Taken From a Church Sign

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Need a lifesaver?  Ours walks on water!

From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Enduring Light

From Revelation 21:23:  “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”

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Shrouded in darkness

Surrounded with gloom

World living with sin

Light beams from death’s tomb

 

Found in Father’s Word

Filled with His Good News

Enduring light shines

Life’s anchor, now choose

 

Blessed kingdom waits

Focused light brings more

Seeing faithful road

Jesus, faith’s mentor

 

Lighted lamp confirms

Revealed through His grace

Lamb bears every sin

Jesus takes our place

 

Harvested mercy

Completed, finished

Light forever leads

Love undiminished

 

From James 3:17:  “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.”

Frederick Buechner Quote

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The world says that the more you take, the more you have.  Christ says, the more you give, the more you are.

From Matthew 23:11-12:  “The greatest among you will be your servant.  All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and author.  His writings were published in 39 books, which included several different genres.

Monday Memories: One on One

From American theologian, Fulton J. Sheen:  “God does not love us because we are valuable.  We are valuable because God loves us.”

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God’s eternal love seeks

Intimate relationships

No longer standing back

Feeling love as He speaks

 

Our Lord loves each of us

Stepping forward with faith

Accepting His sincere truth

Our God, never to mistrust

 

When darker times arrive

Opening hearts to our Lord

Never to feel forsaken

Trusting, abiding, alive

 

Our Father always cares

Hearing faithful prayers

Watching trusting steps

Feeling moments of despair

 

Flowing from Heaven above

To a stable’s manger

Witnessing from a cruel Cross

God’s Grace delivers His love

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From John 15:8-9:  “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples.  As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love.  

Originally published March, 2020.

Every Day

From the words of American mission worker and hymn writer, Fanny Crosby:  “Kindness in this world will do much to help others, not only to come into the light, but also to grow in grace day by day.”

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Every day

Following Christ

Daily lessons teach

Faith never standing still

 

Every day

Walking with Christ

Light powered by grace

Trust starts at Calvary

 

Every day

Worshipping Christ

Strengthened with mercy

Spirit’s well never dry

 

Every day

Learning from Christ

Filled with His wisdom

Nourished with Living Bread

 

Every day

Growing in Christ

Kindness overflows

Life’s glorious classroom

 

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From Colossians 1:5-6:  “Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.  You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you.  Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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At times God puts us through the discipline of darkness to teach us to heed him.  Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and we are put into the shadow of God’s hand until we learn to hear Him.

From Matthew 10:27:  “What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.

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.

Adoniram Judson Quote

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It is true that we may desire much more.  But let us use what we have, and God will give us more.  

From 1 Peter 4:10:  “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) was an American pastor and missionary.  He was one of the first Protestant missionaries in Burma, where he would serve for nearly 40 years.

Charles Swindoll Quote

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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.

Steadfast Love

From Psalm 86:5:  “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on You.”

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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

 

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From Psalm 86:15:  “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

Monday Memories: Thirsty for Living Water

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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

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Originally published September, 2019.