Oswald Chambers Quote

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Jesus has prayed that we might be one with Him as He is one with the Father.

From 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:  “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”

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.

Faith’s Hope

From Hebrews 11:1-3:  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.  By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”

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Faith fills assurance

Light brightens day’s hope

What’s seen and unseen?

Love viewed through God’s scope

 

Faith moves through Scripture

Testaments make clear

Witness Abraham

Hope waits, then appears

 

Faith grows, trusting God

Hope’s great centerpiece

Foundations built strong

Life of blessed peace

 

Faith matures with time

God’s perfection reigns

His Word guides with truth

Hope makes lifelong gains

 

Faith’s hope, joined as one

Journey’s promised land

God forever praised

Mercy’s steady hand

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From the words of American pastor and Christian writer, Warren Wiersbe:  “Love increases our faith, and when we have faith and love, we will have hope.”

God Will Provide

From Philippians 4:19:  “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

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Looking to Almighty God

Reigning over His creation

Following His guiding rod

Praying without cessation

 

Seeing that God will provide

Nourishing Word filled with grace

Sending Spirit, as our guide

Blessing man, follow His pace

 

Witnessing divine kindness

Offering daily praises

Removing sinful blindness

Navigating life’s mazes

 

Kneeling under mercy’s hand

Worshipping our Risen Lord

Escaping evil’s quicksand

Vanquishing enemy’s sword

 

Obeying Holy One’s voice

Standing always as faith’s rock

Providing life’s better choice

Trusting in heaven’s crosswalk

 

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From Psalm 34:10:  “The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

Lots of God, a Little Bit of Fishing

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On a sunny, early morning, the old man decided to go fishing.  He drove out to his favorite fishing hole along the river.  Two teenage boys were also fishing near the same area. 

After a spell, the boys migrated over to the old man’s spot.  The brothers shared their names, Jaylen and Caden.  They were fine looking boys, and pretty darn good fishermen.

In about an hour, each had caught 2-3 fish, while the old man was shut out.  Perhaps he needed to take a break and think of a different plan.

The brothers were about ready to leave, but they hung around for a bit.  Soon the conversation turned to their personal relationships with Jesus Christ.  Each was a Christian, and had accepted Jesus as their Savior.

The old man had never considered experiencing a relationship with God.  There was a Bible somewhere at home, or at least he thought so.  The last time he attended church was for a dear friend’s funeral a couple of years ago. 

As the boys continued to share their faith with the old man, time seemed to stand still.  Without knowing it, Caden and Jaylen were exchanging their efforts to fish for trout for an opportunity to fish for the Lord.  Their little bit of fishing was replaced with blessed evangelism, and now they were casting their net—filled with lots of God.

After about 30 minutes, the brothers checked the time and finished up their conversation with the old man.  They needed to get the day’s catch home for their mother to prepare for supper.

The old man thanked them for the conversation, and gave them a wave good-bye.  He looked at his own fishing scorecard, and he was still winless in the fishing department. 

But, he felt like a winner in the faith department.  He picked up his fishing gear and headed up from the river.  As he began to drive away in his battered pick-up truck, he made a vow to find that phantom Bible at home. 

Jaylen and Caden invited the old man to visit their church for Sunday’s worship service.  Because of their encouragement, he told them he would attend.  The brothers also promised to share some of their fishing tips with him.

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From Matthew 4:18-19:  “As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers.  And He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.'”

Every Season

From 2 Timothy 4:1-2:  “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I solemnly urge you:  proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.”

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Always be prepared

Proclaiming God’s Word

Staying persistent

Every season stirred

 

Always be patient

Encouraging words

Sharing Father’s grace

Every season heard

 

Always be faithful

Remaining steadfast

Enduring hardships

Every season cast

 

Always be truthful

Teaching Gospel’s facts

Turning toward God

Every season acts

 

Always be strengthened

Believing in God

Kneeling and praying

Every season lauds

 

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From 2 Timothy 4:5:  “As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.”

Monday Memories: On a Street Corner

multi colored high rise buildings

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It is mid-morning on a nearly empty street corner in a remote, medium-sized town when Milt runs into one of his best friends, Fred.  Little do these two men know, but their improbable rendezvous will bring both of them inner strength and hope.

Both men are in their eighties, but each is blessed with good health.  Being retired, they don’t always have a chance to catch up on news.

Milt is a widower, who lost his beloved Sharon several years back.  Fred’s lovely wife, Judy, struggles with many chronic health concerns.

The two friends continue to visit on the deserted street corner.  Milt tells Fred, “I am really concerned about this virus news.”  As he speaks, both men realize they need to stand a bit farther apart due to reminders in the news about social distancing.

Milt replies back, “Me, too.  I guess we have lots of company.”  Both men have been overly cautious about being safe with their exposure to the disease.

Fred shares news from home about his bride of 61 years.  He continues talking to Milt, “I am really worried about Sharon.  Her health is very fragile, and I hope she can weather the storm ahead with this virus out there.”

Milt looks across at his friend, and he sees the deep worries of concern and anxiety in Fred’s face.  Milt asks, “May I pray for you?”  Milt nods in agreement.

In closing the prayer, Milt shares a special prayer with his long-time friend:  “God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Before the men depart and continue with their day’s journey, Fred shares a verse from one of his favorite Psalms (27:1):  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

The Serenity Prayer was originally written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.  The most common version of the prayer was published in 1951, but Niebuhr used variations of the prayer in sermons as early as 1934.  In the story, Milt adapted the prayer to fit the situation.

Originally published March, 2020.

Just Another Day

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Driving dusty country road

Spotting landscape’s mountain peak

Deciding to climb her now

 

Stopping at cozy diner

Feeling extra hungry now

Ordering one more entrée

 

Traveling to nearby park

Witnessing fall’s colors now

Taking plenty of photos

 

Locating brand new car wash

Seeing truck looks dirty now

Selecting supreme wash job

 

Seeing family in need

Buying them blessed, hot meal

Filling up empty tank now

 

Pausing, time with Father now

Praying for needs of others

Thanking Him for many gifts

 

Wrapping up for now . . . just another day!

 

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Story Never Ends (Elfchen Series #140)

Illuminating

Witnessing

God’s Word

Greatest story ever

Christ becomes man’s Light

Salvation

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Welcoming

Praising

God’s script

Message never wavers

Story brings man Home

Redemption

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Believing

Sowing

Mercy’s seeds

Perpetual story retold

Harvesting grace at Calvary

Resurrection

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Faith’s Infinite Song

From Psalm 147:5-6:  “Great is our Lord and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.  The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; He casts the wicked to the ground.”

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Flowing Creator’s river

Filling faith’s infinite song

Catching every sweetest verse

Walking with Christ, always strong

 

Knowing heartache and despair

Finding deepest love-filled joy

Praising grace with every song

Crushing darkness, Christ deploys

 

Enriching life’s peace journey

Echoing lyrics shall sing

Leading from night to morning

Replacing evil’s harsh sting

 

Witnessing hope every day

Revealing Savior’s true love

Composing each blessed song

Praying to Father above

 

Transforming another soul

Singing with angels up high

Renewing faith’s guiding light

Looking to heavens’ blue sky

 

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American preacher and renowned hymn writer, Robert Lowry (1826-1899), wrote over 500 hymns.  One inspired this poem, “My Life Flows On in Endless Song.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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If I am united with Jesus Christ, I hear God by the devotion of hearing all the time.  A lily, or a tree, or a servant of God, may convey God’s message to me.

From 1 Samuel 3:10-11:  “Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’  And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’  Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.'”