Monday Memories: Love Triumphs

From 1 Corinthians 13:13:  “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

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Living hollow life without love

Nothing but emptiness, thereof

 

Disconnected faith fills our veins

Minus love, tall mountains remain

 

Mankind’s meaningless possessions

Forgotten in life’s recessions

 

Worldly knowledge, means so little

Love gently binds, never brittle

 

Love arrives with Holy kindness

Patience without any blindness

 

Never arrogant or hateful

Without envy, always grateful

 

Jesus teaches, love each other

Sincere love, sisters and brothers

 

Caring God so loved this dark world

Christ’s own unselfish love unfurled

 

From a blood-stained Cross comes His Grace

Love speaks out, sin falls on its face

 

Our Lord offers His Holy gift

Faith, hope, love . . . no longer adrift

 

God’s Word delivers life’s new lease

Love triumphs, building lasting peace

 

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From the words of Christian theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr:  “The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as a historic truth.  Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one.”

Originally published September, 2020.

Deep Roots

From Job 14:7-9:  “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that its shoots will not cease.  Though its root grows old in the earth and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.”

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Born with innocence

Nurtured by mother’s love

Filled with newfound wonder

Shadow of Christ above

 

Tomorrow shall wait

Savior’s love comes this day

Nourished through grace from God

Faith follows hope’s walkway

 

Peace fills daily breath

Sprouts from living waters

God’s love feeds faith’s deep roots

For each son and daughter

 

Age gathering years

Yet, spirit remains strong

Love nourishes outlook

Christ writes salvation’s song

 

Joy fills every day

Darkness fades into light

God’s Word speaks of His love

Righteous faith knows what’s right

 

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From Psalm 1:2-3:  “But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night.  They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.  In all that they do, they prosper.”

David Jeremiah Quote

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Personal Bible study is the best way to sink your roots deeply into the faith.  You’ll be like a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in season.

From Psalm 1:2-3:  “But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.  They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.  In all that they do, they prosper.”

David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Encountering Faith (Elfchen Series #238)

Commitment

Knocking

Each day

Seeking Father’s voice

Perseverance follows trusted choices

Praying

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Encouragement

Asking

Yet, nothing

Humble thy heart

Now aligned with Father

Answering

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Fulfillment

Finding

Father’s light

Adopting fresh attitude

Growth in spiritual landscape

Trusting

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Charles Stanley Quote

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If we trust in what the Scriptures reveal about God’s character and ways, we can endure affliction faithfully, whether or not He ever explains why.

From Job 23:9-11:  “If I go forward, He is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive Him; on the left He hides, and I cannot behold Him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see Him.  But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come out like gold.”

Charles Stanley (1932-2023) was an American pastor and Christian writer.  He was dedicated to leading a teaching ministry.

Pilgrim’s Journey

From 1 Thessalonians 3:11-12:  “Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.  And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for You.”

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Arising each morning

Heart breathes in Father’s love

Praising pilgrim’s journey

Grace follows from above

 

Standing firm with Father

Hands of patient potter

Shaping this precious day

Mercy’s living water

 

Overcoming darkness

Light comes from Father’s Word

Taking in wisdom’s breath

Faith strengthened from what’s heard

 

Accepting Father’s plan

Truth breaks through evil’s crust

Walking in harmony

Submission brings man’s trust

 

Breaking free from bondage

Christ severs every chain

Paying sins’ debts with blood

In victory, He reigns

 

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From 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10:  “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with Him.”

W. Phillip Keller Quote

Nature reclaims its breath from a nearby creek. Photographed at central Ohio’s Chestnut Ridge Metro Park.

As a tree by the waters grows, in spite of drought all around it, so I, by drawing upon the life of Christ, grow into His strength.

From Job 14:7-9:  “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that its shoots will not cease.  Though its root grows old in the earth and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.”

W. Phillip Keller (1920-1997) was born in Africa as the son of missionary parents.  His life’s mission would allow him to become a world citizen as a photographer, agronomist, and Christian author.

Monday Memories: 24/7 Refuge

From Psalm 31:24:  “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”

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Facing life’s trials and critics

Soul and body wasting away

Discouraged, hurting, and distressed

Broken down, strength failing . . . decay

 

Needing encouragement with love

Safe from others, place for healing

Looking for refuge, where to turn

Life under siege, tired and reeling

 

Seeking lasting grace and mercy

Delivering us from dark gloom

Rescue arrives, stand and rejoice

His steadfast love, fully in bloom

 

Staffed by a special redeemer

Our strength, comrade, fortress, and rock

Holding us up with steadfast love

Follow Him, our living bedrock

 

Called by another name  . . . Jesus

 

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From Psalm 31:1-2:  “In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.  Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily.  Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.”

Originally published September, 2020.

Isaac Watts Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense secure.  [Taken from the hymn lyrics of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”]

From Psalm 28:7:  “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was an English pastor, Christian theologian, and prolific writer of hymns.  He produced lyrics for over 750 hymns.

Hope’s Olive Leaf

From Lamentations 3:22-24:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.'”

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Life’s darkened landscape

Harvest empty of grain

Hope seems so distant

Forgotten in pain

 

Heart’s desolate scene

Hope’s answers in prayer

Now mercy arrives

Laden with love’s care

 

Family finds hope

Answers no longer wait

Body now healing

Doctor brings update

 

Scars from troubles heal

Set to travel hope’s road

Spirit strengthens heart

Faith harvests what’s sowed

 

Earth’s torrential flood

Faith anchored on firm ground

Noah’s dove soars free

Hope’s olive leaf found

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Genesis 8:10-11:  “He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark, and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.”