While a day to remember the life of a Holy Saint It now seems to be connected to luck and green paint If you can't find a four-leaf clover or kiss the Blarney Stone today Bow your head, Thanking God for all the Luck He Has Sent Your Way March 17, 2023 Mark Waldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Reflection
In life, we often find ourselves questioning the paths we walk. Doubts creep in when things don't go according to our plans, and the future seems uncertain. However, this verse from Jeremiah reminds us that our Father in Heaven sees the bigger picture. He knows the plans He has for us—plans that are designed for our well-being and filled with hope.
God's plans are not always immediately clear to us. There are times when the journey may seem difficult, and we may not understand the twists and turns along the way. But as believers, we are called to trust that God's intentions are always for our good. He is the ultimate architect of our lives, and His blueprint is one of love, purpose, and divine care.
When we surrender our desires and trust in His plan, we allow God to work in ways we could never imagine. Even in the midst of trials, we can hold on to the promise that He is leading us toward a future filled with hope. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the plans You have for my life. Help me to trust in Your wisdom, even when I don't fully understand the path I'm on. Strengthen my faith to believe that You are guiding me towards a future filled with hope and purpose. May I always remember that Your ways are best, and that You are with me every step of the way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thought for the Day:
No matter the circumstances, trust that God is in control and has a good plan for your life. His timing is perfect, and His plans are for your ultimate good.
Who Is Your Hero?
Who is your hero today, my friend?
Someone you follow, admire, or defend?
A figure of strength you look up to,
A champion brave, bold, and true.
Perhaps it’s someone the world has made—
A hero of stories, a role well played.
Maybe an image from pages or screen,
Like Superman flying where few have been.
But heroes of legend and tales we tell
Are shadows beside the truth that dwells.
For there is One far greater to know—
The God of all Gods who walked below.
Jesus the Man who walked on water,
Who calmed the sea and healed the daughter.
Who touched the blind and made them see,
And spoke with love and authority.
He carried a cross up Calvary’s hill,
Not by force, but by heaven’s will.
They laid Him down in a borrowed grave,
Yet death itself He came to brave.
For on the third day the stone rolled wide,
The risen Savior stepped outside.
No legend told, no tale rehearsed—
But the living Christ who conquered the curse.
So who is your hero when all is said?
One made of ink, or the One who bled?
For the greatest hero the world has known
Still reigns today upon His throne.
John 11:25 (KJV)
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
For God’s Honor and Glory
Mark C Waldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Scripture:
Matthew 6:6
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Reflection:
In the busyness of life, it can be challenging to find moments of quiet and solitude. Yet, Jesus reminds us of the importance of withdrawing from the noise of the world to spend time alone with our Heavenly Father. Prayer is not about public display or eloquence; it’s about a personal, intimate connection with God, where we can pour out our hearts in honesty and humility.
When we enter our "room"—whether it’s a physical space or simply a moment of stillness in our hearts—we shut the door to distractions and focus on communing with God. It’s in these private moments that our Father, who sees all that we do in secret, meets us. He knows the depths of our hearts, our desires, our struggles, and our joys. And it’s here, in the quiet, that He offers us His peace, guidance, and the assurance of His presence.
The promise of this scripture is profound: our Father who sees what is done in secret will reward us. These rewards are not necessarily material, but they are the treasures of His kingdom—peace, joy, wisdom, and a deeper relationship with Him. He honors our sincere pursuit of Him with the very things our souls need most.
Application:
Today, make a deliberate choice to set aside time for private prayer. Find a quiet place, whether it’s a room, a corner, or simply a moment of solitude in your day. Shut the door to the distractions that pull at you and focus on being with your Father. Pour out your heart to Him, and trust that He hears you. Know that in these secret moments, you are building a deeper, more personal relationship with God, one that He will bless in ways beyond your understanding.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of prayer, where I can come to You in the quiet and share my heart. Help me to seek You earnestly, not for show, but out of a deep desire to know You more. As I spend time with You in secret, reward me with Your peace, Your guidance, and a closer walk with You. Teach me to trust that You see me and know my needs, and that You are always working for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Test of Time
The grass will fade, the flowers fall,
And seasons answer heaven’s call.
