Stepping Into Light

From Romans 13:11-12:  “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near.  Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

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Turning away from temptation’s path

Following God’s Holy, righteous road

Transforming self into Christ’s image

Experiencing His love, bestowed

 

Breathing, yet lost in evil’s darkness

Hiding in shame, past sinful landscape

Reaching for Salvation’s lasting grace

Wearing armor of light, faith reshapes

 

Sharing His Father’s Word, Christ teaches

Loving one another, sharing peace

Witnessing His greatest commandment

Living with openness, life’s new lease

 

Leaving His advocate, Christ assures

Coming Holy Spirit, lifts each life

Overcoming sin’s flesh-filled desires

Growing in submission, without strife

 

Offering path to new life, Christ comes

Forsaking life’s bold truth, darkness flees

Walking in faith, stepping into light

Remaining steadfast, in what He sees

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “When we rely on Him [God] instead of ourselves, He produces godly desires within us, empowers obedience, and transforms our character into Christ’s likeness.”

Making a Difference

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.”

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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

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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.”

Grace Taking Root

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.”

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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 

 

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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.

Promises

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.”

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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

 

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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.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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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.”

Charles Swindoll Quote

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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?”

Courage Stands (Haiku Series #121)

Hands

As people of God

Graced to be Christ’s hands of change—

World’s transformation

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Echoes

Followers of God

Called as voices for justice—

Filled with Grace of Christ

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Feet

Our Creator calls

Walking in Jesus’ footsteps—

Lives for renewal

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Lord of Glory

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.'”

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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

 

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You are invited to sing or follow the lyrics of this blessed hymn, “God of Grace and God of Glory.”

Meeting at Last

From Luke 1:27-27:  “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.”

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When shall we ever meet?

Longing to meet my Lord

His lamp, lighting the way

Filled with love, now on board

 

Life’s laboring turmoil

Enchained by sin’s shackles

Christ offers lasting Grace

Freed from darkest jackals

 

Heaven’s gifts come to earth

Filled with unselfish love

Each dawn brings liberty

Embracing newfound love

 

Rejoice, again rejoice!

No more trembling in fear

Appearing like day’s sun

Safely home, Jesus steers

 

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From Luke 24:50-53:  “Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.”

Attitude of Praise

From Psalm 111:1:  “Praise the LordI will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.”

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Pessimistic and gloomy attitude

One negative brick follows another

Suffocating and negative self-talk

Sounding more like Eeyore’s little brother

 

Time for transforming callous attitude

With praise and thanksgiving, eyes upon God

His Grace offering truest Bread of Life

Believe, follow, accept His blessed rod

 

Breathing in our Lord’s trusted, living Word

Dropping negativity’s jagged sword

Accepting our Father’s mercy and love

Trading bitterness for His sweet accord

 

Learning from God’s Holy teachings and creeds

Feeling His just and faithful, love-filled works

Listening to each breath, His spoken Word

Maturing in faith’s righteous masterworks

 

Embracing God’s eternal covenant

Studying His Word, bearing full delight

Celebrating Him with salutations

Singing with attitude of praise, now right

 

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From Psalm 111:10:  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.  His praise endures forever.”