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November 11

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best

By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:

Psalm 103:1-3

“Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,”

Reflection:

Psalm 103 is a beautiful hymn of praise and gratitude, reminding us to bless the Lord with all that is within us. David calls upon his soul to remember and celebrate the many benefits and blessings that come from God. This passage encourages us to reflect on God’s goodness and to praise Him wholeheartedly for His loving care and mercy.

Our Father knows that in our busy lives, it’s easy to forget His countless blessings. We often take for granted the everyday miracles and acts of grace that surround us. David’s call to bless the Lord with all our being serves as a reminder to be intentional in our gratitude, acknowledging the profound ways God works in our lives.

One of the greatest benefits mentioned in this psalm is God’s forgiveness. He forgives all our iniquities, cleansing us from sin and restoring our relationship with Him. This forgiveness is a gift of immeasurable worth, a testament to His boundless love and mercy. Remembering this helps us to live in gratitude and humility, knowing that our Father knows best how to heal and restore us.

The psalm also speaks of God’s healing power. He heals all our diseases, offering physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Trusting in His ability to heal reminds us of His sovereignty and care. Whether we experience immediate healing or a journey through recovery, we can be confident that God is with us, working for our good.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your countless blessings and benefits. Help us to remember and celebrate Your goodness every day. Thank You for forgiving our sins and for Your healing power in our lives. May our souls continually bless Your holy name with gratitude and praise. Strengthen our faith and remind us always that You know what is best for us. Amen.

Thought for the Day:

Take time to bless the Lord and remember His many benefits. Trust in His forgiveness and healing, knowing that our Father knows best and continually works for our good.

The Old Tractor

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Screenshot
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.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

November 3

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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.

November 2

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:8-9
"Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."

Reflection:
These verses from 2 Corinthians remind us of the eternal perspective we are called to hold as believers. Our true home is with the Lord, and this understanding fills us with courage and hope. It reassures us that our lives on earth, while temporary, have a greater purpose rooted in eternity.

Living with the awareness that our ultimate home is with God should transform how we approach our daily lives. Whether we are physically present in this world or spiritually united with the Lord, our primary aim is to please Him. This means aligning our actions, thoughts, and desires with His will, knowing that His plans for us are always for our good.

The courage mentioned in these verses is not just about facing physical death but about living a life of faith and purpose. It’s about trusting that our Father knows best, regardless of the circumstances we face. We can be confident that He is guiding us and that our efforts to please Him are not in vain.

This perspective encourages us to live with intentionality and devotion, focusing on what truly matters. It reminds us that our earthly journey is a preparation for our eternal home, and every moment is an opportunity to glorify God.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope and courage we have in knowing that our true home is with You. Help us to live each day with the aim to please You, trusting that Your plans for us are perfect. Strengthen our faith and guide our steps, so that whether we are at home or away, our lives reflect Your love and purpose. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Live with the confidence that our Father knows best, and make it your aim to please Him in all that you do. Remember that your true home is with the Lord, and let this eternal perspective guide your daily actions and choices.

An Ounce of Prevention

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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, it is said,  
To this purpose, we should be carefully led.  

In every aspect of life, this truth does shine,  
Whether physical or spiritual, in all paths we align.  

A small step today, a mindful choice made,  
Can keep future troubles from growing or stayed.  

For health of the body, the mind, and the soul,  
Prevention’s the key to keeping us whole.  

So let us take heed, be watchful and pure,  
For an ounce of prevention is the truest cure.  

Created by
MarkWaldrop

September 10

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By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:14  

“And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection:

Paul’s words to Timothy are a beautiful testimony to the transformative power of God’s grace. Despite Paul’s past as a persecutor of Christians, God’s grace overflowed abundantly in his life, bringing faith and love through Christ Jesus. This overflowing grace is a reminder that no matter our past or present circumstances, God’s love and mercy are more than sufficient to renew and restore us.

Grace is unmerited favor, a gift we receive not because of our worthiness but because of God’s infinite love. When we embrace His grace, it fills us with faith and love, empowering us to live transformed lives. This grace is not just a one-time gift; it continuously overflows, equipping us to face each day with the assurance of God’s presence and power.

Our Father, who knows best, showers us with His grace to lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. This grace enables us to trust Him more fully and to love others as Christ loves us. It’s a reminder that we are never beyond the reach of His grace and that His love can transform even the hardest of hearts.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your overflowing grace that brings faith and love into our lives. Help us to receive this grace with open hearts and allow it to transform us. May Your grace strengthen our faith and empower us to love others as You have loved us. Guide us to trust in Your perfect wisdom and to live each day in the light of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Application:

Reflect on the areas of your life where you need God’s grace to overflow. Spend time in prayer, asking God to fill you with His grace, faith, and love. Consider how you can extend this grace to others, showing them the love of Christ through your actions. Let the assurance of His grace guide you, knowing that our Father, who knows best, provides all we need to live a life of faith and love.

July 18

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Daily Devotional: 
Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: Matthew 22:39
"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Reflection:
The command to love our neighbor as ourselves is a profound and transformative principle that our Father, in His infinite wisdom, has given us. This command calls us to extend the same care, respect, and kindness to others that we naturally seek for ourselves. It is a call to empathy, compassion, and selflessness.

