September 26

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Daily Devotional Theme: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Psalm 23:2 (NIV)  
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.

Reflection:
In Psalm 23:2, David uses the imagery of a shepherd caring for his sheep to describe God's provision and guidance. This verse highlights the peace and security that God provides for His people, illustrating His deep care and perfect knowledge of our needs.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures":
Green pastures represent a place of abundance, nourishment, and rest. Just as a shepherd ensures his sheep have ample food and a safe place to rest, God provides for our needs and offers us spiritual sustenance. This part of the verse reminds us that God knows when we need to rest and encourages us to trust in His provision, knowing that He will always lead us to places where we can be refreshed and strengthened.

"He leads me beside quiet waters":
Quiet waters symbolize peace, refreshment, and safety. Unlike rushing waters that can be dangerous and unsettling, still waters provide a serene environment where the sheep can drink without fear. In our lives, God leads us to places of calm and peace, where our souls can find rest and rejuvenation. This part of the verse assures us that God is attentive to our emotional and spiritual needs, guiding us gently and lovingly to places where we can experience His peace.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Good Shepherd who provides for all our needs. Help us to trust in Your guidance and provision, knowing that You lead us to places of rest and peace. May we always find our sustenance and refreshment in You, and may our souls be restored by Your loving care. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Application:
Today, take time to reflect on the areas of your life where you need rest and peace. Consider the ways God has provided for you and led you to places of refreshment in the past. Spend a few moments in prayer, asking God to lead you beside quiet waters and to help you lie down in green pastures. Share this verse with someone who may need encouragement and remind them of God's loving care and perfect guidance.

Don’t Quit

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If you don’t quit, God won’t quit,  
Through storm and fire, He walks with it.  
When doubt and fear rise like the tide,  
God’s steady hand stays by your side.  

In darkest nights, when hope seems thin,  
He whispers, "Child, just trust, begin."  
For every tear and every fall,  
God’s love will lift you through it all.  

So press on strong, don’t turn away,  
God’s grace renews you every day.  
If you don’t quit, God never will,  
His faithful promise stands fulfilled.  

Through every trial, every test,  
Hold on—He knows what’s truly best.  
For in His strength, you will endure,  
If you don’t quit, His love is sure.  

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Chasing Stars

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We look for life on distant Mars,  
While here on Earth we bear the scars
The skies grow dim, the oceans rise,  
Yet still we seek the farthest skies.  

We send our dreams to planets new,  
Chasing stars in endless blue.  
But what of trees and fields we sow,  
Of streams that once did gently flow?  

We turn our gaze to outer space,  
While here our world falls out of grace.  
Can we not heal what’s in our hand,  
Before we search another land?  

For Earth, our home, still calls our name,  
Its pulse, its breath, its steady flame.  
To care for what we have below—  
Is this not where our love should grow?  

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Spiritual Disciplines

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In quiet prayer, I bow my head,  
To seek the path where I've been led,  
A whispered word, a gentle plea,  
Lord, guide my steps, set my spirit free.  

Through the study of Your sacred Word,  
In every verse, Your voice is heard.  
I meditate on truth so pure,  
Your promises steadfast, ever sure.  

In worship’s song, my soul takes flight,  
In Christian fellowship, hearts unite.  
Together we praise, our voices rise,  
Lifting glory to the endless skies.  

The Great Commission calls us near,  
To share Your love, and spread no fear.  
Focused now, we move ahead,  
With every step, Your gospel spread.  

To every heart, in every place,  
We bear the light of heaven's grace.  
In word and deed, we boldly stand,  
Sharing Your love with every hand.  

These disciplines, our faithful guide,  
In Christ alone, we shall abide.

Created by
MarkWaldrop 

5 Spiritual Disciplines
Prayer 
Study of Gods Word
Worship/Christian Fellowship 
The Great Commission 
Focused redelivery/sharing

By Reverend Jim W Hollis
https://proactive-ministries.org/
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A Burden Shared

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A burden shared is a burden made light,  
In darkest moments, together shines bright.  
What weighs heavy on one can be eased by two,  
For hearts united find strength to renew.  

When sorrow is carried by more than just one,  
The path feels less weary, the battle half-won.  
In the hands of a friend, grief starts to divide,  
And hope, like a whisper, grows stronger inside.  

A load shared with others is not yours alone,  
In the warmth of their care, you find a new tone.  
For though trials may linger, the weight we now bear  
Becomes easier still when someone is there.  

So lean on each other, through struggle and strife,  
Together, we lighten the burdens of life.  
In unity's grace, we find courage to fight,  
For a burden shared is a burden made light.

Created by
MarkWaldrop 

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

September 25

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Daily Devotional Theme: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Ephesians 5:18-19 (NIV)  
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.

Reflection:
In our journey through life, we often seek solace and comfort in various forms. Some may turn to temporary pleasures that the world offers, like indulgence in wine or other distractions, hoping to find joy and peace. However, the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:18-19 that true fulfillment and joy come not from earthly pleasures but from being filled with the Holy Spirit.

