The willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life is the source from which self-respect springs.
From Ephesians 4:31: “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.”
Joan Didion (1934-2021) was an American writer and journalist.
From Isaiah 40:1-2: “Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”
God’s invitation
Walking before Me
Fleeing sin’s darkness
Peace shall cover thee
Confidence cries out
Embracing God’s way
Leaving wilderness
Hope transcends this day
God’s glory revealed
Kneeling before Me
Comforting presence
Tomorrow walks free
Each valley raised up
Revealing God’s grace
Rebuilding faith’s trust
Joy beams from His face
God’s will standing tall
Sharing Word with Me
Believing His truth
Mercy granted thee
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.”
Only a life of prayer and meditation will render a vessel ready for the Master’s use.
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.”
German-born George Muller (1805-1898) was a Christian evangelist. Later in his life, he and his wife spent 17 years involved with missionary travel throughout the world.
When the heart submits, then Jesus reigns. When Jesus reigns, there is rest.
From Jeremiah 29:13-14: “When you search for Me, you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart, I will let you find Me, says the Lord.”
Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) was a British-born Christian missionary. He spent 54 years in China.
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “In the hands of God, adversity becomes the means through which His supernatural power is demonstrated.”
Believing in Jesus
Faith built upon His love
Following God’s law
Hope sown from above
Walking in light with Christ
Faith’s strength breathes, as God planned
Conquering darkness
Peace fills each heartland
Beholding Savior’s grace
Faith’s cornerstone reborn
Seeing empty tomb
Redemption airborne
Hearing Messiah’s voice
Faith embraces His Word
Fearing no longer
Mountaintop unblurred
Weeping replaced with joy
Faith’s enriched Living Bread
Coming home at last
Trust forever fed
From 1 John 5:3-4: “For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”
The key question to keep asking is, Are you spending your time on the right thing? Because time is all you have.
From James 4:8-10: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
Randy Pausch (1960-2008) was an American educator and professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. His life was cut short by pancreatic cancer, but he persevered to share his final lecture a few months before his death.
From Colossians 1:13-14 “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
From the Creator, comes the day’s light
Why then, is there perpetual night?
Sin-filled darkness, traverses borders
Nations breathing endless disorders
Not a single country shall be spared
Few if any, seem ready . . . prepared
Partisan turmoil ignites unrest
Another sleepless night, minus rest
Social illness parks at each corner
Past ills, leaving many a mourner
Violence, injustice never pause
Out of this gloom, marches a new cause
Shroud of night’s blackness, tearing apart
Light conquers night, crashing our Lord’s heart
Blood-stained Cross, now-empty tomb proclaim
Son of Man, Son of God lights new flame
From Revelation 22:5: “And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
Originally published January, 2021.
The Son’s obedience was as Redeemer, because He was Son, not in order to be Son.
From John 13:13: “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am.”
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 Isaiah 42:1: “Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen, in whom My soul delights; I have put My spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.”
Prophecy foretold
Even greater light
From heavens above
Love scales newfound heights
Spirit upon Him
Justice shall prevail
Breath of gentleness
Christ tips evil’s scale
Voice of Good Shepherd
Strengthened, never faint
Coastline’s faith whispers
Every blessed saint
Actions of patience
God’s Word guides with peace
Filled with righteousness
Salvation’s new lease
Darkness crawls away
Grace raises each heart
Messiah’s dawn reigns
Hope’s defining start
From Isaiah 42:6: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations.”
Faith is a confession of trust, not a demand for an immediate answer. Let your confidence be in God.
From Daniel 2:22: “He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.”
David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Big Sky Buckeye 