Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Monday Memories: Defeating Darkness His Way

Posted on September 16, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

From Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

God’s people under attack

Roaring lion on the prowl

Looking for prey to devour

Evil presence brings a scowl

Days becoming the darkest

Running away from the Lord

But, hope waits like eagles’ wings

Holy Spirit comes aboard

Remaining strong with our Lord

Under His mighty power

Wearing protective armor

God’s Word will carry the hour

Our Father’s righteousness speaks

Spirit with us on this day

Withstanding what evil brings

Defeating darkness His way

Time to witness hope-filled faith

Praying daily for action

Quench evil’s flaming arrows

Calling for man’s retraction

Behind His truth, standing firm

Urging others to repent

Proclaiming Gospel of peace

Our Holy God will relent

**Photo by Felipe Borges on Pexels.com**

From Psalm 85:6-7: “Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”

Originally published June, 2020.

John Greenleaf Whittier Quote

Posted on September 15, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com**

Thine to work as well as pray, clearing thorny wrongs away; plucking up the weeds of sin, letting heaven’s warm sunshine in.

From Isaiah 61:11: “For as the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.”

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) was an American poet. His Quaker background entrusted him to advocate for the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Faith Shall Trust

Posted on September 8, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

From Habakkuk 2:4: “Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faithfulness.”

**Photo by Ferdous Hasan on Pexels.com**

Too many demands

Fewer precious hours

Life out of control

Darkness set to devour

Light beams from God’s Word

Life’s frantic pace slows

Moment by moment

Steps finding high plateau

Fresh landscape of peace

In God, faith shall trust

Heart fills with new hope

Priorities adjust

Hidden darkness flees

Armor of light worn

God’s grace stretching out

His answers come each morn

Prayer’s conveyance

Journey with God’s love

Freedom at last found

Guidance breathes from above

From Romans 13:12: “The night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Devoted to Father

Posted on September 4, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 86:2-3: “Preserve my life, for I am devoted to You; save Your servant who trusts in You. You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all day long.”

Devoted to Father

Hearing His endless thoughts

Witnessing heavenly goodness

Life’s lessons always taught

Filled with Father’s steadfast spirit

Trusting His timely grace

Lifting wayward heart from darkness

Love offers mercy’s place

Called to walk in Father’s vision

Turning away from sin

Answering each burden’s prayer

Faith’s glorious linchpin

Delivered light shines upon thee

Words filling confession

Lifting soul from forgotten place

Forgiving transgressions

Comforted with Father’s favor

Rising from empty tomb

Sowing with every seeded field

Peace gathered from each bloom

**Photo by Good Free Photos.com on Pexels.com**

From Psalm 86:11-12: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere Your name. I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever.”

Heavenly Provisions

Posted on August 25, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

From 1 Timothy 3:16-17: “Without any doubt, the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.”

Receiving Father’s love

Heavenly provisions

Learning His trusted ways

Fulfilled with hope’s vision

Living with Father’s peace

Righteousness always leads

Blessing journey ahead

Strengthened with mercy’s seed

Seeking Father’s counsel

Daily conversation

Linking up through prayer

Rejected temptation

Fulfilling Father’s joy

Spirit nurtures each soul

Coming to Lord Jesus

Sanctified, faith made whole

Completing Father’s work

Upon His foundation

Accepting light’s guidance

Restored through salvation

**Photo by Josh Sorenson on Pexels.com**

From 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

Posted on August 25, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

If we think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly.

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.”

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.

Devoted Praise

Posted on August 18, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 106:1: “Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”

**Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com**

Never enough time

Life’s constant demands

Making moments for God

Pausing to hold His hand

Devoted praise speaks

For what God has done

Stopping life’s busy train

Praying beside His Son

Love for God endures

Goodness offers grace

Rejoicing in His peace

Feeling blessed embrace

God’s mighty doings

Quiet moments fill

Singing with heartfelt thanks

Feeling time standing still

**Photo by Israel Torres on Pexels.com**

From Psalm 106:48: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. And let all the people say, ‘Amen.’ Praise the Lord!”

John Masefield Quote

Posted on August 18, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

God warms His hands at man’s heart when he prays.

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.”

John Masefield (1878-1967) was an English poet and writer. Some of his most read poems include “The Everlasting Mercy” and “Sea-Fever.”

Faith’s Tomorrow

Posted on July 17, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 142:3-4: “When my spirit is faint, You know my way. In the path where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me. Look on my right hand and see: there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for me.”

Floundering at life’s darkest end

Feeling trust in patience sinking

Plunging ever deeper . . . deeper

Faith’s emptiness never shrinking

Wandering away from Shepherd

Seeing only darkness ahead

Feeling last breath of hope fading

Faith missing blessed, daily bread

Following one more false promise

Running into final dead end

Finding lost anchor’s solid rock

Faith at last, refuses to bend

Rising with hope’s trusted beacon

Lighting way on Emmaus Road

Praying without ceasing to God

Faith’s living water, overflowed

Worshipping in Gospel’s safe place

Facing each new day without fear

Tracking to follow Shepherd’s voice

Faith’s tomorrow, forever clear

From Psalm 23:1-2: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.”

Heaven’s Voice

Posted on June 30, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 34:4: I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

In midst of dark wilderness

Lost, yet seeking His cover

Praying for Father’s response

Forgiveness whitens sin’s color

Life’s journey shall remain hard

Moral compass guides each heart

Praising Father’s steadfast love

Shallow hope finds blessed restart

Ember of faith’s glowing light

Mercy shared from Heaven’s voice

Treasuring Father’s wisdom

Holy Spirit guides every choice

Righteousness conquers darkness

His answers more clearly seen

Walking in Father’s refuge

Grace, flowing with truth, intervenes

Rescued from evil’s shadow

Faith growing, no longer crushed

Breathing through Father’s spirit

His Son’s promised peace, never hushed

From Matthew 3:17: “And a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is My Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.'”

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