When you crack an egg, be very careful,
Liquid gold spills soft and rareful.
The more they cost, the more I crave,
A treasure now, so wise to save.
They seem to taste far richer now,
Scarcity bestows a sacred vow.
A humble meal, yet prized so high,
We watch the shelves and wonder why.
So, we pray to God above,
For eggs in plenty—gifts of love.
MarkWaldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Scripture:
James 1:6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
In Reflection:
In our walk of faith, there are times when we are tempted to doubt. The challenges of life can make us feel uncertain about God’s plans and promises. Yet, the scripture reminds us that when we approach God in prayer, we must do so with unwavering faith. Our Father knows best, and His wisdom far exceeds our understanding.
When we doubt, we are like a wave in the sea—tossed and turned by every gust of wind. This instability leads to confusion and a lack of peace. However, when we trust in God’s perfect wisdom and timing, we find stability and assurance. He knows our needs even before we ask, and He knows the best way to meet them.
Remember that God is faithful and His promises are sure. Even when the outcome doesn’t align with our expectations, we can trust that He is working all things for our good. Our Father sees the bigger picture, and He knows the best path for us to take.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to trust in Your wisdom and goodness. Strengthen my faith so that I may not waver in doubt, but stand firm in the assurance that You know what is best for me. Guide me in all my ways and remind me that Your plans are greater than my understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Action Point:
Today, reflect on areas in your life where you have been struggling with doubt. Surrender these areas to God, and ask Him to replace your doubts with faith. Trust that your Father knows best, and let His peace fill your heart.
Everything you love may fade,
Like footprints lost where tides have played.
A whispered name, a fleeting touch,
The echoes soft of those we clutch.
Yet love is not a thing confined,
It shifts, it bends, it redefines.
A seed that falls, the rain’s embrace,
It blooms again in time and space.
Through aching loss, through sorrow’s mist,
A hand will reach, a dawn persist.
For love returns in forms unknown,
A voice, a light, a kindness shown.
Embrace the change, let go, expand,
Like rivers carve the yielding land.
Pain to wonder, loss to grace,
Love will find its rightful place.
MarkWaldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Scripture:
Luke 6:43* - "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit."
Reflection:
In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of trees and their fruit to teach us about the connection between our inner character and our outward actions. Just as a tree is known by the fruit it produces, so too are our lives recognized by the deeds we carry out. A tree rooted in rich, nourishing soil will naturally produce good fruit, while one planted in poor, dry soil will struggle to yield anything of value.
The "tree" in this metaphor represents our hearts and minds, and the "fruit" symbolizes our actions and behaviors. A heart rooted in God’s truth and love will produce good, wholesome actions—kindness, patience, humility, and love. Conversely, a heart that harbors bitterness, anger, or selfishness will struggle to produce anything other than negativity.
Our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, and He desires that we be like the good tree, producing fruit that glorifies Him and blesses others. This transformation begins from within, by allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate our hearts, weeding out the bad and nurturing the good.
Application:
Examine Your Roots: Take time today to reflect on what is influencing your heart and mind. Are you rooted in God’s Word, or are there areas where you’ve allowed worldly influences to take hold?
Pray for Growth: Ask God to help you grow in areas where you struggle. Invite Him to prune away any bad fruit and to nurture the good.
Bear Good Fruit: Consider one way you can show God’s love through your actions today. It might be an act of kindness, a word of encouragement, or a gesture of generosity.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for being the perfect gardener of our souls. Help us to be like the good tree, bearing fruit that reflects Your love and goodness. Prune away anything in us that does not honor You, and nurture in us the qualities that bring glory to Your name. May our lives be a testament to Your grace and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By MarkWaldrop
Scripture:
Jude 1:24-25 - "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."
Reflection:
In this powerful doxology from the book of Jude, we are reminded of the immense power and faithfulness of our God. He is not only our Creator but also our Sustainer and Protector. The promise that God is able to keep us from stumbling is a profound assurance in our daily walk of faith. Life is full of challenges, temptations, and uncertainties, but our Father knows best how to guide us through them all, ensuring that we do not fall away from His grace.
God's ability to present us before His glorious presence without fault is a testament to the work of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we are cleansed of our sins, and we stand before God, not in our righteousness, but in the perfect righteousness of Jesus. This reality fills us with great joy because we know that our salvation is secure, not by our efforts, but by God's grace and power.
Meditation
As we meditate on this passage, let us give glory to God for His majesty, power, and authority. He reigns supreme over all things, from the beginning of time to eternity. Our lives are in His hands, and we can trust that He will keep us, guide us, and ultimately bring us into His glorious presence with joy.
Prayer:
Almighty God, I praise You for Your power and faithfulness. Thank You for keeping me from stumbling and for the promise that I will one day stand before You without fault, filled with joy, because of what Jesus has done for me. Help me to live each day in the confidence of Your love and protection. May I always give You the glory, majesty, power, and authority that You alone deserve. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Action Step:
Reflect on the areas of your life where you feel uncertain or prone to stumble. Bring these concerns before God in prayer, as2king Him to strengthen and guide you. Throughout the day, remind yourself that God is able to keep you from stumbling and that your future is secure in His hands. Praise Him for His majesty and power, and let this truth fill you with joy and confidence as you go about your day.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By MarkWaldrop
Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:19 - "Do not quench the Spirit."
