The Enemy of Best

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Good is kind, and good is fair,
It smiles and settles everywhere.
It keeps you safe, it soothes your pride,
And says, “No need to step outside.”

It whispers, “This is good enough
Why strive for more? Why choose the rough?”
It pats your back and blocks the door
That leads to better, leads to more.

But deep inside, your spirit knows,
That comfort’s not where greatness grows.
The best is born where good lets go
Where faith steps out and courage shows.

For “good” will let your fire sleep,
And dreams once bright will cease to leap.
But “best” will wake the soul within,
And push you past where you have been.

Don’t settle in the comfort zone,
Where average builds its sleepy throne.
There’s purpose waiting up ahead
Where good is gone, and best is led.

So choose the path that few request,
And leave behind what’s good…
For best.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Amazing Love

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Amazing love, how can it be,
That You, my God, would die for me?
A crown of thorns, a rugged tree—
You bore it all to set me free.

From Heaven’s throne to earth below,
You came to face sin’s darkest foe.
You took my place, endured my pain,
And by Your blood, broke every chain.

No greater love has ever known
A Savior choosing cross and stone.
While I was lost, You made the way—
You called my name and bid me stay.

What mercy wrapped in wounds so deep,
What grace that watches while I sleep.
My soul now sings eternally:
Amazing love, how can it be.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

April 5

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Everyday Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By MarkWaldrop

Ephesians 2:1 "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

Reflection:
In a world full of division, hostility, and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by conflict—whether it’s in our personal relationships, communities, or even within ourselves. But Ephesians 2:14 offers us a powerful reminder: Jesus Himself is our peace. Through His sacrifice, He tore down the walls of separation, reconciling us to God and to one another.

God’s wisdom often transcends our understanding. We might see chaos, but He sees the greater picture. Where we see brokenness, God sees an opportunity for reconciliation and healing. His ways are higher than our ways, and His knowledge surpasses anything we can comprehend. This is why trusting in God’s plan, even when it doesn’t make sense to us, brings peace.

When we face situations that challenge our peace, we must remember that our Heavenly Father knows best. He knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8), and His plans for us are always for good, to give us a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Application:
Today, surrender your worries and conflicts to the Lord. Trust that He is working, even in the areas of your life that seem most challenging. Ask Him to help you break down any walls of hostility within your heart—towards others, yourself, or even towards Him. Allow His peace to fill the spaces where division once lived.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for being our peace. In a world full of division and conflict, help us to trust in Your perfect wisdom. Break down any walls of hostility in our hearts and teach us to live in harmony with others. We surrender our plans to You, knowing that Your ways are always best. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Payday Coming

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There’s a payday coming soon,
Beneath the sun, beneath the moon.
Will my hands show work well done,
Or empty fields beneath the Son?

Have I toiled on rocky ground,
Casting seeds where none are found?
Or did I tend with love and care,
Watering souls in earnest prayer?

Did I labor for my own gain,
Or seek His glory through joy and pain?
Were my hands quick to serve and give,
Did my heart reflect how Christ would live?

When payday comes, will the Master say,
“Well done, My child, you found My way”?
Or will I stand with head bowed low,
Wishing I had more to show?

The time is now, the harvest near,
To work with faith, not doubt or fear.
For when that final call is made,
Only His judgment will never fade.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

April 4

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best 
By Mark Waldrop

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

Life is filled with moments of uncertainty, trials, and challenges that can often feel overwhelming. Yet, in this verse, God promises something powerful—His unwavering presence through every hardship. The waters may rise, the flames may burn, but we are not alone. Our Father knows what lies ahead and walks with us through it all.

There may be days when we feel like the burdens are too great, or when the path ahead seems treacherous. But it’s in these moments we must remember that God's ways are higher than ours, and His wisdom is far beyond what we can comprehend. He knows what we need before we do, and He knows exactly how to carry us through.

Trusting Him doesn't mean we won't face difficult times, but it does mean we can rest in the assurance that He will not allow us to be consumed by them. Just as He led Israel through the Red Sea and the fiery furnace, He will lead you through your struggles today.

Let this truth bring you comfort: our Father knows best, and His presence is with us in every trial.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your promise to be with me through every challenge. Help me to trust in Your perfect wisdom and guidance, knowing that You will not let me be overwhelmed or consumed. Strengthen my faith to rely on You more each day. Amen.

