Our focus belongs on Christ alone

Our focus belongs
on Christ
alone

Stay with Him

Do not stray
into the world
and become
enamored
with every delight
you think should be yours
or get caught up in
life's circumstances

Stay close to Christ

Do not stray
For when you do,
you have allowed
Satan to rule
your life journey
that takes you
along paths leading to
Rebellion
Resentment
Rejection
Rage

Do not let it be so

Repent -
Turn away from all that the world teaches
for "Friendship with the world is hostility toward God. So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
and
Turn toward Christ

Resist -
"Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands ... Purify your hearts." (James 4:7-8)

Stay close
Draw near
Keep your focus on Christ Jesus
He is your refuge
He will guide you
along paths of righteousness
He will provide comfort to your weary body
peace and joy
to your heart and soul.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

October 29-30, 2018

joy comes

for a little while
we weep
we mourn
our sorrow is full

but then
in a little while too
joy comes
fills our hearts
We are one
with the Lord

Until that day
when we return
to our Father in heaven
... for it is He
who gives us
the breath of life
and new life.
Until that day
we ask
we seek

Because as Jesus
says in John 16:23-24,
"anything you ask
the Father in My name,
He will give you ...
so that you may be complete."

And then,
O blessed thought,
we no longer need to ask
because we know.
We are complete. 

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

Oct. 26, 2018

The Lord's desire

The Lord's
desire
is for us
to be
still
silent
long-suffering
(patient)
in the
midst of battles
that come
at us
on every side.

To lay aside
to put away
everything that
hinders,
prevents us
from walking,
journeying
with Him.
Do not fall into
traps that catch us
off guard
that lead us along
paths of neglect
for those under
our care
or destroy
relationships
because of mistaken
thoughts and beliefs.

Do not follow
the world
that shows you
its perception
of right
and wrong

Follow Me
Run with Me
My strength
My power
All that I am
within You
My child
will help you
endure
all that lies
ahead of you.

Keep your eyes,
your focus
on Me
I am the prize
you seek
There is nothing
better or greater
than Me
for I am
the source
I am
He
who perfects you
I am
Jesus,
I am
His Father,
Your heavenly Father
I am
He
who
suffered for you
bled for you
died for you
was buried for you
and rose again
for you.

Through Me
you have
a new life
a new hope

Be still
Be silent

"... lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfector of our faith."  ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

Oct. 24, 2018

always a reason

always a reason
for every answer
God gives
every no
and
every yes

We do not understand
His reasoning
We ponder why not
for one thing
and why this
for something else

His plan
His reason
His thoughts
all are bigger
and greater
than any of our own

He sees the whole picture
We see but bits and pieces

When His time
is right
for us to know
the whys and wheres
it will be revealed

We will know
without a shadow
of a doubt

He always has a far
greater good planned
A greater gift
A compassionate blessing
Love

Our Lord
loves us so

We should not
ever
second guess
Him
He knows all things
in all places at all times.

He Is.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

Oct. 10.23.2018

sometime, somewhere

sometime, somewhere
it will be

the blessings
promised
will come

Our Lord, My Lord, My Savior

Every promise made
will reach fulfillment
He said so
He does not lie

but too, we will learn
(I will learn)
to wait
wait through tears
and prayer
through relationships
through trials
unimaginable

sometime, somewhere
it will be
the blessings
promised
will come

perhaps already
we have received
a promised blessing
but fail to see it

Our eyes, our hearts
are blinded by
misconceptions
and we think
God has failed us

He has not!!

sometime, somewhere
His every promised blessing
for you and for me
will come

and we will see
His eternal love
spilled out and overflowing
upon us.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

Oct. 17, 2018

called to ...

Called to follow
Christ

Called to goodness
and kindness
and faithfulness
and gentleness
and self-control
and love
and joy
and peace
and patience

Called to endure
suffering
in the midst

Why?

Because of Christ
Because He suffered for us

He suffered
in the midst of all,
yet He remained
faithful
to His Father God.

"He himself bore
our sins 
in His body
on the tree...
so we 
might live 
for righteousness." 
(I Peter 2:24)

Jesus
is our example -
His steps
we are
to follow

No sin
No deceit
No insults
No retaliation

Called to follow
Jesus

Not our own
selfish
wants and desires

Called to follow
our Savior,
to endure
the pain
life throws at us

Called to receive
God's blessings
because of
our obedience
and love
for The One
who loves us
so much
He endured
the pain
and suffering
of the cross ...
all for us.

We are called

Have we answered

Do we answer
daily - hourly - minute by minute

Do we
endure
every pain
and remain kind
and gentle,
loving,
joyful,
peaceful,
patient,
faithful,
good?

Do we ask
the Lord's forgiveness
for our own
shortcomings?

Do we seek
His guidance
to overcome
every setback?

Have you
"now returned
to the Shepherd
and Overseer 
of your soul?"
(II Peter 2:25)

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders
Oct. 6, 2018

We ...

We come
He and I
asked by another
sent by God

We go
He and I
to preach The Word
to guide

A pastor and his wife

We stay and we give
He and I
to show The Way
to offer suggestions

We question
He and I
why our help
is met with silence

We remain
He and I
until God says
to move on.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

October 2, 2018