Monday Memories: Fear Not

From Matthew 14:22-24: “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.”

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Life’s storms intensify

Overcoming with fear

Facing each hostile sea

Darkness, nothing seems clear

 

Spiritual squalls come

Turning world upside down

Battered by strongest gales

Fearing each wave’s knockdown

 

Christ’s love intercedes

Praying hands, clay’s potter

Mountains to heavens

Walking on calm water

 

Jesus never leaves us

Storms quietly subside

His blessed protection

Lasting, sovereign guide

 

Fear not, faith’s spark ablaze

Christ’s true light boldly seeds

Following Son of God

Hope ripens from His deeds

 

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From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Originally published December, 2020.

Hope’s Refreshing Pace

From Deuteronomy 30:19-20:  “Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and holding fast to Him, for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

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Choosing to follow

Father’s divine Word

Walking in His ways

Heaven’s light unblurred

 

Cherishing each day

Father softens heart

Guiding Spirit’s breath

Truth offers fresh start

 

Taking trusted path

Father’s saving grace

Perishing no more

Hope’s refreshing pace

 

Strengthening faith’s roots

Father’s tender hand

Living waters shine

Darkness cannot stand

 

Observing sin’s filth

Father sends His Son

Washing away debts

Mercy breathes through One

 

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From Psalm 1:1-2:  “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night.”

Seeking Direction

From James 1:5:  “ If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”

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Life’s distant horizon

Questions sometimes remain

Seeking direction from God

His Word opens wisdom’s lane

 

Tomorrow’s shadows wait

Doubts filling empty heart

Nourishing grace sustains faith

God’s wisdom offers fresh start

 

From waves of churning seas

Promised answers shall rise

Embracing God’s blessed love

Wisdom colors daily skies

 

More struggles shall arrive

Faith’s endurance shares light

Trusting to always just ask

God’s wisdom remaining bright

 

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From the words of American Christian writer, John Eldredge:  “Notice that we must ask.  And we will sometimes struggle to hear and struggle with what we hear.  But personally, it’s worth it.  I’m after the path of life–and He alone knows it.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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God instructs us in what we choose, that is, He guides our common sense, and we no longer hinder His Spirit by continually saying–“Now Lord, what is Thy will?”

From Psalm 25:14:  “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes his covenant known to them.”

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.

Robert Baden-Powell Quote

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In a difficult situation one never-failing guide is to ask yourself:  “What would Christ have done?”

From John 13:14-15:  “ So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) was a British-born army officer, writer, and founder of the Boy Scouts Association.

Thomas Watson Quote

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Faith believes as if it did not work, and it works as if it did not believe.

From 1 Corinthians 3:8:  “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and each will receive wages according to their own labor.”

Thomas Watson (1620-1686) was an English Puritan preacher and Christian author.

Mercy’s Enlightenment (Elfchen Series #256)

Guidance

Following

Spirit’s truth

Preparing faith’s way

Lighted bridge to Father

Jesus

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Compassion

Jesus

Twin commandments

Love thy Father

Love thy fellow man

Grace

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Redemption

Grace

Sinner’s salvation

Paying every debt

Savior bears man’s cross

Forgiveness

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Monday Memories: Future 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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Expecting our best

God shall never rest

 

God’s future glory

Becomes our story

 

Adopting each child

Life now reconciled

 

What’s lying ahead?

God’s plan weaves its thread

 

Life fosters trials

Coming with each mile

 

His Word, guidance, love

Shining from above

 

God’s sacred fitness

Our constant witness

 

Daring to dream now

God’s mercy allows

 

Caring, righteous Lord

Trusting His accord

 

Patience encouraged

Waiting with courage

 

Together working

Blessed networking

 

Humbleness fills life

Removing all strife

 

Sowing fertile seeds

Harvest’s bread now feeds

 

Called by Jesus Christ

His blood sacrificed

 

Glory fills God’s name

Building each life’s frame

 

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From 1 Corinthians 10:31:  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Originally published October, 2020.

Scripture’s Conversation (Elfchen Series #244)

Renewer

Faithfulness

In teaching

God’s Word deepens

Each fiber of understanding

Uplifted

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Cultivator

Righteousness

In teaching

God’s Word nourishes

Grace fills another heart

Trusted

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Pathfinder

Truthfulness

In teaching

God’s Word guides

Faith’s very next step

Witnessed

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Heavenly Guidance (Elfchen Series #242)

Daily Joy

Faith’s

Goodness breathes

Mercy shall lead

Surely found in God

Hope

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Healing Breath

Delivering

From darkness

Victory over enemy

God’s still waters flow

Restoration

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Every Step

Trusted

Divine love

Lighting righteous path

Walking toward God’s eternity

Peace

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