Through God’s Love

From 1 John 4:9-10:  “God’s love was revealed among us in this way:  God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

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Lost in darkest wilderness

Uncertain where to turn

Truth’s light marked with God’s love

Finding hope’s blessed return

 

Sky above filling with light

Destiny of Christ’s gift

Assurance of God’s love

Trusting, no longer adrift

 

Every breath of Spirit’s grace

Heaven’s light to behold

Radiance of God’s love

Removing sinner’s blindfold

 

Together at Calvary

Who can be against man?

Forgiveness through God’s love

Knowing from where light began

 

Every heart redirected

Strengthened from faithful light

Steadfast stream of God’s love

Redeeming on mercy’s flight

 

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From Romans 5:3-5:  “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quote

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The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart.

From Psalm 118;24:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

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.

Destination of Peace

From Exodus 17:1-2:  “The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded.  They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.  So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.'”

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Surrounded by wilderness

God’s people seek hope’s waters

Responding with His goodness

Thirst quenched in sons and daughters

 

Shepherd’s eternal presence

His flock never left alone

Lifting eyes toward heavens

Trust in God, faith’s fabric sewn

 

Sinful stones must be softened

Hunger lingers tomorrow

Calling all to repentance

Mercy’s waters always flow

 

God ignites fire of judgment

Faith’s journey seeks lighted way

Praying for obedience

Wayward steps find grace this day

 

Wilderness tests man’s resolve

Enemy’s darkest shadows

Following Christ, our Savior

Destination of peace glows

 

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From Psalm 95:6-7:  “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

Courtesy of Pinterest.

The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in motive because he has been made good by the supernatural grace of God.

From Matthew 5:18-19:  “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.  Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

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.

His Perfect Time

From the words of American Christian author, Kay Arthur:  Your times are in His hands.  He’s in charge of the timetable, so wait patiently.

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Quiet morning descends

Finding hope in rising sun

Filling each breath with His love

Christ’s mission shall be done

 

Mercy strengthens each heart

Knowing His love offers peace

Walking toward Calvary

Christ’s light shall never cease

 

Patience found in spirit

Waiting for His perfect time

Drawing love from trusted well

Christ’s truth must always climb

 

Death to sinful nature

Leaving darkness, love sings out

Seeing salvation in heavens

Christ’s now commanding route

 

Joy’s eager voice shares praise

Accepting love’s gift of grace

Upholding redemption’s light

Christ’s forgiving embrace

 

Courtesy of Pinterest.

From Lamentations 3:25-26:  “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.  It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

Helen Keller Quote

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Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.

From Philippians 4:11-13:  “Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author and lecturer.  Her own journey through blindness and deafness encouraged her to advocate for the rights of others who live with disabilities.  

Special Guest Post: I Can Call You Lord

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This world possessed me.

It tried to keep me from Your light.

And all the time, life seemed to rhyme.

Sometimes, it even turned out right.

Still, my life was dark as night!

Even then,

I felt You there.

I knew You always cared.

 

Your pow’r was greater,

than this world’s strongest hold on me.

You sent Your Son to be the One

to bleed and die on Calvary.

Now, new daylight sets me free.

Evermore,

my Savior lives.

His strength He always gives.

 

So . . .

 

Jesus, my Lord Jesus,

now, I can call You Lord.

By Your Holy Spirit’s pow’r,

and by Your precious love each hour,

I’ve giv’n my heart to You.

 

Jesus, my Lord Jesus,

Yes, I can call You Lord.

By You bearing all my shame,

and by Your precious, holy name,

I’ve put my trust in You.

 

Jesus, my Lord Jesus,

yes, I can call You Lord.

 

Jesus, my Lord Jesus,

yes, I will call You Lord!

 

Today’s Christian poem is one of several contained in BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART.  The proud author is my wife, Colleen Peterson.

From her own words:

BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART contains stories, devotions and poetry for the adults, activities to do with your children, and fun little songs.  The devotions and poetry will strongly open up your faith walk to more of God’s light.  Doing the fun activities and singing little songs with your children will bring smiles to everyone’s heart.

Colleen appreciates the kind reception her book has received.  It is available on your favorite online bookstore site.

Charles Swindoll Quote

The only hope we have is daily dependence on the living Lord.  Stop this moment and call on Him.

From Isaiah 35:4:  “Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear!  Here is your God.  He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense.  He will come and save you.'”

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

His Holy Presence

From Isaiah 58:2:  “Yet day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of Me righteous judgments; they want God on their side.”

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With every sunrise

Seeking to know God’s ways

Beholding His righteousness

Drawing closer to Him each day

 

Until setting sun

Tasting God’s living bread

Sharing His grace with others

Sewing faith’s fabric with each thread

 

Throughout each night

Knowing God always near

Mercy rises in darkness

Trusting as His love always steers

 

Early dawn wakens

Fulfilling God’s glory

Witnessing His blessed light

Writing faith’s renewing story

 

Sabbath brings delight

Reading God’s divine Word

Praising His Holy presence

Finding peace with everything heard

 

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From Isaiah 58:9:  “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’