
Coming with righteousness, Christ our Shepherd
Refueling us today, always treasured
Re-energizing empty hearts and souls
Blowing away blackest clouds, God controls
Lighting our way, God’s eternal love shines
Breathing His Word, offering faithful signs
Facing life’s challenges, Christ walks with us
Giving Grace, His way never brings a fuss
Guiding us to the Promised Land, Christ leads
Saving us from sin, from a Cross which bleeds

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If you would test the character of anything, you only need to enquire whether that that thing leads you to God or away from God.
From James 1:2-4: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.”
Watchman Nee (1903-1972) was a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher. He authored a collection of Christian books, and he endured persecution for his beliefs. Ultimately, he died while being imprisoned for the final twenty years of his life.
From Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

Drowning in sinfulness
Darkness covers this land
Needing help in trouble
God reaches out His hand
Facing our transgressions
Mighty hand bringing grace
Saving us, all alone
God tapping life’s backspace
Sending love through His Son
Refuge found in one cross
Squashing dark’s empty hope
God triggers evil’s loss
Leaning on His wisdom
Strength flows from His power
Living with righteousness
God rebuilds faith’s tower
Knowing we walk with Him
Lord’s armor covers thee
Praying in Christ’s spirit
God’s mercy sets us free

From Ephesians 6:13: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm.”

When God asks us to surrender our will to His, it’s our job to trust He will show us the way.
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.”
Christ’s
Central command
Love, care, feed
Shepherd’s hands at work
Disciples

Life’s
Puzzle pieces
Scattered and lost
Shepherd finds each one
Savior

Hearing
Shepherd’s calling
Following in faith
Spirit leads our way
Believing

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.

Guilt is a gift that leads us to grace.
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 the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
From Nehemiah 1:3: “They replied, ‘The remnant there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.'”

Shining locomotive churning along
Life ascending every mountain peak
Suddenly, trusty light turns to darkness
Disappointment abounds, whom shall we seek?
Loyal tracks of faith, now wrecked and ruined
Trusting walls of protection, now in shambles
Shepherd’s gate to heaven, forever crushed
Life in darkness, attempts to unscramble
Season of discouragement, shrouds small faith
Eyes filling with tears, overwhelming scene
Kneeling below bloody, Golgotha cross
Prayer fills with forgiveness, hope blooms green
God’s attentive ear, mercy listens in
Rebuilding life within Christ, faith’s linchpin

From Nehemiah 1:11: “O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name. Give success to Your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!”