Reflection:
The Holy Spirit is a precious gift given to us by God to guide, comfort, and empower us in our daily walk with Him. The Spirit whispers to our hearts, leading us in the way of truth, prompting us to love, serve, and obey. However, there are times when we might ignore or resist these promptings, allowing the noise of the world or our own desires to drown out the gentle voice of the Spirit.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, we are given a clear instruction: "Do not quench the Spirit." To quench means to extinguish, as one might snuff out a flame. When we quench the Spirit, we hinder His work in our lives, suppressing the very power and guidance that God has graciously provided to us. This can happen when we neglect our spiritual disciplines, resist His convictions, or choose to follow our own path instead of His.
Our Father knows best how vital the Spirit's work is in our lives. He has sent the Holy Spirit to be our constant companion, guiding us toward righteousness, helping us grow in faith, and empowering us to live out God's will. When we yield to the Spirit, we allow His power to flow freely through us, enabling us to fulfill the good works God has prepared for us and to experience the fullness of life in Christ.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me for the times I have quenched the Spirit's work in my life by ignoring His promptings or choosing my own way
In a quiet place, I stand in Your Grace,
A refuge of peace in this sacred space.
Without Your love, where would I be?
Lost in the storm, adrift at sea.
But You, O Lord, are ever near,
Your whispered truth, so calm, so clear.
For Grace and Mercy flow from above,
Poured out in boundless, endless love.
These gifts are found in Jesus’ name,
The Lamb of God, the One who came.
He walked among us, pure and true,
Revealing all that Love can do.
For Jesus said, “Come, follow Me,
If you have seen Me, then My Father you see.”
Through Him, we learn, through Him, we live,
And in His light, our souls forgive.
So in this quiet, here I stay,
Wrapped in Grace, I kneel and pray.
For all I need is found in Thee,
My Savior, Lord—eternally.
God is Love.
MarkWaldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By MarkWaldrop
Scripture:
Psalm 34:4 - "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."
Reflection:
Fear is a powerful emotion that can grip our hearts and minds, paralyzing us and preventing us from living the abundant life God desires for us. Whether it's fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or fear of the future, these anxieties can weigh us down. But in Psalm 34:4, we are reminded of a profound truth: when we seek the Lord, He hears us and delivers us from all our fears.
Our Father knows best how to calm the storms within us. He understands the burdens we carry and the fears that haunt us. When we turn to Him in prayer, seeking His presence, He responds with comfort, peace, and deliverance. His love casts out fear, replacing it with the assurance that He is in control and that He cares deeply for us.
This verse invites us to bring our fears before God, trusting that He will not only hear our cries but will also act on our behalf. He is faithful to deliver us, guiding us through our fears and leading us to a place of peace and security in His love.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being a refuge in times of fear. When I am overwhelmed, remind me to seek You first, knowing that You hear my prayers and deliver me from all my fears. Fill my heart with Your peace and help me to trust in Your perfect love, which casts out fear. May I rest in the assurance that You are always with me, guiding and protecting me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Action Step:
Identify a specific fear that has been troubling you. Take it to God in prayer today, asking Him to deliver you from it. As you seek Him, meditate on His promises, and trust that He will replace your fear with His peace. Keep this verse in mind throughout the day, reminding yourself that our Father knows best and is always ready to deliver you from all your fears.
Masterpiece
Each one of us, a masterpiece rare,
Crafted by God with infinite care.
Not born of chance, nor lost in the tide,
But shaped by His love, with purpose inside.
Through winding paths and trials unknown,
We never walk this road alone.
His hands have formed us, strong and true,
With a work to fulfill, a calling to do.
In Christ, we’re made not just anew,
But set apart with a mission in view.
Not random acts, but plans divine,
Threads of grace in His grand design.
A word of kindness, a hand to lend,
A light to shine, a heart to mend.
Each step we take, His love displays,
Guiding our lives in wondrous ways.
So walk with faith, stand bold and free,
For you are His—His artistry.
A vessel of hope, a spark of His grace,
A masterpiece held in His warm embrace.
MarkWaldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Scripture:
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection:
Every one of us is a masterpiece, crafted with care by the hands of our Heavenly Father. As we navigate through life, it's easy to forget that we are not here by accident or chance. We are God's handiwork, uniquely designed for a purpose that only we can fulfill.
In Christ Jesus, we are not just made new; we are set apart for good works that God has already planned for us. These works aren't just random acts of kindness; they are intentional, meaningful, and part of His grand design. Whether it's lending a helping hand to someone in need, speaking words of encouragement, or simply living out our faith, we are walking in the path He has laid out for us.
Our Father knows best what we are capable of and what the world needs. He has prepared opportunities for us to shine His light and make a difference. When we embrace this truth, we begin to see our daily tasks, challenges, and interactions in a new light—as divinely appointed moments to fulfill the good works He has already set before us.
Prayer:
Dear Father, thank You for creating us with purpose and for the good works You have prepared in advance for us. Help us to recognize these opportunities in our daily lives and to step into them with faith and confidence. May we always remember that we are Your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus, to bring glory to Your name through the good we do. Guide us, Lord, to fulfill the purpose You have set for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Action Step:
Take a moment to reflect on your day ahead. Ask God to open your eyes to the good works He has prepared for you today. Whether big or small, embrace each opportunity to serve, knowing that you are walking in the path He has uniquely designed for you. Trust that in doing so, you are fulfilling His purpose for your life.