Splendor: Psalm 145: 5-6

Ranunculus blossom

I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
⁶Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
Psalm 145: 5-6 (NLT)

When the world overwhelms, when the news is depressing, when you feel alone, take time to meditate on the glorious splendor of God’s world. Take time to focus on the intricacies of nature, the beauty of the garden, and God’s wonderful miraculous love and grace. Relax in God, rest in His word, and find peace. Remember to take time to thank the Lord for his great deeds.

Where do you enjoy and relax in the glorious splendor of God?

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, we stand in awe of the wonder of You. We thank you for Your unconditional love for us. We are filled with wonder at the majestic splendor that surrounds us. As beauty and brightness glow, in the Ranunculus blossom, teach us to radiate Your love. Jesus, we honor, praise, and worship Your Holy name! Amen

God is My Rock: Psalm 18:2

Cactus flower

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

David wrote this after God rescued him from his many enemies.
The Lord is our rock He protects and shelters us. He is our fortress, a place of protection, and a refuge from the storms of life. He is our strong tower of strength, hope, and stability. His salvation is like a bright shield that protects us from evil.

We can face unknown situations with confidence because God is with us. When has God been your rock, a refuge?

Prayer: Our Father, our refuge in the storms of life, we thank you for your protection. Teach us to call on you when we feel overwhelmed. Like the open cactus flower leaning against the stones, Lord, help us to lean on you. You are our rock when we are lost, afraid, and confused. We praise and worship You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Pure Heart: Psalm 51: 9-10

Montauk Daisy

9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51: 9-10 New American Standard Bible

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Psalm 51:10 The Message

When we make ourselves available to God’s direction, and start afresh, with a renewed spirit and open hearts. Then God will blot out our iniquities and create in us a pure heart. God is waiting to build us anew have a Genesis (creation) week to transform our lives. So we are a new creation transformed by God.

Where do you need to start fresh, with a pure heart and be renewed with God’s steadfast spirit?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your grace and forgiveness help us to make a fresh start create in us a pure heart. Like the Montauk daisy reaches toward the sun, let us reach out to You and be renewed with a steadfast spirit and shine in Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Shield of Salvation: Psalm 18:35

Bougainvillea

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great.
Psalm 18:35 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great.
2 Samuel 22:36 (ESV)

Psalm 18 (a Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord) David was grateful to the Lord for deliverance from his enemies. God, our shield of salvation, by His right hand, we are protected and strengthened by His power. God is mighty, but He is also gentle, as is exemplified in Jesus. Jesus felt the suffering around Him and was compassionate and caring. When we follow Jesus’ compassion it deepens our soul in love, kindling gentleness in us toward others.

Where can you share God’s shield of salvation, kindness, and gentleness with others?

Prayer: Our loving Father, our shield of salvation and strength. We are blessed by your gentleness, care, and protection. The Bougainvillea tiny white flowers glow in the showy bracts surrounding them, let us likewise be humble and glow with Your compassion and gentleness. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Saved: Romans 10:12-13

African Violet

¹²For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:12-13
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21
And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; Joel 2:32a

Many undertakings have difficult and complicated steps to achieve approval. The Lord, however, doesn’t require difficult and complicated procedures from us to be saved. Paul states in Romans and Luke states in Acts, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
In Luke 23:42-43, a criminal on the cross beside Jesus calls to Him, “… “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

To call on the name of the Lord means to reach out to Christ, in faith seeking salvation. God, our Father, richly blesses all who call upon Him. Today, take time to thankfully praise God, our Father, for His grace, compassion, and love. For, we are truly loved and blessed.

When in distress, who do you call out to for help?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for richly blessing us and answering our calls for help, protection, direction, and strength. Let our faith grow and blossom like the African violet’s numerous blooms. Help us to turn away from sin, call on Your name, and embrace Your gift of salvation. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Possible: Matthew 19:25-26

Snapdragon blossoms

²⁵When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:25-26 (NIV)

²⁵The disciples were staggered. “Then who has any chance at all?”²⁶Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”
Matthew 19:25-26 (The Message)

God is omnipotent all-powerful, with God all things are possible. God alone can save sinners, and give them eternal life. Yes, all things are possible with God, but we must learn to submit to Him to His plan. Trust Him to do what is best for us. For, nothing is impossible when our trust is in God.

What worries are keeping you from trusting God, through whom all is possible?

Prayer: Dear Lord teach us to rely on You, to trust Your direction, and to follow Your path. The beauty of the snapdragon blossoms and the majesty of nature that surrounds help us perceive Your amazing power. God help us to realize that all is possible through You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Justice: Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.
Micah 6:8 (NET)

⁸He has made it clear to you, mortal man, what is good and what the Lord is requiring from you—to act with justice, to treasure the Lord’s gracious love, and to walk humbly in the company of your God.
Micah 6:8 (ISV)

We often have a list of wants we want from the Lord, and we ask Him in prayer to help us. This scripture instead speaks to what God wants from us. Our Lord wants us to carry out justice, be faithful in love, and live obediently to His word. Some versions say to act with justice, to treasure the Lord’s gracious love, and to walk humbly with your God. What a wonderful synopsis of how to live.

What actions demonstrate carrying out justice to you?

Prayer: Dear Lord, our loving Father, we thank you for your forgiveness and grace to us. Like succulent leaves are known for their ability to hold water, let us be known for acting with justice and treasuring Your gracious love toward us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Abounding in Love: Psalm 103:8

waterlillies

⁸The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Psalm 103:8-9

With the start of the new decade, much has been written about change. However, with God, there is a constancy he is unchanging. Our Father has been and is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger. As David said, “He is abounding in love.” The best change for us this new year is to follow God’s wisdom and be abounding in love.

Where could you share God’s love today?

Prayer: Our Father, we thank you for your many blessings and your abounding love toward us. Like waterlilies flourish in the water, help us to flourish by being compassionate and spread Your love. May we also learn to be slow to anger and accepting of others. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen