August 21

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Our Father Knows Best
Daily Devotional: 
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Num 6:24 The LORD bless you and keep you;  
Num 6:25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;  
Num 6:26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Scripture Num 6:24-26 furnished by Hank Fallek

Reflection:
In these verses, God instructs Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with a beautiful and powerful blessing. This blessing reflects God's desire to protect, favor, and bring peace to His people. Our Father knows our need for His presence, grace, and peace in our lives.

The blessing is a reminder of God's enduring love and faithfulness. When God’s face shines upon us, it signifies His favor and attention. His graciousness reminds us of His unmerited kindness, and His peace is a gift that transcends understanding, calming our hearts and minds. This blessing assures us that our Heavenly Father is always watching over us, providing for our needs, and guiding us with His loving care.

Meditation:
Reflect on the meaning of each line of this blessing. Consider how the Lord has blessed and kept you, how His grace has been evident in your life, and how His peace has sustained you through various situations. Let these truths fill your heart with gratitude and trust in God’s continued care.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings You bestow upon me daily. I am grateful for Your protection, Your favor, and Your peace. Help me to trust in Your loving care and to rest in the assurance that You are always with me. May Your face shine upon me and may I live each day in the light of Your grace and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Step:
Today, take a moment to bless someone in your life with these words. Speak or write this blessing to a family member, friend, or coworker, reminding them of God’s love and care for them. As you do, reflect on the impact of speaking blessings over others and the power of God’s word in their lives.

Closing Thought:
Our Father knows best. He desires to bless us, keep us, shine His face upon us, be gracious to us, and give us peace. Embrace this blessing, and let it shape your life and interactions with others, bringing hope and encouragement.

May this devotional fill you with a deep sense of God’s blessing and peace, encouraging you to trust in His unwavering care and love.

August 20

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Our Father Knows Best
Daily Devotional: 
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Pro 24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.  
Pro 24:14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Scripture furnished by George Ferguson

Reflection:
The comparison of honey's sweetness to the value of wisdom in these verses is a powerful illustration. Just as honey is a natural source of delight and nourishment, wisdom is essential for the well-being of our souls. Our Father knows that true wisdom, which comes from Him, is vital for a fulfilling and hopeful life.

Honey is pleasant and beneficial to our physical bodies, but wisdom nourishes our inner being, providing guidance, understanding, and a sense of purpose. When we seek and embrace God's wisdom, we lay a foundation for a secure and hopeful future. God's wisdom helps us navigate life's complexities and challenges, leading us toward a life that aligns with His perfect will.

Meditation:
Think about the sweetness of honey and how it brings pleasure and sustenance. Reflect on how God's wisdom has been sweet and beneficial in your life. Consider moments where divine wisdom has guided you through difficult decisions or brought clarity and peace.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your wisdom, which is sweeter than honey and more valuable than any earthly treasure. Help me to seek Your wisdom daily and to apply it to my life. Grant me understanding and discernment in all my decisions, knowing that Your wisdom leads to a hopeful and secure future. Fill my heart with Your truth and guide me by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Step:
Today, spend time reading and meditating on a passage of Scripture that speaks about wisdom. Ask God to reveal His wisdom to you and how you can apply it in your current circumstances. Share a nugget of wisdom you’ve learned with a friend or family member, encouraging them to seek God’s guidance as well.

Closing Thought:
Our Father knows best. He provides us with wisdom that is sweet to our souls and essential for our future. Embrace His wisdom, and you will find hope and security that will never be cut off.

May this devotional encourage you to seek and cherish God’s wisdom, knowing that it leads to a fulfilling and hopeful life.

August 19

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Our Father Knows Best
Daily Devotional: 
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Jhn 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
Scripture provided by Ernie Blevins K3EB

Reflection:
In this verse, Jesus offers a profound promise to those who believe in Him: the presence of the Holy Spirit within us will be like rivers of living water, constantly refreshing and sustaining us. This living water symbolizes the life and vitality that comes from a relationship with Jesus. It is an assurance that our Father knows our deepest needs and provides for them in ways that bring true fulfillment and peace.

The imagery of rivers of living water suggests abundance and continuous flow. Just as rivers bring life to everything they touch, the Holy Spirit brings renewal, growth, and vitality to our lives. Believing in Jesus means more than just acknowledging His existence; it involves trusting Him fully and allowing His Spirit to work within us, transforming us and flowing through us to bless others.

Meditation:
Reflect on the promise of living water in your life. Consider how the Holy Spirit has been a source of comfort, guidance, and strength for you. Think about the areas in your life where you need more of this living water and ask God to fill you anew.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, the living water that flows within me. Help me to believe in You more deeply and to trust in Your provision and guidance. Let Your Spirit refresh and renew me daily, bringing life and vitality to every part of my being. Use me as a vessel to share Your love and grace with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Step:
Today, take a moment to sit quietly and invite the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh. Listen for His guidance and allow His presence to bring peace and clarity to your heart. Look for an opportunity to share God’s love and encouragement with someone else, letting the rivers of living water flow through you.

