Monday Memories: Faith’s Encouragement

From 2 Timothy 1:3-4:  “I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.  Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.”

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Witnessing God’s desires each day

Growing in faith, kneeling to pray

 

Coming to our Savior in faith

Sharing blessings of the Good News

Telling others about Jesus

Understanding the Gospel’s views

 

Calling on the name of the Lord

Believing in His divine Grace

Saving us through body and blood

Walking with Christ, our special place

 

Studying Biblical teachings

Guiding others, led by God’s love

Drawing ever closer to Christ

Coveting His peace, from above

 

Abiding in Christ, the true vine

Encouraging our daily walk

Building stamina and our faith

Lighting our path, around the clock

 

Living under God’s righteousness

Trusting our Father day and night

Submitting to sacred commands

Transforming lives through faith’s daylight

 

Breathing with Savior’s peace and joy

Running to Jesus, faith’s convoy

 

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From Philippians 4:19:  “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Originally published December, 2020.

John MacArthur Quote

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Our need is not to prove God’s faithfulness but to demonstrate our own, by trusting Him both to determine and to supply our needs according to His will.

From 1 Corinthians 4:2:  “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”

John MacArthur (born 1939) is an American pastor and Christian author.

John MacArthur Quote

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The simplicity of the Gospel gives what the complexity of human wisdom promises but never delivers.

From Micah 6:8:  “He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”

John MacArthur (born 1939) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Monday Memories: Spiritual Messengers

From the words of Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher, Oswald Chambers:  “We are not turned into spiritual mediums, but into spiritual messengers; the message must be part of ourselves.”

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Our time here on this earth

Limited and finite

Humble servants of God

Carry on the good fight

 

Called to spread the Good News

Find one person at a time

Urged to evangelize

Sharing God’s paradigm

 

Giving us strength in faith

Our Lord standing with us

Invite all to listen

Proclaim His truth, a plus

 

As our God’s messengers

Hearts broken by our flaws

Baptized by Holy Spirit

Drafted into His cause

 

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From 2 Timothy 4:2:  “Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.”

Originally published August, 2020.

Faith’s Tomorrow

From Psalm 142:3-4:  “When my spirit is faint, You know my way.  In the path where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me.  Look on my right hand and see:  there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for me.”

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Floundering at life’s darkest end

Feeling trust in patience sinking

Plunging ever deeper . . . deeper

Faith’s emptiness never shrinking

 

Wandering away from Shepherd

Seeing only darkness ahead

Feeling last breath of hope fading

Faith missing blessed, daily bread

 

Following one more false promise

Running into final dead end

Finding lost anchor’s solid rock

Faith at last, refuses to bend

 

Rising with hope’s trusted beacon

Lighting way on Emmaus Road

Praying without ceasing to God

Faith’s living water, overflowed

 

Worshipping in Gospel’s safe place

Facing each new day without fear

Tracking to follow Shepherd’s voice

Faith’s tomorrow, forever clear

 

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From Psalm 23:1-2:  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.”

Monday Memories: Follow His Road Map

From Proverbs 30:5:  “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

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Feeling weary and lost

How can any prevail?

Desolate road ahead

Actions will surely fail

 

Lost in darkness of life

Our Father lights the way

Filled with His righteousness

God’s road map saves our day

 

Our Lord’s Word speaking truth

Daily meditation

Bible’s meanings ring clear

Leading to salvation

 

Study God’s Holy Word

Share its hope and Good News

Trusting each promise

His commands, we must choose

 

Inhale, breathe it all in

Fed by the “Bread of Life”

Quenched by “Living Water”

Transforming daily life 

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From the words of American-born missionary and Christian theologian, E. Stanley Jones:  “The Gospel is not so much a demand as it is an offer, an offer of new life to man by the grace of God.”

Originally published July, 2020.

Jerry Bridges Quote

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Preach the Gospel to yourself every day.

From Lamentations 3:21-22:  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Jerry Bridges (1929-2016) was an American Christian author and speaker.  In his autobiography, God Took Me by the Hand, Jerry said, “When I was seventeen years old, it seemed as if God took me by the hand and said, ‘Come with Me.’  And for more than sixty-five years, God has, as it were, continued to hold my hand and lead me in the path He has marked out for me.” 

Walter J. Chantry Quote

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It is imperative that preachers of today learn how to declare the spiritual law of God; for, until we learn how to wound consciences, we shall have no wounds to bind with Gospel bandages.

From Romans 8:14-15:  “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption.  When we cry, ‘Abba!  Father!'”

Walter J. Chantry (born 1938) served for 39 years as pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  He has also been a prolific Christian writer and editor.

Lessons of Faith

From John 17:25-26:  “Righteous Father, the world does not know You, but I know You, and these know that You have sent Me.  I made Your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them and I in them.”

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With every waking hour

Reading from faith’s Good Book

Guided by Jesus Christ

Spirit waits by quiet brook

 

Righteous steps lead to God

Praying for mercy’s light

Gathered by Jesus Christ

Faith growing, now taking flight

 

Journey of faith goes forth

Approaching grace-filled curve

Propelled by Jesus Christ

Goodness awaits those who serve

 

Endless lessons of faith

Teaching fills precious space

Mentored by Jesus Christ

Hope speaks, “Let’s finish this race”

 

Given tasks to complete

Hearing One lasting voice

Promised by Jesus Christ

Faith always trusting His choice

 

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From 1 Corinthians 9:24:  “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win it.”

Charles Swindoll Quote

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Do you long for God?  I’ve got great news!  In an even greater way–greater than you could ever imagine–He longs to be gracious to you.

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.”