The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.
From Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
F. B. (Frederick Brotherton) Meyer (1847-1929) was an English pastor, evangelist, and Christian writer. He was heavily invested with inner city mission work in both his native country as well as the United States.
So we are to live and move and have our being in God, to look at everything in relation to God, because the abiding consciousness of God pushes itself to the front all the time.
From Psalm 25:12: “Who are they who fear the Lord? He will teach them the way that they should choose.”
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.
While we cannot escape our dark society, God has provided everything we need to live in the light of our all-sufficient Savior, Jesus Christ.
From Ephesians 5:8-9: “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.”
There may be any number of things dark to your understanding, but they do not come in between your heart and God.
From John 14:1: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me”
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 24:15: “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Glory of God breathes
Upon those who serve
Accepting His call
Filling faith’s reserve
Light’s pathway to serve
Faith growing robust
Witnessing Jesus
Branching out with trust
Christ’s blessed invite
Service taking root
Maturing in faith
Sharing Spirit’s fruits
Filled with reverence
Journey’s faithful prep
Holding fast to serve
Walking in Christ’s steps
Humble in spirit
Unselfish intent
Assisting faith’s growth
Serving as Christ meant
Promise to follow
Grace flowing with love
Growing faithfulness
Serving Father above
From John 12:26: “Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there will My servant be also. Whoever serves Me, the Father will honor.”
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.
From Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on two different occasions (1868, 1874-1880).
From Psalm 86:2-3: “Preserve my life, for I am devoted to You; save Your servant who trusts in You. You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all day long.”
Devoted to Father
Hearing His endless thoughts
Witnessing heavenly goodness
Life’s lessons always taught
Filled with Father’s steadfast spirit
Trusting His timely grace
Lifting wayward heart from darkness
Love offers mercy’s place
Called to walk in Father’s vision
Turning away from sin
Answering each burden’s prayer
Faith’s glorious linchpin
Delivered light shines upon thee
Words filling confession
Lifting soul from forgotten place
Forgiving transgressions
Comforted with Father’s favor
Rising from empty tomb
Sowing with every seeded field
Peace gathered from each bloom
From Psalm 86:11-12: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere Your name. I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever.”
From the words of British pastor and theologian, Charles Spurgeon: “The closer we are to the Shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves.”
Encountering another of life’s setbacks
Visitor from the darkness shouts, “I am back”
Old Man Trouble comes knocking at my front door
Relentless, he desires to even the score
How will I choose to deal with adversity?
His darkness masks the sky over this city
Tackle straight forward what Old Man Trouble brings
Or . . . wait timidly for his continued sting
God’s Word teaches us and brings us hope:
We all live preciously in God’s perfect sight
He gathers us in His loving, Holy might
Past—present—future . . . from the Great I Am
Making it through turbulent seas for each lamb
Through desolate wilderness, God shares a way
Bringing rivers of hope to this life’s gateway
Looking Old Man Trouble in his doom-filled eyes
With faithful courage, my hope begins to rise
Life waits to see . . . who will finally blink first?
With God’s living water, quenching my parched thirst
Listening, following God’s steadfast handbook
His love will save me with a whole new outlook
Bringing Godly fortitude, when needed most
Old Man Trouble defeated, nothing to boast
From Isaiah 43:2-3: “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. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Originally published August, 2020.
You’ve got to continue to grow, or you’re just like last night’s corn bread–stale and dry.
From Proverbs 9:6: “Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
Loretta Lynn (1932-2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. She was born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.
For the soul to be well, it needs to be with God.
From Matthew 22:36-37: “‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'”
John Ortberg (born 1957) is an American pastor as well as a Christian author and speaker.
Big Sky Buckeye 