Witnessing
Man’s shortcomings
Our perfect Father
Christ’s victory at Calvary
Grace
Embracing
Gospel’s truth
Salvation’s precious breath
Forwarding gift of peace
Light
Becoming
Christ followers
Trust’s precious steps
Taking up thy cross
Disciples
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.
You do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.
From Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.”
Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) was a British-born Christian missionary. He spent 54 years in China.
From John 15:10-11: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Rejoicing with Father
Peace quiets every storm
Joy’s spirit transforms heart
Nurturing, always warm
Learning from Father’s Word
Faith nourished, always trust
Joy sails on eagle’s wings
Bringing light, always just
Receiving Father’s grace
Precious gift of each day
Joy cascades from His love
Rising sun, never gray
Walking in Father’s steps
Hope breathes with every stride
Joy’s anticipation
Filling outlook with pride
Kneeling at Father’s feet
Gratitude sweeps ashore
Joy flowing with gladness
Entering Heaven’s door
From the words of American evangelist, Bill Bright: “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God.”
Joy is the great note all throughout the Bible.
Joy is the serious business of heaven.
From Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
From Psalm 16:1-2: “Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'”
Facing uncertainty
More questions than actions
Reaching out to Father
Love’s trusted interactions
Harboring inner doubts
Weakened by rising tides
Praying now to Father
Mercy brings answers to guide
Choosing to always trust
Assurance speaks to heart
Listening to Father
Grace nourishing faith’s fresh start
Tasting heavenly joy
Life’s outlook now renewed
Receiving from Father
Page turned, filled with gratitude
Rejoicing in hope’s light
Righteous path before thee
Conversing with Father
His peace calms as darkness flees
From Psalm 16:11: “You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
The real secret of an unsatisfied life lies too often in an unsurrendered will.
From Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”
Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) was a British-born Christian missionary. He spent 54 years in China.
Messiah
Speaking truth
Heavenly praises above
Leading believers to Eternity
Joy
Savior
Sharing grace
Light brightens tomorrow
Filling with love’s forgiveness
Hope
Jesus
Offering rest
Mercy shares peace
Bearing heaviest of burdens
Faith
For we love not God first, to compel Him to love again; but He loved us first, and gave His Son for us, that we might see love and love again.
From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
William Tyndale (c. 1494 – c.1536) was an English Biblical scholar and linguist. He became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, and his writings were influenced by the thoughts shared from fellow reformer Martin Luther.
From 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5: “But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
Embracing Gospel’s light
Strengthened through trust in our Lord
Faith’s destiny secure
Longing for Heaven’s reward
Proclaiming Scripture’s truth
Encouraged to follow Christ
Faith’s lasting breath fulfilled
Paying with blood sacrificed
Kneeling now in prayer
Dispirited no longer
Presence of light in Christ
Enduring faith grows stronger
Witnessing faithfulness
Redeemed through Good Shepherd’s love
Forgiveness rises up
Transforming saints from above
Setting sun blest with peace
Heartened faith savors Lord’s grace
Confidence fills with joy
Trusting hope’s redeeming place
From Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.”
Every vision will be made real if we have patience. Think of the enormous leisure of God! He is never in a hurry.
From Isaiah 35:6b-7a: “For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water.”
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.
Big Sky Buckeye 