Walk with me; don’t just walk me, Feel the world as I feel it to be. Slow your steps, let time unwind, There’s wonder here if you’re inclined.
The autumn chill, crisp and rare, Carries whispers in the air. Leaves crunch beneath my eager paws, Each one a tale, each scent a cause.
A squirrel darts, its heart a drum, The wind hums tunes from where it’s come. Traces linger, faint yet true— A cat, a flower, a morning dew.
You tug the leash, your thoughts elsewhere, Yet the world is calling, rich and fair. The sun spills gold through branch and bough, Its fleeting beauty whispers “now.”
Hear the leaves, their rhythm sweet, Like nature’s music at our feet. Feel the air, cool, alive, This is where our souls revive.
For me, this walk is a grand parade, An endless story freshly made. Each scent, each sound, a vivid clue, A tapestry of life in view.
So pause a while, let stillness reign, Feel the earth and shed the strain. Walk with me, don’t just walk me, Discover the magic I long for you to see.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Luke 15:20 "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."
Reflection: This verse from the parable of the Prodigal Son vividly portrays the depth of God's love and compassion for us. The father’s response to his returning son is a powerful reminder of how our Heavenly Father reacts when we turn back to Him after straying.
The father saw his son while he was still a long way off, indicating that he had been eagerly waiting and watching for his return. This reflects God’s heart for us. He is always looking out for us, ready to welcome us back with open arms, no matter how far we have wandered. Our Father knows our hearts and our struggles, and His compassion is boundless.
The father's actions—running to his son, embracing him, and kissing him—demonstrate unconditional love and forgiveness. God’s love for us is not contingent on our past mistakes or failures. When we decide to return to Him, He meets us with joy and acceptance. This teaches us about the grace and mercy of God, who is always ready to forgive and restore us.
This parable encourages us to approach God with confidence and humility, knowing that He will not reject us. It also reminds us to reflect His love and compassion in our interactions with others, extending forgiveness and grace just as we have received it from our Heavenly Father.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible love and compassion. Thank You for always watching over us and being ready to welcome us back with open arms. Help us to turn to You with confidence, knowing that You are eager to forgive and restore us. May we reflect Your love and grace in our lives, embracing others with the same compassion You show us. Amen.
Thought for the Day: No matter how far you have wandered, your Heavenly Father is always ready to welcome you back with open arms. Trust in His unconditional love and forgiveness, and let His compassion guide you in your interactions with others.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Psalm 145:18-19 "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their c and saves them."
Reflection: Psalm 145:18-19 offers a profound reassurance of God’s closeness and responsiveness to His people. Our Father is always near to those who seek Him sincerely, and He delights in fulfilling the desires of those who revere Him. These verses highlight the intimacy and care that characterize our relationship with God.
When we call on the Lord in truth, we approach Him with honesty, openness, and faith. This genuine seeking of God aligns our hearts with His, opening the door to a deeper relationship. Our Father knows our needs, hopes, and desires, and He is eager to respond to our earnest prayers.
The promise that God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him reminds us of the importance of reverence and respect for God. When we live in awe of His majesty and submit to His will, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and guidance. Our Father knows what is best for us, and His answers to our prayers are always rooted in His perfect wisdom and love.
God’s promise to hear our cries and save us is a testament to His compassion and faithfulness. In times of trouble, we can confidently turn to Him, knowing that He is attentive to our pleas and ready to deliver us. This assurance gives us hope and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your nearness and Your promise to hear our prayers. Help us to seek You in truth and to live in reverence of Your majesty. Thank You for fulfilling our desires and for being our Savior in times of need. Strengthen our faith and remind us of Your unfailing love and wisdom. Amen.
Thought for the Day: Call on the Lord with a sincere heart, knowing that our Father is near and ready to respond. Trust in His wisdom and love, and take comfort in His promise to hear your cries and fulfill your desires.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Verse of the Day Matthew 6:18 "so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Reflection In our spiritual journey, the acts of devotion and worship we perform in private hold a special significance. This verse from Matthew highlights the importance of sincerity and humility in our relationshiwith God. When we engage in practices like fasting, praying, or giving, it is not for the recognition or praise of others but to deepen our connection with our Heavenly Father, who sees and values our heart's true intentions.
Devotional Thought True devotion is characterized by actions done in secrecy, known only to God. Our Father, who sees everything, including the hidden corners of our hearts, values these private acts of faith. When we fast or pray in secret, we are expressing our dependence on Him and our desire to draw closer to Him without seeking the approval of others. This genuine devotion is what God rewards, for He knows and appreciates our sincere efforts.
Prayer Dear Lord, Grant us the grace to seek You in the quiet moments, away from the eyes of the world. Help us to practice our faith with sincerity and humility, knowing that You see our hearts and our secret devotions. May our actions be a true reflection of our love and reverence for You. Reward us with Your presence and blessings as we seek to honor You in all that we do. Amen.
Application Today, find a moment to engage in a private act of devotion, such as prayer, fasting, or giving. Do it with a heart fully focused on God, without seeking recognition from others. Trust that your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you in ways that are far beyond human praise.
Thought for the Day Our Father knows best and values the sincerity of our hearts. When we practice our faith in secret, we honor God and open ourselves to His divine rewards. Let our acts of devotion be for His eyes alone, reflecting our true love and commitment to Him.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Reflection: Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 are a powerful reminder that our age does not define our ability to make a significant impact for God’s kingdom. Timothy, a young leader in the early church, is encouraged to lead by example in various aspects of his life. This call to exemplary living is relevant to all believers, regardless of age.
Our Father knows best the potential He has placed within each of us. He calls us to rise above societal expectations and to live out our faith with integrity and conviction. Setting an example in speech means using our words to build up, encourage, and speak truth. In conduct, we are called to act in ways that reflect Christ’s character, demonstrating kindness, humility, and righteousness.
In love, we are to embody the selfless, sacrificial love that Jesus showed, extending grace and compassion to others. In faith, we should display unwavering trust in God, standing firm in our beliefs and relying on His promises. In purity, we are to maintain moral integrity, resisting the temptations that can lead us astray.
Living out these principles not only strengthens our own faith but also inspires and encourages those around us. It shows that our Father’s wisdom and guidance are sufficient for us to lead impactful, godly lives, no matter our age or circumstances.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Timothy and the reminder that age does not limit our ability to serve You. Help us to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Empower us to live lives that reflect Your character and inspire others to follow You. Thank You for Your wisdom and guidance, knowing that You always know what is best for us. Amen.
Thought for the Day: Live as an example of Christ in every aspect of your life. Trust that our Father knows best and has equipped you to make a meaningful impact, regardless of your age or circumstances.
Daily Devotional:Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: In these verses from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. By seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we are placing our trust in our Father’s perfect wisdom and provision. He knows what we need and promises to provide for us when we put Him first in our lives.
Seeking God’s kingdom means aligning our desires, actions, and thoughts with His will. It involves pursuing a life that reflects His values of love, justice, mercy, and truth. When we focus on God and His righteousness, we cultivate a deeper relationship with Him, and our lives begin to reflect His character and priorities.
Jesus also addresses the common human tendency to worry about the future. He reassures us that our Father knows best and is aware of our needs. By encouraging us not to be anxious about tomorrow, Jesus invites us to live in the present, trusting that God will take care of our future. Worrying about tomorrow distracts us from the opportunities and blessings of today.
Living one day at a time, with our hearts set on God’s kingdom, allows us to experience His peace and provision. It frees us from the burden of anxiety and enables us to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and the fulfillment of His purposes in our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to provide for us when we seek Your kingdom and righteousness first. Help us to prioritize our relationship with You above all else and to trust in Your perfect wisdom and provision. Teach us to live one day at a time, free from anxiety about the future, knowing that You hold our tomorrows in Your hands. Amen.
Thought for the Day: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and trust that our Father knows best. Live in the present, free from anxiety about tomorrow, and experience the peace and provision that come from placing your trust in Him.
Oldest footsteps on Colorado’s land, The Ute walk softly where mountains stand. From valley low to peak so high, Their spirit soars beneath the sky.
Through plains and forests, rivers wide, Their hearts beat strong with nature’s stride. The earth, their mother, steady and true, The skies, their father, vast and blue.
Pikes Peak rises, sacred, bold, A watchful guardian, ancient, old. In whispered winds and sunlight’s grace, The Ute find strength, a rooted place.
Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute’s line, In Colorado’s heart, their spirits shine. With stories deep as canyon walls, Their heritage stands, and ever calls.
The land remembers each sacred rite, Of fires burned and stars at night. In mountains high and rivers wide, Forever lives the Ute tribe’s pride.
