The Bible is not man’s word about God, but God’s Word about man.
From Genesis 1:1-4: “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.”
John Barth (born 1930) is an American writer who is best known for his works of fiction.
From Philippians 4:5: “Let Your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Savior filled with truth
Gentleness flows
Outward to others
Spirit knows
Ready to listen
Gentleness stirs
Shared with believers
Grace transfers
Savior always near
Gentleness loves
Risen from dark tomb
Peace-filled dove
Prayer opens heart
Gentleness speaks
Light shatters darkness
Mercy seeks
Savior’s faithful bridge
Gentleness leads
Steady, trusted rock
Heaven’s seeds
From Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
We must never forget that God’s nature is uncompromisingly set against sin. We may tolerate it; He never.
From Psalm 2:5-6: “Then He will speak to them in His wrath and terrify them in His fury, saying, ‘I have set My king on Zion, My holy hill.'”
Selwyn Hughes (1928-2006) was a Welsh-born Christian minister and author. One of his best known works was the daily devotional EVERY DAY WITH JESUS.
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.”
Life’s inevitable storms
Sweeping tides against mankind
Surging within, Father’s love
Mercy arrives, never blind
Darkness blocking out daylight
Masking goodness of mankind
Surging within, Father’s truth
Savior’s light fully aligned
Faith overwhelmed, strength waning
Subduing trust in mankind
Surging within, Father’s voice
Peace returns as he designed
Angry river waters flow
Raging in hearts of mankind
Surging within, Father’s grace
Heavenly spirit assigned
One more trial challenges
Flipping conscience of mankind
Surging within, Father’s Word
Life’s purpose better defined
From John 16:33: “I have said this to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!”
Being obedient to the truth means that we don’t have to look at others through the distorted lens of our own biases. We can see them as God sees them and love them as He loves them.
From 1 Peter 1:22-23: “Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual affection, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.”
You have to listen to the sound of your own breathing and honor the truth inside you.
Everyone messes up, lets people down, and makes mistakes. Not because we’re inadequate or fundamentally inept, but because we’re imperfect and fundamentally human.
Daniell Koepke is an American writer.
Pursuing
Faithful voice
Jesus instills worthiness
Taking up thy cross
Life
Following
Blessed teacher
Proclaiming God’s truth
Journey forward without fear
Jesus
Sustaining
Christ’s mission
Sowing faithful seeds
Harvesting from all nations
Discipleship
From 2 Corinthians 5:6-7: “So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Living by faith in Christ
Conscious of His nearness
Walking daily with trust
Spirit breathes with clearness
Groaning from burdens’ weight
Confident in His Word
Giving all to Jesus
Faith’s insight undeterred
Aiming to please Father
Answers found in Son’s love
Pursuing duty’s faith
Called to seek Him above
Receiving mercy’s touch
Inspiration from grace
Believing divine truth
Faith’s eternal birthplace
Being born from above
Behold, journey awaits
Embracing Lord’s judgment
Redemption’s faithful date
From 2 Corinthians 5:14: “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.”
Goodness is the only investment that never fails.
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was an American naturalist, poet, and philosopher. Influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne, many of his writings reflected upon living in natural surroundings.
Jesus did not tell parables to confirm well-known truths, but rather to shatter well-known truths.
From John 8:31-32: “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”
John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.” His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life. He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity. He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.
Big Sky Buckeye 