Category: Our Walk

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Encouragement

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

For all of you who have been called of God, to employ yourselves in accomplishing His holy work, and to those who had heard His voice clearly, to live out their lives in faithful service to His will, Be strong and stand firm in Christ

Humble yourself, and conduct your life worthy of His calling. Nourish your relationship with Him, so that you will never stray far from His path for you

At all costs, make every part of your life as His home, and He will come in and strengthen you for your labor, giving you holy wisdom to accomplish all things

Defeat can only come from within you

Never accept criticism as a barrier to progress, or a reason for giving up. Rather, consider what council, if any, might come from these words so that you can improve your efforts

Don’t give in to failures. God is more powerful and wise than anything in creation. He will never leave you, or forsake you, on your journey

Don’t give up, but grow through every experience, trial, and victory

It is a sin to be weak in Christ, so never allow yourself to be completely defeated

Be wise about what people say about your work and your call. Do not fret if roadblocks are placed before your path. Accept it for what it is, but do not give up, or retreat

Place all matters before before God, and He will give you wisdom. Be courageous and brave, for there will be opposition

In Christ, you can overcome every kind of trouble

If God has truly given you this calling, then never believe the lie that what you’re doing doing is all a waste of time. God has ordained you, He has given you the strength and skill, and anointed you for this service

Your work is of infinite value, no matter how the world rates what you do

Guard yourself, so that you don’t stray off the path. Focus your life upon what our Lord has shown to you

Don’t become lazy about what God has said is vitally important, nor should you spend out all your energy in overheated activity. Instead, strive for a consistency of effort each day, and our Lord will will give you the strength and wisdom to continue on

Share in your effort with like minded believers, and have them pray for work, as you also do the same for them

Always maintain close contact with God. Pray to Him each day with requests and petitions for your work. Stay vitally connected to Christ, through His Spirit and His Word. As you do these things, God will use your work to bless many others. 1/18/2006

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Our God Stands With Us

You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalms 32:7

The Lord, our God, stands with me at all times. He places a guard before me to protect my life, and is there beside me to assure my fearful heart

He forms a barrier from behind, so that no evil may overtake me. Even in the endless spaces above, God is there, as a guardian from any who might strike at me

He lifts my feet and gives me strength to run in battle, so that I might advance or withdraw according to His will

His Spirit and wisdom, they guide my life. They carry my feet upon His path

How awesome and assuring it is that our God and savior goes before me. He continually watches over my lowly frame. Even in places and realms that I have no understanding of, He covers me with an endless blessing of protection; because of His love for my soul

Each day many trials and troubles beat against my life, yet I stand. Though many gather together in opposition, I prevail and continue on. In infirmity and loss I am bowed, but I am not broken, for the Lord delivers me from all these things

He lends strength to my life, when I fear there is nothing left of me to give, and lifts my countenance, when I could easily give up. I withstand, because He stands with me

There will come a time, someday, when I will no longer walk upon this earth. Death will claim its victory over my life. But, the God who loves me, He will save my soul. He will heal my fatal wounds, and pronounce me alive once again

For He will always stand with me, to guard my life and protect my soul. He will watch over all that lies ahead, and also, that which might come from my side. He will protect me from behind and from above, so that no evil will overcome me

How great is our God!

He continually lifts my feet and renews my strength, so that my life is filled with unending hope and assurance. For His love always overcomes and prevails above all things  9/26/2006

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Thank you for the Light

“Then I was the craftsmen at His side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence, rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in mankind.” Proverbs 8:30

Thank God for the bright and sunny days. Praise Him for creating the gift that is our sun; for its warmth and brightness of light, and for the ways it lifts our spirits

Lift up the name of our God, for giving us a star like our sun. For He placed it exactly where it is within the universe so that we are not too hot, or too cold. It safely blesses our world in its illuminating light, and is stable, not given to dangerous outbursts or fluctuations

Thank you, Lord, for all the stars that You have made. Their quiet beauty in the night skies, inspires. The stardust that was formed within their fusion powered factories, is the very dust that we are created from

Through the energy of the sun and the miracle of life, we have our being. The stardust flows through us all the days of our lives

How glorious is the sunshine. It lifts my spirits in the morning, and warms my soul throughout the day

All the colors of this amazing world are illuminated by the brightness of our sun, and through our sight we are allowed to fully appreciate the wonder of God’s creation. For this world is incredibly made, the heavens stunningly vast and beautifully marvelous

Great is our God. Glorious is all of His creation

All honor, praise, and thanksgiving, we give unto You. For we are a vital part of Your creation. We too, are awesome and fearfully made

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was with God from the beginning. He was invited to share in the joy of making this grand creation

His eyes witnessed that first burst of energy, when God spoke and set His laws in motion. He observed, as they cause matter and energy to run towards their places. He labored with God, as they watched all of time stretch out before them

They arranged things to be just so, to Their liking. By the outworking of the power of Their wisdom and love, they moved, as They still do to this day and forever more, to bring good things to light. So that glory, goodness, and righteousness, might rule throughout the entire universe, even within this world

Praise God, our Holy creator, and His Son, Jesus Christ. For through the Son, He has given us His light and the power of His Spirit

Jesus is our savior, and our only hope within this creation.

