True and Right – Hosea 14:9

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. – Hosea 14:9 (NLT)

Hosea is urging the Israelites to turn from their sins and return to the Lord. The path of the Lord is true and right, he emphasized. Encouraging them to live in a way that is righteous by obeying the Lord’s commands and living in faithful obedience. Righteousness can be defined as a quality of moral uprightness and purity that aligns with the perfect character and will of God.

Those who reject God’s way in favor of their own will falter and fall. Those who defy divine guidance will face challenges that lead to sin and disaster. This outcome is a result of relying on one’s own judgment instead of God’s guidance.

If you want to live well, make sure you understand all of this.
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll learn this inside and out.
God’s paths get you where you want to go. Right-living people walk them easily;
wrong-living people are always tripping and stumbling. – Hosea 14:9 (MSG)

This verse is a reminder for us in all aspects of our lives to seek wisdom from the Lord and follow His paths, for His ways are true and right.

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Our Heavenly Father, thank you for your forgiveness and grace. Teach us to live a righteous life and to follow you in faithful obedience. Guide us on your true and right path. Like the flowers that blossom and grow along the brick pathway, let us blossom and grow more like Jesus. Amen.

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Rejoice Always – Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

Paul urges us to rejoice always, at all times, to find joy regardless of our circumstances. It’s not about pretending or ignoring our problems; it’s about having faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Paul uses the word “rejoice” twice in this verse to stress that rejoicing in the Lord is important. It shouldn’t be a passing feeling; it should be something you do on purpose. Like Paul, we should pray and accept God’s peace instead of worrying. He was wrongfully arrested and a prisoner in Rome when he wrote this verse. Instead of complaining and worrying, he focused on rejoicing and being faithful in prayer.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul reinforces that joy, gratitude, and prayer are God’s will for us.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

As Christians, our joy, hope, and peace deepen as we draw nearer to God. Joy and peace are fruits of the Spirit, deriving from a growing relationship with Him.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your goodness, grace, and love. Teach us to lift up our worries and concerns in prayer to You. Help us to find joy in all circumstances, to rejoice always, and to be faithful in prayer. As the beautiful flowers of a cherry tree open in spring, let us be open-hearted, rejoicing in You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Angels We Have Heard on High – Luke 2:10-14

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)

Angels We Have Heard On High – a Christmas Hymn

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear Luke 2:8-9 (ESV)

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13 (ESV)

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 (ESV)

See Him in a manger laid
Jesus Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo – meaning “Glory to God in the highest.” 🌟

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2: 8-14 (ESV)

A link to the song: Angels We Have Heard on High by Josh Groban (ft. Brian McKnight)

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The illustrations are mine, done with AI. The post needed a flower; the one shown above is called an Angel’s Trumpet.

Merry Christmas!

May the true spirit of Christmas guide your heart and soul. May faith, hope, and love surround you, bringing peace to your life and blessings that last throughout the New Year.”

I am taking a short break from blogging, returning in January. 🌺

Truth – Psalm 119:160

The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. Psalm 119:160 (NKJV)

Biblical truth, an attribute of God, is seen in His character and word. The verse affirms that all of God’s word is the truth. His teachings are absolute, reliable, eternal, and unchanging. These standards offer a solid, unshakable foundation on which we can build our lives.

And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. – Psalm 12:6 (NIV)

Following God’s righteous, unchanging, enduring judgments leads us along the path of righteousness. By accepting and following His teachings, we find hope in His love, truth, and unbreakable promises and develop a closer relationship with Him and a more purposeful life.

Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth.
Your righteous decisions are eternal.

Psalm 119:160 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and Your word. We know Your word is true and lasting. Help us accept Your teaching and grow closer to You. Guide us in Your truth and light. Like the recurring sunset and sunrise, let us trust Your unbreakable promises and truth. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Abide – 1 John 4:16

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

– 1 John 4:16 (NKJV)

John describes the character of God in this verse. Love is the essence of God, and God is love. When we abide in love, we abide in God. As Christians, we know and believe in God’s unwavering love. All His actions are motivated by love.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

– Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

– John 3:16 (NIV)

To abide is to remain, to dwell, to stay. To abide in love, we need to dwell in love and let it influence our thoughts and actions. When we abide in love, we reflect God’s essence by extending His love to one another. By exhibiting forgiveness, selflessness, and patience, we embody God’s love.

John highlights that God is love in this verse and exhorts us to dwell in God and emulate his love. When we do this, we not only enrich our lives but also those around us, creating a ripple effect of love and kindness in the world.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and love for us. We are blessed by Your forgiveness and mercy. Teach us to be more like You by being kind, patient, forgiving, and loving. Like the blue-eyed grass blossoms are open and close together, let us be open-hearted and close to each other. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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With Us—Psalm 121:7-8

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;

Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)

These verses are a comforting reminder of God’s love, protection, and care for us. He will watch over our comings and goings, not just today, but forevermore. The verses affirm God’s promise to protect us from harm and to keep watch over our lives, guiding and protecting us through life’s trials. In moments of uncertainty, we can find solace in the knowledge that we are never alone; His presence surrounds us like a gentle shield.

God is with us. His continuing protection and constant presence afford us confidence; we are able to face life’s challenges, trusting in God’s supreme power. His unwavering support encourages us to face challenges with courage and faith, trusting in His divine plan.

God is faithful; as we trust in Him, we can look forward to His steadfast love and care now and forevermore. We can live without fear and worry, knowing our Almighty God is looking after us. This assurance enables us to navigate even the most turbulent times with hope and resilience.

