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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: 
Acts 20:24
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Life is often filled with uncertainty. We wonder why we face challenges, why certain doors close, or why we must endure seasons of difficulty. Yet, in these moments, we can find peace in knowing that Our Father Knows Best. He sees the entire picture—far beyond our limited perspective—and is guiding us toward His purpose.

Paul understood this deeply. His life was not his own, but a testimony to God’s grace. He pressed forward, not for earthly gain, but to complete the race that Christ had set before him. Paul’s heart was fully surrendered to God’s plan, confident that the Lord knew what was best, even when the path was hard.

Like Paul, we are called to trust God’s direction in our lives. When we surrender our fears, our dreams, and our uncertainties to Him, we declare that we believe in His perfect wisdom. Our aim should be to finish the race faithfully, trusting that God’s plan for us—whether in times of joy or trial—is ultimately for our good and His glory.

Today, rest in the assurance that your life has a purpose far greater than you can see. Trust that our Father knows best, and He will provide the strength you need to finish the race.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect wisdom and guidance. Help me to trust in Your plan, even when I don’t fully understand it. Give me the strength to run the race You’ve set before me, and let my life be a testimony of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Happiness of Your Life

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The happiness of your life, it’s true,
Does not depend on what you do—
Nor riches gained or mountains climbed,
But on the thoughts that shape your mind.

A gentle soul with little gold
May live more joy than kings of old,
For peace is born where wisdom grows,
And calm within the spirit flows.

Arrange your thoughts like rays of sun,
With gratitude when day is done.
Let kindness be the voice you hear,
And hope the compass drawing near.

Each thought’s a seed, and if well sown,
It blooms with joy you call your own.
So guard your mind, let goodness stay—
And happiness will light your way.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Just Be There

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When storms arise and skies turn gray,
And words feel empty, lost, astray,
Don’t search for phrases, don’t explain,
Just sit with them and share the pain.

No need for sermons, loud or wise,
No fixing tears, no analyzing cries.
A silent presence speaks the most,
A steady hand, a gentle post.

For in the weight of grief and strife,
It’s love that softly mends a life.
Not perfect answers, bold or grand,
But simply being—hand in hand.

MarkWaldrop

Peace Eternal

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We must make a choice, both firm and clear,
To seek what God holds ever dear.
A deliberate path, a faithful quest,
To align our hearts with what is best.

When problems rise, perplexing, vast,
And the shadows of doubt begin to cast,
Pause and ask, with a heart sincere,
“Is this what Christ would hold near?”

Does this reflect His mercy, His grace,
Or the world’s pull, its fleeting embrace?
Is it love, or pride, that guides my hand?
Is it His truth, or shifting sand?

For the spirit opposed will lead astray,
Whispering lies to darken the way.
But Christ’s light shines, steadfast, true,
Revealing the path we are called to pursue.

So choose each moment, with faith refined,
To fix your heart, your soul, your mind.
On what brings glory to His name,
And honors the One who forever reigns.

A deliberate life, a heart aligned,
With God’s desires, His grand design.
For in His purpose, we’ll always find,
Peace eternal, both pure and kind.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

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

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.

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