In a realm where shadows stretch and wide rivers flow, Amidst the whispers of ancient winds that secrets know, There lies a single path, narrow, with a gentle glow, Where souls, weary and yearning, to seek and grow.
No other way to the divine, no other route to trod, But through the grace of His Son, the blessed Son of God. Beneath the heavens’ expanse, on verdant earth we lay, Bowing our heads in humility as we fervently pray.
Jesus, the bridge over sin’s tumultuous sea, Offers His hand, His heart, to set the burdened free. Through whispered prayers, and tears silently cried, He guides us, His light unwavering, at our side.
The world spins, relentless, in its orbit’s bind, Yet in His presence, a peace we surely find. With heads bowed low, in reverence profound, In the quiet sanctum where His grace abounds.
For no golden idols, nor earthly kings’ decrees, Can lead us to the peace that Jesus freely gives. Only through His love, so vast, so deep, so wide, Can we cross the chasm to stand by His side.
Thus, walk the path, in faith may you tread, Through the Son to God, just as He said. In every bowed head, every prayer’s gentle sway, Lies the sacred passage, the truth, the way.
Scripture: Matthew 7:11 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"
Reflection: This verse from Matthew 7:11 is a profound reminder of God’s loving and generous nature. Jesus uses the analogy of earthly parents to highlight how much more our Heavenly Father desires to give us good things. Even flawed human parents know how to provide for their children, so how much more can we trust in the perfect love and wisdom of our Father in heaven?
When we consider our requests and desires, it’s comforting to remember that God knows what is best for us. He sees the bigger picture and understands our needs far better than we do. Our Father is not just willing but eager to provide for us in ways that align with His perfect will.
This promise encourages us to come to God with our requests, knowing that He hears us and cares deeply about our needs. It’s a call to trust in His goodness and to have confidence that He will give us what is truly good for us. Sometimes, this might mean that His answers look different from what we expect, but we can be assured that His gifts are always rooted in love and wisdom.
As we pray and seek God’s provision, let’s do so with the assurance that our Father knows best. He delights in blessing His children, and we can rest in the knowledge that His plans for us are good.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible love and generosity. Help us to trust in Your perfect wisdom and to bring our requests before You with confidence. Teach us to rely on Your goodness, knowing that You always give us what is best. Strengthen our faith and remind us daily of Your unfailing love. Amen.
Thought for the Day: Trust in the goodness and generosity of your Heavenly Father. He knows what is best for you and delights in giving good things to those who ask Him. Rest in His perfect love and wisdom.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Colossians 2:9-10 "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: These verses from Colossians remind us of the profound truth about Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him. In Jesus, the fullness of deity dwells bodily. This means that Jesus is fully God, embodying all the attributes and power of the divine. Understanding this helps us grasp the magnitude of His authority and love.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are filled in Him. This means that we are complete in Him, lacking nothing because we have the fullness of Christ within us. Our Father knows that in our own strength, we are incomplete and often feel insufficient. But in Jesus, we are made whole.
Jesus, who is the head of all rule and authority, has the power to guide and sustain us through every situation. Trusting in His supremacy and His presence within us gives us the confidence to face life’s challenges. We are not alone; we are empowered by the One who holds all authority.
Living in this truth encourages us to rely on Jesus for wisdom, strength, and direction. Our Father’s plan for us includes living in the fullness of Christ, experiencing His love and power daily. This perspective transforms how we see ourselves and our circumstances, knowing that we are equipped and complete in Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the fullness of Jesus Christ and the completeness we have in Him. Help us to remember that we are filled with His presence and empowered by His authority. Strengthen our faith and guide us to live confidently in the truth of Your Word. May we trust that You know best and find our sufficiency in Christ alone. Amen.
Thought for the Day: In Jesus, we find our fullness and completeness. Trust in His divine presence and authority, knowing that our Father knows best and has equipped us with everything we need in Him.
When politics rise and tempers ignite, Let us not rush to argue or fight. For family and friends are treasures we hold, Worth more than opinions or stories retold.
Let us listen with patience, speak with care, Set judgment aside, and show we’re aware That beyond every view, every stance, every side, Is a heart, a soul, a love that abides.
Hold space for the thoughts that differ from yours, As if opening gently a set of new doors. For behind each belief lies a life and a pain, A story unseen, a hope or a strain.
Let kindness be louder than points to be scored, With empathy found in each gentle word. Agree to disagree if that’s what it takes, But honor the bond that no quarrel should break.
In a world that divides, let us build a way, To love past the lines that words can’t sway. For when all is said and opinions fade, It’s the heart and the love that will always remain.
Daily Devotion: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Matthew 10:12 "As you enter the house, greet it."
