But by faith I see God and, inaudibly, I hear Him on a regular basis, reading Him written in the events of my life–whether it be the crushing blows that drive me to my knees or the joyous triumphs that send my heart winging.
From Matthew 28:20: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
From Isaiah 55:3: “Incline your ear, and come to Me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant.”
Hear this, all who thirst
Come to these still waters
Blessed with Father’s grace
Every son and daughter
Hear this, leave darkness
Only this light to seek
Return to Father
Step beyond earthly creek
Hear this, feast awaits
Steadfast love to behold
Cling to Father’s Word
Leave wilderness, be bold
Hear this, come to Me
Lasting peace to embrace
Love in Father’s heart
Salvation’s truthful place
Hear this, Savior lives
Walk no longer in fear
Trust in Father’s plan
Heaven’s path becomes clear
From 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
There is no sin too great for God’s grace. There is no habit too big for His healing. There is no label too strong for His love.
From Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Craig Groeschel (born 1967) is an America pastor and Christian author.
From James 5:11: “Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Totally unexpected, overwhelming
Lingering cracks appearing along life’s road
Tripping, stumbling, and finally crashing down
Shattering confidence, from life’s heavy load
Floundering, drowning . . . caught in river’s rapids
Endlessly swimming, lost at pool’s deepest end
Feet never finding firm ground, dour fear arrives
Replacing life’s daylight with night at each bend
Life’s turbulence teaches us lasting patience
With the Lord, with ourselves, and with life’s curve balls
Fumbling life’s slippery game ball once again
God’s love sends patience after every fall
Endurance of Job, life’s journey shall require
Living with patience, frees us from each briar
From Galatians 5:22-25: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
Originally published October, 2020.
Before the work of grace the heart is “stony.” It can do no more than a stone can do to please God.
From Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
John Owen (1616-1683) was an English Puritan church leader and theologian.
Patience
Rejoice always
Embracing each moment
Trust in God’s promises
Answering
Courage
Faithfulness leading
Mercy opens door
God’s refuge of light
Unflinching
Grace
Deepest love
Acceptance with humbleness
God’s passion for life
Forgiving
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.
To believe, and to consent to be loved while unworthy, is the great secret.
From Romans 5:8: “But God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.”
William R. Newell (1868-1956) was an American pastor, Christian writer, and evangelist.
From the “General Confession” found in the Book of Common Prayer: “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done.”
Skeptics whispering with doubts
Tomorrow shall never come
Priorities breathe empty
Hearing enemy’s distant drum
Disciples praise God each day
Indeed, His kingdom shall come
Priorities set on Christ
Hearing blessed, heavenly drum
Skeptics gather in darkness
Distant worries always come
Priorities ignore light
Hearing only, that hidden drum
Disciples find hope in God
Heaven’s light rises to come
Priorities embrace truth
Hearing faith’s righteous, heartfelt drum
Skeptic’s voices now wither
Tomorrow will surely come
Priorities flee darkness
Hearing echoes of faithful drum
Disciples accept God’s grace
Through Son’s love, sunrise will come
Priorities witness peace
Hearing redemption’s trusted drum
From 2 John 8-9: “Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for but may receive a full reward. Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
Every human heartbeat should be a silent refrain of thanksgiving to the God who created the heart and gives it life.
From Psalm 100:3: “Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.
From Psalm 37:3-4: “Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Trusting Father’s plans
Accepting His grace
Breathing in wisdom
Worry no longer gives chase
Taking faithful steps
Embracing His ways
Walking with Father
His patience teaches each day
Lending mercy’s peace
Expressing His love
Filling heart with hope
Father’s joy breathes from above
Leaving sinful flesh
Departing from night
Honoring Father
His righteousness leads with light
Sowing truthful seeds
Viewing empty tomb
Trusting risen Christ
Redemption’s fruits fully bloom
From Psalm 37:29: “The righteous shall inherit the land and live in it forever.”
Big Sky Buckeye 