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Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, guidance, and protection. Help us bring our worries and troubles to You, and lead us on Your path. Remind us to reach out to You when we are troubled, knowing You are always with us and we are never alone. Just as flowers bring beauty and joy, Your protection brings us comfort and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Praise and Thanksgiving – Psalm 95 1:7a

1 Come! Let’s sing for joy to the Lord!

Let’s shout out praises to our protector who delivers us!

2 Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving!

Let’s shout out to him in celebration!

3 For the Lord is a great God,

a great king who is superior to all gods.

4 The depths of the earth are in his hand,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

5 The sea is his, for he made it.

His hands formed the dry land.

6 Come! Let’s bow down and worship!

Let’s kneel before the Lord, our creator!

7 For he is our God;

we are the people of his pasture,

the sheep he owns.

Psalm 95:1-7a (NET)

Yes, let us enter God’s presence with thanksgiving, shouting our praise and singing with joy, glorifying His holy name. Our Lord is mighty; He formed the earth, creating the ocean, mountains, flora, and fauna. God is great; He loves us and is powerful, merciful, and forgiving. In prayer, let’s be thankful and sing praises, bowing down in thanks and worship. Let us honor the Lord’s greatness and be open-hearted with gratitude as we follow His path for us.

95 1-2 Come, let’s shout praises to God,
raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let’s march into his presence singing praises,
lifting the rafters with our hymns!

3-5 And why? Because God is the best,
High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean—he owns it!
His hands sculpted Earth!

6-7 So come, let us worship: bow before him,
on your knees before God, who made us!
Oh yes, he’s our God,
Psalm 95:1-7a (MSG)

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🌺 Happy Thanksgiving!

Wait – Psalm 130:5

I rely on the LORD, I rely on him with my whole being; I wait for his assuring word. Psalm 130:5 (NET)

With all my heart, I am waiting, LORD, for you! I trust your promises. Psalm 130:5 (CEV)

During our lifetime, we do a lot of waiting in doctors’ offices, in traffic, for repair people, and on hold. Waiting on God is a unique kind of waiting. It is an expectant waiting, a deliberate choice to wait, a waiting with hope, and trusting in God’s mercy, grace, and promises.

Different versions of the Bible describe the waiting on the Lord: with my whole being, with all my heart, and my soul waits. All of these show a strong, full-body desire for God’s help and guidance. This kind of waiting invites us to cultivate patience and deepen our faith, allowing us to find peace amid uncertainty.

During challenging times or when facing uncertainties, it is essential to turn to God in prayer, trusting in Him and finding strength in His promises. This trust not only fortifies our spirit but also opens our hearts to receive the wisdom and comfort that come from a close relationship with Him.

Faith, hope, and patience all play a part in waiting for God’s divine guidance, assurance, and intervention. This journey of faith encourages us to remain steadfast, even when the path ahead seems unclear.

I pray to God—my life a prayer—
and wait for what he’ll say and do. Psalm 130:5 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and guidance. You are our hope and strength during difficult times. Teach us to patiently wait on You. To wait, with our whole heart and soul, trusting in Your promises and guidance. Like New Guinea impatiens blossom all summer, let us blossom in faith and always rely on You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Sing a New Song – Psalm 98:1

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done awesome deeds! His right hand and powerful arm have brought him victory.

– Psalm 98:1 (ISV)

Sing to the Lord a new song; celebrate His mighty work in our lives. We sing to express our gratitude and joy and to exhibit our love and thankfulness through praise. A new song means a need for new, fresh praise, sung with enthusiasm and gladness, celebrating His goodness to us.

We sing in gratitude for God’s marvelous, wonderful deeds, showcasing His love and faithfulness to us. He triumphs over evil, protects, forgives, and provides salvation to those who believe in Him.

God is sovereign and powerful. He is strong. His right hand and powerful arm are instruments of His strength. His might brings victory over His enemies and those who challenge Him.

Let’s sing a new song personally praising God for His care and love, showing our gratitude for His daily guidance and help.

Sing to God a brand-new song.
He’s made a world of wonders!

He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right. – Psalm 98:1 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we worship and praise You for Your mighty works in the world and in our lives. May we worship and sing with new fervor, raising genuine praise daily for Your steadfast help and love. We are in awe of Your wisdom and power. Like the brightly colored petunia brings forth blossoms all summer, let us shine brightly with Your light and blossom in Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Call on Me – Jeremiah 33:3

2“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: 3‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:2-3

During the time of the prophet Jeremiah, the nation of Judah was in turmoil. The people had turned away from God, and they were under threat of a Babylonian invasion. God chose Jeremiah to send a message of warning to the people of Judah, urging them to repent. The message was also one of hope.

For the Lord says, “Call on me in prayer, and I will answer you. God is asking us to have faith, rely on Him, and go to Him in prayer. It is an invitation to communicate with God, stating that He is willing to listen and answer you. When we rely on God and His infinite wisdom, it encourages us to open our hearts and have a deeper connection with Him.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! Romans 11:3 (NET)

If we put our faith and trust in God, He will answer our prayers and show us things we could never imagine. God reveals wonders beyond what we can understand. Because He cares for us, when we call on Him, He gives us wisdom, guidance, and help when we need it most.

1While Jeremiah was still locked up in jail, a second Message from God was given to him: ^2-3“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ Jeremiah 33:2-3 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, thank You for listening to and answering our prayers. Help us to grow in faith and to follow Your divine guidance. Teach us to go to You with our concerns and problems and trust in Your infinite wisdom. Like the bright, colorful vinca flowers spread and flourish on summer days, let us shine bright with Your light and flourish in Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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