If we only give up something to God because we want more back, there is nothing of the Holy Spirit in our abandonment.
From Mark 10:28: “Peter began to say to Him [Jesus], ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.'”
The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of His love.
From Proverbs 4:25-27: “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”
From 1 John 4:9-10: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Father reigns from above
Revealing divine love
Heaven’s whispering dove
God’s love never changes
Spanning earth’s vast ranges
Blessed interchanges
Mankind living in sin
Loving Christ, life begins
Cross becomes faith’s linchpin
Lasting love, none greater
Needing no translator
Grace shines, from Creator
Love’s divine foundation
Nurturing salvation
Life’s eternal station
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “We didn’t earn the love God has for us, and that’s why we can never lose it.”
“I will hold you up,” God says. When you lean on another person or another thing, your focus is sideways, not vertical. Human crutches paralyze the walk of faith.
From Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.”
God’s love for us and our resulting love for Christ compel us to obey Him in all things.
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.'”
From Isaiah 40:3-5: “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'”
World’s brokenness cries out
Peace sprouts, despite faith’s drought
God’s salvation shares grace
Every time and space
God’s love prepares His way
Light of peace on display
Paths straightened, valleys filled
His promises fulfilled
Anticipation warms
Preparation now forms
Mercy reigns, blessed peace
Endurance shall not cease
Faithful waiting with hope
Love focused through God’s scope
His joy draws up new lease
Spirit breathes, filled with peace
Mothering God prepares
Peace surrounds David’s heirs
Of events now to come
Hope’s steady, beating drum
You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.
As we leave to go on with the rest of our day or night, here is an Advent hymn to send us out with prepared hearts, “Prepare the way, O Zion.”
Entrusting
Holy Father
Repenting for transgressions
Life’s new page turns
Righteousness
Accepting
Father’s guidance
Follow with obedience
Walking life’s new season
Faithfulness
Desiring
Father’s world
Honoring His covenant
Grace breathes new life
Deliverance
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.
Only He can guide you to invest your life in worthwhile ways. The guidance will come as you “walk” with Him and listen to Him.
From Psalm 37:23-24: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”
From Isaiah 11:1-2: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
Fragmented prayers lack faith
Hope’s seeds lost, now scattered
World filled with endless despair
Dazed, bruised, and battered
Hope conceived, chosen virgin
God preparing love’s way
Nothing impossible for Him
Holy Spirit holds sway
Bethlehem’s star shines at night
God’s love lights hope’s beacon
Future sparkles from His grace
Mercy never weakens
Heavens prepare peace and joy
Darkness brightens, rejoice!
God plants Holy seed of hope
Angels sing with His choice
Father’s goodness overflows
His everlasting gift
Living water promises
Hope transforms faith’s gearshift
You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.
Originally written in Latin during the 8th or 9th century, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a frequently chosen song during the season of Advent.
If you seek nothing but the will of God, He will always put you in the right place at the right time.
From 1 John 5:14: “And this is the boldness we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
Big Sky Buckeye 