Precious River

From John 7:37-38:  “On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, He cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me, and let the one who believes in Me drink.’  As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'”

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Resurrection’s eternal light

Enemy’s darkness surrenders

Glory of Christ, forever bright

Holy Spirit’s peace, so tender

 

Precious river shall always flow

Savior’s grace offers faithful hope

Living water shall never slow

Forgiveness offers mercy’s rope

 

Come all to witness freedom’s tomb

Believe and each shall receive grace

Light forever shines from this room

Spirit unites this Holy place

 

From heavenly vision above

Safest harbor rises from dust

Infinite mercy bearing love

Eternity’s river of trust

 

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From Revelation 22:1-3:  “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city.  On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  Nothing accursed will be found there any more.  But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him.”

John Greenleaf Whittier Quote

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Thine to work as well as pray, clearing thorny wrongs away; plucking up the weeds of sin, letting heaven’s warm sunshine in.

From Isaiah 61:11:  “For as the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.”

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) was an American poet.  His Quaker background entrusted him to advocate for the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Oswald Chambers Quote

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There may be any number of things dark to your understanding, but they do not come in between your heart and God.

From John 14:1:  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in Me”

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.

Branching Out

From Joshua 24:15:  “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

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Glory of God breathes

Upon those who serve

Accepting His call

Filling faith’s reserve

 

Light’s pathway to serve

Faith growing robust

Witnessing Jesus

Branching out with trust

 

Christ’s blessed invite

Service taking root

Maturing in faith

Sharing Spirit’s fruits

 

Filled with reverence

Journey’s faithful prep

Holding fast to serve

Walking in Christ’s steps

 

Humble in spirit

Unselfish intent

Assisting faith’s growth

Serving as Christ meant

 

Promise to follow

Grace flowing with love

Growing faithfulness

Serving Father above

 

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From John 12:26:  “Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there will My servant be also.  Whoever serves Me, the Father will honor.”

Benjamin Disraeli Quotes

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The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.

From Hebrews 10:24-25:  “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on two different occasions (1868, 1874-1880).

Faith Shall Trust

From Habakkuk 2:4:  “Look at the proud!  Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faithfulness.”

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Too many demands

Fewer precious hours

Life out of control

Darkness set to devour

 

Light beams from God’s Word

Life’s frantic pace slows

Moment by moment

Steps finding high plateau

 

Fresh landscape of peace

In God, faith shall trust

Heart fills with new hope

Priorities adjust

 

Hidden darkness flees

Armor of light worn

God’s grace stretching out

His answers come each morn

 

Prayer’s conveyance

Journey with God’s love

Freedom at last found

Guidance breathes from above

 

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From Romans 13:12:  “The night is far gone; the day is near.  Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

John Maxwell Quote

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Change is inevitable, growth is optional.

From Romans 12:2:  “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

John Maxwell (born 1947) is an American pastor, author, and speaker.  He has written numerous books about leadership, with a Christian point of view.

Charles Swindoll Quote

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We live our lives under the careful, loving, gracious, albeit sovereign, hand of our God.  And the movements of time and history tick off according to His reckoning, exactly as He ordained.

From Psalm 31:14-15:  “But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’  My times are in Your hand.”

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

Devoted to Father

From Psalm 86:2-3:  “Preserve my life, for I am devoted to You; save Your servant who trusts in You.  You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all day long.”

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Devoted to Father

Hearing His endless thoughts

Witnessing heavenly goodness

Life’s lessons always taught

 

Filled with Father’s steadfast spirit

Trusting His timely grace

Lifting wayward heart from darkness

Love offers mercy’s place

 

Called to walk in Father’s vision

Turning away from sin

Answering each burden’s prayer

Faith’s glorious linchpin

 

Delivered light shines upon thee

Words filling confession

Lifting soul from forgotten place

Forgiving transgressions

 

Comforted with Father’s favor

Rising from empty tomb

Sowing with every seeded field

Peace gathered from each bloom

 

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From Psalm 86:11-12:  “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere Your name.   I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever.”

Billy Graham Quote

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Conscience is God’s lamp within the human heart.

From Psalm 119:33-34:  “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.  Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with my whole heart.”

Billy Graham (1918-2018) was an American Christian evangelist.