The beauty now our eyes may see
Will pass like mist from field and tree.
The strength of man, the works of pride,
The things once praised and magnified,
Will one day bend, will one day bow,
As dust returns from every brow.
But there remains through age and flame
One faithful truth, one changeless Name.
No storm can shake, no years can dim
The living Word that comes from Him.
When all the world has had its day,
And earthly glory slips away,
God’s holy truth shall still endure—
Unfailing, everlasting, sure.
So build your heart on what will last,
Not on the fading and the past.
For all things else shall pass away,
But God’s own Word shall ever stay.
Isaiah 40:8 (KJV)
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop
Penned for
James M. Craycroft KE4KOP
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Scripture:
Psalms 94:18-19*
“When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Reflection:
There are moments in life when we feel overwhelmed, as though the ground beneath us is giving way. In these times, the pressures of the world, the weight of our responsibilities, and the fears that gnaw at us can make us feel as though we’re slipping, losing our footing in a world that can seem so uncertain.
But just when we feel we might fall, we are reminded of our Father's steadfast love. God, in His infinite wisdom and compassion, is always present, ready to catch us and hold us up. His love is not a distant, abstract concept but a real and tangible support that we can lean on when we are burdened.
When our hearts are heavy and the cares of life are many, God’s consolations—His comfort, peace, and presence—are there to cheer our souls. He understands our worries and anxieties, and He meets us in the midst of them with the exact encouragement we need. His ways are higher than ours, and His plans are always for our good, even when we cannot see it at the moment.
Application:
Today, take a moment to rest in the knowledge that God knows best. When you feel like you’re slipping or the cares of your heart are too many, remember that you are not alone. Turn to Him in prayer, and allow His love to uphold you and His consolations to bring joy and peace to your soul. Trust that He is guiding your steps, even when the path is difficult, and that His grace is sufficient for every challenge you face.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast love that holds me up when I feel like I am slipping. Thank You for the comfort and cheer You bring to my soul when my heart is heavy. Help me to trust in Your wisdom and guidance, knowing that You know what is best for me. Fill me with Your peace today, and let me rest in Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Scripture Reading:
Psalms 121:5-8
“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Reflection:
In a world filled with uncertainties and challenges, it’s comforting to know that we have a Heavenly Father who watches over us with perfect care. Psalm 121 reminds us that the Lord is not just a distant observer; He is our keeper, actively involved in every aspect of our lives.
When the psalmist speaks of the Lord as our shade, it’s an image of protection and comfort. Just as shade provides relief from the scorching sun, God shields us from the overwhelming pressures and dangers that we may face. Whether it’s the glaring heat of life’s trials during the day or the unknown fears that creep in at night, we can trust that God is always there, guarding us.
Verse 7 reassures us that the Lord will keep us from all evil. This doesn’t mean that we will never face difficulties, but it does promise that God will preserve our lives in the midst of them. He will guide us through every challenge, ensuring that nothing will ultimately harm the soul that is secure in Him.
Finally, verse 8 offers a beautiful promise: God’s protection is not temporary but eternal. He will keep our going out and our coming in from now until forever. No matter where we go or what we encounter, we can rest in the assurance that our Father knows best and is always watching over us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our keeper, our shade, and our protector. Help us to trust in Your perfect care and guidance each day. May we find peace in knowing that You watch over us, not just in the big moments, but in every detail of our lives. Keep us from evil, guide our steps, and remind us always of Your eternal presence with us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Action Step:
Take a moment today to reflect on areas of your life where you need to trust God's protection and guidance more. Write them down and pray specifically for God's peace and assurance in those areas, knowing that He is your keeper, now and forever.