Enlightened
Accepting Jesus
One, true Messiah
Through Him, new life
Beholding
Empowered
Denying oneself
Ready to serve
Heart overflows with grace
Believing
Undaunted
Emptying thyself
Filled with faithfulness
Carrying Christ’s own cross
Following
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.
Holy Commandments
Father’s blueprint guides
Filling every life
Steps called to abide
Heavenly lessons
Righteous hand sustains
Filling hungry mind
Father’s Word remains
Insight grows daily
Father’s grace-filled love
Filling wayward heart
Honor Him above
Crooked path made straight
Father’s faithful seeds
Filling with wisdom
Every tender reed
Shattered hope rebuilt
Father’s vision soars
Filling with His peace
Faith desiring more
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.”
Walking through trials
Shepherd’s voice of peace
Trusting to follow
Grasping faith’s newfound lease
Seeking to believe
Wonders offer signs
Trusting to follow
Rising faith shall align
Affirming Lord’s Word
Each day follows night
Trusting to follow
Watching darkness take flight
Feeling love come forth
Savior’s light proclaims
Trusting to follow
Witnessing heaven’s flame
Overcoming death
Christ shall never rest
Trusting to follow
Tasting grace, faith digests
Filling hope with joy
Resurrection thrives
Trusting to follow
Knowing Shepherd’s alive
From John 11:14-16: “I am the good shepherd. I know My own, and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
Nothing makes us more uncertain and insecure than not being sure we are in the will of God. And nothing is more encouraging than knowing for sure that we are.
From 1 John 2:17: “And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God abide forever.”
True liberty is not the power to live as we please, but to live as we ought.
From 2 Peter 3:10-13: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and destroyed and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with His promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
Arthur Walkington (A. W.) Pink (1886-1952) was an English Bible teacher and Christian writer. Following his death, many of his writings were well-received by readers. This turnabout established him as an influential evangelical author.
Heaven on earth is knowing God, loving God, allowing Him to shine within us, and experiencing His power and presence in all we think and do.
Marie Chapian (born 1938) is an American writer and radio ministry host.From 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12: “As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
In the dark? Follow the Son.
From Colossians 1:13-14: “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
I keep a daily journal of “take-aways” from my devotional readings. This poem was crafted from some of my February entries.
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Sitting alone and hopeless
Faith’s shadow, covered in rust
God awakens mind and soul
In His Spirit, words bring trust
Turning to God, always there
His footprints walking ahead
Through life’s hefty challenges
Our Lord brings our daily bread
Reading from His Holy Word
Always giving thanks and praise
Marvelous things, God has done
Our hope alive and ablaze
Growing in faith, from our woes
Therefore, pray . . . listen . . . follow
Righteous life following Christ
Savior’s hope, never hollow
Facing temptation each day
Alignment with Son of God
Blood and body shed for us
Boldly fleeing evil’s fraud
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From Galatians 6:1-2: “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Originally published May, 2020.
God grants us an uncommon life to the degree we surrender our common one.
From Matthew 16:24-25: “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for My sake will find it.'”
Living wholeheartedly for the Lord is impossible in our own strength. But if we’ll humble ourselves and ask, He will give us the grace to diligently and persistently live for Him.
From 2 Chronicles 31:20-21: “Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah; he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, to seek his God, he did with all his heart, and he prospered.”
Big Sky Buckeye 