First Thoughts

By Robert C. Smith

Hands that formed the earth we walk;
Molded man from dust.
Hands that give us daily food;
Lead us to His trust.
Hands that rule in sovereignty,
Just and full of grace.
Hands that scold in discipline,
long for our embrace.
Hands defend us from all harm
As we walk each day.
Bowing now, we call You, Lord.
Lead us … Show the way!

The challenging events surrounding today’s world have prompted many to seek answers and help.

In a compilation of inspirational writings, Rob Smith shares lyrical devotions that paint word pictures of the Lord in everyday settings. He blends prose and poetry to help the reader see the Lord as near and yet still grand. Rob leads believers down a spiritual path through reflections that lovingly address many reasons why we need God, and reminds them of His great love for them. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, He shows the way to true health and connects the reader with the ultimate Healer.

First Thoughts is a brief volume of poetic devotions that points to God as the true provider of strength and unconditional love. He, alone, will never leave the side of those who have called on Him out of their weakness….and He will be their rock.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664210783

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Copyright © 2020 Robert C. Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1077-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1078-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020921367

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/27/2020

CONTENTS

His Story

Fragrance

As Christ Loved

Morning Moon

Good Morning, Lord!

A Virus to Inspire Us

Glorious Head

Warning and Teaching

Heaven’s Hands

True Health

The Grand Reunion

Striving Side by Side

Receiving Your Own Inheritance

Now You Are a People

Flow Chart for Faith

When Something Small Becomes Very Big

His Love Fulfilled

Leadership

One Hundred Years

Mercy and Comfort

Does He Have Your Attention Yet?

Risen!

Storms

The Lord’s Prayer

Wind Chime

Coming to Yourself

The Gift

His Voice

Trading Work for Worship

Air

Different Styles of Learning

Victory of Spring

God Gives the Growth

Truth

The Third Party

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HIS STORY

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19)*

Christ’s death sufficient for our sins.

The three-in-one now dwell within.

Purchased from the sea of souls.

First made—then saved to be made whole.

Gave all for us. Live all for Him.

Bought with His life; live for His glory.

You’re not your own! Made for His story!

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FRAGRANCE

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we