The single most important element in any human relationship is honesty–with oneself, with God, and with others.
From Ephesians 4:24: “And to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Confession
With repentance
Walking with righteousness
Stepping forward into light
Obedience
Invitation
Hungry feast
Nourishes spirit’s needs
With faith and grace
Forgiveness
Resurrection
Empty tomb
Grace overcomes darkness
Transforming our “broken glass”
Redemption
There is no escape when our Lord speaks. He always comes with an arrestment of the understanding.
From Hebrews 4:12: “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
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.
From 1 John 4:7: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
Vulnerable and broken
Young lives scattering like chaff
Fractured, alone in darkness
Story needs new paragraph
Emulating Jesus’ love
Family opens their home
One lost child, then another
Spirit reaches out, love roams
Called by Christ, door swings open
Wrapping His love around each
Two daughters bond as sisters
New lessons waken to teach
Family’s love grows daily
Centered around faith and trust
Christ’s joy filling each new page
Four lives together, robust
Future looking brighter now
Surrounded by parents’ love
Sisters linking together
Jesus smiles from above
In the United States, the month of November recognizes the significance of adoption. When a family reaches out to provide foster care for a deserving child, this is one of life’s most unselfish, blessed tasks. As in the case of our family, this story opens life’s new chapter for our granddaughters, both adopted into our family.
From Philippians 4:5-6: “ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Like Apostle Paul
Facing dark trials
Acts of injustice
Covering each mile
Never complaining
Rejoicing with joy
Each of life’s moments
Shirking evil’s ploy
Eyes fixed on Jesus
Refocusing lens
Worry set aside
Walking with our friend
Troubles fall away
Accepting Christ’s Word
Life’s highway brightens
Seeing hope, unblurred
Hearts and minds open
Learning more each day
Jesus strengthens us
Kneeling now, let’s pray
From Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
People who inspire others are those who see invisible bridges at the end of dead-end streets.
From Jeremiah 29:11: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
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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.”
God wants us to succeed today
Asking for our patience and trust
Allowing faith to rebuild hope
Studying from His Word, we must
Always trusting in our Father
Bringing us guidance and His love
Achieving good through His name
Touching hearts, His joy sings above
We are never forsaken, never
Leading, God offers direction
Finding the means, moving forward
Meeting trials with reflection
The wicked gather all around
Following the Enemy’s lies
Causing God to judge their follies
Coming Judgment Day will apprise
Our Savior’s coming, all waiting
Receiving God’s Grace, what a gift
The Lord standing with the righteous
Accepting His plan, lives not adrift
We may still misstep and stumble
Preventing us from falling down
Reaching out, God’s hand guiding us
Fleeing, the thirsty Enemy frowns
Through His Word, the Father blesses
Giving generously, all with love
Choosing Jesus, Salvation comes
Seeking God’s guidance, from above
From the words of Dutch priest, writer, and theologian Henri Nouwen: “A spiritual discipline is necessary in order to move slowly from an absurd to an obedient life, from a life filled with noisy worries to a life in which there is some free inner space where we can listen to our God and follow His guidance.”
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From Philippians 1:20: “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Facing world’s wickedness
Knowing God walks with thee
Surrounded by darkness
His good purpose foresees
Feeling Spirit’s mercy
Turning to Father’s aid
Rejoicing with boldness
His good purpose conveyed
Living in Christ brings gain
Soaking up trusting Word
Finding joy in faith’s hope
His good purpose now heard
Praising the Lord our God
Following divine moves
Feeding faithful hunger
His good purpose approves
Lifting up each stranger
Setting prisoners free
Loving with righteousness
His good purpose shall be
From Psalm 146:5: “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”
Let our hearts be filled with thanks and giving.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Sin
Darkness prowling
One eternal sacrifice
Savior’s blood breaks chains
Forgiveness
Awaken
New dawn
High Priest Jesus
Empty tomb forever rejoices
Salvation
Love
None greater
Father sends Son
World saved through Him
Believe
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.