We were made to live in Him forever, but, our sins work to separate us from the light of His goodness and the power of His salvation. Therefore, cease from giving in to the futility of sin, and put your trust in Christ.

Live according to His Word and His ways, and you will have the light from the source of all light shining within you.

The warmth of His love and the goodness of His promises will then uplift your life. For, throughout all of eternity; blessing, goodness, and mercy, dwell in Him. 3/26/2021

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The Message

Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” John 14:6

“I am the Christ, the Son of God. What I am going to tell you, are Words of life. They are the key to your survival”

“Don’t be deceived, or mistaken, I am the only way by which a person can be saved”

“I know you. My eyes, indeed all of my senses, have watched your life. I have seen who you are, and I know that you are in need of a savior; someone who will act on your behalf, to watch over you in realms and situations far beyond anything that you know”

“I am the only way a person may be saved. For you cannot, by any effort or work, gain, what I alone, give”

“Every other way is falsehood. They all lead to nowhere, and ultimately, death”

“Seek Me, Jesus Christ, and you will be doing the most important thing in life’

“Follow my way, and you will be saved. For I am God”

“I am God, your Savior, and I love you”

“Your ways have always been known to Me. All of your good traits, and also the bad, and I love you, exceedingly”

“There is no other way by which a person can be saved, than through faith in Me, Jesus Christ, the Savior of all mankind”

“I know what you’re thinking. Your doubts and fears are known to my thoughts”

“Can I invite you to draw closer to Me, to consider My love for you, and to begin to walk in my footsteps?”

“If you do, then I will never leave your side. I will be there with you, and always uphold you, and bring you into my presence, alive, when you die”

“Indeed you will never die, for I will give you everlasting life. This I earned for you upon the cross”

“But, if you disregard My Words and My love for you, then you will not be able to share in My gift. For I cannot give salvation to someone who will not receive it”

“Know this, that all the world dwells apart from me. Only through faith, and by drawing close to Me, can a person be saved”

“This I give to you, if you so choose. It is only within my power, to do this, for, I am your God, Creator, and Savior”

“Will you come to me in faith, today?”   3/1998

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Rejoice! The Season of Renewal

Create in me a pure heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10

Rejoice, all you who believe in Christ. Lift up your eyes towards heaven and be glad, for your redeemer lives and watches over you in love

The days of Spring and its promise of renewal have come. When the passion of our Christ overflowed upon the Earth, and changed our world forever

Rejoice, sing with all your heart, for His abundant love. Be glad, for you are the children of the living God. Brighter days await, they lie just ahead of you

Look unto the mountains, turn your gaze unto the heavens, fix your eyes upon Jesus, for He is your help and your savior

Let your joy burst out like the flowers of Spring, for He is for you in every way. With new eyes, look upon your King, Jesus Christ, and He will reintroduce you to His glory in surprising ways

He is our God, our creator, the one who knows us best of all. Jesus has walked with us through the darkness of recent times, and watched over us, to help us overcome every hardship

Seek Him, and be lifted up. Let His hands pull you up from the mud and the mire. Give to Him all the glory He so richly deserves

Renew your life, make this Spring a time to flourish and grow. Allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the greatness of God. Soak in the brightness of His Spirit, as you become more grounded in His truth

Jesus walks before us this day. He carries the banner of His Kingdom, and reigns victorious over all evil, darkness, even death

Rejoice, be exceedingly glad, all you who have faith in Him, for your inheritance lies in the Kingdom of God

Be consoled, all you who have mourned and suffered loss, because you will find comfort from the God of the universe. He will not forget or ever forsake you

Renew yourself each day that you live before Him. Turn towards Christ and He will be there beside you. Follow in His ways, through the leading of the Spirit and by the power of His Word. They will be as life to You

Our God will come to you and lift you up. He will give new wings to those who follow and seek His goodness and mercy, who humble themselves before Him

For these will become as living lights shining forth His truth and righteousness, as they live out a life manifested by their faith in our savior, Jesus Christ