Reflection: This simple instruction from Jesus to His disciples as they went out to spread the Good News holds a profound lesson about the way we approach others and the places we enter. Greeting a house signifies bringing peace, goodwill, and a blessing to those within. It’s an act of kindness that opens the door to meaningful connections and fosters a welcoming atmosphere.
Our Father knows the power of small gestures and how they can transform interactions. A warm greeting can set the tone for a positive encounter, breaking down barriers and creating a space for God's love to be shared. When we enter any space—be it a home, a workplace, or even a public setting—our attitude and approach can make a significant difference.
By greeting the house, we acknowledge the presence of God in that place and invite His peace and blessing to rest upon it. This simple act reminds us that we are ambassadors of Christ, carrying His love and peace wherever we go. It’s a way of aligning our actions with His will, trusting that our Father knows best how to use us to touch others' lives.
This verse also encourages us to be mindful of the environments we enter and the people we meet. Every interaction is an opportunity to reflect God’s love and to bring His presence into the lives of others. Whether through a smile, a kind word, or a heartfelt greeting, we can make a profound impact.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to bring Your peace and love into the places we enter. Help us to greet each house, each person, with the kindness and goodwill that reflect Your heart. May our actions be a testament to Your presence and love, and may we trust that You know best how to use us to bless others. Amen.
Thought for the Day: A simple greeting can open the door to God’s blessings. Trust in the power of small gestures and remember that our Father knows best how to use our kindness to touch the lives of those we meet.
I’m not a bad person; I just lost my way, Led by shadows where I meant to stray. I stumbled along with the wrong crowd’s call, Not knowing I’d trip, not meaning to fall.
I was searching for somewhere to belong, But the voices I followed led me wrong. In moments of weakness, I made my choice, Silencing reason, ignoring my voice.
But deep within, I still know who I am, Not the broken shell or the misplaced plan. I’ve learned from the dark, I’ve found the light, And I’m standing now, ready to make things right.
Mistakes don’t define me, they’re not my name; They’re echoes of lessons, not badges of shame. I’m more than my missteps, more than my past— A heart that is healing, a spirit steadfast.
So judge me not by where I’ve been, But see where I’m going, what lies within. For I’m not a bad person, I just lost my way, And I’m finding myself with each new day.
Our past doesn’t have to be our prison, The chains of yesterday can break. Mistakes and scars that left their mark Are lessons learned, not paths to take.
Each dawn brings light, a chance to start, To leave the shadows cast behind. We’re free to step beyond regret, With strength and peace in heart and mind.
The weight of guilt can fall away, No burden must we carry on. For grace renews what’s worn and weak, And faith restores what’s almost gone.
The bars that held us fade in time, As hope and love begin to grow. Our past is not our final truth— We’re more than what we used to know.
So rise with courage, bold and free, No longer bound by loss or sin. Our past may shape the lives we lead, But it’s the future we begin.
An old tractor abandoned in the prairie, Left to rust where the fields grow weary. Nature claimed it in her quiet way, Her roots and vines where engines lay.
Its paint now faded, metal worn thin, With bark and trunk rooted deep within. Too stubborn to move, too proud to break, Bound by the roots no force could shake.
Once a tool for hands now still, Held in the earth’s unmoving will. A relic of toil, left as it stands— Steel and wood, held in nature’s hands.
Daily Devotion: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Psalm 32:5 "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah"
Reflection: Psalm 32:5 is a powerful reminder of the importance of confession and the assurance of God's forgiveness. When we acknowledge our sins and bring them before the Lord, He is faithful to forgive us. This verse teaches us about the mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father, who knows our weaknesses and loves us unconditionally.
Acknowledging our sins can be difficult because it requires humility and honesty. It means facing our shortcomings and mistakes, and being vulnerable before God. However, this act of confession is not about condemnation but about healing and restoration. Our Father knows our hearts and desires to free us from the burden of guilt and shame.
When we confess our transgressions, we experience the profound peace that comes from God's forgiveness. His forgiveness is complete and transformative, allowing us to move forward with a clean heart and renewed spirit. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not based on our perfection but on His grace and love.
This process of confession and forgiveness is a continual journey in our walk with God. It encourages us to live in honesty and openness before Him, trusting that He always knows what is best for us. As we bring our sins to the light, we can experience the depth of His love and the power of His forgiveness.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your boundless mercy and grace. Help us to come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our sins and seeking Your forgiveness. Thank You for the assurance that You forgive and cleanse us from all iniquity. Strengthen our resolve to live in honesty and openness before You, trusting in Your perfect wisdom and love. Amen.
Thought for the Day: Confession brings freedom and forgiveness. Trust in God's grace and mercy, knowing that our Father knows best and desires to restore and renew us through His love.
