Chip Ingram Quote

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The cross is the greatest example of humility and devotion in the universe.  Jesus put your needs ahead of His own.  He considered you more valuable than Himself.

From Philippians 2:3-5:  “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.  Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.   Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”

Ralph Browne (Chip) Ingram (born 1954) is an American pastor and Christian teacher.

Special Guest Post: Choose Jesus

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Take a look around your life.
Tell me what you see.
Do you have a future?
Are you living free?
Perhaps you haven’t seen the time
you had to make a choice.
Will you choose to follow them,
or listen to another voice?

Make a vow unto yourself.
Let the whole world see.
Make a choice for yourself.
Be the best that you can be.
Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Stand up and shout it out loud.
Know where your life is going.
Choose to know Jesus, be proud.

Take a look around your life.
Tell me what you see.
Can you see the future,
where you’re living free?
Perhaps you know that He loves you.
He gave His life for all.
Will you listen to the world,
or listen to our Savior’s call?

Make a vow to yourself.
Let the whole world see.
Make a choice for yourself.
Be the best that you can be.
Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Stand up and shout it out loud.
Know where your life is going.
Choose to know Jesus, be proud.

 

Today’s poem is selected from Colleen Peterson’s recently published book.  Her book is dedicated to themes of Family and Christian life.

My wife accumulated countless thoughts and writings over the years while her two daughters were in their childhood.  Eventually, these treasured bits and pieces formed the foundation of her book.

Here are some of Colleen’s thoughts about the book: 

Bits ‘N’ Pieces Of My heart contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.

More information is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several other platforms.

Oswald Chambers Quote

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God instructs us in what we choose, that is, He guides our common sense, and we no longer hinder His Spirit by continually saying–“Now Lord, what is Thy will?”

From Psalm 25:14:  “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes his covenant known to them.”

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.

Heavenly Leadership (Elfchen Series #261)

Commitment

Father

Calls us

For His use

Facing life’s daily grind

Faithfulness

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Empowerment

Father

Helps us

Hearts set afire

Lighting way through darkness

Trustworthiness

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Encouragement

Father

Teaches us

Lessons in forgiveness

Sending out His disciples

Worthiness

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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.

 

Robert Baden-Powell Quote

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In a difficult situation one never-failing guide is to ask yourself:  “What would Christ have done?”

From John 13:14-15:  “ So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) was a British-born army officer, writer, and founder of the Boy Scouts Association.

Fire Always Bright

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Darkness masks life’s landscape

Hiding sin’s heartless shame

Trying to flee past hurts

Shadows always aflame

 

Trials sometimes arise

Shrouding foundation’s cracks

Concealing hell’s façade

Tomorrow painted black

 

Misery breathes as one

Filling with cold despair

Seeing nothing beyond

Jesus descends with care

 

Dependence upon grace

Acknowledging past sins

Kneeling at Calvary

Forgiveness calling in

 

Redemption comes through Christ

Extending mercy’s light

Transforming soul’s battles

Spirit’s fire always bright

 

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Watchman Nee Quote

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Since this life is God’s and cannot die, it follows that everyone born anew into possessing this life is said to have eternal life.

From Matthew 25:44-46:  “Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’  Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”

Watchman Nee (1903-1972) was a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher.  He authored a collection of Christian books, and he endured persecution for his beliefs.  Ultimately, he died while being imprisoned for the final twenty years of his life.

Monday Memories: From Death to Life

From Isaiah 64:6: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

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Coming into this harsh world

Born spiritually dead

Ruled by darkest deceptions

Sinful nature fills life’s thread

 

Do we deserve God’s goodness?

Facing our Holy Lord’s wrath

Separated by our sins

Satan lights a wayward path

 

Our lives resemble darkness

Righteous acts, thin and meager

Offering nothing of value

Father’s true love, remains eager

 

Calling upon the Lord’s name

Deliver us from our sins

God, the Potter, molding us

Transforming the clay, He wins

 

Once living under the flesh

Filled with darkest death and sin

By Holy Grace, saved through faith

Walking with Christ, life’s linchpin

 

Placing virgin faith in Christ

In spirit, alive through Him

Body and blood, Cross vanquished

Sins pardoned, new life in Him

 

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From Ephesians 2:4-6:  “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Originally published November, 2020.

Richard J. Foster Quote

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When we genuinely believe that inner transformation is God’s work and not ours, we can put to rest our passion to set others straight.

From Isaiah 55:8-9:  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LordFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Richard J. Foster (born 1942) is an American author and Christian theologian.

His Gentle Spirit

From Psalm 23:4:  “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

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Trusting heavenly Father

His gentle spirit always near

Offering sweetest taste of grace

Morning’s sunrise shall appear

 

Ruling over universe

Rod with staff, trusted comfort’s strength

Bearing conditional love

Father closer than arm’s length

 

Giving thanks for His presence

Father’s hands crafting faith’s high road

Singing praises for His efforts

Eternity’s seeds now sowed

 

Hearing when righteous cry out

His refuge sends rescue’s clear light

Redeeming all crushed in spirit

Father’s love shares His delight

 

Living in His blessed house

Faith’s steady journey now fulfilled

Feeling Father’s gentle spirit

Salvation forever filled

 

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From Psalm 27:4:  “One thing I asked of the Lord; this I seek:  to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”