In Times of Fear

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When shadows fall and doubts draw near,
When hearts are heavy, full of fear,
I lift my eyes beyond the haze,
And find my strength in God’s sure ways.

The world may shake, the storms may rise,
But peace is found in Heaven’s eyes.
For every worry, whispered prayer,
Our Father bends to meet us there.

“When I’m afraid,” the psalmist said,
“I trust in You”—my daily bread.
And in that trust, the fear must cease,
Replaced with calm, replaced with peace.

So if you’re lost in troubled days,
Come seek the Lord in earnest praise.
He’s faithful still, both strong and true—
He walks each anxious step with you.

Amen.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

April 3

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture: Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

There are times when we feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges. We may face difficulties that seem insurmountable, situations where we feel like there is no way out. In these moments, it's easy to feel powerless and question how things will ever improve.

But today, Jesus reminds us that with God, all things are possible. What is impossible for us, in our own strength, is never impossible for Him. God sees the bigger picture, He knows what we need before we even ask, and He knows the best way to bring us through every trial.

We may not understand why we face certain obstacles, but we can trust that God’s plan is always perfect. He can open doors we never imagined and bring solutions we never thought possible. Just as a loving father knows what’s best for his children, so does our Heavenly Father know what is best for us.

When we trust God fully, we release the weight of trying to control everything on our own. We place our burdens at His feet and rely on His power rather than our limited abilities. In doing so, we experience the peace and hope that comes from knowing He is in control.

Today, let us remind ourselves that nothing is too hard for God. No matter how impossible a situation may seem, trust that our Father knows best. He will guide us, strengthen us, and do the impossible in our lives according to His perfect will.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that all things are possible through You. Help me to trust in Your wisdom and power, even when life feels overwhelming. I surrender my fears and burdens to You, knowing that You know what is best for me. Strengthen my faith and guide me according to Your perfect will. In Jesus' name, Amen.

April 2

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

John 15:4-5
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

In these powerful words, Jesus reminds us that true fruitfulness in our lives only comes from a deep connection with Him. Like a branch attached to the vine, we draw our strength, our nourishment, and our ability to flourish from Jesus Himself. When we abide in Him—rest in His presence, lean on His wisdom, and depend on His love—we are empowered to bear fruit that will last. 

Apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting significance. Our plans and efforts may seem successful in the moment, but without the life-giving connection to the true Vine, they fade away. Yet, when we rely on Jesus, trusting Him with our hearts and lives, we will see fruit that brings glory to God and blesses others.

Abiding in Christ is not a one-time event; it’s a daily choice. It’s choosing to stay connected to Him in prayer, to listen to His voice in the Word, and to trust His leading in every situation. Our Father knows best, and as we abide in Jesus, we can be confident that He will bring forth the fruit He desires for our lives.

Prayer
Father, help me to abide in Your Son, Jesus, each and every day. Teach me to depend on You fully and to trust that apart from You, I can do nothing. May my life bear the fruit of Your love and grace, as I remain connected to the true Vine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“No Capes, Just Courage”

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Heroes don’t wear capes that fly,
They don’t soar through a painted sky.
No masks to hide, no flashy suits
Just dog tags clinking, combat boots.

They walk through dust, through fire and rain,
Shouldering silence, bearing pain.
With steady hearts and watchful eyes,
They fight for peace beneath the skies.

No spotlight finds them in the fray,
Yet still they rise, day after day.
For love of country, kin, and right,
They stand as shields through darkest night.

So if you seek a hero true,
Look not to myths of red and blue
But to the ones who serve and stand
With honor etched in calloused hands.

No capes, no fame, no scripted lines
Just courage lived a thousand times.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

April Fools

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It’s April Fools’ Day—don’t be led astray,
Believe nothing you hear, in no kind of way.
Trust no fisherman, with tales long and bold,
Their stories grow taller each time they’re told.

Today is a jest, but so is the year,
Deception and laughter walk hand in hand here.
Just like any other day, truth wears a disguise,
With a wink in its eye and mischief that flies.

So laugh at the lies, and cherish the jest,
For sometimes the fibs are simply the best.
But if someone says they caught “one this big,”—
Just smile and nod… and call out their gig.

MarkWaldrop