Faith’s Dilemma

From Romans 7:14-15:  “For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin.  I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

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Even after salvation

Evil gathers temptation

 

Satan never giving up

His truth always false, made-up

 

Man continues to wrestle

Sin looks for place to nestle

 

Feelings of condemnation

Life bears guilty fixation

 

Inner conflict tears apart

Jesus speaks truth to each heart

 

Faith’s dilemma overcome

Favored, steady, beating drum

 

Savior’s blood wipes sin away

Blessed by love, trust never sways

 

God’s grace eternally flows

His constant love never slows

 

Father shall never reject

Those who faithfully connect

 

False promises never blind

Truth of Scripture filling minds

 

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From Romans 8:1-2:  “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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You no more need a holiday from spiritual concentration than your heart needs a holiday from beating.

From 2 Chronicles 15:17:  “But the high places were not taken out of Israel.  Nevertheless the heart of Asa was true all his days.”

God’s Steady Hand (Haiku Series #146)

Always

Beware of idols

Turning away, seeking truth—

Placing faith in God

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Everlasting

Love abides in God

Seeking lost and wayward sheep—

Welcoming each home

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Forever

Father, be gracious

Faithful promises leading—

Hearing each prayer

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Spirit at Work (Elfchen Series #67)

Devotion

Father’s

True foundation

Times of trouble

Witness Scripture’s divine promises

Truth

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Reformation

Surrender

In faith

Keep His commandments

Come to know God

Obedience

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Collaboration

Called

By God

Sharing our abundance

Walking together with others

Community

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Beholding God

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.”

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Witnessing daily life

Scanning God’s fingerprints

Saluting His presence

Growing from His blueprint

 

Recalling past events

Entering safety’s zone

Protecting us from harm

Kneeling at Heaven’s throne

 

Viewing God’s handiwork

Beholding how lives change

Embracing His Spirit

Moving from evil’s range

 

Learning from life’s lessons

Reading God’s Holy Word

Discovering His truth

Nourishing grace conferred

 

Casting out unholy thoughts

Boosting faith with each step

Living life of “I Can”

Knocking at God’s doorstep

 

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From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley:  “The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life.  Live confidently knowing out living, omnipotent God dwells with in.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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Knowing that God is ever-present motivates us to think, speak, and behave in ways that glorify Him.

From U:  “Where can I go from your spirit?  Or where can I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.  If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.”

Whenever you’re not sure how God thinks about sin or deals with it, go to His Word. He will guide you into truth.

From Titus 3:3-5:  “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

True Motives

From Proverbs 21:2:  “All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

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World around us

Views outer selves

Not always true

God sees ourselves

 

Examines hearts

What’s false, what’s true

Peeling away

Each beating clue

 

Colleagues at work

Neighbors and friends

Hold opinions

Not through God’s lens

 

God’s view prevails

Noting actions

Mindful of thoughts

Weighs each fraction

 

Most important

True motives say

Pure intentions

Every day

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From the words of American Christian author, John Eldredge:  “If the narrative of the Scriptures teaches us anything, from the serpent in the Garden to the carpenter in Nazareth, it teaches us that things are rarely what they seem, that we shouldn’t be fooled by appearances.”

Gifts of Grace (Elfchen Series #55)

Redemption

Father

Sharing grace

Transforming countless lives

Sending salvation’s precious gift

Love

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Goodness

Life

Embracing truth

Witnessing infinite love

Stepping forward, accept God’s

Grace

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Trust

Believers

Love calling

Jesus spreading grace

Inviting us to follow

Faith

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