Seemingly alone
Forgotten for sure
Sunset comes again
Faith tries to endure
Few dreams remembered
Tomorrow’s blank stare
Thirsty without hope
Missing puzzle squares
Nothing for granted
Memories’ shelves bare
Sunrise always gray
Life’s empty armchair
One more knock at door
Eagerness alive
Thirst’s long-waited gift
Father’s grace arrives
Thee forever loved
Come now, take Thy hand
Hope at last restored
Rock replaces sand
From Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.”
Creator’s grace at work
Chips away at inner soul
Molding changes with purpose
Character becomes whole
Spirit calmly at work
Transformation from within
Leading with heavenly light
Word’s breath no longer thin
Savior’s presence at work
Every parable speaks
Teaching with His gentle touch
Mercy leads to each peak
Faith’s endurance at work
Nope nurtured in Christ above
Maturing with each seed sown
Confident in His love
Man’s faithfulness at work
Warmed by each morning’s sunrise
Following God’s commandments
Integrity shall rise
From Hebrews 6:17-18: “In the same way, when God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it by an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us.”
When God sets His heart on you, you will be tried often. But the longer and harder your affliction, the more deeply God has set His heart on you, to show you His love and care.
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.”
David Wilkerson (1931-2011) was an American evangelist, Christian author, and pastor.
From James 5:11: “Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Totally unexpected, overwhelming
Lingering cracks appearing along life’s road
Tripping, stumbling, and finally crashing down
Shattering confidence, from life’s heavy load
Floundering, drowning . . . caught in river’s rapids
Endlessly swimming, lost at pool’s deepest end
Feet never finding firm ground, dour fear arrives
Replacing life’s daylight with night at each bend
Life’s turbulence teaches us lasting patience
With the Lord, with ourselves, and with life’s curve balls
Fumbling life’s slippery game ball once again
God’s love sends patience after every fall
Endurance of Job, life’s journey shall require
Living with patience, frees us from each briar
From Galatians 5:22-25: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
Originally published October, 2020.
Nothing stands the test like solid character. You can handle the blast like a steer in a blizzard. You keep standing against the wind and the howling, raging storm because Christ is at work in your spirit.
From Psalm 119:165: “Great peace have those who love Your law;
nothing can make them stumble.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
From James 1:2-3: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
Facing life’s trials
Any and all kinds
Counting as joy
Faith never resigns
Testing endurance
Burdens grow lighter
Blessing as joy
Hope growing brighter
Maturing in faith
Every doubt erased
Feeling as joy
Father’s grace embraced
Growing every day
Inner self renews
Holding as joy
Spirit standing true
Preparing our way
Eternity’s flame
Seeing as joy
Peace in Christ proclaims
From 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”
From Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff–they comfort me.”
Being careful with life’s missteps
Sinful disobedience waits
God’s Word touches our inner soul
Hell pleasing, never be our fate
Our truest, most faithful support
Shall always arrive from His love
God’s Word will endure forever
His Spirit reigns from high above
When life’s dark trials boil over
Creating quagmires of distress
God’s Word quells each predicament
His next move leads like playing chess
Our life’s journey travels by faith
Transformed by Christ’s merciful heart
God’s Word reaches out, filled with hope
Bringing a new day, let’s restart
From 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Originally published July, 2020.
From Hebrews 10:22: “Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Faith filled with confidence
Sanctuary’s door opens wide
Backed by shed blood of Christ
Flesh given at cross, where He died
Faith’s lasting commitment
Inner resources standing firm
Backed by trust found in Christ
Great High Priest shall always affirm
Faith witnesses Good News
Sufficient to pass any test
Backed by grace, sent from Christ
Holy Spirit shall never rest
Faith’s hunger filled with hope
Unwavering assurance holds
Backed by love, shared through Christ
Mercy guides heart to Heaven’s fold
Faith walks with endurance
Always forward to God’s reward
Backed by witness of Christ
Redemption brings one more onboard
From Hebrews 10:35-36: “Do not, therefore, abandon that boldness of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised.”
Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures.
The best way to secure future happiness is to be as happy as is rightfully possible today.
Horace Greeley (1811-1872) was an American newspaper editor and publisher.
God’s desire is that we grow in faith as we walk with Him. Faith is not merely a one-time event through which we were saved; rather, it’s a continuous way of life from the point of salvation forward.
From 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4: “We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.”
Big Sky Buckeye 