God, our loving Father, knows what is best for us. He desires us to be filled with His Spirit, which brings lasting joy, peace, and contentment. When we are filled with the Spirit, our hearts overflow with gratitude and worship, leading us to speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This divine infilling transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to make beautiful music to the Lord from the depths of our souls.

Instead of seeking temporary highs, let us seek the eternal joy that comes from a close relationship with God. Being filled with the Spirit not only enriches our lives but also impacts those around us, as our joy and worship become a testimony to the greatness of our God.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing what is best for us. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may find true joy and contentment in You. Help us to turn away from temporary pleasures and seek the eternal fulfillment that comes from Your presence. May our lives be filled with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, and may our hearts always make music to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Application:
Today, take a moment to reflect on what fills your heart and mind. Are there things you rely on for temporary comfort that may not align with God's best for you? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you anew, and let your heart overflow with songs of praise. Share a psalm, hymn, or spiritual song with someone today, encouraging them with the joy that comes from the Lord.

Know Where You Are Going

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You should have a plan for where you are going,  
Or you’ll wind up in a place without knowing.  
The road ahead can twist and turn,  
Without a map, you might not return.  

Each step you take should have a goal,  
A path to guide your heart and soul.  
For if you wander without aim,  
You’ll find your dreams are just a game.  

Plant your feet, but don’t stand still,  
Move with purpose, climb the hill.  
For those who drift without a trace,  
Will surely end in the wrong place.  

So set your sights, chart your way,  
And walk with wisdom every day.  
For life’s a journey, not a race,  
But without a plan, you’ll lose your place.  

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Quote: by Yogi Berra
"If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else."

September 24

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Daily Devotional Theme: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: Psalm 119:1  
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

Reflection:
This verse emphasizes the blessings that come from living a life in alignment with God's law. Our Father knows best the path to true happiness and fulfillment, and He has provided His law as a guide for us to follow. Walking blamelessly according to His law means striving for a life of integrity, obedience, and faithfulness.

God's law is not merely a set of rules but a loving direction towards a life that pleases Him and brings us joy. When we align our actions, thoughts, and decisions with His Word, we find peace, purpose, and blessing. Our Father’s wisdom leads us to live in a way that reflects His character and brings honor to His name.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing Your law as a guide for my life. Help me to walk blamelessly and follow Your ways with integrity and faithfulness. May my life reflect Your goodness and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Application:
Study: Spend time today reading and meditating on Psalm 119. Reflect on the importance of God’s law and how it applies to your life.

Reflect: Consider areas in your life where you might struggle to walk blamelessly. Ask God for strength and wisdom to align these areas with His Word.

Act: Choose one specific aspect of God’s law that you can focus on today. Make a conscious effort to live it out in your daily actions and decisions.

Encourage: Share the message of this verse with someone else. Encourage them to walk according to God’s law and share how it has blessed your life.

By walking blamelessly according to the law of the LORD, we embrace our Father’s wisdom, trusting that He knows best how to lead us into a blessed and fulfilling life.

The Doll at Target

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Nick and I made a promise clear:  
One whole month on the potty, my dear,  
And you could choose a prize to celebrate,  
Something special, something great.

Sophia chose her favorite doll,  
A doctor, smart and kind and tall.  
Her love for dolls, an endless stream,  
This one, a part of her big dream.

At the checkout, the cashier’s eyes  
Grew curious about the prize.  
"Is this for a birthday?" she asked with cheer,  
Sophia stared, not quite sure.

The doll was her prize, I said with pride,  
For potty training, her growing stride.  
But then the woman’s puzzled face  
Turned the moment into a different space.

“Are you sure this is the doll you want,  
There’s many others you could flaunt.  
She doesn’t look like you,” she said,  
But Sophia’s words rang out instead.

"Yes, she does—she’s a doctor like me,  
A pretty girl, just wait and see.  
See her stethoscope and her shining hair?  
She’s smart and strong, and I know she cares."

The cashier paused, her words now few,  
And let Sophia’s wisdom shine through.  
Because in her heart, pure and bright,  
There’s no wrong color, no wrong light.

We’re not born thinking that color’s a wall,  
We’re taught to see beauty in us all.  
Like hair and eyes, skin’s just a hue,  
Every shade is beautiful, too.  

So let’s learn from Sophia, so young and wise,  
To see the soul behind the eyes.  
For kindness, strength, and love will show  
That beauty's in the hearts we grow.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

United We Stand 

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United we stand, divided we fall,  
Those with great faith hear God's call.  
Through trials and storms, we walk side by side,  
With His love as our guide, in Him we abide.  

No matter the distance, no matter the place,  
We all trod together, held in His grace.  
On life's winding path, He's never far,  
A beacon of hope, our guiding star.  

United we stand, divided we fall,  
Let’s keep our eyes on His great call.  
With hearts full of faith, we will stand tall,  
In His strength, we rise above it all.

Created by
MarkWaldrop