God puts us in the wilderness to test us, to stretch our spiritual muscles. Our earthly wilderness experiences are designed to develop us into men and women of faith.
From Deuteronomy 8:2: “Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.”
God’s desire is that we grow in faith as we walk with Him. Faith is not merely a one-time event through which we were saved; rather, it’s a continuous way of life from the point of salvation forward.
From 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4: “We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.”
Praises
Forever grateful
Faith’s resolute cornerstone
Resurrection’s truth rings out
Jesus
Jesus
Contentment found
In Savior’s grace
No greater peace felt
Faith
Faith
Eternal light
Bethlehem to Calvary
Victory over sin’s darkness
Redemption
Our faith becomes stronger as we express it; a growing faith is a sharing faith.
From Philemon 1:6: “I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we share in Christ.”
I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation.
From Psalm 90:1-2: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) was an influential English preacher. Even in modern times, his writings and many sermons have remained a constant source of encouragement to Christians around the world. He has often be referred to as the “Prince of Preachers.”
Wholeness does not mean perfection: it means embracing brokenness as an integral part of life.
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.”
Parker Palmer (born 1939) is an American author and educator. Much of his writing has focused on issues dealing with leadership, spirituality, and social change.
Kindness in this world will do much to help others, not only to come into the light, but also to grow in grace day by day.
From Colossians 1:5-6: “Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, you have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.”
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. Her prolific creation of hymns and gospel songs produced over 8,000 finished works.
We need godly knowledge and principles to guide us, which is why we must make meditation on the Word a daily habit.
From Psalm 119:97-98: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all day long. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me.”
From Psalm 86:11: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere Your name.”
In perfect world
Always scoring
Tasting success
Every inning
Imperfect life
Trials crashing
Testing resolve
Emptiness reigns
Lessons in trust
Spirit nurtures
Kneeling at cross
Jesus teaches
Answers come forth
Faith’s walk deepens
Learning God’s ways
Grace enters heart
Battle strengthens
Darkness vanquished
Walking with Christ
Light victorious
God’s mercy flows
Just as He planned
Steady guidance
Growing each day
From Ecclesiastes 3:14: “I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it; God has done this so that all should stand in awe before Him.”
Every blow of the hammer is to fasten the nails of the building; so the preacher’s words are to fasten you the more to Christ; they weaken themselves to strengthen and settle you.
From Colossians 1:23: “Provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a minister of this gospel.”
Thomas Watson (1620-1686) was an English Puritan preacher and Christian author.
Big Sky Buckeye 