Wholeness does not mean perfection: it means embracing brokenness as an integral part of life.
From Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Parker Palmer (born 1939) is an American author and educator. Much of his writing has focused on issues dealing with leadership, spirituality, and social change.
From Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Road ahead narrows
Stumbling with each step
Burdened with mistrust
Lack of faith, leads to missteps
Spirit joins each step
Uplifting at dawn
Life’s route flattens out
Mercy calling out, hang on
Tomorrow arrives
Trusting in God’s grace
River passing through
Each faithful step, keeping pace
Wilderness watered
Blossoming new leaves
Harvest steps forward
Deliverance, wrapped in sheaves
Eyes focused on Christ
Leading steps with love
Journey energized
Guided, by Spirit above
From Romans 8:27: “And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
From Psalm 37:5-6: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light and the justice of your cause like the noonday.”
Trusting always, Lord’s righteousness
Living under His cherished love
Filling each heart with His desires
Praises reign from heaven above
Trusting always, Lord’s promised light
Committing to His divine way
Shining upon mercy’s justice
Darkness vanquished, fading away
Trusting always, Lord’s faithful path
Sending love with His timely grace
Accepting redemption’s blessing
Peace extended, let all embrace
Trusting always, Lord’s hallowed Word
Reading as His blueprint unfolds
Gathering spirit leads us forth
Faith growing from Gospel’s foothold
From Psalm 37:39-40: “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their refuge in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and rescues them; He rescues them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in Him.”
This is the unshakable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him–I will give thee thy life. What more does a man want than his life?
From Jeremiah 45:5: “And you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them, for I am going to bring disaster upon all flesh, says the Lord, but I will give you your life as a prize of war in every place to which you may go.”
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 Joshua 1:8-9: “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Just as Joshua’s steps trusted in God
Knowing always, He’d faithfully be there
Filled with everlasting strength’s courage
Taking time daily, spent in prayer
In days ahead, fresh hope breathes with each step
Trusting in Jesus, walk alongside Him
Filled with mercy’s lasting righteousness
Worshipping our Lord with every hymn
Life-stretching outcomes mold another step
Believing in Jesus, faithfully trust
Filled with His witness, love-inspired grace
Praising promises, never to rust
Spirit’s divine hand leads each daily step
Acting in accordance with trusted God
Filled with everlasting strength’s courage
Overcoming evil’s false facade
Faith-forming obstacles block every step
Walking forward, trusting always in Christ
Filled with mercy’s lasting righteousness
Receiving Lord’s redemption, high-priced
From Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
From Jeremiah 15:21: “I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
Steadfast in faithfulness
Christ remembers His flock
Unwavering mercy
Leading our righteous walk
Deliverance stirs faith
Christ proclaims Gospel’s peace
Unwavering message
Teaching salvation’s lease
Awakened faith reborn
Christ blesses life’s new road
Unwavering with grace
Bearing our sinful load
Faithfulness promises
Christ, eternity’s rock
Unwavering shepherd
Trusting, heaven unlocks
From Psalm 26:11: “But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me.”
From American theologian, Fulton J. Sheen: “God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.”
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God’s eternal love seeks
Intimate relationships
No longer standing back
Feeling love as He speaks
Our Lord loves each of us
Stepping forward with faith
Accepting His sincere truth
Our God, never to mistrust
When darker times arrive
Opening hearts to our Lord
Never to feel forsaken
Trusting, abiding, alive
Our Father always cares
Hearing faithful prayers
Watching trusting steps
Feeling moments of despair
Flowing from Heaven above
To a stable’s manger
Witnessing from a cruel Cross
God’s Grace delivers His love
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From John 15:8-9: “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love.
Originally published March, 2020.
We would worry less if we praised more.
From Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”
Harry Ironside (1876-1951) was a Canadian-born pastor, theologian, and Christian author. This renowned Bible teacher wrote over 100 books, booklets, and pamphlets.
Opening
Pre-occupied mind
Hearing one voice
God frees another heart
Witnessing
Accepting
God’s Word
Treasuring divine wisdom
Commandments lead daily steps
Trusting
Searching
Life’s insight
Praying to God
Blessed grace, opened eyes
Understanding
From Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Life filled with uncertainty
Wondering where next step leads
Eyes witness dark, empty tomb
Reaping Father’s faithful seeds
Holy Word always certain
Lighting up life’s righteous road
Father’s mercy surprises
Meeting us at life’s crossroads
Days fill with expectancy
Trading our uncertain ways
Jesus Christ, faith’s lightning rod
Navigating through life’s maize
Certain of each tomorrow
Teaching His children through grace
New life begins at one cross
Praising Savior, now embrace
Certain in uncertainty
Praying, filled with fortitude
Spiritual life blossoms
Building hope’s new attitude
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Big Sky Buckeye 