Rejoice, all you who believe in the one true God. Lift up your spirit and be glad, for our redeemer, Jesus Christ, reigns above all the earth.  3/13/2021

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God’s Honest Reminders

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared for us in advance to do. Ephesians 2:10

I was created by the God of the universe. What He made in me was more than what I’ve made of myself

I sulk and waver, procrastinate and seek after things with no meaning. My purpose is often lost on the wrong things. But, God still loves me

He gently nudges me and shows me the way I should go. In prayer He inspires me, showing what we could accomplish together; marvelous things in His name

Yet, I hesitate and stumble. My walk becomes a crawl, then I slumber

Thankfully, God has been patient with me. He has forgiven me a thousand thousand times, and lovingly forgot my wrongs and the things I have neglected, while encouraging me daily to do my best in love for others

He is honest enough to remind me what could have been if I listened to Him and followed the course He had laid. In kindness, God tells me there are still great things to do

His path is not like mine. It is like traveling upon a stream of the purest water to places of beauty and inspiration. Where life becomes a wonderful adventure

But, I have travelled the rutted and worn dirt roads. The trails of false hope and empty promise, where I labor without adequate reward

Lord, when will I ever learn to trust in Your judgement? When will I understand that Your ways bring life, but mine continually lead me to bitterness and despair?

When will I begin to live up to what You created in me? Such potential, and yet I have manifested mediocrity?

When I feel this way, Lord, I feel as if I’ve failed You, and yet You only send encouraging words back to me. You remind me that You love me, that I am on track, and to never let go of the bond of love between us

So I press on, imperfect as I am, yet made new in the power of our Lord Jesus Christ

Praise God for this incredible gift and for His Spirit that leads us; for His Son who has saved us, and for His love and forgiveness that transcends all of our wrongs and shortcomings, continually leading us forward on the paths of eternal life   3/27/2001

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Psalm of Surrender

“If any person be in Christ, they are a new creature: old things have passed away.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Today, this day, I give over my life to God

My right, to myself, I freely give to You, for I am not my own

You formed me from this earth, and breathed life into these lungs. You placed Your Spirit into this body, and set me here, to walk amidst this place

There is nothing I have that was not given to me by You

Why am I here, at this place, in this time? Is it not to praise You, and to lift Your name up above all names; to bring honor and glory to You, oh Lord, for You are holy, above all things

I am nothing, filled with sin, but You filled me with Your Spirit, and placed a joy within my heart

Your presence amazes me. That you, who are above all, and who dwells, even beyond all creation, would spend time with one so lowly

My spirit sings praises to You. I lift up my hands to honor Your Name. For you are my God, you have blessed my life to overflowing

I cry out Your name and feel the presence of Your Son. His love and righteousness hold me. They keep me safe from harm, and give me hope within eternities span

How glorious is our God! I am amazed at the depth of His goodness

Today in humility, I give myself to God. I let His perfect will be the light that guides me, and His love, the strength that moves my feet

May every particle of my being be given over to Him, so that I may glorify my God and my Maker. 4/9/2006

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Turn Towards God

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19

Turn towards the Lord and He will direct your path. Turn towards Him with every choice you make and He will make your life sound.

Cease from listening to lies and from giving in to destructive behavior. Let God heal you from the inside out, so that you might be made complete in every way

There exists a din of persuasive noise that tries to lure us with deception, so that we might be swept from His way.

But you, stand strong. Live in opposition to that which wars against God. Make a stand, when sin tries to persuade you from the truth. Grind sin beneath your feet, as you walk in the ways of the righteous

Let the love of God be your guide, not the selfishness of sin; which will drag you down, and also, those around you

There is great hope for those who follow the Lord, and goodness will bless those who trust in His will for their life; but to those who fall into the ways of sin, great trouble will surround them.

Trust in God. Turn to Him at every fork in the road. For He knows the way in which you should go

God will bless your life through His wisdom and by His love, but sin, will make you an embarrassment, it will leave you weak and full of doubts

Turn again and again towards God, for He alone holds your life in His hand. Believe in Him, because He is the only one worthy of our faith

Return to His way each day. Do not grow weary, or think that your faith does not matter. But be renewed each day as you seek Him in prayer and in study. Be guided by His Word, and by His righteousness

When I have sought my own way, I found my life filled with trouble and turmoil. But, as I learned to trust in God’s will for my life I found great peace, understanding, and blessing. 12/29/2006

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A Conversation

Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs AR
For this is what the high and lofty One says- He who lives forever, whose name is holy; “I live in a high and holy place, but also with those who are contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite”.

