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Psalms 18:1-3
I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Whatever strength and love I have I know comes from You Lord.

A Love So Great

This love denies defeat, and does not listen to the enemies lies.
A feeling that sees good, but will evil recognize.
A touch that reaches out and seeks to show the way;
That will truly try to do good and God’s Word obey.
This love for the Master from Him also comes;
A supernatural love furnished by God’s Son.
His love within seeks to serve and to give;
It is proof that God inside you lives.
This love desires peace and harmony and hates strife;
This too is proof that God rules in your life.
The dedicated life stands tall and is not of Christ ashamed.
There is no sweeter sound than the mention of His name.
This love is not weak, but instead it is strong,
For within you, holds the power to stand against wrong.
You do not cower in fear when encountered, no indeed,
For you are a warrior that knows the battle was won at Calvary.
Your love for God is so great you would die to say it’s true.
To love His love successfully, to die daily is what you need to do

Prayer
Thank You for loving me before I loved You.  Thank You for all the love You pour through me as I learn to walk on Your path.

Hebrews 10:19
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

        Jesus is the only good thing in me.  He is the truth I have believed.  He is the way that paved the way my feet travel.  It is by His work within me, I am freed from the bondage of sin.  Because of His work I am born again in the Spirit. Because of His love I am set apart, consecrated to bring Him glory.  To Him is all honor, glory, and praise.

Consecrated Unto Him

Turned around completely; heart, mind and soul,
Fully committed; under God’s loving control.
Eyes seek to see Him at every turn of life,
In His presence is found great delight.
Ears tuned to hear His instructions throughout the day.
His Word is heeded and obeyed.
The mouth speaks, sweet-waters that flow,
With uplifting nourishment shared soul to soul.
Praise and worship are on the lips of the children of the Lord.
Arms and hearts are raised to the One they adore.
Hands are busy doing what needs to be done,
To minister to the needy in service to God’s Son.
The legs are sturdy, ready to run or to the mountain climb;
Or, to stand at attention united in trying times.
Knees easily bow in worship to the King of Kings,
Willingly, lovingly, with a heart that sings.
Set apart- consecrated; a light in the dark place that surrounds.
A holy vessel used by the God-head, set on holy ground;
A treasure-house of life-giving strength, joy and peace.
Set apart, sanctified to distribute and display heaven’s increase.
Beautiful, well loved; all because of God’s Son.
A saved soul, the Bride; eternally blessed with Him as one.

Prayer
The holy place You have prepared is too wonderful to be comprehended.  Lord, we will and do need Your help and direction each day. Thank You for allowing us to be a part in Your master-plan to bring the lost to the cross of Christ.

Is there someone on your Christmas list who is having a hard time in life?
Perhaps a book of inspired poetry will be the gift just right
A daily opportunity for the seeking heart to be touched
With a word of encouragement to lift their spirit up.
Is there someone on your Christmas list who seems to have everything?
How about giving them a word each day that will cause the heart to sing?
Is there someone on your list who does not know of God’s provision of grace?
Perhaps you could present to them a book that may lead them to the truth embrace.
This is a loving suggestion from a heart that truly desires to help you out.
You can purchase “Waves of Comfort by Brenda Drake” on Amazon right now .

                                                Determination and

1 Peter 5: 9-10
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

            It is so easy to feel sorry for ourselves when things are not going in the favored way we have planned.  We tend to think we are suffering much more than others, and believe things are unfair; thus accomplishing the foundation for bitterness to take root and grow.  This poem has good advice, but truly we cannot do it without the help of our loving Savior.

Reach In and Pull Out Inner Determination

Reach in and pull out steadfast determination to endure and stand fast.
Your God’s strength and power is available to all that ask.
The heart resolved and the mind set with a determined stand;
When firmly leaning on the Word of God; God takes hold of your hand.
The constant, faithful, and devoted steps, that are resolved to walk God’s ways,
Will endure each and every trial and trouble, as they sing God’s praise.
They remain fixed and unmovable and fully settled within;
A faithful follower of their Lord and friend.
So if and when you find you are feeling weak; remember the One who is strong.
Trust every worry and care to the One you can depend upon.
You have the ability to withstand and to even flourish in your toil.
For the Lord pours in and over you His healing, strengthening oil.
The oil of joy is poured out in abundant flow;
The reward to the redeemed, trusting soul.

Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Prayer
Father, forgive me when I allow disappointments, failures, and fears, and jealousy in my life.  I am determined with Your help to reject and renounce sadness, bitterness and depression and to in faith watch for the good You have planned for my life and keep goin forward.

Luke 23:9
Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

           I have never been good at holding back my words; especially when I know I am right.  Jesus was perfectly right in every way and He kept silent.  He is the Word of God who spoke His love from the cross.  We are encouraged to speak the Word each day; with God’s help I will never be silent.

The Word Was Silent

Jesus spoke not a word as His accusers railed.
He was beaten and bruised and to a rugged cross nailed.
In His silence, God’s Word stood still.
Standing in the gap to do the Father’s will.
The Word was silent; silenced by man,
Crucified, by His creation’s hands.
The celebration of evil was short lived,
As they marveled at their victory in all they did.
But the silence was broken; the Word burst again to life.
Never to be held down in darkness for He is also Light.
Born again believers who have accepted the truth
Now has the joyful possession of the Living Word.
In the name of Jesus make your requests;
Read, study the Word and when it inside rests,
You will find it is not silent anymore.
The wise child speaks the Word of the Lord.
It is powerful, sharp, precise in every way,
Carefully measure, each word you think, and especially what you say.
Jesus was silent only when He needed to be,
But truly when you the truth see,
In His silence He carried forth the Father’s plan.
God provision spoke loud and clear throughout the land.

Prayer
Thank You Jesus for being my example in every way.  Teach me to carefully measure my words to glorify You.  Fill me up with the Word of God, open my heart and mind to be overflowing with wisdom from above so I am able to successfully share theGood News with others.

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Philllipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

           We were reminded and encouraged in Church today to remember our first love for our Lord and Savior. We can get troubled with all the cares of the world, and still go to church, pray, and put on quite a good show, while not living in a way that displays and expresses our thanksgiving and gratitude for all that our Lord has done and is doing in our lives.  When we count our blessings our life reaches and draws the lost.

Things to Think About

Think about a song you like to sing;
To show and give praise and glory to your risen King.
Think about the joy you bring to His face,
As His sweet bride, lifts to receive His embrace.
Think about the thrill that settles deep within,
With the assurance and peace that only comes from Him.
Think about tomorrow through eyes of faith that see.
He is there patiently waiting for thee.
Think about the love of the Father that sent His Son,
To suffer and die so you would become one.
Think about the love of the Savior that died to make you whole,
That rejoices over you and in you overflows.
Think about the Sweet Spirit that guided the pen.
To testify and record His love and draws and leads another to Him.
Think about the Living Word that called you from the cross
And calls out on every side to the lost.
Think on good things; as you can see,
The list never ends when you believe to receive.
Come, know the One who asks this of you,
Never tires in His toil; as He thinks about you too!

Prayer
Lord forgive me when I get my mind all tied up with the world.  Keep my heart and mind on You, Your Word, and Your work upon this earth.

I Follow Hard After You

There are countless distractions on every side;
Some brazenly beckon, and some cunningly pull aside.
But my heart, mind, and soul is set,
To follow hard after You, to even nearer get.
As I learn what pleases and what You hate to see,
I seek to draw closer to what I need to be.
I follow hard after righteousness and peace.
I desire for wisdom within to increase.
Your holy strength and presence I rely on.
Your Holy Word of Truth I stand upon.
There is no place I would rather be.
Because of Your watch-care over me;
I am very sure I’ll find my way,
Through every evil, harmful thing, that could lead astray.
It is exciting, as I struggle against flesh,
Self is crucified. Your strength has overpowered it.
Oh, sweet victories, delights, and desire,
When, God’s presence touches with Holy fire.
As I seek His kingdom and leave the world’s ways behind,
I find, as I have followed hard after Him…  He has always had me in mind.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

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Psalms 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Have you experienced times when you do not feel your walk, your faith, or your feelings are steady and strong?  When life’s circumstances sweep you off your feet?  I have and it is always because I have taken my eyes off the promises of the Word of God, and tried to figure things out by my own understanding and strength.  God is so good, He reminds us He is not blown away by the winds of life.  He is our Rock.

