There is but one kind of love; God is love, and all His creatures derive theirs from His.
From 1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.”
John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a French-American self-trained artist, naturalist, and ornithologist.
From 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: “To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of His call and will fulfill by His power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Holy shall be Father’s name
His grace praises morning sky
Walking life’s highway with Him
Prayer becomes faith’s reply
Righteousness fills Father’s Word
Fortified with fruitful grace
Embracing mercy’s outreach
Faith follows heavenly pace
Grace bears truth from Father’s light
Savior rises just as planned
Washing away sin’s darkness
Faith’s cornerstone henceforth stands
Love expressed in Father’s faith
Grace bequeathed in His Son’s name
Kneeling at Calvary’s cross
Forgiveness erases shame
Faith cherishes Father’s grace
Love fills hearts of every saint
Bringing glory in His name
Forever bright, never faint
From 2 Timothy 2:19: “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.'”
From Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Living without faith
Never pleasing to God
Scripture grows musty
Seeing life as a fraud
Lacking true knowledge
Missing God’s living Word
Whole heart feels empty
Running with the wrong herd
Callous attitude
Faith absent, lonesome walk
Mind unbelieving
AWOL from Shepherd’s flock
Holy Trinity
Faith’s long forgotten light
Father, Son, Spirit
Blessed angels take flight
From Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”
Originally published December, 2020.
You think my life is dull.
Your judgement has been made.
You haven’t given me a chance.
You’ve cast the part I’ve played.
But listen, friend.
Comprehend.
It’s far from the end when you give yourself to Christ.
New life will just begin!
We have fun too.
Life is not a drag.
We love to smile and laugh,
when things begin to lag.
Each day is a new adventure.
Each day is a joyful song.
Each day is a bright beginning,
laughing, loving, growing strong!
You think I have no friends.
That’s where you’re really wrong
Because the friends I have are true.
They last a lifetime long.
So, listen now.
Find out how.
You can see right now if you give your life to Christ.
New life will just begin!
We have fun too.
Life is not a drag.
We love to smile and laugh,
when things begin to lag.
Each day is a new adventure.
Each day is a joyful song.
Each day is a bright beginning,
laughing, loving, growing strong!
Today’s poem was written by my wife, Colleen. It is another selection from her recently published book, BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART.
Her work has been accepted to become part of a local bookstore’s Christian and Family collection. Her own words describe the book:
BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.
Following
Truth’s path
God’s trusted light
Filled with renewing hope
Preparing
Navigating
Journey ahead
God’s defining promises
Hope front and center
Encouraging
Embracing
Eternity’s joy
God’s merciful love
Hope fills another heart
Overflowing
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.
The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but the difficulty of it does not make us faint and cave in, it rouses us up to overcome.
From Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
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 Hebrews 10:23: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who has promised is faithful.”
Worldly treasures
Sparkle every hour
Each temptation
Promises to empower
Never enough
Looking beyond God
Contentment sought
Destiny’s promises flawed
Hearing God’s Word
Faith’s truth becomes known
Sin’s journey fades
Dark promises stand alone
Honesty breathes
Eternity stands
Spirit leads on
Promised grace, as Father planned
Walking with Christ
Following hope’s light
Leaving darkness
Promising love, always bright
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
If you are in the midst of your own dark night, use the time wisely. If there are tears, let them water the words you pour out to God, remembering that joy comes in the morning.
From Psalm 17:3: “If You try my heart, if You visit me by night, if You test me, You will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.”
David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.
The immortal, invisible, all-wise God hid from your eyes, is at work. Be very still, and for a change, listen.
From Isaiah 30:15: “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Wherever we are, God’s in that moment, God’s speaking to us, and if we’ve just got our ears open and our antennas up, there’s no lack of inspiration.
From Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Steven Curtis Chapman (born 1962) is an American singer and songwriter. His music shares a Christian theme, filled with his faithful outlook.
Big Sky Buckeye 