This life was not intended to be the place of our perfection, but the preparation for it.
From John 6:35: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.'”
Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was an English-born, Puritan pastor and Christian theologian.
Nothing stands the test like solid character. You can handle the blast like a steer in a blizzard. You keep standing against the wind and the howling, raging storm because Christ is at work in your spirit.
From Psalm 119:165: “Great peace have those who love Your law;
nothing can make them stumble.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
From Psalm 18:1-2: “I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Good Shepherd reminds His flock
Take spirit’s path, filled with love
Humbleness leading faith’s walk
Tasting His grace, from high above
High Priest teaches from God’s Word
Another day filled with light
Righteous truth no longer blurred
Accepting grace, within His sight
Savior nurtures faith with hope
Repentance, actions of peace
His love strengthens mercy’s rope
Forgiving grace, never shall cease
Faithful Counselor’s vision
Salvation to always trust
Joy-filled without division
Breathing with God’s grace, life adjusts
Messiah reigns eternal
Calvary’s blood overcomes
His hand writes in faith’s journal
Offering grace, God’s kingdom come
From Psalm 18:46: “The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation.”
There is only one place where we are right, and that is in Christ Jesus.
From 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
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.
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.'”
Facing life’s darkest times
Tempest sweeping over thee
Hiding from storm’s anger
Light’s shadow approaching thee
Fearing who comes forward
His tenderness touches thee
Rising from death’s darkness
His body’s blood saving thee
Recognizing Jesus
His hand reaches out to thee
Quieting surging tides
Joy now rushes upon thee
Hearing His faithful voice
Savior’s grace now covers thee
Forgiving life’s missteps
Redemption now awaits thee
Witnessing faith in Christ
Eternal love surrounds thee
Securing hope with peace
Tomorrow brightens for thee
From Matthew 14:28-30: “Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.”
From Psalm 31:24: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”
Facing life’s trials and critics
Soul and body wasting away
Discouraged, hurting, and distressed
Broken down, strength failing . . . decay
Needing encouragement with love
Safe from others, place for healing
Looking for refuge, where to turn
Life under siege, tired and reeling
Seeking lasting grace and mercy
Delivering us from dark gloom
Rescue arrives, stand and rejoice
His steadfast love, fully in bloom
Staffed by a special redeemer
Our strength, comrade, fortress, and rock
Holding us up with steadfast love
Follow Him, our living bedrock
Called by another name . . . Jesus
From Psalm 31:1-2: “In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.”
Originally published September, 2020.
The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared to Jesus Christ.
From John 15:15: “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father.”
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.
Witnessing
Empty tomb
Victory, Jesus lives
Hope’s darkness forever vanquished
Light
Impossible
Calvary’s cross
Crucifixion, death, burial
Meeting along Emmaus Road
Possible
Believing
Messiah’s Resurrection
Chains forever broken
Enemy’s false assurances shattered
Redemption
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
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.”
Foreshadowing
Sin’s forgiveness
Come unto my Lord
Kneeling, praying at Calvary’s
Cross
Surrounding
Sin’s darkness
Only one Light
Hope found my Savior
Peace
Embracing
Faith’s cornerstone
Set aside everything
Commit life to Jesus
Reconciliation
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
Big Sky Buckeye 