Sprinting to Daylight

From Psalm 97:10-11:  “You who love the Lord, hate evil; He guards the lives of His faithful; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked.  Light dawns for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart.”

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Surrounding darkness

Evil’s world abounds

Life’s hesitation

Sinful, barking sounds

 

Playing with evil

Like kitchen’s hot stove

Waiting to burn us

Consuming faith’s grove

 

Hearing Father’s Word

Explicit warning

Hate evil, love God

Righteous good morning

 

Evil’s deception

Ignore its calling

Turning from darkness

Sinful flesh falling

 

Life’s new page opens

His goodness unfolds

Sprinting to daylight

Safe in God’s stronghold

  

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From the words of  American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “When we learn to hate evil, we learn to love what God loves.”

Franklin Graham Quote

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We can have full confidence in God’s promises because we can have full faith in His character.

From Hebrews 10:23:  “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who has promised is faithful.”

Most Special Place

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Mothers occupy life’s most special place

Loving their family, sharing God’s grace

 

Mothers share generous spirit each day

Teaching with Christ’s love, parenting His way

 

Mothers brighten each home’s earthy landscape

Making time sweeter as household takes shape

 

Mothers nurture children, unselfish love

Following God’s mercy, shining above

 

Mothers dream of humble lives with fresh starts

Sharing God’s lasting peace with fragile hearts

 

Mothers’ self-sacrifice, her shining light

Giving of herself, tender lives take flight

 

Mothers seeking what’s best in newborn’s life

Praying for harmony, absent of strife

 

Mothers devote selves, God’s highest calling

Preventing precious new lives from falling

 

Mothers encourage with God’s building blocks

Witnessing playtime in backyard’s sandbox

 

Mothers leave legacy within each child

Living righteously with God, reconciled

 

Mothers cherish every blessed step

Sprinkling heaven’s stardust at love’s doorstep

 

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Father’s Blessings (Elfchen Series #99)

Sustaining

Morning

Quiet time

Conversation with Father

Moments filled with grace

Prayer

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Leading

Believing

Father above

Empty hope blossoms

With each green stem

Faith

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Saving

Father’s

Precious gift

No greater love

Messiah walks with us

Generations

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Oswald Chambers Quote

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Paul spent himself for one purpose only–that he might win men to Jesus Christ.  Paul became a sacramental personality; wherever he went, Jesus Christ helped Himself to his life.

From 2 Corinthians 12:15:  “I will most gladly spend and be spent for You.  If I love You more, am I to be loved less?”

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.

Praise and Gratitude

From Psalm 92:1-2:  “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”

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Filling every day with praises

Praying daily, words of gratitude

Hailing heavenly Father’s mercy

Fueling our continued fortitude

 

Declaring steadfast love of Father

Remembering lasting faithfulness

Thanking Him for eternal goodness

Rescuing from evil’s dark abscess

 

Hearing angelic music above

Singing with steady, heartfelt voices

Trusting Father’s spiritual message

Inspiring life with better choices

 

Proclaiming with praise and gratitude

Flourishing with Father’s thanksgiving

Producing blessed fruit in His name

Pointing toward Calvary, forgiving

 

Refreshing moment with our Father

Trumpeting His everlasting name

Scaling summit of faith’s righteous rock

Lighting up grace, heaven’s brightest flame

 

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From Psalm 92:14-15:  “In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

Matthew Henry Quote

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Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary grace.

From James 4:5-6:  “Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, ‘God yearns jealously for the spirit that He has made to dwell in us’?  But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says.”

Savior Lives

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Conquering darkness

Empty tomb declares

Risen Savior lives

Grace pours out, God cares

 

Mourning no longer

Calvary’s cross bends

Righteous Savior lives

Love pays dividends

 

Looking to heavens

Evil crawls away

Faithful Savior lives

God’s Word, final say

 

Walking in His light

God’s design sustains

Steadfast Savior lives

Never changing lanes

 

Singing hymns of praise

God’s glory beyond

Blessed Savior lives

Mercy’s lasting bond

 

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Charles Swindoll Quote

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Listen carefully!  Jesus Christ opens the gate, gently looks at you, and says:  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are over burdened, and I will cause you to rest.”  Just come.  His provision is profound, attainable, and right.

From Psalm 32:7:  “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”

Faith’s Devotion (Elfchen Series #98)

Enduring

Inviting

Each generation

Into God’s story

From bondage to freedom

Faithfulness

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Embarking

Overcoming

Daily trials

Recalling Bible’s truth

Pilgrimage with our Savior

Faithfulness

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Believing

Surrounding

Life’s rhythm

Knowing and trusting

Word of our Lord

Faithfulness

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