John Ortberg Quote

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For the soul to be well, it needs to be with God.

From Matthew 22:36-37:  “‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’  He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'”

John Ortberg (born 1957) is an American pastor as well as a Christian author and speaker.

Monday Memories: Follow His Road Map

From Proverbs 30:5:  “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

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Feeling weary and lost

How can any prevail?

Desolate road ahead

Actions will surely fail

 

Lost in darkness of life

Our Father lights the way

Filled with His righteousness

God’s road map saves our day

 

Our Lord’s Word speaking truth

Daily meditation

Bible’s meanings ring clear

Leading to salvation

 

Study God’s Holy Word

Share its hope and Good News

Trusting each promise

His commands, we must choose

 

Inhale, breathe it all in

Fed by the “Bread of Life”

Quenched by “Living Water”

Transforming daily life 

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From the words of American-born missionary and Christian theologian, E. Stanley Jones:  “The Gospel is not so much a demand as it is an offer, an offer of new life to man by the grace of God.”

Originally published July, 2020.

Charles Stanley Quote

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God didn’t bestow grace on us at the moment of salvation, only to leave us on our own to live the Christian life as best we can.

From Titus 2:11-12:  “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.”

Always Present (Elfchen Series #210)

Steadfast

Calling

Upon Father

Hearing my voice

His righteousness nourishes faith

Energizing

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Faithful

Kneeling

Before Father

Accepting my repentance

His erasing sin’s scorecard

Forgiving

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Guidance

Trusting

Father’s promises

Transforming my wilderness

His steady compass navigates

Following

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Charles Stanley Quote

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Although we may want our difficulties resolved immediately, what we really need is a bigger vision of God, not fewer problems.

From Jeremiah 32:17-18:  “Ah Lord God!  It is You who made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too hard for You.  You show steadfast love to the thousandth generation.”

Reba McEntire Quote

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I can’t imagine living a life without God in my life.  He’s my confidant, He’s my advisor, He’s my director.

From Psalm 25:4-5:  “Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.  Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long.”

Reba McEntire (born 1955) is an American country music singer and actress.  She has earned the nickname of “Queen of Country.”

Charles Swindoll Quote

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God knows, right down to the final nub, exactly where you are in life.  He sees.  He cares.  He is aware.  And best of all, He is touched by it.

From Exodus 3:7:  “Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters.  Indeed, I know their sufferings.'”

Monday Memories: Taste His Goodness

David praises the greatness of God through Scripture found in Psalm 145, and these verses inspire this poem.

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Each day life seems too normal

Monotonous and mundane

Beautiful bundle arrives

Hallmarks of our Lord’s domain

 

Blessing us each precious day

Spontaneous surprises

Praising our Father’s great name

Goodness comes in all sizes

 

Reaching depths of every sea

Loving each generation

Eclipsing highest heavens

Honoring God’s creation

 

Awesome and vast deeds come forth

Witnessing God’s mighty acts

Glorious splendor singing

Filling what life truly lacks

 

God’s everlasting kingdom

Harvesting abundant gifts

Faithful words stir greatest feats

Balancing life’s slips and shifts

 

Singing of God’s righteousness

Showering with compassion

Tasting His Holy goodness

Remembering His passion

 

Blessing His name forever

Amen

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From Psalm 145:8:  “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

Originally published June, 2020.

Oswald Chambers Quote

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There is a difference between an ideal and a vision.  An ideal has no moral inspirations; a vision has.

From Proverbs 29:18:  “Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law.”

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.

Trusting in God (Elfchen Series #191)

Navigating Troubles

Faithfulness

Righteous actions

Emerging with strength

God’s river of grace

Goodness

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Taking Our Place

Justice

Deserved, but

Kneeling before God

Cross bears every sin

Forgiveness

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Faith’s Lantern

Darkness

Hope hidden

Hearing God’s voice

Rising over every valley

Light

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