Christ is the aperture through which the immensity and magnificence of God can be seen.
From John 14:6-7: “ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you know Me, you will know My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.'”
J. B. (John Bertram) Phillips (1906-1982) was an English Bible translator, Christian author, and Anglican pastor.
Too many Christians have geared their program to please, to entertain, and to gain favor from this world. We are concerned with how much, instead of how little, like this age we can become.
From John 15:19: “ If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Billy Graham (1918-2018) was an American Christian evangelist.
From Psalm 138:7: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; You stretch out Your hand, and Your right hand delivers me.”
Facing great troubles
Darkness surrounds thee
Grasping faith’s mighty Rock
Through Christ’s grace, one sees
Delivering light
Victory at hand
Watching enemy flee
Forever Christ stands
Fulfilling purpose
Gentle voice shares love
Lasting promise of peace
Christ views from above
Rising with new life
Fed with living bread
Preserving lasting hope
From Christ’s blood, He shed
Praising His Father
Mighty are His deeds
Sharing joy from His heart
Christ’s righteousness leads
From Psalm 138:8: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”
From Colossians 3:1-2: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
Resurrection’s breath
Eternal truth above
Joining hands with Savior
His light calls out with love
Good Shepherd’s clear voice
Every lamb follows Him
Praising new life in Christ
Journey no longer grim
Today’s stumbling steps
Faith’s imperfect avenue
Revealing Christ’s mercy
Spirit carries one through
Clothed in righteousness
Forgiven of one’s sins
Accepting Savior’s grace
Heaven’s joy, hope shall win
Trust welcomes Christ’s Word
Darkness leaving each heart
Tasting His peace at last
Eternity’s fresh start
From Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
The cross is the greatest example of humility and devotion in the universe. Jesus put your needs ahead of His own. He considered you more valuable than Himself.
From Philippians 2:3-5: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”
Ralph Browne (Chip) Ingram (born 1954) is an American pastor and Christian teacher.
Take a look around your life.
Tell me what you see.
Do you have a future?
Are you living free?
Perhaps you haven’t seen the time
you had to make a choice.
Will you choose to follow them,
or listen to another voice?
Make a vow unto yourself.
Let the whole world see.
Make a choice for yourself.
Be the best that you can be.
Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Stand up and shout it out loud.
Know where your life is going.
Choose to know Jesus, be proud.
Take a look around your life.
Tell me what you see.
Can you see the future,
where you’re living free?
Perhaps you know that He loves you.
He gave His life for all.
Will you listen to the world,
or listen to our Savior’s call?
Make a vow to yourself.
Let the whole world see.
Make a choice for yourself.
Be the best that you can be.
Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Stand up and shout it out loud.
Know where your life is going.
Choose to know Jesus, be proud.
Today’s poem is selected from Colleen Peterson’s recently published book. Her book is dedicated to themes of Family and Christian life.
My wife accumulated countless thoughts and writings over the years while her two daughters were in their childhood. Eventually, these treasured bits and pieces formed the foundation of her book.
Here are some of Colleen’s thoughts about the book:
Bits ‘N’ Pieces Of My heart contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs. The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light. Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.
More information is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several other platforms.
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.
Darkness masks life’s landscape
Hiding sin’s heartless shame
Trying to flee past hurts
Shadows always aflame
Trials sometimes arise
Shrouding foundation’s cracks
Concealing hell’s façade
Tomorrow painted black
Misery breathes as one
Filling with cold despair
Seeing nothing beyond
Jesus descends with care
Dependence upon grace
Acknowledging past sins
Kneeling at Calvary
Forgiveness calling in
Redemption comes through Christ
Extending mercy’s light
Transforming soul’s battles
Spirit’s fire always bright
Security is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of Jesus.
From John 10: 28-30: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, in regard to what He has given Me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
John Eldredge (born 1960) is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. More details are available on his website: wildatheart.org.
From Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Journey through darkness
Consumed by fire of sin
Filled with desires of flesh
Bound for hell’s tailspin
Enemy’s false words
Promises unfulfilled
Confidence now waning
Whisper of hope killed
Shepherd’s gate opens
Calvary’s light beholds
Kneel now, accept His grace
Heaven’s path unfolds
Flesh left in darkness
Repentance of past ways
Leaving sin’s wilderness
Faith in Christ each day
Lord’s grace accepted
Covered with Father’s love
Savoring hope’s reward
Glory from above
Holding fast in trust
Faithful, transforming pace
Redemption forever
Joy’s heavenly place
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 