As Father Planned

From Hebrews 10:23:  “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who has promised is faithful.”

Photo by Maruxa Lomoljo Koren on Pexels.com

Worldly treasures

Sparkle every hour

Each temptation

Promises to empower

 

Never enough

Looking beyond God

Contentment sought

Destiny’s promises flawed

 

Hearing God’s Word

Faith’s truth becomes known

Sin’s journey fades

Dark promises stand alone

 

Honesty breathes

Eternity stands

Spirit leads on

Promised grace, as Father planned

 

Walking with Christ

Following hope’s light

Leaving darkness

Promising love, always bright

 

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

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.”

Transformation From Within

From Titus 2:11-12:  “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.”

Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

Creator’s grace at work

Chips away at inner soul

Molding changes with purpose

Character becomes whole

 

Spirit calmly at work

Transformation from within

Leading with heavenly light

Word’s breath no longer thin

 

Savior’s presence at work

Every parable speaks

Teaching with His gentle touch

Mercy leads to each peak

 

Faith’s endurance at work

Nope nurtured in Christ above

Maturing with each seed sown

Confident in His love

 

Man’s faithfulness at work

Warmed by each morning’s sunrise

Following God’s commandments

Integrity shall rise

 

Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

From Hebrews 6:17-18:   “In the same way, when God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it by an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us.”

Valley’s Sunrise

Photo by Mateusz Sau0142aciak on Pexels.com

Gentle morning clouds

Gather above lofty peaks

Valley awakens

From nightly mystique

 

Misty rain drops in

Moisture covers quiet fields

Valley’s sunrise climbs

Rainbow’s blessed shield

 

Lake’s tranquil waters

Every fisherman’s delight

Valley smiling back

Trout ready to bite

 

River’s pace slows down

Dam hidden at canyon’s gate

Valley sings with joy

Faith’s daily soul mate

 

Creator shares peace

Small town’s unflappable pace

Valley’s spirit leads

Witness morning’s grace

 

Photo by mark soetebier on Pexels.com

Called to Forgive

From Ephesians 4:31-32:  “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”

Photo by Nikolett Emmert on Pexels.com

Faith filled with truth from Father

Anger rests with setting sun

Leaving quicksand’s bitterness

Forgiven through mercy’s Son

 

Eyes upon Calvary’s cross

Ultimate action of grace

Forgiven through Savior’s blood

His love takes sin’s former place

 

We, too, are called to forgive

Ourselves as well as others

Casting aside emotions

Now loving one another

 

Holding back words of darkness

Kindness leads each blessed day

Forgiving as Christ forgives

Holy Spirit leads faith’s way

 

Walking in shadow of grace

Forgiveness mends one more heart

Embracing love’s character

Trust in hope’s renewing start

 

Photo by James Frid on Pexels.com

From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Max Lucado:  “Bitterness is the trap that snares the hunter.”

 

David Jeremiah Quote

Photo by Mstudio on Pexels.com

If you are in the midst of your own dark night, use the time wisely.  If there are tears, let them water the words you pour out to God, remembering that joy comes in the morning.

From Psalm 17:3:  “If You try my heart, if You visit me by night, if You test me, You will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.”

David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Elton Trueblood Quote

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.

From Hebrews 11:1-3:  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.  By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”

Elton Trueblood (1900-1994) was an American Christian author and theologian.  He served as chaplain to both Harvard and Stanford universities.

Righteousness Leads

From Psalm 138:7:  “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; You stretch out Your hand, and Your right hand delivers me.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Facing great troubles

Darkness surrounds thee

Grasping faith’s mighty Rock

Through Christ’s grace, one sees

 

Delivering light

Victory at hand

Watching enemy flee

Forever Christ stands

 

Fulfilling purpose

Gentle voice shares love

Lasting promise of peace

Christ views from above

 

Rising with new life

Fed with living bread

Preserving lasting hope

From Christ’s blood, He shed

 

Praising His Father

Mighty are His deeds

Sharing joy from His heart

Christ’s righteousness leads

 

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

From Psalm 138:8:  “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.  Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”

Redemption in Christ

From Deuteronomy 31:8:  “It is the Lord who goes before you.  He will be with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Photo by Manuel Keusch on Pexels.com

Always going before us

Seeing every tomorrow

Faith’s steadfast anchor

Courage, buoyed by Spirit’s shadow

 

Every moment in prayer

Feeling His daily kinship

Peace shared from Father

Grace sails, with encouragement’s ship

 

Journey’s turbulent moments

Shrinking in Calvary’s light

Christ wins each battle

Enemy’s darkness, taking flight

 

Imperfect oceans of faith

Sailing upon trusted rock

Redemption in Christ

Mercy’s strength, brings to Heaven’s dock

 

Photo by Malen Almonacid Trossi on Pexels.com

From 1 Corinthians 16:13:  “Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Love’s Precious Breath (Elfchen Series #262)

Discovery

Receiving

Lord’s calling

Trusting His Word

Journey filled with blessings

Strength

Photo by Rodolfo Quiru00f3s on Pexels.com

Transformation

Embracing

Lord’s righteousness

Strengthening spiritual muscles

Faith built upon truth

Persistence

Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels.com

Passage

Accepting

Lord’s assurances

Persisting through grace

Light witnessed at Calvary

Promises

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

Ralph Waldo Emerson Quote

Photo by Erik Mclean on Pexels.com

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.

From Philippians 2:3-4:  “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.  Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, poet, and philosopher.  He was a leading voice in America’s transcendentalist movement in the 19th century.