Freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

The veil separating us from God is lifted by our faith in Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, revealing God’s glory and giving us freedom.

We were redeemed and freed from the bondage of sin by Jesus’ death on the cross. Upon believing in Jesus, we have forgiveness of sin. The veil, which represented the gap created by sin between God and humans, is lifted.

The Holy Spirit inside us, empowers us. Empowering us to accept God’s will while helping us to follow Jesus. The Spirit in our hearts transforms us. The Spirit works within our hearts, transforming us and drawing us closer to Jesus.

⁂

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. Guide us in Your truth and your light. Thank You for your love and our freedom through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Like iris flowers grow and blossom in spring, let us grow closer to You and let our faith blossom. In Jesus’ name. Amen

🌺

Unfailing Love – Psalm 36:7

Click to download a print of the unfailing love photo with scripture.

5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV)

In the first few verses of Psalm 36, David talks about the sinfulness of the wicked; they plot evil and are deceitful. In contrast, in verses 5-7, he focuses on the loving-kindness of God. God’s quality of unfailing, loyal love for us goes far beyond what we deserve. His love for us is priceless, also referred to as precious, and excellent in other bible versions. God’s love is a transformative force; a force that transforms hearts and brings us hope and peace.

God’s people can take refuge in the shadow of His wing, finding comfort and protection. Our Lord is faithful, just, and righteous and loves us with an unfailing love.

⁂

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for your unfailing love for us sinners. We are in awe of Your loving-kindness, compassion, and mercy. Your love transforms our lives and brings us hope and peace. Like the tulips grow and acclaim spring, let us grow in love and acclaim Your name. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

🌺

Heart, Soul, and Mind – Mark 12:30

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Mark 12:30 (NIV)

To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength means to put God first in your life. Making Him the center of your life. How do we show our love for God? We show our love by obeying Him, focusing on Him, and doing His will.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2 John 1:16

The word love in this verse comes from the Greek word agape. Agape love is showing, goodwill and compassion, delighting in and acting on another’s behalf. With agape love for God, we recognize Him as being true, honorable, and trustworthy. We trust in Him and want to follow His direction and to love others as He loves us.

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,
Psalm 119:2 (ESV)

When we love God, we obey Him, follow His commands, and strive to do His will.

To seek the Lord with our whole hearts means to pursue with priority and commitment and to keep our focus on Him. When we love God, we yearn to be more like Him, to grow closer to Him in thought and deed.

⁂

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for Your grace, mercy, and love for us. Teach us to love You with our whole hearts. To love You, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To follow Your commands and strive to do Your will. Like the bleeding-heart plant blooms and grows in the spring light, let us bloom and grow with love in Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Live by the Spirit – Romans 8:9

You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Romans 8:9 (BSB)

God gives his Holy Spirit to every believer. Christians have the spirit of God inside them; they are guided and led by the Holy Spirit. In other words, Christians are controlled and influenced by the Holy Spirit rather than flesh. People controlled by the flesh are self-serving, following the influence of corrupt desires.

In Christians, the Holy Spirit indwells, teaching us to become more Christ-like in our actions. Guiding and directing us, encouraging us to bear fruit. With the Holy Spirit, we grow in grace and produce fruit, fruits of love, joy, peace, goodness, and gentleness.

¹⁹The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-25 (NIV)

People who live by the flesh are self-reliant, led by sexual immorality, impurity, hatred, discord, and jealousy, instead of by Christ. Christians live by the Holy Spirit’s guidance, sanctifying and teaching us to be more Jesus-like. As children of God, we need to be spiritually minded Christians.

⁂

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your son, Jesus. Who died for our sins. Teach us to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction so we can grow in grace and produce fruit. As the chrysanthemums glow with sunlight, let us glow and bear fruit in Jesus’ light. Amen.

🌺

Immortal, Invisible – 1 Timothy 1:17

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)

Paul is describing God; He alone is eternal, the only God. He is immortal, invisible, and King of the ages. God is eternal; His reign is unshakable and timeless. God is immortal, He transcends time, He never dies, and He reigns forever. God is invisible to human eyes, but He is seen in His works, His creation.

Which brings to mind the hymn Immortal, Invisible. The first verse of the hymn:

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Walter C. Smith, pub.1876

May we spend our days giving honor, glory, and praise to the Lord. Let us sing, praise, and worship our God and Saviour. Giving Him honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen

⁂

🌺