When it seems as if God is far away, remind yourself that He is near. Nearness is not a matter of geography. God is everywhere.
From Psalm 8:1: “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.”
You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we think.
From James 1:5-6: “ If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) lived in France where he served as a lay brother in a monastery in Paris. He is best remembered for his intimate relationship with God.
Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.
From Psalm 55:22: “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles.”
From Isaiah 65:17: “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.”
Photo by Scott Webb on Pexels.com
From the beginning of time
God’s creation changes each day
This eternal blueprint conveys mastery
His design takes center stage
His earthly canvas presents wonder
Artistic palette of colors astonish
His imaginative mind never ceases
Earth’s treasures continue to impress
Traveling around this awesome planet
Breathtaking venues await our call
Majestic mountains loom high above
Immense beauty reaches the clouds
Rolling plains shine with beauty
Grasslands thick with green tapestry
Swift rivers travel for months
Mountain-fed water reaches blue seas
Dense forests blanket the terrain
Trees of every description stand
Endless oceans bombard distant shores
Continuous tides frolic with beaches
Wide canyons stretch above rivers
Featuring amazing sculptures and hue
Desert sands infinitely scatter themselves
Continually sifting from God-inspired winds
Days launch with illuminating sunrises
Nights commence when the moon rises
God continues molding and shaping
Praise His incredible creation forevermore
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Originally published May, 2019.
Sour godliness is the devil’s religion.
From Matthew 4:8-10: “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to Him, ‘All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.””
It is not by accident, I believe, that the Bible opens with the thunderous acclaim: “In the beginning God.” I tell you with all the conviction of which I am capable: If God is not our primary focus, then everything else will soon get out of focus.
From Genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
Selwyn Hughes (1928-2006) was a Welsh-born Christian minister and author. One of his best known works was the daily devotional EVERY DAY WITH JESUS.
From Luke 21:17-19: “You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
Facing life’s trials
To whom shall we turn?
Walking every mile
Faith in God shall yearn
Fading sun grows dark
From whom comes next light?
Igniting faith’s spark
God’s mercy glows bright
Leading each nation
To whom shall we pray?
Lasting foundation
God’s faith never sways
Fleeing darkest flames
From whom comes safe place?
Living God takes aim
Faith’s grace-filled embrace
From Malachi 4:2-3: “But for you who revere My name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.”
Why does God lead us through desert places? That He might humble us, that He might test us, and that the true condition of our hearts might be revealed. There’s nothing like the desert to help you discover the real you.
From Ephesians 4:21-24: “For surely you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as truth is in Jesus, to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Photo by Abhiram Prakash on Pexels.com
Life feels upside down
Angry with fists clenched
Barking back at God
You have forsaken me
Please, please my Lord
Don’t push me away
Heart fills with courage
Waiting for my God
Look around to witness
Patience comes to many
Those immersed in faith
Righteous saints never forsaken
God asks for perseverance
More to one’s life
Than just plain enduring
Bring me staying power
God is my stronghold
In times of distress
For those seeking him
God will never forsake
God always walks ahead
He was with Moses
He’ll be with you
Never to forsake you
Ask for God’s protection
Through faithful, fervent prayer
God’s justice will return
Never, ever be forsaken
Open hands, open arms
Looking up toward God
Submitting to my Lord
Never to be forsaken
Photo by luizclas on Pexels.com
Originally published June, 2019.
Saddest of all God’s creatures in the world is the religious person who has disciplined himself to outward obedience, but who has no inward love to God.
From John 14:23-24: “Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.'”
Walter J. Chantry (born 1938) served for 39 years as pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He has also been a prolific Christian writer and editor.
Big Sky Buckeye 