We can’t avoid darkness or pain in this life. But we can go to the Lord in our weakness, knowing that In Him we are made stronger.
From 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”
Worry, whatever its source, weakens, takes away courage, and shortens life.
From Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.”
John Lancaster Spalding (1840-1916) was an American author, poet, and advocate for higher education.
Heart’s deepest desire
Overcoming once again—
Triumph shall arrive
Facing challenges
Courage filled with inner fire—
Crossing finish line
Tested by darkness
Searching for light’s renewing strength—
Positive embraced
From Job 12:13: “With God are wisdom and strength; He has counsel and understanding.”
Creator’s morning scene
Always at work, His hands
Shaping, each masterpiece
All following, God’s command
Tranquility breathing
Always at work, God’s plan
Designing, each journey
All inviting, with each scan
God’s wisdom shadows truth
Always at work, strength speaks
Teaching, with every breath
All scaling, each mountain peak
Tomorrow’s story waits
Always at work, God’s script
Sketching, every new page
All leading, faith’s fresh transcript
Creator’s morning scene
Always at work, His light
Witnessing, darkness fades
All praising, Savior’s birthright
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Charles Swindoll: “Mark it down in permanent ink: God is always at work.”
He who is filled with love is filled with God himself.
From Psalm 18:1-2: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Most mothers are instinctive philosophers.
Love needs new leaves every summer of life, as much as your elm-tree, and new branches to grow broader and wider, and new flowers to cover the ground.
Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was an American author and abolitionist. A native of the state of Connecticut, she was born in Litchfield.
From Isaiah 41:1: “Listen to Me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment.”
Waking to morning’s silence
Praying to Father above
Faithful headwaters of strength
Renewing hope, filled with love
Energizing day’s journey
Tapping into Father’s grace
Coastlines reassured of strength
Offering peace to embrace
Joining in togetherness
Reciting from Father’s Word
River’s swift transforming strength
Navigating from what’s heard
Waiting with patience of Job
Seeing now through Father’s love
Each tide arrives with His strength
Restoring joy from above
Leaving wilderness for good
Fulfilling Father’s delight
Hope’s thirst quenched from water’s strength
Rising Son harbors faith’s light
From Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Trust entirely in God, and when He brings you to the venture, see that you take it.
From Isaiah 12:2: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.”
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.
In my weakness, I have learned, like Moses, to lean on God. The weaker I am, the harder I lean on Him. The harder I lean, the stronger I discover Him to be. The stronger I discover God to be, the more resolute I am in this job He’s given me to do.
From Joel 3:16: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shake. But the Lord is a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.”
Joni Eareckson Tada (born 1949) is an American Christian author and radio host. Much of her work has focused on ministry in the disability community. Her life journey is a living testament to this quote.
A man’s strength is ultimately born of his knowledge of his own weaknesses.
Do not speak badly of yourself, for the warrior that is inside you hears your words and is lessened by them.
David Gemmell (1948-2006) was a British author, journalist, and newspaper editor. His prowess with writing fiction produced over 30 novels.
Big Sky Buckeye 