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.
Let God’s promises shine on your problems.
From Psalm 34:10: “The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
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.'”
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
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.”
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.
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.
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
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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
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.’“
Christ is the key which unlocks the golden doors into the temple of Divine truth.
From John 10:7-9: “So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by Me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.'”
Arthur Walkington (A. W.) Pink (1886-1952) was an English Bible teacher and Christian writer. Following his death, many of his writings were well-received by readers. This turnabout established him as an influential evangelical author.
Big Sky Buckeye 