January 23

Posted on by
Reply 
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?"
Psalm 139:7

Reflection

Psalm 139 is a beautiful reminder of God's omnipresence and His intimate knowledge of us. Verse 7 poses two rhetorical questions that emphasize a profound truth: there is nowhere we can go that God is not already there. His Spirit is with us at all times, in all places.

In moments of joy or sorrow, in times of success or failure, God's presence surrounds us. This is not meant to be a source of fear, but of comfort. Our Heavenly Father’s constant presence means that we are never alone. His Spirit guides, protects, and sustains us through every situation.

Knowing that we cannot flee from God's presence assures us that He is always available to us. We don't need to search for Him in special places or at special times. He is with us in the ordinary moments of our day, ready to provide wisdom, strength, and comfort.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. There is no place we can go where You are not with us. Help us to feel Your Spirit guiding and comforting us each day. When we feel lost or alone, remind us that You are near, always ready to lead us with Your loving hand. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Action Step:

Today, take a moment to acknowledge God's presence in your life. Whether you are at work, home, or running errands, pause and thank Him for being with you. Reflect on the truth that you are never alone, and let this assurance give you peace and confidence throughout your day.

What is Love

Posted on by
Reply 
What is love? A question so vast,
A feeling eternal, a bond meant to last.
It wears many faces, it comes in many forms,
A shelter in chaos, a calm through the storms.

To a child, it’s the warmth of a mother’s embrace,
The guiding hand, the familiar face.
To friends, it’s laughter that never grows old,
A trust that’s unshaken, more precious than gold.

For lovers, it’s passion, a flame burning bright,
A whisper in darkness, a beacon of light.
It’s the courage to stay through struggle and strife,
The promise of forever in the story of life.

It’s the kindness we show to a stranger in need,
The grace of compassion, the bloom from a seed.
It’s found in forgiveness, in hearts open wide,
In giving, in serving, in setting aside.

To me, love’s the greatest feeling to know,
The source of all joy, the place where we grow.
Simply put, there is nothing greater,
Love is the essence of the Creator.

MarkWaldrop

January 22

Posted on by
Reply 
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
"Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!"
Psalm 43:3

Reflection:

In our journey through life, we often face moments of uncertainty and doubt. We seek direction, longing for a path that leads us to peace and purpose. In Psalm 43:3, the psalmist cries out for God's light and truth to guide them. This heartfelt plea is a reminder that we are not left to navigate life's complexities alone. 

Our Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom and love, desires to lead us to His holy hill, to His dwelling. When we ask for His light and truth, we are inviting His presence into our lives, allowing His wisdom to illuminate our path. Trusting in God's guidance means surrendering our own plans and expectations, and placing our confidence in His perfect will.

God’s light dispels the darkness of confusion and fear, while His truth anchors us in His promises. As we allow Him to lead us, we find ourselves drawn closer to His presence, experiencing the peace and security that comes from dwelling with Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unwavering love and guidance. We ask that You send out Your light and Your truth to lead us. Help us to trust in Your perfect wisdom and to follow the path You have set before us. Bring us closer to You, to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling, where we can find true peace and purpose. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Action Step:

Take a moment today to quiet your heart and seek God's guidance. Open your Bible and read a passage of Scripture, asking God to reveal His truth to you. Trust in His leading, knowing that our Father always knows what is best for us.

Meekness is Not Weakness

Posted on by
Reply 
Meekness is not a weakness, no,
It’s a strength that only the humble know.
In the eyes of God, it shines so bright,
A beacon of grace, a guiding light.

Humility lifts where pride may fall,
A quiet strength that conquers all.
To serve with meekness, to bow the knee,
Is the greatest gift to eternity.

For power lies not in boastful claims,
But in hearts that honor His holy name.
Meekness marks the man refined,
By God’s own hand, in heart and mind.

So walk with gentleness, firm yet kind,
Let His mastery shape your soul and mind.
For the meek inherit a truth so vast:
God’s strength perfected in them at last.

MarkWaldrop

Trust In God

Posted on by
Reply 
Trust in God should always reign,
Above the world’s uncertain gain.
No leader’s power, no system’s might,
Can match His truth, His guiding light.

