Merciful and Gracious: Psalm 145:8

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 145: 8 (ESV)

Our Lord is merciful; He pardons our sins and forgives our transgressions, great is His mercy. He is gracious; His works are full of grace, goodness, kindness, and compassion. The Lord’s compassions never fail. Throughout the Bible, God showed patience; He was slow to anger, even when He was ignored and rejected. God’s steadfast love abounds; it endures forever!

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 106:1 (ESV)

Prayer; Our loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for your mercy and grace for us sinners. Teach us to be merciful and gracious to one another. Thank you for your patience and forgiveness. Like the tender blossoms of the flowering almond, Your tender abounding love and compassion bless us. May we share Your love and compassion with others. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Faith: Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

God’s abundant goodness, His miraculous works, and the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, for our salvation give us the confidence to put our trust in Him. We trust God’s Word with faith, we believe in His promises, and we are confident of His love. Faith is a process of growth, following, and relying on God. Faith changes us; it changes our hearts and thoughts; it gives us hope and a future. When we embrace faith, we become confident of the future and have assurance about what we do not see.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible. Corrie Ten Boom

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right. Max Lucado

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Corrie ten Boom

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

What is faith to you?

Prayer: Our Lord, our Heavenly Father, help us to grow in hope, trust, and faith. Teach us not to be afraid of an unknown future, but to trust in You. Lord, help us grow in faith, rely on You, and know anything is possible with You. Like the simple, natural beauty of the white orchid blossoms, let us simply and naturally grow in faith and assurance. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Declare His Glory: Psalm 96:1-3

A Song of Praise

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
3 Declare His glory among the [a]nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
Psalm 96 1-3 (NKJV)

Psalm 96 is a praise song, a song of good news, and a song of joy. It was written during the time David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The people were encouraged to sing to the Lord, a new song for God’s wondrous works. To sing in praise and with thanksgiving. Let us join in the chorus and sing to the Lord.

Psalm 96 is sometimes referred to as the “missionary psalm” since it encourages us to declare God’s glory among the nations to all people. Declare to all, the Glory of God, and proclaim the good news of God’s salvation. Lord let our thoughts, words, and deeds praise you.

The new year is a great time to thank the Lord, praise Him, and proclaim the good news. Will you take time and declare His wonders and glory?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving for all you have done for us. We thank You for Your forgiveness, grace, and mercy. We praise You for Your love and compassion. We proclaim the good news of Your salvation and declare Your Glory to all. Like the petals radiate on the chrysanthemum flower, let us radiate Your light and love to all people. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Need prayer? I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page.🌺

A New Creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

Christ can make all things new. When we are united in Christ through faith, we have a new identity, new knowledge, and a new path. We are renewed, a new creation, with open hearts filled with love and purpose. The new year is a wonderful time to embrace Christ’s way by living righteously and take time to meditate on heavenly things. To be open-hearted, sharing His love and compassion with others.

Are you in need of a new beginning? Christ can make you new invite Him into your life today.

Prayer; Jesus, You are our hope, and our redeemer help us to embrace Your way. Fill our hearts with love and compassion for others. Teach us to concentrate on heavenly goals and let go of our worldly concerns. Like the new blossoms on the flowering cherry tree, let us blossom as new creations through You, Christ. Amen

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I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Glory to God in the Highest: Luke 2:13-14

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:11-14 (KJV)

An angel announced to the shepherds watching their sheep by night, the birth of Christ the Lord. Then a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared praising God with glory; He gave His Son to be our Savior. The angels were worshiping the birth of Christ, the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger. God’s goodwill and love gave birth to the Savior, the Prince of Peace, to bring peace for all. Gloria in Excelsis Deo is Latin for “Glory to God in the Highest.” Let us remember to worship our Father in heaven and let our hearts focus on the gift of Jesus, our Savior.

Christmas Carol – Angels We Have Heard On High – Lyrics written by James Chadwick fit to the French tune – Gloria

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

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

Christmas Carol: Angels We Have Heard on High, by BYU Noteworthy

Have a healthy and happy New Year! Blessings! Returning in January 🌺

My Heart

In the Bleak Midwinter
published as a poem by Christina Rossetti in 1872

1 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

2 Our God, Heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

3 Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

4 What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart

In the Bleak Midwinter, composed by Gustav Holst from the poem and performed by Corrinne May

In Your Light We See Light: Psalm 36:9

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Psalm 36:9 (NIV)

God is the fountain of life, the source of all life. Life flows like a fountain from Him. God is also the source of light; in Him, there is no darkness. God is both the fountain of life; and the source of true light. Light is found in God’s countenance, His love, glowing in the Holy Spirit, and shining in Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Like David, we are to be seekers of the light, the divine light, following our path, moving forward in faith, while seeking the beauty of the truth and light of God. Help us to remember, Lord, in your light, we see (the) light.

When searching for direction, when confused and lost, do you seek the light of the Lord to illuminate your path?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your blessings and love. You are our Creator, our Father, our light, in the darkness, our hope, and our salvation. Let Your light shine on our paths and guide us through the dark valleys. Like the bright open petals on the zinnia, let us shine brightly with Your light, and be open to Your teaching. In the name of Jesus, the Light of the World. Amen.

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I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page.🌺

Joy to the World

Words by Isaac Watts

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world the savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy (repeat the sounding joy)
Repeat the sounding joy (repeat the sounding joy)
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love (wonders of his love)
And wonders of his love (wonders of his love)

And wonders, wonders of his love
And wonders, wonders of his love
And wonders, wonders of his love

Joy to the world
The wonders of your love
The wonders of your love!

Joy to the World is Isaac Watts interpretation of Psalm 98 and celebrates Christ’s second coming as well as His birth.

The Messiah’s Coming and Kingdom
4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 98: 4-9

Joy to the World sung by Celtic Women

Peace and Joy! 🌺

Shelter of the Most High: Psalm 91:1

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

Believers who trust in God, and have a close fellowship with Him, dwell in the shelter of the Most High. For God is the Most High, exalted above all, He reigns over the universe. God is our shelter during storms, our refuge, and our strength. Resting in the shadow of the Almighty is to rest in faith, knowing God is our shield; He keeps us safe under His wings. When we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we can rest secure knowing that God is with us; He is our strength, hope, and salvation.

When your day is overwhelming, where do you find rest? Where is your safe place? Do you reach out to God to rest and dwell in the shelter of God Almighty, the Most High?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks for Your protection and grace. Help us to grow in faith and have a closer relationship with you. Teach us to release our worries to you to dwell in the shelter of (You) the Most High, and to rest and find peace in Your shadow. Like the beauty of the begonias and artemisia, growing, closely together, let us grow in faith, drawing closer to You, finding rest in Your shadow. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Need prayer? I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

I Will Be With You – Isaiah 43:2

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

What a beautiful promise the Lord has given us, that His protection and help are available to those who have faith and trust in Him. Fire and water are water in the Bible are often used to symbolize trouble and peril. No matter what happens, the Lord has promised to be with us, not to leave us or forsake us. As believers, we are children of God, precious in His sight. When going through deep waters, God states I will be with you.

Are you overwhelmed, floundering in the waters of life? Remember God’s promise, in times of trouble; I will be with you.

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your mercy and grace. Lord, help us to trust You and guide us on our path. Help us to find peace in knowing; that You will be with us always. When life is overwhelming, teach us to trust in You. Like the beautiful azalea flowers, need water and light to grow, let us grow in faith, knowing that You are with us through deep water, Your light safely guides us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

This is a favorite song of mine, I Am Not Alone, sung by Kari Jobe.

Blessings! 🌺