My life is continually before You, Oh Lord. Every particle of my being is known to Your Eye; and yet I don’t always see the face that so loves me, and my thoughts are often on earthly things

How far, oh Lord, am I from You; yet Your thoughts are always upon me

Even though I seek You diligently, my mind is apt to wander; and though I often spend time in prayer, I can lose sight of You

As I make my way through life, I realize more each day just how weak I am, and how dependent I am upon You. For my life is held in Your hand. You could crush it out, but all I have ever felt is Your love and Your power

If You were to judge righteously, my life, and how I have managed it, You would not be found too harsh if You were to give me the stiffest of penalties

But, in all that You have done, I have found only gifts of forgiveness, second chances, and the chance to live the fullest life imaginable

Where do I go from here Lord?

It’s hard to believe that You have not grown tired of me asking that question. But I am reminded, that You have a plan for me, as You do for everyone

Help me to have the courage to follow Your ways, and not my own. Remind me of how futile it is to strike off in my own way, and strengthen me to know that Your way is always the best path I can take

You hold my life in a vise grip. I cannot wander far before Your Word reminds me of the route I should take

I praise You that You care enough lay hold of my life, and I thank You that You have never let me go, even when I have struggled with all my might against Your grip

I do not know what the future holds, only that someday You are going to send Your Son back to us. Someday, I am going to stand in front of You, Jesus; and I don’t know if I am going to be able to look You in the eye. For I would be undone by You. There is nothing worthy enough within me to stand in Your presence

But, You have placed Your Spirit within me, and it is preparing me for that day.

The very Spirit of Your being dwelling inside of me, attesting day by day of the incomprehensible goodness that is in You, that leads me to live out that goodness in my life

Lord, You have formed me from the dust of this incredible universe, breathed life into my body, and placed me here in this time and place

No doubt, You have a purpose for my life. I know now that it is not always to achieve the success of mankind, but to live out Your loving ways day by day throughout my life; and to continually seek to glorify Your most Holy Name.   1997

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The Connection

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 1 Corinthians 12:20

The famous naturalist John Muir once said, “If you pick out one thing in nature, you will find that it is hitched to everything else in the entire universe”. It is an astounding thought. No matter what you look at, you will find that it, in one way or another, it has a connection with everything else. The beauty in it is that the connections come in various ways and in an almost infinite number of means. There are the cycles of nature, placed into the fabric of God’s creation, that transport energy and matter from one place to another. Within these cycles, are checks and balances, that regulate their flow in particular ways, based on how God has placed His physical laws. Every movement in this natural realm, each life, every person and believer; has an effect on the rest of the universe around them. Most often, these effects are at levels beyond our perception and understanding. However, all that we sense, every interaction within this world and with others, is our conscious part of this equation of connection within God’s creation.

When I am working in my garden, I can see how it is uniquely placed within the matrix of creation. Energy and matter are shuttled in and transformed by the life that lives there, then flow outward in various ways. I can see this transformation taking place in the compost pile, where last years leaves full of nutrients and latent energy are changed by the actions of bacteria, earthworms, and fungi. I see the bright green leaves filled with Chlorophyll absorbing sunlight to create sugars that fuel a whole host of reactions that build the plant, flowers, and fruit. And then there are all the millions of ‘guests’ who come to visit and chew on the leaves, sip the nectar, suck on the juice, fix nitrogen in root nodules, steal my just ripened berries, or grace the place with their beauty. It is an amazing miracle, what takes place in the ordinary garden.

Yes, everything is connected, and ultimately it all is connected to God. Think of all the infinite number of events that happen around us, both big and small. Consider the storms and the calms; the brightest days and darkest nights; the basic processes in nature and the dynamic revolutionary actions of DNA. The list is endless. Everything is connected, and we all connected to the God who created all things. He moves by the power of His Spirit throughout the entire world, and out into the farthest reaches of the universe. There is no place where He is not. He dwells even within our gardens, and especially so, within our hearts.

God knows all the subtle connections that tie together His creation. It is amazing to see just how gently He works, but also, how awesome are the results. A nudge here and a  jostle there, and a whole series of events is set in motion like a building wave. They culminate in carrying out His will to His glory and honor. God speaks with a still and quiet voice. He can move things with the gentlest of breezes, and yet His strength is beyond our comprehension.

The Church, the living body of Christ, is also interconnected in a tightly woven fabric. Even the most insignificant church and every poor unnoticed believer, has great value and importance to the health of the whole body. We suffer together the hardships of other believers. Together, we rejoice when others are uplifted and God is glorified. Each member is responsible to the whole. We are not islands, but more like one continent in Christ. In God’s eyes, we are both individuals, and parts of one body that makes up His church. Always connected to one another, and never separate from Him who made us to live.