Do not limit the limitless God! With Him, face the future unafraid because you are never alone.
From Jeremiah 29:11-12: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will hear you.”
Lettie B. Cowman (1870-1960) was an American writer of Christian devotional books.
From Psalm 84:1-2: “How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
Future expectations
Journey’s path filled with light
Another page to open
Tomorrow looking bright
Peace dwells in Father’s heart
Journey’s joy hears His Word
Hope’s breath gathers strength from Him
Faith prospers from what’s spurred
Family, friends, career
Journey’s love means much more
Kneeling at cross in prayer
Savior cancels sin’s score
Challenges shall arise
Journey’s road appears blocked
Trust in Jesus sends faith’s key
Salvation now unlocked
Darkness breathing no more
Journey’s destiny bright
Christ delivers victory
Future filled with His light
From Psalm 84:11: “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; He bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
In stillness of morn
Single flame burning
Offering goodness
Each hour keeps churning
In stillness of day
Single flame burning
Sharing lasting peace
Heartbeat keeps churning
In stillness of work
Single flame burning
Energizing joy
Outlook keeps churning
In stillness of night
Single flame burning
Encouraging hope
Life shall keep churning
In stillness of dreams
Single flame burning
Grasping tender hand
True love keeps churning
From 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.”
Stay alert, darkness lurks
Enemy remains at large
Believing in Savior’s strength
Faith in Him, taking charge
Faith sown with righteousness
Found in Christ’s merciful breath
Calling saints, wear His armor
Recall, Lord conquered death
Witness Calvary’s grace
Jesus suffers for man’s sins
Nailing each one to faith’s cross
His love shall always win
Hope’s perfect Good Shepherd
Always tending to His flock
Revealing glory’s goodness
Peace springs from faith’s bedrock
Hang on to faith’s Savior
Humble selves in mercy’s hands
Casting burdens upon Him
Heaven’s sunrise shall stand
From 1 Peter 5:11: “To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.”
From Hebrews 3:12-13: “Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Liberty shall be defined
Opportunity arrives
Sharing peace from Jesus Christ
Future’s hope breathing alive
Unconditional spirit
Encouragement’s blessed Word
Turning toward Father’s grace
Benevolence always stirred
Present sufferings shall fade
New creation waits for all
Finding joy in light’s freedom
Chains of sin’s bondage shall fall
Faith’s blessed door now opens
Love invites all to enter
Hearing Father’s steady voice
Mercy waits at room’s center
All peace shines from Son’s goodness
Justified by Father’s hand
Walking in darkness no more
Light’s hope will forever stand
From 1 John 1:5: “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
From Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
Climbing faith’s gentle mountain
Every step blessed by God
Praising Him at all times
Life’s outlook no longer flawed
Seeking Spirit’s faithful light
Answers received from God
Bringing righteousness home
Love shatters evil’s facade
Escaping tomorrow’s fears
Never alone with God
Trusting His sacred Word
Hope’s frozen landscape now thawed
Feelings of loneliness cease
Heart warmed with love of God
Saving self from darkness
Goodness walks upon fresh sod
Turning to heaven above
Eyes now focused on God
Hearing faithful Spirit
Redemption forever shod
Finding joy on His mountain
Peace fulfills hope in God
Walking amongst faith’s saints
Shepherd guides with staff and rod
From Psalm 34:22: “The Lord redeems the life of His servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”
From Psalm 25:4-5: “Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long.”
Darkness filled with stormy seas
Navigating all alone
Waiting and watching
Jesus witnesses man’s every groan
Better days surely coming
Spring forward, full of grace
Watching and hoping
Jesus shares righteous branch, now embrace
His way leads to higher ground
Bringing mercy’s salvation
Hoping and trusting
Jesus rebuilds faith’s new foundation
Moments of earnest prayer
Transforming grace taking flight
Trusting and praising
Jesus forgives with redemptive light
Faith nourished with comfort’s love
Raising Resurrection’s bridge
No longer waiting
Jesus offers way to heaven’s ridge
From 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with Him.”
Experiencing
Daily blessings
Heavenly Father above
Source of faith’s comfort
Joy
Praising
Father’s love
Redemption from Savior
Each sin washed white
Peace
Prayer’s
Intimate conversation
Father’s daily grace
Heart opened, hearing Him
Hope
From Luke 2:6-7: “While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth and laid Him in a manger.”
Echoes ring with “Merry Christmas”
To everyone and all
Filled with goodwill’s peace
Witness in each joy-filled call
Deck every hall with love so rich
Each generation shall praise
Gifts of hope opened
Light from Bethlehem ablaze
World no longer suffers darkness
Humble manger shares love
Beneath heavens’ stars
Christ-child descends from above
Dreams of promised peace awakened
Gratitude filled with joy
Faithful kneel to pray
Each shepherd set to deploy
From Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors.”
From Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name Him Immanuel.”
God’s plan of redemption
Viewed through love’s transforming scope
Faithful virgin shall bear His Son
Fulfilling flame of eternal hope
God’s warm heart offers love
Promised Prince at Heaven’s gate
Empty darkness shall fill with joy
Breathing from cold, humble stable’s fate
God’s peace nurtures man’s trust
Filled with mercy’s lasting grace
Sacred Word witnessed in Son’s flesh
Living waters share love to embrace
God’s creation speaks truth
Blessed news fills shepherds’ ears
Advent’s greatest virtue breathes love
Silencing night, morning’s sun appears
Light born in Bethlehem
Delivered hope sharing peace
Angels’ unbelievable joy
Praising Savior’s love, shall never cease
Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
The final hymn of this Advent series comes from the inspiration of American pastor and Christian writer Phillips Brooks. Recalling his 1865 trip to Bethlehem, he wrote the lyrics for “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868.
Big Sky Buckeye 