Boundless

From Ephesians 3:14-15: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.”

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Praising Father above
Light reflected in His Word
Boundless in its depth
Strengthening through what’s heard

Gathering in worship
Righteous-filled interactions
Boundless energy
Leading faith to action

Dwelling in every heart
Joined together through prayer
Boundless connections
Receiving peace to share

Trusting in tomorrow
Savior opens Heaven’s light
Boundless in its truth
Transforming mankind’s plight

Resurrecting each heart
Father’s glory to embrace
Boundless Spirit stirs
Raising Christ’s destined grace

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From Ephesians 3:18-19: “I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

R. A. Torrey Quote

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Prayer that is born of meditation upon the Word of God is the prayer that soars upward most easily to God’s listening ears.

From Hebrews 4:12: “Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

R. A. Torrey (1856-1928) was an American Christian evangelist and Bible teacher. Reuben Archer Torrey also served as pastor, educator, and writer.

Hope’s Embrace

From the words of English preacher, Charles Spurgeon: “God alone can give us songs in the night.”

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Landscape’s light seems distant
Worry consumes another heart
Faith’s tattered fabric breathes
Darkness tears life apart

Light’s breath offers mercy
Truth transcends throughout Father’s Word
With each hour, called to trust
Holy Spirit now stirred

Heavens’ cascading light
Thoughts nurtured, turning to prayer
Blessed psalms heard at night
Evidence Father cares

Love shaped by Savior’s light
His promises shall overcome
Valley’s shadow of death
Broken in smallest crumbs

Light’s expansive nature
Abundantly flowing with grace
Blindness lifted away
Faith swells from hope’s embrace

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From Mark 5:35-36: “While he was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the synagogue leader, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.'”

Contagious Faith

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Reflections from French Archbishop, theologian, and writer, Francois Fenelon (1651-1715):  “Faith is letting down our nets into the transparent deeps at the Divine command, not knowing what we shall draw.”

 

A well-seasoned fisherman had been casting his nets throughout the night.  Unfortunately for him and his family, there would likely be no fresh fish by morning.

As he gathered his empty nets, a light beam shone across the waters on the left side of his boat.  He felt the Spirit’s quiet nudge, “Cast the net over here.”

The gentle man was suddenly filled with peace. Without hesitation, he cast his nets over the side of the boat.  As the light receded, he felt the boat being drawn deeper into the waters.

Elated with his good fortune, he began pulling in nets heavy with a monumental catch.  Indeed, there would be enough fish to feed his family for many days to come.

As he pulled in the final feet of net onboard, he was surrounded by a sea of fish.  Filled with gratitude, his eyes moved to witness the rising sun, and he paused to pray to God above.  His tone of thankfulness praised the Lord for His goodness.

 

From John 21:4-6:  “Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’  They answered him, ‘No.’  He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’  So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.”

 

Heartbeat of Father

From Exodus 20:2-3:  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before Me.”

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Each day’s beginning

Scheduling His Word

Moments with Father

Embracing what’s heard

 

Any given hour

Pausing for prayer

Spirit nurtures trust

Erasing despair

 

Daily worship time

Praising Lord above

Uplifted in faith

Witnessing His love

 

Blessed fellowship

Caring for others

Never too busy

Serving another

 

This day now ending

Resting in His grace

Heartbeat of Father

Transforming hope’s place

 

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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.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quote

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The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart.

From Psalm 118;24:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

German-born Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident.  Many of his writings express the role of Christianity in mankind’s daily lives.  He paid the ultimate price for his activism against the Nazi regime during World War II.

David Jeremiah Quote

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Are there areas in our lives–whatever our ages–in which we need fresh growth?  Focus on that area, memorize Scripture on that topic, pray for maturity, and ask God for a “growth spurt” in your life.

From 1 Peter 2:2:  “Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation.”

David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Warren Wiersbe Quote

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The mind grows by taking in, but the heart grows by giving out; and it is important to maintain a balanced life.

From Colossians 1:9-10:  “For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.”

Warren Wiersbe (1929-2019) was an American pastor and Christian writer.  His journey as a Christian teacher was prolific with publication of over 50 books.

William Cowper Quote

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Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.

From Ephesians 6:18:  “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.  To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”

William Cowper (1731-1800) was an English poet and hymn writer.

Monday Memories: Bewitching Storm

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Nasty winter gale approaching

Forecast broadcasting storm warning

Heavy snow, high winds, Arctic cold

Village alarms sound by morning

 

Life transcends to total frenzy

Salt trucks loaded, very much ready

Snow plow crews set for night’s work

Village life scrambling, unsteady

 

Packed grocery stores in chaos

Hurried, panic-filled shopping carts

Shelves urgently growing empty

Village pace quickens beating hearts

 

Students anticipate closings

Looking forward, lazy “Snow Day”

No classes, no books, no lessons

Village hunkers down, people pray

 

Winter storm “Tabitha” churning

Pondering, bewitching blizzard

Overnight fury passes on

Village eluding storm’s wizard

 

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The Weather Channel has been naming winter storms in America since 2012-2013.  You may have picked up the connection between the “bewitching” blizzard and the name of the storm “Tabitha.”  Tabitha is one of the available winter storm names for the 2020-2021 winter.  Tabitha is also the daughter of Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) on the successful American sitcom “Bewitched” from 1964-1972.

Originally posted February, 2021.