The sufferings that the Lord allows in our life are given to us for His good purpose. Whenever God allows suffering to remain, He gives grace to endure it.
From 2 Corinthians 12:7-9: “Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.'”
The foundation of our love for the Lord lies in the recognition of His holiness, our sinfulness, and His grace.
From Ephesians 2:4-5: “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved.”
From Psalm 118:26: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.”
Rejoice with this new day
God sharing precious love
Blessed Word guides our way
Behold gifts from above
Extend love to others
Family and friends shine
Each sister and brother
Feeling God’s love, divine
Christ sheds blood, out of love
Building faith’s cornerstone
Treasured, caring, proud of
Never feeling alone
Remembering God’s saints
Memories still alive
Cherished thoughts now repaint
Holding tight each archive
Lord is God, brings His light
Giving thanks for His grace
Blessed angels take flight
Precious love shall embrace
From Psalm 118:1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!”
From 1 Corinthians 1:8-9: “He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by Him you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Responsible actions
Stir God’s amazing grace
Making a difference
Foundation’s caring base
Lord, master, creator
From heaven to this earth
Making a difference
Anchors ships at His berth
Inviting each of us
Share His Word with others
Making a difference
Love sisters and brothers
Lord calling us to serve
Caring for those in need
Making a difference
Loving each tender reed
Blessed with Father’s goodness
Fortunate with enough
Making a difference
For others, do enough
Our Lord reaches deeply
Into souls, hearts, and minds
Making a difference
Servant’s gifts will He find
From 1 Peter 4:8-10: “ Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”
From John 1:16-17: “From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Best and worst of times
God’s grace always chimes
Loving and caring
Promises bearing
God remains at hand
Faith and hope shall stand
Seeking empty hearts
Molding time’s restart
Life’s melody plays
Offer Him our praise
God’s grace taking root
Peace filling love’s flute
Gloom and doom appear
Allow Him to steer
God’s love shows He cares
Guiding day’s affairs
Hope’s beacon awaits
In His hands, our fate
Witness as His child
Life no longer wild
Forgiveness and love
Shared from God above
God’s grace shapes life’s frame
Praise His Holy name
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.”
This poem is inspired from some past entries in my “Take-Aways” journal. Each entry is based upon something read and studied in a morning devotional.
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “When we trust God to provide the stamina for the work He calls us to do, we are clothed in power.”
Walking these roads for so long
Sin short-circuits dusty steps
Trust’s gauge running on empty
Darkness knocking at doorstep
Facing life’s tall shortcomings
Empty promises sell short
Holy Spirit calling now
Time to seek Father’s support
Hearing faithful promises
His Spirit brings fortitude
Truly believe, seeking Him
Bread of Life, God’s daily food
Turning to Jesus Christ
Living water quenches thirst
Savior clothes with grace-filled love
His promises, always first
Strengthening life’s weaknesses
Holy promises bring light
Eyes open, hearts enlightened
New life trusts in Father’s might
From Luke 24:49: “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
To flourish and grow, a person must be completely dependent on Christ for spiritual nutrition. That involves drawing near to Him each morning through His Word and prayer and receiving His Grace all day long.
From Isaiah 55:6-7: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
Grace is positive and unconditional acceptance in spite of the other person. Grace is a demonstration of love that is undeserved, unearned, and unpayable.
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?”
As people of God
Graced to be Christ’s hands of change—
World’s transformation
Followers of God
Called as voices for justice—
Filled with Grace of Christ
Our Creator calls
Walking in Jesus’ footsteps—
Lives for renewal
From Isaiah 6:3: “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.'”
Darkness, evil abound
Our Champion arrives
Freeing chained hearts with praise
Faith growing in our lives
Graced by shed blood of Christ
Facing every hour
Wisdom, courage unite
Strongest bonds of power
Standing as God’s people
Walking as peacemakers
Sowing seeds from His faith
Harvest Glory’s acres
Christ’s journey lights His way
Centered on His people
Calling us, step forward
Blessed Cross, our steeple
Jesus’ pierced hands of change
Steady feet meet life’s quest
Lasting voice for justice
Renewing lives, each test
Glory fills God’s Kingdom
From His Heaven above
Nothing stops living grace
Salvation’s gift, free love
You are invited to sing or follow the lyrics of this blessed hymn, “God of Grace and God of Glory.”
Big Sky Buckeye 