Burdens Ease

From Matthew 10:38-39:  And whoever does not take up the cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.  Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for My sake will find it.”

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Life’s suffering

World calls out

Run from burdens

Filled with doubt

 

Wandering

Castaway now

Full of hate

Life’s heavy plow

 

Overwhelming

Darkness calls

Enemy waits

Man shall fall

 

Each of us

Jesus teaches

Cross to bear

Pain, it reaches

 

Taking up cross

Burdens ease

Embrace each one

Mercy sees

 

Follow Christ

Losing old ways

Find new life

Faith’s hope ablaze

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll:  “Each of us has some area of pain and suffering in life.  The world around us would have us run from that burden–to resent it, hate it.  Instead, we should embrace it.”

Faith’s Blessed Actions (Elfchen Series #139)

Stepping Up

Hearing

Christ’s call

Boldly following Him

Serving needs of others

Loving

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Life’s Turnabout

Loving

Jesus more

Leaving earthly ways

Rescued from tumultuous seas

Following

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Making Differences

Following

With humbleness

Touching another life

Living in Christ’s presence

Hearing

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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.

Robert Lowry Quote

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What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  (taken from the hymn, “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus”)

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.”

Robert Lowry (1826-1899) was an American preacher as well as an acclaimed hymn writer.  One of his most revered hymns is “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus.”  It was written in 1876, and it has been sung by many contemporary gospel singers.

Oswald Chambers Quote

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We must build our faith, not on the fading light, but on the light that never fails.

From 2 Corinthians 3:18:  “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”

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.

Praising His Light

From Isaiah 9:2:  “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Bethlehem, arrives light

Lying in stable’s manger

Humble birth of hope’s Savior

Grace no longer man’s stranger

 

Shepherds witness God’s glory

Kneeling and praising His light

Justice shall cover this land

Mercy’s, one eternal flight

 

Christ answers His Father’s call

Saving every tender reed

Light pushes away darkness

Evil shall never impede

 

Righteousness shall mark all days

Opening each heart and mind

Jesus shall never waver

His light, perfectly aligned

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Isaiah 42:6-7:  “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”

Welcoming Savior

From Luke 2:10-11:  “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.'”

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Fling wide each window

Open every gate

God walks among us

Welcoming Savior

 

Choir of angels sing

From heavens above

City of David

Salvation’s bright light

 

Answer to prayers

Shepherds witness birth

Praise this King of Kings

Called Emmanuel

 

Trust God’s divine plan

Faith’s most Holy Rock

Fill hearts with gladness

Redemption paid for

 

Father’s act of grace

Eternity’s gift

Hope, peace, joy, and love

Welcoming Savior

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From Galatians 5:22-24:  “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against such things.  And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Charles Swindoll Quote

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Jesus of Nazareth had a magnificent obsession:  the cross.  His death on the cross was no afterthought on God’s part but rather, the fulfillment of the Father’s predetermined plan for His Son.

From Luke 24:46-47:  “He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.'”

Monday Memories: God’s Team

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Jesus gathers up His apostles from humble ground

Making up God’s team, their witness shall abound

 

God’s Word oversees the performance of this team

Standing as chief executive, seeing holiest theme

 

The Holy Spirit earmarks the hearts and brains

Serving as the binding glue, better than chains

 

Returning to the beginning of God’s creative time

Transforming a land, His Word continues to climb

 

The Creator conceives of a perfect place for man

Placing Adam and Eve in Eden, always His plan

 

But, Adam and Eve journey on a sin-filled path

Leaving the ample garden, under God’s wrath

 

From this moment, God’s team stumbles and wanders

Facing estrangement from God, His people squander

 

Jesus comes to bridge what separates us from God

Sitting at the right hand, coaching a humbled squad

 

God establishes His expectations, perfectly high

Faltering and imperfect mortals, will never satisfy

 

The team continues to collapse over and over again

Forgetting God’s Commandments, sin seems to win

 

Many teams measure success by the flashy show

Works by themselves, will never add much glow

 

But, Jesus shepherds His team on a brand new track

Following by faith alone, Jesus always has their back

 

He reminds us to always love our God in Heaven’s seat

Loving each other as you have loved Me, always repeat

 

A bloody, criminal’s Cross summons all to take a knee

Accepting Jesus as Savior, teammates look up to see

 

Our Father orchestrates, with infinite patience and love

Creating and molding, the Great I Am looks from above

 

Jesus remains alert at the Creator’s side

Carrying keys to eternal life, all bona fide

 

As team members, we must trust, follow, and abide

Playing for Jesus, His coaching is forever our guide

 

 

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Originally published January, 2020.

John Newton Quote

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Jesus did not tell parables to confirm well-known truths, but rather to shatter well-known truths.

From John 8:31-32:  “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”

John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.”  His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life.  He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity.  He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.

Forever’s Light (Elfchen Series #132)

Emmanuel

Hallelujah!

Wonderful, Counselor

God with us

Hallowed Prince of Peace

Everlasting

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Greatest Love

Hallelujah!

Blessed Savior

Eternal life’s gift

Journey away from darkness

Inexhaustible

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Resurrection Lives

Hallelujah!

God’s goodness

Peace and grace

Kneeling at one cross

Undefeated

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