In His Midst

From Psalm 29:3-4:  “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.  The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.”

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Life’s calmest seas

Facing coming storms

Never alone

In His midst, strength forms

 

From God, our hope

Reaching out His hand

Safely sheltered

Upon His command

 

Witness His peace

Quieting these waves

Triumphant’s might

Father’s grace shall serve

 

Darkness retreats

Hearing comfort’s voice

Glory thunders

All saints will rejoice

 

Mercy rescues

Breathing with God’s love

Everlasting

Blessings from above

 

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The lyrics and music of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” is a familiar hymn to many.  Inspired by Psalm 90, the lyrics were composed by English hymn writer and theologian, Isaac Watts, in 1708.  

Charles Swindoll Quote

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God can use our authority and our abundance and our promotion.  With authority comes the need for accountability.  With popularity comes the need for humility.  With prosperity comes the need for integrity.  

From James 4:10:  “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

Moments with God (Elfchen Series #92)

Thundering Voice

Echoing

Holy Word

Amplifying His love

Hope, grace, and peace

God

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Revealing Cosmos

Stranded

In darkness

God reveals promises

Each heavenly, shining star

Found

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Receiving Joy

Morning

Blessings awake

Landscape of grace

Responding to Creator’s peace

Prayer

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Alexander Maclaren Quote

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If God sends us on stony paths, He will provide us with strong shoes.

From Isaiah 40:31:  “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Life’s Winter Darkness

From Psalm 31:9-10:  “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.  For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.”

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Feeling earth’s numbing cold

Facing each new trial

Life’s winter darkness stirs

Filling another mile

 

Witnessing grief and loss

Traversing heavy snow

Life’s winter darkness stands

Causing impulse to slow

 

Prowling disease and strife

Reading storm’s latest news

Life’s winter darkness shouts

Raging snow sings the blues

 

Plodding in Arctic’s chill

Crushing social unrest

Life’s winter darkness tests

Failing every quest

 

Viewing world’s upheaval

Blinding blizzard’s whiteout

Life’s winter darkness runs

Bulldozing faith with doubt

 

Guiding light now arrives

Accepting Father’s grace

Life’s winter darkness fades

Walking in Spirit’s place

 

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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, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”

Monday Memories: Steadfast Courage

From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

person climbing on gray rock

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Following God’s commandments

Delivering steadfast courage

Building up one’s faith and trust

Go sends us forth, encouraged

 

Imagine walking each day

With Biblical superstars

Amazing stories with truth

God waiting near, not too far

 

Israel cries out in Egypt

God hears their anguish and pain

Moses’ courage answers prayers

Pharaoh’s heart, forever slain

 

God commissions a leader

Joshua destined to lead

His faith in God carries strength

His plan and vision succeeds

 

Daniel faces certain death

Overcoming his demise

God foils lions’ hunger

Courage arrives in disguise

 

Christ completes His final task

A Cross marks defeat, they say

His living breath creates light

Salvation, lives from that day

 

Boldness, defined by our Lord

Confronting uncertain pain

Faithful and steadfast courage

God’s love, never will abstain

brown wooden crucifix photography

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From American film actress, Dorothy Bernard:  “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”

Warren Wiersbe Quote

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True contentment comes from godliness in the heart, not from wealth in hand.

From Luke 12:15:  “And He said to them, Take care!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.'”

Miracle Child

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A young, married couple plans to fill their Christian home with children.  Facing fertility issues, the husband and wife seek advice from doctors.

After months of trying the medical route and completing test after test, they retreat from doctors. As they decide to focus on their continuing journey of prayer, their dream of having a baby is left in God’s hands. 

A few more months run their course, and the couple is still waiting.  In God’s plan, an answer will eventually come, but it will be by His design and used for His glory.

Witnessing God’s lasting hope, peace, joy, and love, this Christian husband and wife discover their wish will be granted.  A baby will be born just after the New Year begins.  They are excited, but they take time to praise and show gratitude to their Heavenly Father.

Eventually, the baby boy arrives, but he has decided to enter the world too soon.  Born prematurely and much smaller than expected, the boy’s status concerns his parents.  Their “miracle” child is born, and the medical staff sees that he is well-taken care of.

Over the coming weeks and months, the couple care and love their little “Bubba” as they like to call him.  He may be undersized, but he is healthy and growing.  They feel so blessed and thankful.

For many couples, this scenario plays out around the world.  With God’s guidance and modern medical care, more and more families are experiencing the joy of children in their lives. 

Other families turn to adoption or foster care of children.  When choosing what path to take, bringing God into the equation helps to guide each decision.

In contrast, the world has its own “miracle” child . . . a babe born in a Bethlehem stable over 2,000 years ago.  God comes to earth as the incarnate Emmanuel.  His light continues to guide lives each and every day.

Grace of God (Elfchen Series #91)

Leading

Blinded

Life’s blizzard

Plowing far ahead

God clears our path

Grace

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Accepting

Waiting

Father’s gift

Open it now

Grace and love offering

Salvation

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Transforming

Tempted

Highway’s darkness

Salvation’s bright floodlights

Follow, accept Christ’s grace

Forgiveness

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John Eldredge Quote

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Only by walking with God can we hope to find the path that leads to life.

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.