To be in Christ is the source of the Christian life; to be like Christ is the sum of His excellence; to be with Christ is the fullness of His joy.
From 2 Corinthians 5:17: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!”
Charles Hodge (1797-1878) was an American theologian and Christian teacher.
From Philippians 2:1-2: “If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Living, Messiah breathes
Defeating Calvary’s death
Affirming His Resurrection
Forgiveness fills every breath
Witnessing humbleness
Calling believers to serve
Following Savior’s faithful steps
Grace conquers death we deserve
Praising faith’s light above
Confessing to Christ, our Lord
Finding hope through redemption’s door
Body of One comes aboard
Bending each fearless knee
Grasping depth of Savior’s love
Absorbing His peace through prayer
Spirit descends from above
Sharing joy with others
Pouring out His love through grace
Seeing faith’s home through Father’s eyes
Messiah’s welcoming place
From Philippians 2:17-18: “But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the service of your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice together with all of you; in the same way also you should rejoice and rejoice together with me.”
When life is not a bed of roses, remember who wore the crown of thorns.
From John 19:1-6: “Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they dressed Him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and striking Him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, ‘Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no case against Him.’ So Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Behold the man!’ When the chief priests and the police saw Him, they shouted, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!'”
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We have a clear path to choose
Anything else, we definitely lose
A godless enemy brings emptiness
He prowls and waits, eager to strike
His path only leads to unhappiness
Our lives feel like a bursting dike
We see the good life in front of us
But the light comes with false hopes
Glamour and riches without the fuss
Darkness clouds over life’s periscope
Gloomy doom brings promises, so empty
A champion bears our guilt and shame
There is a better way, filled with plenty
Life truly means more than just a game
The Light of Salvation chases away the dark
Christ bears our wounds at a bloody cross
The enemy slithers away, gone is his spark
Jesus’ Holy righteousness reaches across
Our loving Father sacrifices His only Son
His shed blood atones for our sinful ways
An empty tomb declares, Christ has won
Accept me and follow, He proudly says
We have a clear path to choose
Anything else, we definitely lose
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Originally published October, 2019.
God does not keep a man immune from trouble; He says–“I will be with him in trouble.”
From Romans 8:35: “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?
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.
From Proverbs 10:2: “Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Footsteps seeking shortcut
Tempted with distractions
Detours filled with wrong turns
Darkness shrouds each transaction
Father’s road forsaken
Evil offers his way
Man’s eagerness to shine
Misguided bypass each day
Pulled away from Father
North, then south . . . now alone
West, then east . . . deeply lost
Next destination . . . unknown
Spirit’s faithfulness breathes
Constant grace, always bright
Jesus walking ahead
Resurrection’s blessed light
Filled with hope’s renewal
Witness of Savior’s peace
Fruits of Spirit descend
Wondrous joy fills every piece
Pathway of righteousness
Obstacles cleared away
Father’s trusted wisdom
Faith’s choices follow His way
From Psalm 23:1-3: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”
God’s specialty is bringing renewal to our strength, not reminders of our weakness. Take it by faith.
From Proverbs 3:1-2: “My child, do not forget My teaching, but let your heart keep My commandments, for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.”
Do the best you can with yourself and hope for the best.
In the long run, you make your own luck–good, bad, or indifferent.
Loretta Lynn (1932-2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. She was born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.
Experiencing
Father’s teachings
Moments of worship
Maturing with faithful steps
Hope
Praising
Heavenly Father
Rock of salvation
Inscribing faith’s enduring song
Joy
Witnessing
Father’s promises
Gentleness molding faith
Wayward sheep leaving wilderness
Peace
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.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
From 2 Samuel 22:29: “Indeed, You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord lightens my darkness.”
Big Sky Buckeye 