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When I stumble
My body tumbles
Weakness fills me
Not worthy to see
Attempting to move
Just not in my groove
People walk right by
None saying even “hi”
Ignoring me there
Silence never fair
Feeling so much alone
Picking up my phone
Finding short text to read
Responding to my needs
Standing up now
Kneeling to bow
The message sustains
No, I’m not to blame
“My brother, rise up thee
Now, always follow me”
Jesus!
Originally published April, 2019.
From Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Mind submitting to Christ
Transforming worldly view
Opening to God’s truth
Holding fast, Spirit’s glue
Grace received at no cost
Traveling faith’s avenue
Walking daily with Christ
Feeling love’s bright breakthrough
Clearest, focused logic
Choosing right over wrong
Following Christ’s high road
Praising with hope’s new song
Prayers connect with God
Receiving blessed gifts
Aligning with His Word
Granting life’s heartfelt shift
Faith’s renewal strengthened
Breathing with clear thinking
Trusting always in Christ
Living without sinking
Father’s will comes to earth
Living as God and man
Overcoming with good
Teaching us that we can
From Romans 12:21: “ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Replace your excuses with fresh determination.
From 1 John 2:28-29: “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before Him at His coming.”
From Galatians 4:4-5: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.”
Wandering, undisciplined
Enslaved to darkness of sin
Unlikely heirs of God’s kingdom
Seeking Jesus, Scripture’s linchpin
Flaunting rebellious spirit
Indifferent to God’s Word
Fallible, filled with weakness
Finding Jesus, redemption stirred
Warming frozen hearts with grace
Light rising from blood-stained tree
Adopted as God’s children
Choosing Jesus, forever free
Breaking loose from evil’s chains
Deliverance, God’s design
Forgiven, more disciplined
Praising Jesus, mercy divine
Proclaiming Gospel’s viewpoint
Epiphany of God’s joy
Disciples, called to follow
Serving Jesus, mission deploys
From 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
From Joshua 1:9: “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Challenges rolling in
On waves of ceaseless tides
Searching for faithful hope
Jesus shall be thy guide
Universe seems empty
Darkness never takes rest
Seeking encouragement
Jesus hears each request
Faith walking toward light
Hope growing from His love
Filling heart with fresh grace
Jesus comes from above
Optimism descending
Day’s outlook shining bright
Finding encouragement
Jesus shares trusted light
From Romans 15:5-6: “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Because He lives, I can see tomorrow.
From Romans 10:9: “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
From Luke 9:23: “Then He said to them all, ‘If any wish to come after Me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.'”
Walking road of solitude
Every step heading somewhere
Today, meeting one stranger
“Come, follow me”—He declares
Hearing His witness of grace
Darkness transitions to light
Stranger’s Word sinking deeper
Rendezvous sealed with Spirit bright
Sharing His comfort of peace
Truth serving as Scripture’s guide
Stranger’s righteous heart affirms
Mercy’s breath comes alongside
Traveling as one each day
Faith’s journey follows high road
Stranger’s compass always true
Love unlocks atonement’s code
Seeing life’s purpose at last
Redemption at Heaven’s door
Stranger no more, Jesus Christ
Eternity comes ashore
From John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
When we stay focused on Jesus, we can take comfort in knowing He’ll lead us through the hard places.
From Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.”
Jesus has prayed that we might be one with Him as He is one with the Father.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”
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 Luke 24:13-15: “Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself came near and went with them.”
On life’s Emmaus Road
Walking closely with thee
Grace of Jesus bestowed
Calvary’s path sets us free
Wilderness gathers near
Walking down evil’s road
Christ’s love making it clear
Sinful darkness now implodes
Life’s burdens weighing down
Walking with Christ, our Lord
Mercy begins countdown
Redemption coming on board
Heaven’s kingdom awaits
Walking each faithful path
Salvation opens gate
Jesus bridges judgement’s wrath
From Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Big Sky Buckeye 