Afflictions tend to wean us from the world–and to fix our affections on things above.
From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.“
John Angell James (1785-1859) was an English pastor and Christian writer.
From Proverbs 15:29: “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
Faith’s spiritual passion
Daily maintenance called for
Lifting eyes up to heavens
Jesus serves as our mentor
Faith’s inner fire rekindled
Daily repentance of sins
Correcting compass setting
Jesus locks in hope’s linchpin
Faith’s embrace of Father’s Word
Daily reading offers peace
Meditating on each verse
Jesus brings truth to release
Faith’s encouragement rises
Daily infusion of love
Sending Spirit as our guide
Jesus shares grace from above
Faith’s living relationship
Daily eagerness to serve
Tackling opportunities
Jesus flattens every curve
From 1 John 5:4: “For whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.”
I see a blanket of benevolence covering the planet, helping to transform Earth’s consciousness from fear to love.
From 1 Corinthians 1:30-31: “In contrast, God is why you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'”
Louise Hay (1926-2017) was an American author and motivational speaker.
From Isaiah 6:3: “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.'”
Darkness, evil abound
Our Champion arrives
Freeing chained hearts with praise
Faith growing in our lives
Graced by shed blood of Christ
Facing every hour
Wisdom, courage unite
Strongest bonds of power
Standing as God’s people
Walking as peacemakers
Sowing seeds from His faith
Harvest Glory’s acres
Christ’s journey lights His way
Centered on His people
Calling us, step forward
Blessed Cross, our steeple
Jesus’ pierced hands of change
Steady feet meet life’s quest
Lasting voice for justice
Renewing lives, each test
Glory fills God’s Kingdom
From His Heaven above
Nothing stops living grace
Salvation’s gift, free love
You are invited to sing or follow the lyrics of this blessed hymn, “God of Grace and God of Glory.”
Originally published February, 2021.
Are there areas in our lives–whatever our ages–in which we need fresh growth? Focus on that area, memorize Scripture on that topic, pray for maturity, and ask God for a “growth spurt” in your life.
From 1 Peter 2:2: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation.”
David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.
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.”
Daily interactions
Shared through Father’s grace
Trusting His guidance
Patience rises to embrace
Bountiful blessings
Reaped from Father’s love
Trusting His outlook
Hope’s voice descends from above
Count on each promise
Heard in Father’s Word
Trusting His mercy
Heaven’s peace shares its password
Eternity’s breath
Shaped from Father’s grace
Trusting His boldness
Faith’s journey strengthens its pace
Spirit’s nourishment
Stirred with Father’s love
Tasting His sunrise
Compassion fed from above
Navigation’s light
Fueled through Father’s Word
Trusting His vision
North Star forever unblurred
From Proverbs 2:9-10: “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path, for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”
The mind grows by taking in, but the heart grows by giving out; and it is important to maintain a balanced life.
From Colossians 1:9-10: “For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.”
Warren Wiersbe (1929-2019) was an American pastor and Christian writer. His journey as a Christian teacher was prolific with publication of over 50 books.
Father
Calling us
Accepting His Word
Trusting His divine plan
Faithfulness
Father
Empowering us
Igniting spirit’s fire
Lighting way through darkness
Trustworthy
Father
Teaching us
Forgiving each stumble
Sending out as disciples
Worthiness
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 cannot continue doing things your way and accomplish God’s purposes. Your thinking cannot come close to God’s thoughts. For you to do the will of God, you must adjust your life to Him, His purposes, and His ways.
From Luke 22:39-42: “He came out and went, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When He reached the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me, yet not My will but Yours be done.”
Henry Blackaby (1935-2024) was a Canadian pastor and Christian author.
From Joel 2:1: “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near.”
Living in shadows of darkness
Lost in depths of hope’s despair
Looking upward to heavens
Light gathers from daily prayer
Hearing call of Zion’s trumpet
Trust found on wilderness road
Returning to walk with Christ
Heart gathers His grace to reload
Following hope-filled voice of Christ
Faith’s gathered army of One
Witnessing forgiving light
Darkness flees before Father’s Son
Gathering to witness mercy
Truth received from Christ’s own hands
Abounding with steadfast love
Peace nourishes each grain of sand
Raising hope’s breath of repentance
Calvary’s transforming night
Pouring from Spirit’s waters
Christ returning with gathered light
From Joel 2:13: “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment.”
Big Sky Buckeye 