For earthly rulers come and go,
Their promises fade, their plans may slow.
But God’s eternal word remains,
A refuge strong through joys and pains.

The hands of men can build or fall,
Yet He who made us rules it all.
His justice pure, His love so grand,
No earthly power can withstand.

So place your trust where it belongs,
In Him whose mercy rights all wrongs.
Let faith in God your anchor be,
Through storms of life and history.

MarkWaldrop

January 21

Posted on by
Reply 
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:

John 17:14-15 (ESV)
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”

Reflection:

As believers, we often find ourselves at odds with the world around us. The values and principles we hold dear, grounded in God’s Word, are frequently met with resistance or outright hostility. This can be discouraging and isolating, making us long for a place where we are fully understood and accepted.

However, Jesus’ prayer in John 17 provides us with a comforting truth: while we are not of this world, we are still in it for a divine purpose. Jesus doesn’t ask the Father to remove us from these challenging circumstances but rather to protect us from the evil one. This implies that our presence here is intentional and significant.

God knows best. He understands the trials we face and has a perfect plan for each of us. His Word equips us with the strength and wisdom to navigate the world’s challenges while maintaining our faith and integrity. Our task is not to escape but to stand firm, knowing that His protection is ever-present.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that guides and sustains us. In a world that often rejects Your truth, help us to remain steadfast in our faith. Protect us from the evil one and give us the courage to live out Your will. May our lives reflect Your love and truth, bringing glory to Your Holy Name. Amen.

Thought for the Day:

Though we are in the world, we are not of it. Our purpose and protection come from our Father, who knows what is best for us. Trust in His plan and remain anchored in His Word.

Pray for the Best

Posted on by
Reply 
Pray for the best, with hope in your heart,
A whisper to Heaven, a sacred start.
Dreams may soar or paths may stray,
But trust in His plan each step of the way.

Expect the least, with humble grace,
For life is a journey, not a race.
Gratitude blooms where pride recedes,
And blessings grow from simple seeds.

Serve the in-between, with love as your guide,
For this is where purpose and joy reside.
In moments unseen, in acts so small,
We find the truth: to serve is all.

So pray, expect, and humbly serve,
A life of meaning we all deserve.
For in the balance of what may seem,
We find God’s love in the in-between.

MarkWaldrop

True Happiness

Posted on by
Reply 
Jesus is synonymous with Happiness,
A light that shines through the dark distress.
In every heart where He is near,
His love casts out all doubt and fear.

He is the joy that lifts the soul,
The healer who makes the broken whole.
When burdens press and sorrows stay,
He whispers peace and shows the way.

Through every trial, His presence sweet,
Turns pain to purpose, defeat to feat.
For in His grace, true gladness flows,
A boundless love the heart well knows.

Jesus, the name that calms the storm,
In every season, His love is warm.
Happiness lives where He abides,
In Him, eternal joy resides.

MarkWaldrop

America Nothing Impossible

Posted on by
Reply 
In America, the impossible stands,
As dreams take flight in determined hands.
Where mountains are moved, and rivers are crossed,
What once seemed impossible is never lost.

From fields of hope to the stars above,
Fueled by courage, faith, and love,
We dare to build, to strive, to create,
Defying the odds, reshaping fate.

Through trials faced and battles won,
We rise again with each new sun.
With grit and grace, we pass each test—
In America, the impossible is what we do best.

For limits bend to the will to try,
And failure fuels the will to fly.
Together we march, our hearts possessed,
By a vision where the impossible rests.

MarkWaldrop

We Stand Tall

Posted on by
Reply 
We stand tall, unwavering, proud,
Voices strong, our hearts unbowed.
With freedom’s light, we pave the way,
Americans bold, come what may.

Our flag flies high, its colors bright,
A symbol of courage, justice, and might.
Yet in our strength, we humbly see,
Our true foundation: divinity.

For we kneel to God and God alone,
The cornerstone of the land we own.
His guidance leads, His grace sustains,
Through every triumph, through every pain.

No throne of man, no worldly creed,
Can shape our hearts or meet our need.
We stand as one, united and free,
But bow to God, our destiny.

Americans strong, with faith in hand,
Under His watch, we’ll always stand.
With trust in Him, forever known,
We kneel to God and God alone.

MarkWaldrop