Fear Not

From Matthew 14:22-24: “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.”

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Life’s storms intensify

Overcoming with fear

Facing each hostile sea

Darkness, nothing seems clear

 

Spiritual squalls come

Turning world upside down

Battered by strongest gales

Fearing each wave’s knockdown

 

Christ’s love intercedes

Praying hands, clay’s potter

Mountains to heavens

Walking on calm water

 

Jesus never leaves us

Storms quietly subside

His blessed protection

Lasting, sovereign guide

 

Fear not, faith’s spark ablaze

Christ’s true light boldly seeds

Following Son of God

Hope ripens from His deeds

 

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From Matthew 14:25-27:  “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea.  But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’  And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”

Living Truths

From Proverbs 23:23:  “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

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Philosophy breathes steady, faith’s living truths

Waiting with wisdom, long missing from our youth

 

Life’s daily chase may not be worth small treasure

Reading God’s Word, bringing life’s honest measure

 

Plan on giving more to others than ourselves

Blessing us with far more than dusty bookshelves

 

Jesus teaches us to treat others with love

Harnessing our Lord’s grace and peace from above

 

Trust lives as hope’s virtue, never to be lost

Securing it tightly, at ultimate cost

 

Our daily comfort zone brings false sense of peace

Rising up with Christ, offering life’s new lease

 

Failure teaches toughest lessons of living

Earning later success, praise with thanksgiving

 

Mankind’s world spins daily, filled with too much change

Praying to God, calms life with daily exchange

 

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From James 1:17-18:  “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  In fulfillment of His own purpose He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of His creatures.”

Christian Walk (Elfchen Series #36)

Holy Father

Kneeling

In prayer

God sitting close

Hearing our every word

Sustaining

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Life’s Purpose

Called

To duty

Servants of Christ

Producing lasting spiritual growth

Transforming

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Sharing

Enough

We possess

Trusting our Lord

Do enough for others

Unselfishness

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Warren Wiersbe Quote

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There are times when we simply don’t feel like praying–and that is when we need to pray the most.

From Psalm 32:6-7:  “Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.  You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.”

Faith and Mountains

From Mark 11:23:  “Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you.”

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Life facing complex, hurting world

Rugged mountain peaks, blocking us

Never be in doubt, but believe

Accepting God’s grace, ride His bus

 

Immovable mountains stand tall

Remaining steadfast in prayer

Requiring faith in our Father

He watches over our welfare

 

Lacking faith, walking in darkness

Our Father sends His lasting grace

Prepared and willing to assist

His energy, ready to embrace

 

God seeks men and women of faith

Follow His Word, forever speaks

For our Lord’s glory and kingdom

Trusting Him, tackling mountain peaks

 

Believe totally in the Lord

Walking in faithfulness each day

Our faith moves our Father to act

Thanks be to God, He shows the way! 

 

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From the words of American pastor and author, E. M. Bounds:  “Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer can move God.”

Morning Peace

From Lamentations 3:22-23:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

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Early morning arrives

Filled with mishmash of thoughts

Searching for peace of mind

Asking God, call the shots

 

Waiting in the kitchen

Prayer time with the Lord

His spirit calms life down

Life’s outlook feels restored

 

Table’s Bible invites

Reading, learning God’s Word

His insight teaches truth

Daily lessons inferred

 

Accepting God’s invite

Dressed for an autumn walk

Dialog moves outside

Let’s continue to talk

 

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From Isaiah 57:19:  “Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.”

Finding New Life

From 2 Corinthians 11:13-14:  “For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

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Facing life’s harshest trials

Walking uphill in shadows

Keeping on the proper trail

Coveting greener meadows

 

Suffering darkest ordeals

Praying for divine advice

Listening for God’s response

Willing to pay any price

 

Hiding off the path, waiting

Offering cunning, false hope

Sliding into Satan’s net

Reaching up for rescue’s rope

 

Clutching God’s forgiving hand

Leaving the enemy’s grip

Finding new life with the Lord

Walking in His fellowship

 

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From Romans 6:22-23:  “But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification.  The end is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Lettie B. Cowman Quote

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Two wings are necessary to lift our souls toward God:  prayer and praise.  Prayer asks.  Praise accepts the answer.

From Hebrews 13:15-16:  “Through Him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Faithful Journey

From Psalm 85:8-9:  “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His faithful, to those who turn to Him in their hearts.  Surely His salvation is at hand for those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.”

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Uncertain darkness

Surrounds me this day

Humbly take a knee

Bowing now to pray

 

Prayers calling God

Remain unhurried

Unanswered questions

Never be worried

 

Christ’s teachings feed thee

With the bread of life

This eternal gift

Blessings without strife

 

Lord of life and love

He feeds and frees all

Through His Holy Word

Never builds a wall

 

Allow me to pause

God prods thee along

Hearing His questions

Answers make me strong

 

God everlasting

Faith remains with thee

Through life’s harsh chaos

Calming stormy seas

 

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From Romans 10:10-13:  “ For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.  The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in Him will be put to shame.’  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on Him.  For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

Educator’s Prayer

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Lord, my God, hear this prayer

Bless the students in my care

 

Together, we’ll face each day

Overcoming times of gray

 

Bring patience to this classroom

Allow these young minds to bloom

 

Create a safe learning zone

God with us, never alone

 

There may be days not at school

Find ways to make learning cool

 

Cover colleagues with your love

Devotion, to be proud of

 

Send families gifts of grace

May we all stand and embrace

 

Loving each child in my care

Walk together in prayer

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It seems there are nearly infinite challenges to educating our youth (both in schools and universities).  My own daily prayers include significant time for teachers, students, and families during these challenging times.  I especially reach out to my former colleagues who are still teaching as well as two of my daughters who teach.  I may be retired from the classroom, but my heart still misses all whom I served and worked with.