Searching
Unimaginable contrasts
Journey of paradox
Contentment as God intended
Faith
Trusting
Gospel’s vision
Nurturing healthy outlook
Spirit’s hand at work
Faith
Enduring
Challenging times
Tsunami of darkness
Firm foundation’s pilot light
Faith
True contentment comes from Godliness in the heart, not from wealth in the hand.
From Philippians 4:11-13: “For I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
From Luke 9:23: “Then He said to them all, ‘If any wish to come after Me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.'”
Walking road of solitude
Every step heading somewhere
Today, meeting one stranger
“Come, follow me”—He declares
Hearing His witness of grace
Darkness transitions to light
Stranger’s Word sinking deeper
Rendezvous sealed with Spirit bright
Sharing His comfort of peace
Truth serving as Scripture’s guide
Stranger’s righteous heart affirms
Mercy’s breath comes alongside
Traveling as one each day
Faith’s journey follows high road
Stranger’s compass always true
Love unlocks atonement’s code
Seeing life’s purpose at last
Redemption at Heaven’s door
Stranger no more, Jesus Christ
Eternity comes ashore
From John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
From Psalm 31:1-2: “In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in Your righteousness deliver me. Incline Your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.”
Facing life’s overwhelming odds
Darkness invades, hope crashing down
Searching for sustaining refuge
Forsaking another showdown
Emptiness penetrates deeply
Faith weakening, now feeling mocked
Each empty promise calling out
Distant future forever locked
Calling to Father above
Reaching for His righteous-filled hand
Praying for heavenly rescue
Grasping mercy, fleeing quicksand
Light overcomes evil’s doomsday
God’s promises, always to trust
Mighty fortress restoring faith
Distant future looking robust
From Psalm 31:14-15: “But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.”
God will see to it that in the eyes of those who are now your enemy, you will one day be esteemed. They will respect your stand because you are standing alone, doing what is right.
From Proverbs 16:7: “When the ways of people please the Lord, He causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.”
Jesus has prayed that we might be one with Him as He is one with the Father.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”
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 Hebrews 11:1-3: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
Faith fills assurance
Light brightens day’s hope
What’s seen and unseen?
Love viewed through God’s scope
Faith moves through Scripture
Testaments make clear
Witness Abraham
Hope waits, then appears
Faith grows, trusting God
Hope’s great centerpiece
Foundations built strong
Life of blessed peace
Faith matures with time
God’s perfection reigns
His Word guides with truth
Hope makes lifelong gains
Faith’s hope, joined as one
Journey’s promised land
God forever praised
Mercy’s steady hand
From the words of American pastor and Christian writer, Warren Wiersbe: “Love increases our faith, and when we have faith and love, we will have hope.”
A life of strong faith doesn’t happen automatically or without any effort on our part. Spiritual growth requires the appropriation of all the means God has provided to help us walk faithfully with Him.
From Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
From Luke 24:13-15: “Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself came near and went with them.”
On life’s Emmaus Road
Walking closely with thee
Grace of Jesus bestowed
Calvary’s path sets us free
Wilderness gathers near
Walking down evil’s road
Christ’s love making it clear
Sinful darkness now implodes
Life’s burdens weighing down
Walking with Christ, our Lord
Mercy begins countdown
Redemption coming on board
Heaven’s kingdom awaits
Walking each faithful path
Salvation opens gate
Jesus bridges judgement’s wrath
From Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.
From Philippians 3:13-14: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”
George Whitefield (1714-1770) was an English-born pastor and Christian evangelist. He spent the second half of his life in the American colonies.
Big Sky Buckeye 