Blown by the Wind

A wisp of paper blows in the wind,
It blows up high then it falls low again.
It is tossed over then another way it blows.
Whatever the wind demands- that is the way it goes.
This is like those that are controlled by worldly worry and care;
One day they are flying high, and then they say, “All is unfair!”
They may seem happy, but it does not take long
To see they play at living their life strong.
Their love is hot or then it is cold,
Becomes, stale, lukewarm and old.
Their eyes become clouded by circumstances on hand.
Blindly walking alone for they let go of God’s hand.
Their way is dark and dismal; they forget God is in control.
They have allowed the devil to dictate the way their feelings blow.
Be instead a rock that will not move in the wind.
Stabilize your life by allowing God’s Word to rule within again.

James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

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Matthew 5:
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

            Do you sometimes feel like a big Band-Aid in a troubled, hurting world?  Or perhaps it is more like an umpire?  Maybe it is because you are hard at work being a peacemaker.  I say hard work, because it is.  We need to die to self, to help keep peace in our family, with our friends and even in our Church relationships.   Jesus is our example to follow; for He is after all the Prince of Peace.

The Peacemaker

Who are the peacemakers upon the earth?
What do they look like?  What are their works?
There are many that believe,
That you must compromise to promote peace.
But the peacemaker that glorifies Christ,
Will walk and talk Christ-like.
Jesus called sinners, sinners, and sin, sin.
But He offered His life, to bring new life and peace to them.
The peacemaker is the one that pardons foe and friend;
That will pray for the one that offends.
The peacemaker will not carry unprofitable words to another’s ear,
For their words, must cause anger’s fires to disappear.
Sometimes those that bestow peace remain undetected.
But like Jesus, as they die to self, they are by new life resurrected.
Who is the peacemaker?  The one that prefers another as best,
That will even when wronged choose to forgive.
Those that take extra time to learn to live God’s way,
Submits to God’s Word and elects to speak truth and words of praise.
The peacemaker may suffer ridicule, for some consider them weak.
But one day, it will be revealed, they stand in God’s strength.
He will draw His beautiful bride to His side to forever stand,
In the peaceful place, with the Prince of Peace; just as He always planned.

Prayer
Thank You Lord for the sweet peace poured in and through my life. Because of Your work in my behalf, I am able to rest in in the love and provisions of Your care even in troubled times.  Help me be a source of peace and harmony to those in need of Your loving touch.

          I have just recently found this poems message to be very true.  We can pray, cry, and think about situations and it is not felt by the one that needs a personal touch from us.  I am sorry to say I sometimes fall short on the action part.  Sending flowers, a card or a personal phone call along with the prayers, tears and thoughts are much better.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Louder than what you say is what you do.
To profess without works is untruth.
To say “I love you neighbor;” but walk away in their need,
Is to say “I want a harvest without planting a seed.”
To say you care for the lonely, the sad, and the afraid,
Without cheering them is like offering a cake unbaked.
To declare you will pray and then you forget;
Is like saying you will help wash without getting wet
If you say, “I will help you,” “ I will do this or that,”
But instead, you do not, what good is in the act?
Words kind and generous are never to be laid aside.
Words that uplift always remain alive.
Words that truly love will water what is sown.
Words need action, they cannot stand alone.
Take time to do the generous thing in mind.
Make sure you do what you in word have defined.
Take time to love in word and in actions as well;
A great work is accomplished that glory and honor will tell.
Jesus did what He said, and He said what He did.
You too must do the same, for you are the body and He is the head.
Words speak loud, but not as loud as the deed done.
This is truth spoken from the Spirit of Word, God’s Son.

James 3:13
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Prayer
Forgive me Lord when my words are empty because of my actions.