Closing Thought:
Our Father knows best. He provides the living water of His Spirit to refresh, sustain, and guide us. Trust in Him and allow His abundant life to flow through you, bringing renewal and blessing to yourself and others.

May this devotional inspire you to draw closer to Jesus and experience the life-giving flow of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of your life.

Have You Witnessed

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    Have You Witnessed

Have you witnessed the Crucifixion of Jesus?
Have you seen His nail-pierced hands?
The crown of thorns, the cruel cross,
The weight of sin none else withstands?

Have you heard the cry, “It is finished,”
As heaven’s veil was torn in two?
The Lamb of God, despised, afflicted,
Yet bleeding out His love for you?

Until you gaze upon that sorrow,
Until you see what mercy planned,
The truth remains but dim and distant—
It dawns through scars in nail-pierced hands.

And when you do, your heart surrenders,
No longer blind, but given sight.
For at the cross, the grave defeated,
The Truth Himself makes dark things light.

Jhn 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Jhn 20:28  Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jhn 20:29  Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Just Obey

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                Just Obey

When your dreams are stripped away,
Don’t lose heart, don’t go astray.
Look to the Master, strong and true,
Each day He makes your dreams brand new.

When you walk a dead-end trail,
Trust the One who cannot fail.
He holds the oceans, stars, and land—
Your life rests safely in His hand.

When the rope is frayed and thin,
Tie a knot and cling to Him.
Your safety net is Christ, the Way;
He comes to lift your fears today.

So when the night seems dark and gray,
Listen, trust, and just obey.

Isa 41:10  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Work Smarter, Not Harder

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    Work Smarter, Not Harder

The plow that’s sharp cuts straight and true,
While dulled by haste, it struggles through.
A hurried hand may sweat and strain,
Yet wisdom saves both time and pain.

The builder first must count the cost,
Lest labor spent be labor lost.
A steady mind, a patient start,
Will shape the work with skill and art.

For strength will fade, but thought endures,
And clever paths unlock the doors.
Efficiency is wisdom’s friend,
It guards the means, secures the end.

So pause before the task you face,
Seek counsel, plan, and set your pace.
Not harder roads, but brighter ways,
Will multiply your fruitful days.

Ecc 10:10  If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. 

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

A Heart’s Smile

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          A Heart’s Smile

It doesn’t matter the face you see,
The clothes they wear, their history.
For deeper still, where love resides,
A hidden spark of joy abides.

A gentle word, a kindness shown,
Can warm a heart that feels alone.
The outer shell may tell its part,
But joy is written on the heart.

So look beyond what eyes behold,
True beauty’s found in love untold.
No matter how the outside appears,
A heart can smile through unseen tears.

1Sa 16:7  But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

All the World is a Stage

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  All the World is a Stage

All the world is a stage, they say,
Who am I cast as in life today?
A seeker of truth, a pilgrim in stride,
Or one who in shadows would rather hide?

A warrior bold with armor of light,
Or gentle soul bringing peace to the fight?
A servant who kneels with hands to give,
Or dreamer who shows what it means to live?

Whichever the part, however it’s played,
The Author of life has the script well-laid.
And when the last curtain is drawn away,
May He be the reason for all I portray.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

✨ The Robe of Christ ✨

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✨ The Robe of Christ ✨

The Robe of Christ has no power alone,
Its strength is found in the One it has shown.
Through woven threads, so many have sought,
But the power was Jesus—the gift they forgot.

Hands reached out to the garment’s hem,
Yearning for hope, as with women and men;
Yet healing came not from fabric or thread,
But from Christ within, risen from the dead.

The nearer we draw, the brighter the flame,
Piercing the shadows, removing our shame.
At times, scales form to shield from the light
But His love breaks through the darkest of night. 

And when those scales at last fall away,
His true love shines clearer than the day.
No robe, no relic, no earthly sign
Just Jesus our Savior, forever divine. 

Jhn 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

God’s Word Like the Waterfalls

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Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 
God’s Word Like the Waterfalls

God’s Word gusheth forth, strong and free,
Like waterfalls tumbling from mountains to sea.
A sight so wondrous, a sound so grand,
Carved by His power, shaped by His hand.

It rushes unending, it never will cease,
Pouring out mercy, truth, and peace.
Cool and refreshing, it heals our soul,
Restoring the broken, making us whole.

Though vast, beyond all we comprehend,
Its depths invite us to seek and attend.
For every heart that hungers inside,
His living waters will always provide.

So drink, dear soul, from His fountain above,
Flowing with wisdom, grace, and love.
For the Word of our God will forever remain,
Endless, eternal, a life-giving rain.

Jhn 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop