Pay attention to the people God puts in your path if you want to discern what God is up to in your life.
From Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
“God is our Refuge”–nothing can come through that shelter.
From Psalm 31:3-4: “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for Your name’s sake lead me and guide me; take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for You are my refuge.”
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.
From Psalm 34:4: I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
In midst of dark wilderness
Lost, yet seeking His cover
Praying for Father’s response
Forgiveness whitens sin’s color
Life’s journey shall remain hard
Moral compass guides each heart
Praising Father’s steadfast love
Shallow hope finds blessed restart
Ember of faith’s glowing light
Mercy shared from Heaven’s voice
Treasuring Father’s wisdom
Holy Spirit guides every choice
Righteousness conquers darkness
His answers more clearly seen
Walking in Father’s refuge
Grace, flowing with truth, intervenes
Rescued from evil’s shadow
Faith growing, no longer crushed
Breathing through Father’s spirit
His Son’s promised peace, never hushed
From Matthew 3:17: “And a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is My Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.'”
From Psalm 92:12-15: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Our Father, our Creator
Sowing faithful seeds of grace
Bearing Spirit’s endless fruit
Upon every earthly place
Father’s love thaws frozen heart
Enriching trust with each gift
Bringing hope into darkness
Faith’s ship no longer adrift
Father’s divine plan transforms
Sending His Son in harm’s way
Knowing glory to be praised
Calvary’s cross won’t delay
Father’s peace walks with Jesus
Reconciling wayward hearts
Proclaiming new creation
Freshness of faith, grace restarts
Father’s breath shall never rest
Stirring color without gray
Planting righteousness from light
Salvation rises this day
From 2 Corinthians 5:14-15: “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And He died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the One who for their sake died and was raised.”
From Isaiah 30:18: “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
Hearing Father’s voice
Every mountain sings
With faithful echoes
Praising heaven’s King
Showering His grace
Every valley sings
With earnest promise
Sowing trust, faith brings
Sending His mercy
Every village sings
With truth in His Word
Soaring eagle’s wings
Scattering His seeds
Every landscape sings
With divine beauty
Welcoming each spring
Walking in His light
Every neighbor sings
With each beating heart
Pulling on love’s strings
Witnessing His Son
Every sinner sings
With His righteousness
Grasping heaven’s swing
From Isaiah 30:20-21: “Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any longer, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”
There is a place of quiet rest. There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God. (Taken from the hymn, “Near to the Heart of God.”)
From James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Cleland Boyd McAfee (1866-1944) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and hymn writer. One of his most renowned hymns is “Near to the Heart of God.” He penned the lyrics after the tragic deaths of his young nieces from diphtheria.
Darkness
Chasing thee
Seeking salvation’s assurance
Refuge on eagle’s wings
Forgiveness
Darkness
Closing in
Storm follows storm
Boarding mercy’s trusted flight
Redemption
Darkness
Sent away
Light’s righteousness shines
Heart filled with gratitude
Faithfulness
God does not keep a man immune from trouble; He says–“I will be with him in trouble.”
From Romans 8:35: “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?
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.
From Philippians 2:5-7: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness.”
Chained to sin’s wilderness
Faith missing what matters
Detached from Father’s love
Like sheep, mankind scatters
Father responds with love
Relationship desired
Son of God empties self
Divine plan now hard-wired
Born in human likeness
Messiah shares His love
Father’s trusted guidance
Promised grace from above
Given name of Jesus
Mercy’s love now descends
Servant becomes Shepherd
Father’s own heart transcends
Calvary’s death vanquished
Jesus forever reigns
Every knee shall now bend
Father’s love breaks each chain
From Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name, so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
If I have learned anything during my journey on Planet Earth, it is that people need one another.
From Proverbs 27:9: “Perfume and incense make the heart glad, but the sweetness of a friend is better than one’s own counsel.”
Big Sky Buckeye 