Tag Archives: trials

Fire Always Bright

Posted on by
10
Photo by mas_hha on Pexels.com

Darkness masks life’s landscape

Hiding sin’s heartless shame

Trying to flee past hurts

Shadows always aflame

 

Trials sometimes arise

Shrouding foundation’s cracks

Concealing hell’s façade

Tomorrow painted black

 

Misery breathes as one

Filling with cold despair

Seeing nothing beyond

Jesus descends with care

 

Dependence upon grace

Acknowledging past sins

Kneeling at Calvary

Forgiveness calling in

 

Redemption comes through Christ

Extending mercy’s light

Transforming soul’s battles

Spirit’s fire always bright

 

Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Pexels.com

Monday Memories: Crying Out

Posted on by
12

From Psalm 23:4:  “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”

Photo by Emre Kuzu on Pexels.com

Darkness shields life’s guiding light

Causing worries to take flight

 

Life’s trials, too much to bear

Ask, who really seems to care?

 

World seems to be crashing down

Running dry, emptiness drowns

 

Words and actions, meek and weak

Ask, who shall one run to seek?

 

Vacant wilderness, so dark

Crying out, life’s question mark

 

Heart and soul, feeling hollow

Ask, what voice shall one follow?

 

Voice answers, restoring hopes

Searching from distant slopes

 

Good Shepherd, looking for one

Saving His flock, one by one

 

Photo by Ekrulila on Pexels.com

From John 10:14-16:  “I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.  And I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.  So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Originally published November, 2020.

David Wilkerson Quote

Posted on by
4
Photo by Nothing Ahead on Pexels.com

When God sets His heart on you, you will be tried often.  But the longer and harder your affliction, the more deeply God has set His heart on you, to show you His love and care.

From James 1:2-4:  “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.”

David Wilkerson (1931-2011) was an American evangelist, Christian author, and pastor.

Oswald Chambers Quote

Posted on by
3
Photo by Nothing Ahead on Pexels.com

Pray now; draw on the grace of God in the moment of need.

From 2 Corinthians 6:1:  “As we work together with Him, we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.”

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.

Monday Memories: Finding New Life

Posted on by
9

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.”

Photo by Nouman Raees on Pexels.com

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

 

Photo by Christiane on Pexels.com

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.”

Originally published September, 2020.

Charles Swindoll Quote

Posted on by
3
Photo by Tosin Superson on Pexels.com

The common response to trials is resistance, if not outright resentment.  How much better that we open the doors of our hearts and welcome the God-ordained trials as honored guests for the good they do in our lives.

From 1 Peter 1:6-7:  “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Tomorrow Shall Come

Posted on by
3

From Psalm 30:4-5:  “Sing praises to the Lord, O you His faithful ones, and give thanks to His holy name.  For His anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Photo by DESPOINA APOSTOLIDOU on Pexels.com

Trials of darkness

Arriving today

Feeling faith challenged

Hope slipping away

 

Another mountain

Blocking path of peace

Taking Father’s road

Trust builds, piece by piece

 

Truth comes each sunrise

Breathing with His love

Delivering hope

Joy fed from above

 

Heart’s rainbow brightens

Finding peace from light

Refilling faith’s cup

Mercy taking flight

 

Father’s promised grace

Gathering each crumb

Leading to Jesus

Tomorrow shall come

 

Photo by Peggy Anke on Pexels.com

From Psalm 30:11-12:  “You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise You and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

David Jeremiah Quote

Posted on by
1
Photo by Tobi on Pexels.com

If you are in the midst of a trial right now, choose to walk by faith.  Choose to “count it all joy.”

From 2 Corinthians 4:17:  “For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.”

David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.

Defining Hope

Posted on by
Reply

From 1 Peter 1:6-7:  “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Photo by Sarah on Pexels.com

From furnace of suffering

Comes self-reflection’s light

Joined with eternal heat

Burning away chaff in its sight

 

Trials open one’s closed eyes

Wakened senses now see

Embraced with Father’s grace

Witnessing what hope should be

 

Faith in mercy of Father

Reveals salvation’s gift

Undefiled, unfading

Transforming hope’s precious shift

 

Believe redemption’s promise

Testifies to Christ’s love

Destined to break sin’s chains

Raising Good News from above

 

Trust in Jesus, now rejoice

Tested by hottest fire

Revealed lasting glory

Defining hope, faith acquires

 

Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

From 1 Peter 1:8-9:  “Although you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Counting as Joy

Posted on by
Reply

From James 1:2-3:  “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Facing life’s trials

Any and all kinds

Counting as joy

Faith never resigns

 

Testing endurance

Burdens grow lighter

Blessing as joy

Hope growing brighter

 

Maturing in faith

Every doubt erased

Feeling as joy

Father’s grace embraced

 

Growing every day

Inner self renews

Holding as joy

Spirit standing true

 

Preparing our way

Eternity’s flame

Seeing as joy

Peace in Christ proclaims

 

Photo by Muverrihhanim on Pexels.com

From 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:  “So we do not lose heart.  Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”