Contagious Faith

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Reflections from French Archbishop, theologian, and writer, Francois Fenelon (1651-1715):  “Faith is letting down our nets into the transparent deeps at the Divine command, not knowing what we shall draw.”

 

A well-seasoned fisherman had been casting his nets throughout the night.  Unfortunately for him and his family, there would likely be no fresh fish by morning.

As he gathered his empty nets, a light beam shone across the waters on the left side of his boat.  He felt the Spirit’s quiet nudge, “Cast the net over here.”

The gentle man was suddenly filled with peace. Without hesitation, he cast his nets over the side of the boat.  As the light receded, he felt the boat being drawn deeper into the waters.

Elated with his good fortune, he began pulling in nets heavy with a monumental catch.  Indeed, there would be enough fish to feed his family for many days to come.

As he pulled in the final feet of net onboard, he was surrounded by a sea of fish.  Filled with gratitude, his eyes moved to witness the rising sun, and he paused to pray to God above.  His tone of thankfulness praised the Lord for His goodness.

 

From John 21:4-6:  “Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’  They answered him, ‘No.’  He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’  So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.”

 

Duncan Campbell Quote

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To me, it has been a sense of great comfort and strength in the day of battle, just to remember that the secret of steadfastness, and indeed, of victory, is the recognition that the Lord is at hand.

From 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.”

Duncan Campbell (1898-1972) was a Scottish missionary.and evangelist.

Heartbeat of Father

From Exodus 20:2-3:  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before Me.”

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Each day’s beginning

Scheduling His Word

Moments with Father

Embracing what’s heard

 

Any given hour

Pausing for prayer

Spirit nurtures trust

Erasing despair

 

Daily worship time

Praising Lord above

Uplifted in faith

Witnessing His love

 

Blessed fellowship

Caring for others

Never too busy

Serving another

 

This day now ending

Resting in His grace

Heartbeat of Father

Transforming hope’s place

 

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From Romans 8:28:  “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

Focus Refreshed (Elfchen Series #295)

Disciplined

Expecting

Faithfully listening

Seeking Father’s guidance

Immersed in His Word

Direction

Gathered

Mentoring

Mercy transcending

Counseling with righteousness

Savior’s grace upon thee

Instruction

Transformed

Surrounding

Peace forgiving

Promising Calvary’s light

Thorns of sin crushed

Redemption

Oswald Chambers Quote

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If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience.

From John 7:16-17:  “Then Jesus answered them, ‘My teaching is not Mine but His who sent Me.  Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on My own.'”

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.

Fed From Above

From Proverbs 3:1-2:  “My child, do not forget My teaching, but let your heart keep My commandments, for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.”

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New dawn harvests light

Sowing truth from God

Embracing His peace

Each faithful seedpod

 

Heart keeps commandments

Following God’s flight

Honoring His Word

Joy grows in His sight

 

Every path straightened

Accepting God’s grace

Forsaking darkness

Faith climbs each staircase

 

Refreshment prepared

Offering God’s love

Healing man’s fabric

Trust fed from above

 

Radiant wisdom

Planting God’s next seed

Cultivating hope

Christ forever leads

 

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From Proverbs 3:11-12:  “My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves the one He loves, as a father the son in whom He delights.”

Charles Swindoll Quote

When we have sufficiently waited on the Lord, He gets full control of our spirit.

From Proverbs 3:1-2:  “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,  for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.”

Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Monday Memories: Buried Faith

From the words of American pastor and Christian author, A. W. Tozer:  “Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.”

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Winter’s lost, snow-covered faith

Father’s presence, long frozen

Buried faith, under deep drifts

Lack of any hope, blows in

 

Christ melts each frozen glacier

Ice turns to living water

Holy Spirit flows with hope

God’s Word molds, as faith’s potter

 

Spring arrives, God’s Holy love

Maturing into life’s fruit

Flowering trees, witness faith

Hope emerging, each new shoot

 

Resurrection brings new life

Hungry faith springs with fresh growth

Spirit warms forgotten hearts

Faith then hope, Christ unearths both

 

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From Proverbs 3:3-4:  “Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people.”

Originally published February, 2021.

Charles Stanley Quote

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Jesus is exactly where He promised to be–living inside those who believe.

From John 14:18-19:  “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.  In a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you also will live.”

Charles Stanley (1932-2023) was an American pastor and Christian writer.  He was dedicated to leading a teaching ministry.

Ember of Hope

From Psalm 130:7-8:  “O Israel, hope in the Lord!  For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is great power to redeem.  It is He who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.”

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Entering empty valley

Lifeless without form

Yet, ember of hope breathes

Escaping from every storm

 

Waiting to hear Father’s voice

In depths of despair

Hope filled with steadfast love

Praying for His divine care

 

Standing tall in His presence

Father’s promised grace

Tender morning rises

Redeeming hope to embrace

 

Fulfilling spirit of hope

Found in Father’s Son

His peace granted to man

Leaving all darkness, as One

 

Believing in risen Christ

Truth revealed at dawn

Resurrection breathes life

Sending hope, faith draws upon

 

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From Romans 8:10-11:  “But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you.”