We ought to behave ourselves every day as though we had no dependence on any other.
From Psalm 113:4-6: “The Lord is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?”
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was an American revivalist pastor, Christian theologian, and philosopher.
From James 1:22: “But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”
Father’s expectations
Obedience to His Word
Man’s imperfect faith
Heaven’s light remains blurred
Father addressed as Lord
Mankind’s trust remains distant
Shallow commitment
Actions inconsistent
Father’s observations
Each believer falling short
Every fool’s errand
Without Heaven’s passport
Father’s forthright guidance
Witnessed journey of His Son
Righteousness of Christ
Obedience of One
Father’s harmony breathes
Through Savior’s perfect actions
Unblemished lamb’s grace
Source of sin’s retraction
From Romans 5:19: “For just as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
Foretaste
Prayer’s
Thoughtful meditation
Overpowering temptation’s steps
Energized with God’s Word
Anticipation
Providence
Prayer’s
Daily obedience breathes
Foresee battles to come
Unwavering journey
Faithfulness
Devotion
Prayer’s
Confidence matures
Embracing heavenly light
Patience descends from God
Answers
If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience.
From John 7:16-17: “Then Jesus answered them, ‘My teaching is not Mine but His who sent Me. Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on My own.'”
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 Exodus 17:1-2: “The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.'”
Surrounded by wilderness
God’s people seek hope’s waters
Responding with His goodness
Thirst quenched in sons and daughters
Shepherd’s eternal presence
His flock never left alone
Lifting eyes toward heavens
Trust in God, faith’s fabric sewn
Sinful stones must be softened
Hunger lingers tomorrow
Calling all to repentance
Mercy’s waters always flow
God ignites fire of judgment
Faith’s journey seeks lighted way
Praying for obedience
Wayward steps find grace this day
Wilderness tests man’s resolve
Enemy’s darkest shadows
Following Christ, our Savior
Destination of peace glows
From Psalm 95:6-7: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.”
Spirit
Moves within
Reshaping human fabric
Christ imparts blessed light
Purification
Witness
Through faithfulness
Adopting sovereign gift
Christ rises within thee
Obedience
Trust
Born again
Manifesting within believer
Christ’s righteousness becomes ours
Discipleship
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.
You cannot continue doing things your way and accomplish God’s purposes. Your thinking cannot come close to God’s thoughts. For you to do the will of God, you must adjust your life to Him, His purposes, and His ways.
From Luke 22:39-42: “He came out and went, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When He reached the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me, yet not My will but Yours be done.”
Henry Blackaby (1935-2024) was a Canadian pastor and Christian author.
God’s grand strategy, birthed in His grace toward us in Christ, and nurtured through the obedience of disciplined faith, is to release us into the redeemed life of our heart.
From Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
John Eldredge (born 1960) is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. More details are available on his website: wildatheart.org.
God has some extremely exciting things in mind for His children. He knows exactly where He’s taking us. Our job is to obey.
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.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Our calling is to be faithful in the demanding tasks, whether that is our education, our marriage, our occupation, of just the daily grind of life.
From Isaiah 50:10: “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God?”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Big Sky Buckeye 