What we need is faith. For faith is not a tame and spineless thing that does nothing. Real faith dares something, something big and brawny, beyond the human.
From Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Clovis G. Chappell (1882-1972) was an American pastor and Christian author.
God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.
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.“
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.
Exercising
Faith’s outreach
Building every muscle
Serving God with obedience
Strengthened
Nourishing
Faith’s journey
Reading God’s Word
Believing in His promises
Empowered
Expanding
Faith’s outlook
Accepting God’s grace
Making straighter life’s path
Trusted
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.
From 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: “To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of His call and will fulfill by His power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Holy shall be Father’s name
His grace praises morning sky
Walking life’s highway with Him
Prayer becomes faith’s reply
Righteousness fills Father’s Word
Fortified with fruitful grace
Embracing mercy’s outreach
Faith follows heavenly pace
Grace bears truth from Father’s light
Savior rises just as planned
Washing away sin’s darkness
Faith’s cornerstone henceforth stands
Love expressed in Father’s faith
Grace bequeathed in His Son’s name
Kneeling at Calvary’s cross
Forgiveness erases shame
Faith cherishes Father’s grace
Love fills hearts of every saint
Bringing glory in His name
Forever bright, never faint
From 2 Timothy 2:19: “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.'”
From Psalm 138:7: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; You stretch out Your hand, and Your right hand delivers me.”
Facing great troubles
Darkness surrounds thee
Grasping faith’s mighty Rock
Through Christ’s grace, one sees
Delivering light
Victory at hand
Watching enemy flee
Forever Christ stands
Fulfilling purpose
Gentle voice shares love
Lasting promise of peace
Christ views from above
Rising with new life
Fed with living bread
Preserving lasting hope
From Christ’s blood, He shed
Praising His Father
Mighty are His deeds
Sharing joy from His heart
Christ’s righteousness leads
From Psalm 138:8: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”
From Isaiah 61:10: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God.”
Promised love, Holy Grace from God
Rejoice with glory to the Lord
His glad tidings unite our faith
Not forsaken, never ignored
Our Father’s Word offers new life
His caring hand touches each lamb
Rejoicing with Holy goodness
Everlasting joy, sweetest jam
Foundation of life, through our faith
Sharing the mantle of God’s love
Deliverance heals our spirit
God’s Glory, rejoicing above
Every breath exalts the Lord
Clothed in garments of salvation
Covered by robe of righteousness
Rejoice in Christ’s coronation
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Originally published December, 2020.
Since this life is God’s and cannot die, it follows that everyone born anew into possessing this life is said to have eternal life.
From Matthew 25:44-46: “Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”
Watchman Nee (1903-1972) was a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher. He authored a collection of Christian books, and he endured persecution for his beliefs. Ultimately, he died while being imprisoned for the final twenty years of his life.
Encouragement
Through Father
Light’s faithful beacon
Grace shared with others
Welcomed
Eyes
Upon Father
Righteousness shall lead
Precious is His light
Following
Love
From Father
Blessed Resurrection’s light
Mercy’s breath of faith
Trusted
From Psalm 94:1-2: “O Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve!”
Holy, perfect Father
Bringing justice for all
Earth’s one, ultimate Judge
Love covers, like rainfall
Truest God of vengeance
Providing blessed Grace
Living high in Heaven
Father’s firm hand, in place
Lives thirst for discipline
Teaching knowledge, His Word
Knowing our hollow thoughts
Empty breath, minds stand blurred
Over the roaring seas
On highest mountaintops
Across fertile valleys
Earth’s Judge shall never stop
Gracious to believers
God’s goodness and kindness
Through our faith, accept Grace
Love overcomes blindness
Judging with righteousness
God’s law rules over all
Vanquishing the wicked
Justice builds righteous walls
From Psalm 98:8-9: “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”
Originally published November, 2020.
From Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.”
Wisdom’s heart
Filling with light
More than being smart
Spirit’s peace comes each night
Wisdom waits
God’s strength shall come
Patience’s blessed fate
Marching to heavens’ drum
Wisdom’s trust
Shared from above
Faith rises from dust
Calvary bears Christ’s love
Wisdom thrives
Apply God’s truth
Choices breathe alive
Life’s depth replaces youth
Wisdom’s grace
Righteousness roams
Salvation’s birthplace
Heaven’s redeeming home
From Ecclesiastes 10:10: “If the iron is blunt and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted, but wisdom helps one to succeed.”
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