Unity in Christ

From Ephesians 4:15-16:  “But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.”

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Falling into enemy’s net

Daily prisoner of sin

Redeemed by blessed Savior

Faith in His mercy’s check-in

 

Walking with other believers

Unity in Christ bears trust

Filled with patient gentleness

Forgiven of sinful lust

 

Setting faith upon single goal

Truthful light worth every breath

Kindled through deepened prayer

Risen Lord overcomes death

 

Realizing faith must be all in

Today, tomorrow . . . with Christ

Paid debts fully through love’s grace

His blood fully sacrificed

 

Clutching hope within every step

Christ’s grace raises faith’s story

Measured with moving forward

Salvation’s finished glory

 

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Published in 1896, “My Goal is God Himself” was written by Frances Brook.  She was the daughter of a pastor, but poor health prevented her from becoming a Christian missionary.

Charles Swindoll Quote

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God has some extremely exciting things in mind for His children.  He knows exactly where He’s taking us.  Our job is to obey.

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.”

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

Joy’s Vision

From Psalm 17:15:  “As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding Your likeness.”

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Darkness surrounds

Searching for light

God’s vision breathes

Faith’s trusted Knight

 

Peace from God’s Word

Lighting new road

Vision forgives

Mercy’s love code

 

Conscience wakens

Beholding God

Renewed vision

No longer flawed

 

Prayer’s answers

Hearing God’s voice

Hope’s fresh vision

Truth’s blessed choice

 

Purest in heart

Tasting God’s grace

Joy’s vision found

Faith’s trusted place

 

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From Matthew 5:8:  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Hope Breathes

From Psalm 146:1-2:  “Praise the LordPraise the Lord, O my soul!  I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.”

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Sunrise filling eastern sky

Singing praises to God’s love

Trusting in His divine Word

Hope breathes form heavens above

 

New day faithfully arrives

Reigning forever with grace

Nourishing with righteousness

Hope breathes from Savior’s birthplace

 

Prophecy’s promises true

Holding mercy in His hands

Sending His Son in man’s place

Hope breathes from Father’s heartland

 

Faith pursues with endurance

Approaching eternal light

Witnessing redemption’s peace

Hope breathes from Christ’s risen flight

 

Savior’s precious blood now shed

Granting forgiveness of sins

Calling all to walk with Him

Hope breathes from His love within

 

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From 1 Timothy 6:12:  “Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Faith’s Vision

From Luke 17:5-6:  “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’  The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.'”

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Remaining at life’s station

Waiting, always watching

Living with righteousness

Faith’s vision of salvation

 

Trusting in hope’s fortitude

Adopting God’s patience

Committing to His ways

Faith in Him shall be renewed

 

Believing in Savior’s grace

Facing life’s rising tides

Revealing light to come

Faith rekindled to embrace

 

Repenting of sinful ways

Floundering no longer

Accepting forgiveness

Faith powering up each day

 

Pulsating heart filled with joy

Hearing God’s truthful voice

Witnessing through Christ’s love

Faith gathers peace to deploy

 

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English hymnwriter and theologian, Frederick William Faber (1814-1863), wrote the hymn “Faith of Our Fathers” in 1847.  The lyrics reflect upon an inspiring vision of faith at work.

Nourished Faith (Elfchen Series #273)

Redeemed

Witnessing

Man’s shortcomings

Our perfect Father

Christ’s victory at Calvary

Grace

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Strengthened

Embracing

Gospel’s truth

Salvation’s precious breath

Forwarding gift of peace

Light

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Emboldened

Becoming

Christ followers

Trust’s precious steps

Taking up thy cross

Disciples

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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.

Always Trust

From Psalm 16:1-2:  “Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.   I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'”

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Facing uncertainty

More questions than actions

Reaching out to Father

Love’s trusted interactions

 

Harboring inner doubts

Weakened by rising tides

Praying now to Father

Mercy brings answers to guide

 

Choosing to always trust

Assurance speaks to heart

Listening to Father

Grace nourishing faith’s fresh start

 

Tasting heavenly joy

Life’s outlook now renewed

Receiving from Father

Page turned, filled with gratitude

 

Rejoicing in hope’s light

Righteous path before thee

Conversing with Father

His peace calms as darkness flees

 

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From Psalm 16:11:  “You show me the path of life.  In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Hope’s Redeeming Place

From 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5:  “But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.  And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command.  May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

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Embracing Gospel’s light

Strengthened through trust in our Lord

Faith’s destiny secure

Longing for Heaven’s reward

 

Proclaiming Scripture’s truth

Encouraged to follow Christ

Faith’s lasting breath fulfilled

Paying with blood sacrificed

 

Kneeling now in prayer

Dispirited no longer

Presence of light in Christ

Enduring faith grows stronger

 

Witnessing faithfulness

Redeemed through Good Shepherd’s love

Forgiveness rises up

Transforming saints from above

 

Setting sun blest with peace

Heartened faith savors Lord’s grace

Confidence fills with joy

Trusting hope’s redeeming place

 

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From Romans 12:12:  “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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Every vision will be made real if we have patience.  Think of the enormous leisure of God!  He is never in a hurry.

From Isaiah 35:6b-7a:  “For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water.”

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.

Charles Swindoll Quote

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Ask God.  Trust God.  We are completely dependent on Him for eternal life, for forgiveness, for character, for security.

From Hebrews 6:19-20:  “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

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