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
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
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “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
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:25-26 (NIV)
25 The disciples were staggered. “Then who has any chance at all?”26 Jesus 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
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)
8 He 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
8 The 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
1 Clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with cries of joy.
Psalm 47:1
Thanks to Matt at jesusluvsall.wordpress.com for tagging me for the decade tag. The tag is a look back at what the Lord has done in my life the past ten years. I am going to look back at my spiritual journey, my spiritual awakening.
Growing up, Sundays always included church and Sunday school. Then things started distracting me worldly things like pride, my things, me first, my schedule.
Happily, this decade God became my focus, my joy, and my path. People with kind words and caring hearts helped me find His way. My church community opened my eyes to opportunities to learn and grow.
Pastor Kay, my mentor, and friend and prayer warrior taught me many ways to pray and opened the door to healing prayer. All my fellow healing prayer warriors who accepted my quiet listening for years, until faith allowed me to step out of my fear and insecurity and reach out to others in healing prayer. Life-changing for me. As my Spiritual Director, Pastor Kay encouraged me to take my flower photographs to tie them with scripture to share them. The push needed to start this blog in June to share His word and joy.
Fran, another friend, encouraged me and showed me ways to be God’s hands and feet. Her guidance has opened my eyes and heart to local needs through the church’s soup kitchen. She also directed me into church-based fundraising projects and other local opportunities to spread God’s love.
This decade I have grown in faith found that I could escape my shyness with God at my side, that I could encourage others by Listening, Praying, and Loving.
I am leaving this tag opened ended for anyone who wants to look back and write about the changes the Lord has made in their lives, just leave a comment on this post.
Rules: To play along: 1- Please share a link to the creator of the tag- jesusluvsall.wordpress.com 2- Share some highlights for you over the past decade and if you want a few low points 3- Tag whoever you wish to. 4- Ask them some questions 5- Use any picture appropriate for such a tag. (As usual, I didn’t follow all the rules, sorry Matt.)
My question: Where have you seen God in the past decade?
Remember this new year to shout to God with cries of joy!
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
The Lord is with us, he goes before us, he never leaves us, and He surrounds us with unconditional love. Take time to rest in God’s love, and let go of fear, worry, and discouragement. Do not fear God, is with us, and He cares about us. May your New Year be blessed with hope, faith, and joy.
What do you need to let go of and let God handle?
Prayer: Dear Lord, loving Savior, we give thanks for your help and compassion for us. Teach us to be bright and open like the poinsettias, reflecting Your love and compassion. Help us not to worry, instead to realize that You are always with us and will never leave us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20
19 I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!
The Passion Version – Philippians 4: 19
We behold glory in our God Almighty, we praise and worship Him. His attributes are beyond comprehension. Jesus’s life and teachings led us toward understanding the glory of God our Father. The beauty is God the Almighty loves us, provides for us, and satisfies all our needs. Our job is to accept God’s teachings, follow His path, and glorify and praise our holy blessed Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
How do you glorify God?
Prayer: Lord of all, amazing Father, we give thanks and glorify Your Name. We bask in Your unconditional love, amazing grace, and forgiveness toward us. Like the beauty of the poinsettias pink blossoms brighten winter days, Your compassion toward us brightens our lives. Almighty God, we glorify You, praise You and worship You! In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For us, a child is born, a son is given. Jesus the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father may He open our hearts to love and peace. To find His peace of no end and feel His unconditional love. We praise and worship You, Jesus.
Have you embraced Jesus’ peace?
Prayer: Help us to be more like You, Jesus. Teach us to spread compassion, love, and hope. Prince of Peace, help us to follow your path and guide us in your truth. Like the poinsettia symbolizes the season help us to exemplify Your birth. As we celebrate Your birth help us to seek your kingdom of righteousness and justice. Amen.
May peace, joy, and Jesus’ love encompass you this Christmas. Merry Christmas! – Jeanne 🎄
