There is something wonderfully exciting about reaching into the future with excited anticipation, and those who pursue new adventures through life stay younger, think better, and laugh louder.
From Jeremiah 29:11: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.“
From Psalm 86:5: “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on You.”
Life’s dark times gathering
Rolling in, blackest clouds
Walking in strength, with God
Steadfast hope flows unbowed
Troubles waiting ahead
Surrounding voices’ noise
Praying to God above
Steadfast mercy deploys
Stormy seas crashing down
Sailing through darkest days
Feeling safe in God’s hands
Steadfast faith finds His way
Evil setting its trap
Tempting with sinful fate
Trusting God, breaking free
Steadfast goodness checkmates
Alone, feeling afraid
Searching for safest place
Hearing God, calling thee
Steadfast love, full of grace
From Psalm 86:15: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Photo by Kévin Dorg on Pexels.com
Like deer at a flowing stream
I wake thirsty from a dream
Tears feed me, night and day
“Where is your God?” people say
My spirit is cast down low
God’s faithful, trusty love, He shows
Nightly, Psalms sing to my heart
Praying for my life to restart
My flesh cries out in thirst
God’s love will always arrive first
In the middle of dry land
His love extends from His hand
Sometimes life brings bitterness to drink
Thirsty like parched land, I think
The Gospel brings forward good news
Living water quenches, like morning dew
The Enemy taunts me once more
“Where is your God?” he implores
He has left and forsaken you
Your tiny life should be through
Glory of God fills the streams
Desert sands become pools, no dream
Grass thickens across the vast plains
Springs arise, thirst never to wane
Jesus, the Lamb, shepherds me now
Providing living water, kneel and bow
Come, take this water of life
Receiving God’s grace, without any strife
Waking in the darkness of night
Thirsty for God’s message of might
Making water flow from a stone
Split open by God’s blessed tone
The Enemy’s spirit no longer swarms
Thirst for righteousness, defeats any storms
All who thirst, seek God’s altar
Holy Spirit’s living water, never falters
Photo by Ali Hassan on Pexels.com
Originally published September, 2019.
When we realize that Jesus Christ has served us to the end of our meanness, our selfishness, and sin, nothing that we meet with from others can exhaust our determination to serve men for His sake.
From Matthew 20:26-28: “It will not be so among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”
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.
Opening
Pre-occupied mind
Hearing one voice
God frees another heart
Witnessing
Accepting
God’s Word
Treasuring divine wisdom
Commandments lead daily steps
Trusting
Searching
Life’s insight
Praying to God
Blessed grace, opened eyes
Understanding
Our loving heavenly Father invites us to bring our burdens to Him and accept the strength He offers.
From Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
The love of God pays no attention to the distinctions made by natural individuality. If I love my Lord I have no business to be guided by natural temperament; I have to feed His sheep.
From John 21:17: “He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter felt hurt because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.'”
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 Psalm 55:1: “Give ear to my prayer, O God; do not hide Yourself from my supplication.”
Persuasive voices
Filled with weighty stones
Pulling self deeper
Feeling so alone
Despair building up
Fear never ceases
Wanting to just hide
Falling to pieces
Troubles weigh heavy
Overwhelmed with noise
Calling out to God
Seeking faith’s convoy
Tempest storms now calm
God’s grace intervenes
Covering with peace
Wiping burdens clean
His Word restores trust
Our Sustainer speaks
Changing hope’s outlook
Climbing righteous peaks
From Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Have you forgotten just how amazing our great God is? Spend time remembering today.
From Galatians 4:4-7: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir through God.“
Overflowing
Fatherly love
Destined to share
Pouring into another heart
Peace
Fulfilling
Prayer journey
Trusting Fatherly encouragement
Eternal love renewing hearts
Grace
Trusting
Fatherly wisdom
Navigating stormy seas
Strengthening each wayward heart
Faith
Big Sky Buckeye 