Monday Memories: Faith’s Encouragement

From 2 Timothy 1:3-4:  “I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.  Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.”

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Witnessing God’s desires each day

Growing in faith, kneeling to pray

 

Coming to our Savior in faith

Sharing blessings of the Good News

Telling others about Jesus

Understanding the Gospel’s views

 

Calling on the name of the Lord

Believing in His divine Grace

Saving us through body and blood

Walking with Christ, our special place

 

Studying Biblical teachings

Guiding others, led by God’s love

Drawing ever closer to Christ

Coveting His peace, from above

 

Abiding in Christ, the true vine

Encouraging our daily walk

Building stamina and our faith

Lighting our path, around the clock

 

Living under God’s righteousness

Trusting our Father day and night

Submitting to sacred commands

Transforming lives through faith’s daylight

 

Breathing with Savior’s peace and joy

Running to Jesus, faith’s convoy

 

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From Philippians 4:19:  “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Originally published December, 2020.

Max Lucado Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

God used (and uses!) people to change the world.  And what they may lack in perfection, God makes up for in love.

From Psalm 146:5:  “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God

Max Lucado (born 1955) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Salvation’s Way

From Exodus 34:6:  “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'”

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Source of hope’s truth

Found in Father’s light

Carved upon stone

Holy words, He writes

 

Each prophecy

Promises fulfilled

Father abounds

Faith’s highway, He builds

 

Filled with mercy

Steadfast in His love

Sins forgiven

Father reigns above

 

Each cornerstone

Trusted foundation

Every debt paid

Christ’s new creation

 

Eternal life

Heavenly address

Salvation’s Way

Savior’s grace shall bless

 

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From Titus 1:2:  “In the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quote

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God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.

From Proverbs 3:5-6:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

German-born Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident.  Many of his writings express the role of Christianity in mankind’s daily lives.  He paid the ultimate price for his activism against the Nazi regime during World War II.

Devoted to Father (Elfchen Series #268)

Fortitude

Exercising

Faith’s outreach

Building every muscle

Serving God with obedience

Strengthened

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Wisdom

Nourishing

Faith’s journey

Reading God’s Word

Believing in His promises

Empowered

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Righteousness

Expanding

Faith’s outlook

Accepting God’s grace

Making straighter life’s path

Trusted

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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.

Charles Swindoll Quote

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Make your life count by being a beacon of Christ and the gospel for everyone around you.

From Matthew 5:14-16:  “You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

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

Gregory Peck Quotes

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Faith gives you an inner strength and a sense of balance and perspective in life.

You have to dream, you have to have a vision, and you have to set a goal for yourself that might even scare you a little.

Gregory Peck (1916-2003) was an American actor and social activist.  He received an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in 1963 for his portrayal of Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Thirsty Without Hope

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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

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Mark Batterson Quote

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Growing into spiritual maturity is becoming less self-conscious and more God-conscious.

From Psalm 18:28:  “It is You who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.”

Mark Batterson (born 1969) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Monday Memories: Sharing Some Kindness

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.”

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Seeing mankind standing along the road

Bearing heavy burdens, life’s overload

 

Stopping to say, travel the other way

Sharing some kindness, from our Lord today

 

Shining Jesus’ light, for all to follow

Hearing His Word, rich wisdom to swallow

 

Overlooking life’s narrow-minded walk

Sharing some kindness, truth becomes our rock

 

Lending helping hands, sisters and brothers

Showering daily grace, like none other

 

Forsaking life’s blindness, opening eyes

Sharing some kindness, never in disguise

 

Helping others who travel beside us

Inviting them, catching rides on God’s bus

 

Loving with patience, goodwill overflows

Sharing some kindness, warming hearts aglow

 

Recalling Christ’s call, handing out His love

Sharing His mercy, planted from above

 

Paying it forward, kindness shared each day

Harvesting endless treasures from God’s way

 

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This poem is inspired by singer Glen Campbell’s classic tune, “Try a Little Kindness.”  Here is one of his renditions of this remarkable song.  Pay it forward, show the world some kindness.

Originally published December, 2020.