Loving our neighbor means recognizing their inherent worth as creations of God, just as we are. It involves going beyond mere tolerance or indifference and actively seeking their well-being. In a world where self-interest often dominates, this divine instruction reminds us of the higher path of love and service.

Thought for Today:
Our Father knows that true fulfillment and peace come from loving others as He loves us. When we put this into practice, we not only bless those around us but also experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from living in alignment with God’s heart. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is a powerful way to reflect God's love and wisdom in our daily lives.

 Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to see others through Your eyes and to extend the same love, kindness, and respect that we desire. Fill our hearts with Your compassion and guide us to act in ways that reflect Your love. May our actions bring glory to You and draw others closer to Your heart. Amen.

 Action Step:
Today, identify someone in your life who could use an extra measure of love and kindness. Reach out to them with a kind word, a helping hand, or a simple act of service. Let your actions be a reflection of God's love and wisdom, demonstrating that our Father truly knows best.

July 17

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Daily Devotional: 
Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11
"And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you."

Reflection:
In a world full of noise, distractions, and constant busyness, the call to lead a quiet life can seem countercultural and even challenging. However, our Father, in His infinite wisdom, knows what is best for us. He encourages us through the words of Paul to find contentment and peace in simplicity and diligent work.

A quiet life is not one devoid of purpose or activity but one that prioritizes inner peace and focuses on what truly matters. By minding our own business and working with our hands, we honor God’s design for a balanced and fulfilling life. This doesn’t mean isolation but rather a focus on our responsibilities, fostering a life that reflects God’s peace and order.

Thought for Today:
God's wisdom often leads us to paths that the world may overlook. In striving for a quiet life, we find a rhythm that allows us to hear His voice more clearly. Our Father knows that in the stillness, we can grow, reflect, and serve Him more effectively. Trust His guidance today and embrace the peace that comes from following His direction.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing what is best for us. Help us to embrace the quiet life You call us to, finding joy and purpose in our daily tasks. Teach us to mind our own business and work diligently with our hands, reflecting Your peace and order in all we do. May our lives be a testimony of Your wisdom and love. Amen.

Action Step:
Today, take a moment to evaluate areas of your life that may be filled with unnecessary noise or busyness. Ask God to help you simplify and focus on what truly matters, finding peace in the tasks and responsibilities He has given you.

A Hero’s Legacy

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Good morning, echoes through the dawn's first light,
A tale of valor, sorrow, and might.
In nineteen-oh-seven, a boy was born,
To a widow whose heart was torn.

His father, taken by a brother’s hand,
Left a young widow in a desolate land.
He grew up fast, a child no more,
Dropped out in fifth grade to work, to toil, and bore.

Four brothers looked up to his guiding hand,
In the logging woods, he made his stand.
Married young, and children came,
Seven in total, three angels to name.

In forty-four, when the world was ablaze,
A month-old baby, he’d have to leave in a haze.
From Harlan County to Normandy’s shore,
This Kentucky boy faced the horrors of war.

Men fell like rain on that blood-soaked beach,
One young soldier’s sanity just out of reach.
“No need for a gun,” he cried out loud,
As chaos raged and death's shadow shrouded.

Liberation brought tears to his weary eyes,
Death camps unveiled humanity’s demise.
In a foxhole, with a testament lost,
He crawled through the night, in the cold and frost.

Hands bleeding, searching for hope,
Found a Bible, bloodied, a way to cope.
Twice wounded, he persevered,
Shook Patton’s hand, a memory revered.

Post-war missions with Lt. Schaefer’s call,
Hunting war criminals, he gave his all.
Came home broken, inside and out,
Shell shock, treatments, a mind full of doubt.

Twenty-five years, he battled unseen foes,
A hero in shadows, the pain only grows.
No bridges or highways bear his name,
But his sacrifice remains, forever aflame.

A military family, devoted and true,
To God and country, their hearts they imbue.
When flags are trampled, in anger and pain,
Remembering the fallen, tears fall like rain.

As taps play softly, a tribute to the brave,
For your dad, your husband, the memories you save.
In their honor, with pride, you stand tall,
Heroes remembered, one and all.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Taken from a story on Facebook “Journey of a Mountain Woman”

Glad Day Glad Day

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Rejoice, rejoice, oh hearts alight, The morning sun scatters the night. Glad day, glad day, echoes the tune, Jesus is coming, glorious and soon.

Sing through the streets, dance in the lanes, Over the hills, across the plains. Voices uplift in joyous croon, Proclaim the news: He cometh at noon.

Lift up your heads, ye gates of gold, Prepare the way, the story retold. Hope blooms afresh like flowers in June, Glad day, glad day, He’s coming soon.

Each moment passed, each heartbeat’s sway, Draws nearer still that promised day. In humble praise, we kneel and pray, Glad day, glad day, oh blessed day.

The trumpets sound beyond the blue, Angels descend in hues anew. With grace, they trace, from night to noon, Our Savior’s path; He’s coming soon.

So hold your lamps, trimmed and bright, For in His light, all things are right. Glad day, glad day, sings the moon, Jesus is coming, oh so very soon. 

April 21, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop