Risen Hope

From Jeremiah 17:7-8:  “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the LordThey shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.”

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Coming to faith’s crossroads

Two unique trails offer choice

Trusting selves to wilderness

Or, following God’s voice

 

Like tree planted with grace

Waters nourish every root

Filling with life, staying green

Bearing always rich fruit

 

Sustained through steadfast trust

Even when darkness brings drought

Sustaining each righteous breath

Finding God’s faithful sprouts

 

Sunrise at Calvary

Resurrection’s risen hope

Witnessing His empty tomb

Grasping Christ’s promised rope

 

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From 1 Corinthians 15:20-22:  “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.  For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.”

Richard Baxter Quote

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This life was not intended to be the place of our perfection, but the preparation for it.

From John 6:35:  “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.'”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was an English-born, Puritan pastor and Christian theologian.

Mercy’s Faithful Voice (Elfchen Series #241)

Openhearted

Forgiving

One another

Embracing Father’s grace

Touched by His deliverance

Love

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Connected

Supporting

Each other

Surrounding with grace

God’s timeless love shared

Fellowship

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Anchored

Following

Father’s commandments

Deepening love’s testament

Light from risen grace

Jesus

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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

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Nothing stands the test like solid character.  You can handle the blast like a steer in a blizzard.  You keep standing against the wind and the howling, raging storm because Christ is at work in your spirit.

From Psalm 119:165:  “Great peace have those who love Your law;
    nothing can make them stumble.”

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

Fruits Fully Bloom

From Psalm 37:3-4:  “Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and enjoy security.  Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

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Trusting Father’s plans

Accepting His grace

Breathing in wisdom

Worry no longer gives chase

 

Taking faithful steps

Embracing His ways

Walking with Father

His patience teaches each day

 

Lending mercy’s peace

Expressing His love

Filling heart with hope

Father’s joy breathes from above

 

Leaving sinful flesh

Departing from night

Honoring Father

His righteousness leads with light

 

Sowing truthful seeds

Viewing empty tomb

Trusting risen Christ

Redemption’s fruits fully bloom

 

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From Psalm 37:29:  “The righteous shall inherit the land and live in it forever.”

Edwin Hubbel Chapin Quote

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Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.

From Proverbs 16:2:  “All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.”

Edwin Hubbel Chapin (1814-1880) was an American pastor and poet.  He also served as editor of the CHRISTIAN LEADER.

Monday Memories: Finding New Life

From 2 Corinthians 11:13-14:  “For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

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Facing life’s harshest trials

Walking uphill in shadows

Keeping on the proper trail

Coveting greener meadows

 

Suffering darkest ordeals

Praying for divine advice

Listening for God’s response

Willing to pay any price

 

Hiding off the path, waiting

Offering cunning, false hope

Sliding into Satan’s net

Reaching up for rescue’s rope

 

Clutching God’s forgiving hand

Leaving the enemy’s grip

Finding new life with the Lord

Walking in His fellowship

 

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From Romans 6:22-23:  “But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification.  The end is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Originally published September, 2020.

Vance Havner Quote

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Too many times we miss so much because we live on the low level of the natural, the ordinary, the explainable.

From Psalm 77:14:  “You are the God who works wonders; You have displayed Your might among the peoples.”

Vance Havner (1901-1986) was an American pastor and Christian author.  During his many years of service to the Lord, he preached throughout America.

God’s Kingdom Come

From Psalm 18:1-2:  “I love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Good Shepherd reminds His flock

Take spirit’s path, filled with love

Humbleness leading faith’s walk

Tasting His grace, from high above

 

High Priest teaches from God’s Word

Another day filled with light

Righteous truth no longer blurred

Accepting grace, within His sight

 

Savior nurtures faith with hope

Repentance, actions of peace

His love strengthens mercy’s rope

Forgiving grace, never shall cease

 

Faithful Counselor’s vision

Salvation to always trust

Joy-filled without division

Breathing with God’s grace, life adjusts

 

Messiah reigns eternal

Calvary’s blood overcomes

His hand writes in faith’s journal

Offering grace, God’s kingdom come

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Psalm 18:46:  “The Lord lives!  Blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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There is only one place where we are right, and that is in Christ Jesus.

From 1 Peter 2:9:  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

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.