Forever, King of Kings

From Luke 2:8-11:  “Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Humble shepherds

Tending flocks at night

Angel sharing great news

Shining from Bethlehem’s light

 

Minds awaken

Praising with great joy

Hearts filling with wonder

Witnessing love in this boy

 

Promise fulfilled

Giving thanks to God

Savior comes to rescue

Raising hope, at last unthawed

 

Darkness conquered

Forgiving man’s sin

Forever, King of Kings

Locking redemption’s linchpin

 

Photo by Joachim Schnu00fcrle on Pexels.com

From Colossians 1:13-14:  “He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

Photo by Leeloo The First on Pexels.com

Self-realization leads to the enthronement of work; whereas the saint enthrones Jesus Christ in his work.

From Philippians 3:10:  “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Him in His death.”

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.

Alexander Maclaren Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Being in Christ, it is safe to forget the past; it is possible to be sure of the future; it is possible to be diligent in the present.

From Galatians 2:19-20:  “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910) was an Scottish-born pastor and Christian writer.

Abraham Kuyper Quote

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

In the total expanse of human life, there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, “That is Mine!”

From Romans 8:28:  “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) was a Dutch pastor, journalist, statesman, and Christian theologian.  He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901-1905.

Brian Keepers Quote

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com

Resilience is not about achieving big, extraordinary things for God; it’s about living an ordinary life in a beautiful way, loving others as Christ has loved us.

From Ephesians 5:19-21:  “As you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Brian Keepers is an American pastor who has served in the ministry for over 20 years.

John Owen Quote

Photo by Maruxa Lomoljo Koren on Pexels.com

Fill your affections with the cross of Christ that there may be no room for sin.

From Matthew 13:41-43:  “The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will collect out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

John Owen (1616-1683) was an English Puritan church leader and theologian.

Peace at Last (Elfchen Series #278)

Trusting

Famine

Hungering faith

Savior raises hope

Living Bread feeds all

Nourished

The Last Supper Jesus breaks the bread.

Conquering

Darkness

Uphill journey

Messiah infuses light

Courage travels mercy’s road

Illuminated

Redeeming

Battles

With flesh

Calvary rises up

Salvation breathes from Cross

Transformed

All images courtesy of Pinterest.

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.

Following Jesus

From Psalm 34:4-5:  “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  Look to him, and be radiant, so your faces shall never be ashamed.”

Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

Reading Father’s Word

Answers come to thee

Praising from heart’s depths

Darkness at last flees

 

Filling hope’s goodness

Father shares His grace

Nourishing with love

Wisdom to embrace

 

Walking with Father

His righteousness speaks

Directing each step

Enemy now meek

 

Praying for guidance

Father bends earth’s light

Sending Christ to lead

Mercy taking flight

 

Following Jesus

Faith’s journey brightens

Choosing Him each day

His peace enlightens

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From John 5:20-21:  “The Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.  Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever He wishes.”

Max Lucado Quote

Photo by Diego HG on Pexels.com

Water is a picture of the Spirit of Jesus working in us.  He’s not working to save us, mind you; that work is done.  He’s working to change us.

From John 7:37-38:  “On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.  As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'”

Max Lucado (born 1955) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Guest Advent Poem: A Special Gift

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.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

A special gift arrived for us!

It came so quietly . . .

. . . perhaps you did not know.

There was no fancy wrapping,

not even a pretty bow,

no ornate frills or glitter,

no festive party mood . . .

. . . Just a tiny, baby boy

born in a stable crude.

He was our Savior King.

He came to earth to bring

God’s gift of love!

 

God’s greatest gift was giv’n to us.

It was His only Son . . .

. . . perhaps you did not know.

He left a throne in heaven

to come to our world below.

His birth was without grandeur;

a star His only crown;

. . . Just a precious little babe;

our God, to earth came down.

He is our Savior King

To Him all Praises sing

God’s gift, great love!

 

So, turn your eyes from the glitter,

of Santa’s presents bright . . .

. . . perhaps you need to know.

Just turn from what the world sees,

and gaze on that glorious night.

Look there upon the baby

in God’s own holy light.

. . . Now, look past the party crowds

past shopping to be done.

Look past all worldly things.

Look at the baby king,

God’s Gift has come!

Courtesy of Pinterest.

These scenes are captured by my wife, Colleen.  The poem is featured in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART, her Christian and family themed book.  The book features stories, devotions, and poetry for adults and teens.  Hands-on activities and delightful songs are included for families with young children.  God’s love is the guiding light throughout the book’s pages.