Tag Archives: grace

Monday Memories: Transforming Life

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From Romans 12:11:  “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

person standing on pathway

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Offering our bodies to our Father

As a living sacrifice to the Lord

Forever transformed, through His renewal

Bringing new life, by God’s sacred accord

 

Accepting God’s will with sober recourse

Remaining faithful, God living with us

His Word, always cleanses our sinful ways

With God’s plan, a Holy and perfect plus

 

God’s love is genuine, filled with His grace

Stepping forward, stoked with spirited zeal

Remaining steadfast, to all which is good

Serving God, escaping heavy ordeals

 

Steering ourselves, with total discipline

According to God’s proud expectations

Living and serving His Holy Kingdom

Avoiding the Enemy’s temptations

 

Remaining patient, despite life’s trials

Providing His strength, God leading us all

Walking in faith, taking the Lord’s high road

Living peacefully, following His call

road street sign way

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From the words of American pastor, Harry Emerson Fosdick:  “No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed.  No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.”

 

Originally published March, 2020.

Daily Presence (Elfchen Series #152)

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Breaking Through

Life’s

Impenetrable walls

Love-filled kindness

Discovering smallest of cracks

Angels

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At Our Side

Everlasting

God’s perfection

Illustrating another scene

Navigating life’s imperfect journey

Peace

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Exiting Fast Lane

Slowing

Life’s pace

Conversing with Father

Sensing His uncompromising grace

Shifting

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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.

Eternal Light (Elfchen Series #151)

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Finding Peace

Enduring

Endless storms

Light’s navigation calms

Returning to tranquil waters

Faith

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Relinquishing Doubt

Surrounding

Darkness overcome

Light’s merciful hand

Leading to higher ground

Hope

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Standing Strong

Sustaining

Light answers

Prayer fills heart

Continued devotion to Jesus

Grace

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Final Quest

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From Colossians 1:19-20:  “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.”

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Haunting scene, filled with greed

Darkness shadows with fear

Every path now seems blocked

Cross waiting to appear

 

Journey of life backs up

Selfishness cuts in front

Noise in streets never dims

Cross waiting to confront

 

Sorrows keep piling up

Every heart feeling stress

Shattered hope, faith absent

Cross waiting to address

 

Life refreshed, poured from grace

Compassion fills His heart

Savior’s body and blood

Cross ready to impart

 

Mountains of sin paid for

Mercy now comes to rest

Blessing of Father’s love

Cross completes final quest

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From 1 Corinthians 1:18:  “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Boundless Love (Elfchen Series #150)

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Sustaining

Creator’s

Transcending love

Each living witness

Handiwork crafted through faith

Forever

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Unceasing 

Free-flowing

God’s love

Never running dry

Eternal spring, drink deeply

Grace

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Empowering

Hope’s

Future envisions

Through Spirit’s eyes

Walking in Christ’s love

Fulfillment

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Always Near

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From Isaiah 40:10-11:  “See, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him.  He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms and carry them in His bosom and gently lead the mother sheep.”

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Staying close

Mercy knows

Chasing away doubts

God’s hand reaches out

 

Quiet rest

Hope be blest

Faith’s embers restart

Nestled in God’s heart

 

Always near

Never fear

Righteous grace arrives

Resurrection thrives

 

Peaceful place

Light’s embrace

Holy Spirit roams

Redemption comes home

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The hymn “Near to the Heart of God” inspired today’s faith-based poem.  Here is a dynamic video of the hymn with lyrics by Fountainview Academy in British Columbia, Canada.

Father’s Love (Elfchen Series #149)

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Revealing

Lost

Darkest wilderness

Focusing on Light

Mercy shall be waiting

Found

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Confiding

Believing

Never forsaken

Conversation with God

Faithful trust connects daily

Prayer

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Heartening

Discouraged

Frozen outlook

Spirit’s warming presence

Gentle rain of grace

Encouraged

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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.

Living Through Christ (Elfchen Series #148)

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Fulfilled

Witnessing

Christ’s purpose

Opening up hearts

Inviting to follow Him

Faith

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Cultivated

Nurturing

Life’s endurance

No longer suffering

Character molded by Christ

Hope

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United

Connecting

With believers

Christ’s humble approach

Sharing love with others

Grace

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Oswald Chambers Quote

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God brings to a standard of life by His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that standard in others.

From Luke 10:20:  “Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

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.

John Newton Quote

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I am not the man I ought to be, I am not the man I wish to be and I am not the man I hope to be, but, by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be.

From 1 Corinthians 15:10:  “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me has not been in vain.  On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I but the grace of God that is with me.”

John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.”  His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life.  He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity.  He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.