Monday Memories: Faithful Journey

From Psalm 85:8-9:  “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His faithful, to those who turn to Him in their hearts.  Surely His salvation is at hand for those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.”

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Uncertain darkness

Surrounds me this day

Humbly take a knee

Bowing now to pray

 

Prayers calling God

Remain unhurried

Unanswered questions

Never be worried

 

Christ’s teachings feed thee

With the bread of life

This eternal gift

Blessings without strife

 

Lord of life and love

He feeds and frees all

Through His Holy Word

Never builds a wall

 

Allow me to pause

God prods thee along

Hearing His questions

Answers make me strong

 

God everlasting

Faith remains with thee

Through life’s harsh chaos

Calming stormy seas

 

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From Romans 10:10-13:  “ For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.  The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in Him will be put to shame.’  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on Him.  For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

Originally published September, 2020.

Monday Memories: Accepting His Way

From Romans 6:1-2:  “What then are we to say?  Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?  By no means!  How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”

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All have been baptized into Christ

God’s offer of Grace shall abound

Christ suffering death on the Cross

Accepting His way, God’s Word found

 

Living with God through our Savior

United with Jesus by His death

Walking in goodness of new life

Accepting His way, lasting breath

 

Escaping life of sin and death

Obedient to God’s commands

Following our righteous Father

Accepting His way, where we stand

 

Knowing God through His Holy Word

Rescued, no longer slaves to sin

Total devotion to Jesus

Accepting His way, love within

 

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From Romans 6:12-14:  “Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.  No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

Originally published August, 2020.

Seeds of Hope (First Sunday of Advent)

From Isaiah 9:2:  “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

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Chained without freedom’s hope

Slaves to enemy’s grip

Bound in his deception

Lost in darkness, faith’s flagship

 

God sows fresh seeds of hope

Promised redemption’s road

Light upon wilderness

Blessed revelation’s code

 

Prayer seeks divine hope

Messenger prepares way

Foretold in prophet’s words

Endless night searches for day

 

God’s narrative shares hope

His Word shall become flesh

Faith’s promises fulfilled

Harvest’s righteous grain to thresh

 

New birth of living hope

Forgiveness leads outcome

Salvation shall rescue

Waiting for who is to come

 

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Advent Prayer:  Heavenly Father,  as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son.  Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas:  hope, peace, joy, and love.  Amen.

One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”  The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century.  In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.

Monday Memories: Walking in Confidence

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.”

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Life’s journey suddenly growing cold

Living under clouds of uncertainty

No longer feeling confident and bold

 

Even confident people possess fears

Overcome by unplanned dilemmas

Feeling much like the rest of our peers

 

Our faithful prayers will be heard

God’s will scatters those stormy clouds

Never lose hope, listen to His Word

 

As neighbors, our love supports each other

Through our steadfast encouragement

Children of God, true sisters and brothers

 

Tackling problems on life’s clipboard

Filled with determination and courage

Walking in confidence with our Lord

 

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From the words of German-Dutch Christian author, Thomas a Kempis:  “Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.”

Originally published July, 2020.

Faith’s Purpose

From Hosea 6:6:  “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

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Heavenly Father desires

Man’s loyalty, share His light

Glory lifted high, filled with joy

Faith’s purpose, now taking flight

 

Heavenly Father’s witness

Man matures through truth, grace leads

Thirsty for His Word, at last quenched

Faith’s planting, each tender seed

 

Heavenly Father gathers

Man’s attention, seeking peace

Christ offers details, believe each one

Faith’s motives, Spirit’s mouthpiece

 

Heavenly Father’s calling

Man finds knowledge, full of hope

Honored relationship, with Him

Faith’s voyage, up periscope

 

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From John 17:1-2:  “After Jesus had spoken these words, He looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.'”

Charles Stanley Quote

The Bible is a bottomless source of nourishment for becoming like Christ.

From Ephesians 5:8-9:  “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.  Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.”

Perseverance in Prayer

From Matthew 5:6:  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

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Just as Jesus teaches

Praying to Father above

Asking in humbleness

Relationship filled with love

 

Blessed are those who hunger

Seeking truth’s fulfilling hope

Thirsting for righteousness

Father tightens up faith’s rope

 

Patience shall be required

Waiting for Father’s reply

Following Spirit’s light

View from eagle’s wings on high

 

Perseverance in prayer

Knocking on heavenly door

Searching for life’s answers

Father fills faith’s inner core

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Luke 11:9-10:  “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Monday Memories: Called to Sow

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Sower scattering any seed

Wildly without any foresight

God scatters His Word as planned

His aim, truthful in its flight

 

Called to sow His righteous seeds

Following a living light

Sharing of God’s Holy Word

Walking in Jesus’ delight

 

These efforts shall bear His fruit

Quenching the rich, fertile ground

God adds the living water

Patient, His trust to be found

 

Not every seed shall bloom now

Some will lie quiet and wait

Just as a pine cone pauses

Holds seeds for their proper fate

 

Spreading God’s Word to others

Using our freedom for good

Allowing Spirit to work

Sowing for Him as we should

 

Sharing love and forgiveness

Lord’s eternal Word aligned

Taking blessed, scattered seeds

Harvesting fruit of all kinds

 

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From Isaiah 55:10-11:  “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Originally published July, 2020.

Charles Stanley Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

We must look at the greatness, promises, and purposes of our God as revealed in His Word, because divine truth is our anchor in the storms of life.

From John 14:26-27:  “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Monday Memories: God’s Word Reaches Out

From Psalm 23:4:  “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff–they comfort me.”

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Being careful with life’s missteps

Sinful disobedience waits

God’s Word touches our inner soul

Hell pleasing, never be our fate

 

Our truest, most faithful support

Shall always arrive from His love

God’s Word will endure forever

His Spirit reigns from high above

 

When life’s dark trials boil over

Creating quagmires of distress

God’s Word quells each predicament

His next move leads like playing chess

 

Our life’s journey travels by faith

Transformed by Christ’s merciful heart

God’s Word reaches out, filled with hope

Bringing a new day, let’s restart

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From 2 Corinthians 5:7:  “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Originally published July, 2020.