We cannot afford to be naive about evil–it must be faced. But we cannot be intimidated by it either. It will be used by God to bring good.
From Romans 8:31: “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”
Eugene Peterson (1932-2018) was an American pastor, theologian, and Christian author.
A man’s heart is right when he wills what God wills.
From Daniel 2:22: “He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.”
St. Thomas Aquinas was an Italian priest and theologian during the 13th century. During his time, he became one of the foremost thinkers and philosophers.
When you offer yourself to God as His servant, He first expects to shape you into the instrument of His choosing. He will always work in you before He works through you.
From Philippians 1:6: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Henry Blackaby (1935-2024) was a Canadian pastor and Christian author.
God takes us through struggles and difficulties so that we might become increasingly more committed to Him.
From 1 Peter 4:12: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Nothing happens in any particular unless God’s will is behind it, therefore you can rest in perfect confidence in Him.
From Matthew 7:11: “If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
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 Job 19:25-26: “For I know that my vindicator lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God.”
Darkness shadows day
Each forgotten path
Sown hope uprooted
Crushed by evil’s wrath
Consumed with anger
Future’s light escapes
Forsaken feelings
Each evolving shape
Innocence cries out
Emptiness of heart
Tomorrow frozen
Outlook breaks apart
Faith’s net cast away
Trust lacking within
Tide now rushing forth
God always knows when
Redemption assured
Risen Savior lives
Light’s ember blossoms
Peace forever gives
From Psalm 17:6-7: “I call upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show Your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at Your right hand.”
Our high and privileged calling is to do the will of God in the power of God for the glory of God.
From Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
J. I. Packer (1926-2020) was a English-born Christian theologian and writer. His given name was James Innell, and he spent most of his later years in Canada.
Every vision will be made real if we have patience. Think of the enormous leisure of God! He is never in a hurry.
From Isaiah 35:6b-7a: “For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water.”
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.
God’s
Divine nature
Trusting His spirit
Filling creation’s eternal breath
Reality
God’s
Holy Word
Revealing His character
Teaching from righteous light
Expectations
God’s
Clear vision
Loving His Son
Clothing Christ in flesh
Revelation
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.
From Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Peering into depth of darkness
Seeking remedy to life’s ills
Light of perseverance comes forth
Trusting to obey Father’s will
Filling hope with light’s endurance
Tasting Father’s sustaining grace
Spiritual awakening
Walking toward salvation’s birthplace
Entering light’s sanctuary
Calvary’s cross, bloodstained
Redemption from sinful darkness
Forgiving debts, no longer chained
Thirsting to follow Christ, thy Lord
Receiving light of peace each day
Replenished from living waters
Embracing His hope-filled pathway
Replacing darkness with His light
Following Father’s divine Word
Righteousness fills faith’s every breath
Witnessing truth as prophets heard
From Hebrews 10:37-39: “For yet in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay, but My righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back. But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost but among those who have faith and so preserve our souls.”
Big Sky Buckeye 