Upholding
Witness
Heavenly grace
Descending to earth
Embracing God’s tender touch
Joy
Beholding
Joy’s
Heavenly spirit
Announcing Savior’s birth
Choirs of angelic voices
Truth
Engaging
Truth’s
Heavenly righteousness
Flowing into prayer
Eyes upon Risen Christ
Witness
Prayer is not only asking, but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural.
From Matthew 7:11: “If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
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 Psalm 88:1-2: “O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.”
Cold stillness greets early morning air
Dressed in armor’s extra warm layers
Pre-dawn speaks with inviting brightness
Heavenly Father answers prayers
Heart’s emptiness filled with sorrow’s grief
Walking life’s open road with brisk pace
Precious moments with Father’s goodness
He stands ready at this time and place
Frigid frost slaps rosy cheeks and nose
Step after step, life moving along
Chill penetrates through extra clothing
Heart needs comfort, love from Heaven’s song
Absent clouds replaced with brightest sun
God’s advent warms both body and soul
Speaking with loving mercy and grace
Father softens pain from rocky shoal
Walk’s intensity traded for peace
Warmness and hope, alive and feeding
Life’s burdens lightened with God’s blessings
Sharing much more, His presence leading
From Psalm 25:16-17: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress.”
Originally published March, 2021.
Anticipate your battles, fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have the victory.
From 2 Chronicles 20:15: “He said, ‘Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you: Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.‘”
R. A. Torrey (1856-1928) was an American Christian evangelist and Bible teacher. Reuben Archer Torrey also served as pastor, educator, and writer.
When we forgive, the slave we free is ourselves.
From Mark 11:25: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”
Edward Hallowell (born 1949) is an American psychiatrist, speaker, and author.
Harmony
Within
Spirit alone
Another believer trusts
Embracing solitude’s bold silence
Peace
Goodness
Within
Father’s presence
Surrounded in reverence
Welcoming prayer’s daily rendezvous
Love
Promise
Within
Christ’s light
Nourishing faith’s resilience
Resurrection of deliverance rises
Hope
Grateful perspectives do not protect us from the challenges of life, but they do offer us the means to navigate them.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Kristi Nelson is an American Christian writer.
From John 12:44-46: “Then Jesus cried aloud: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in Him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees Him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.'”
Across this world’s vastness
There’s nothing more precious
Than our God-given life
Primed to breath by His grace
Every precious day
Praise God for its richness
Honor life’s simple ways
Praying with thankful hearts
Just as God molds this earth
Spirit works tirelessly
Shaping and stretching lives
Blessing each precious breath
God’s precious hands guiding
Framing, leading, teaching
Crafting lives, filled with love
Accept His blessed gift
Charged with following God
Life’s precious, rocky path
Falling with stumbling steps
But, Father picks us up
Savoring each day’s breath
There’s nothing more precious
Honoring Lord of all
Straight to life’s final end
From Psalm 23:5-6: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”
Following prayer and reading my Bible, my thoughts went into writing this special poem. Indeed, there is nothing more precious than life. On March 17, 2021, my stepfather, Ed, went to the Lord. The love he shared with my mother (his loving Martha) was boundless, and I was blessed to share my Christian faith with him. The unconditional love given by my mother to her blessed Ed will be a lasting gift because it has been witnessed by so many others.
Originally published March, 2021.
If you have lost your peace, get it back through prayer. Commit every troubling thought to God and receive peace in return.
From Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Every single person you see today was created by God and for His pleasure. Each one is a gift. Pay attention to the people you meet, talk with them, pray for them, and encourage them.
From Romans 12:16: “Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.”
Davis Love III (born 1964) is an American professional golfer. He has openly shared his Christian faith with others.
