Author: jlp260

Rejoice: Psalm 118:24

Rhododendron in bloom


This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 (ESL)

With God in our life, every day is a new day, a new start for us a fresh beginning. No matter how far we deviated from His path for us, or how self-centered and self-directed we have been, God is ready to start anew with us. When we ask He forgives, when we need His strength, He is there for us. Yes, it is a glorious day to rejoice when we have the Lord beside us as our guide! Our Father, you are our hope and our Redeemer.

With Jesus as our Saviour every day is a day for joy and thanksgiving! Where will you rejoice, spread joy, and His love today?

Prayer: Our Father, our hope and our salvation, we thank You for Your care and compassion. Like the rhododendron is overflowing with blooms, we are overflowing with joy that You forgive us and love us unconditionally. Help us to follow Your Word and spread Your love. We rejoice that You are always for us and beside us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

I would like to thank Dawn at Drawing Closer to Christ for nominating me for The Barnabus Award. Dawn’s posts inspire and are full of joy and encouragement.

God's Word: Psalm 119:105

Summer snapdragon (Angelonia angustifolia)

105 Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way.  It is like a light that guides me.

Psalm 119: 105 New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

The Bible, God’s word is our guide and lamp for direction, love, and help. God’s word is a lamp to our feet, in that it shows us our way and prevents us from stumbling. It also illuminates our path so we can see and avoid potholes along the way. When we follow God’s word and obey His commandments our path glows with His light and love.

Where do you need to use God’s word to illuminate your path?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your word the Bible, it is a lamp to guide our path. Help us to use the Bible to shine a light on our struggles and illuminates our way. Like the summer snapdragon’s blossoms flourish in the bright sunlight along the path, let us shine brightly and spread Your loving light along our path. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Everything I Need: Psalm 16:5

Beach Rose – Rosa Rugosa

Your pleasant path leads me  pleasant places.
I’m overwhelmed by the privileges
that come with following you,
for you have given me the best!
7 The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more,
for your whispers in the night give me wisdom,
showing me what to do next.
8 Because you are close to me and always available,
my confidence will never be shaken,
for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.
9 My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory!
Even my body will rest confident and secure.
Psalm 16:6-9 The Passion Translation (TPT)

The Passion Translation has a beautiful description of the Lord and lists examples of how He is everything we need. The Lord is always available to us, He gives us wisdom, He counsels us, and in Him, we can rest confident and secure. If you need hope, security, or wisdom, call on the Lord and listen for guidance. God forgives us and surrounds us with His unconditional Love.

What do you need to give to Jesus, to let the Lord be your everything?

Another way of saying the Lord is everything I need is “Christ is Enough.” Click here for the song – by Hillsong Live.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are our everything! We are thankful for your compassion, care, and guidance. Help us to grow in faith and give our lives to You. The lovely beach rose is a simple rose that doesn’t need pampering, it thrives in the sand at the beach. Lord, teach us to realize You are what we need to thrive You are our hope and our salvation. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Live like Christ: 1 John 2:5-6

Pink Malva

5 But whoever obeys His Word has the love of God made perfect in him. This is the way to know if you belong to Christ. 6 The one who says he belongs to Christ should live the same kind of life Christ lived.

1 John 2: 5-6 (NLV)

What was Christ’s like? He was humble, washing His disciple’s feet, He was compassionate to the sick, He was merciful to lepers, and He forgave the soldiers who crucified Him. Jesus taught that kindness and forgiveness are right, and hate and revenge are wrong. Jesus reached out loving all, including the lost, outcasts, sinners, and the sick. To live like Christ is not an easy task, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

What change is needed in your life to help you live more like Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, guide us to live more Christ-like lives. Teach us to be full of grace, less judgemental, humble, forgiving, and to love one another. Like the malva blossoms radiate and glow in the sun, let us radiate goodness and the light of Jesus and His love. Lord, we give thanks and praise for Your grace and love for us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Loving Grace: Ephesians 2: 4-5

Guzmania Bromeliad

The Guzmaina plants absorb their nutrients from above. The roots only anchor it to what it is growing on rocks or trees.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 5 even though we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved!

Ephesians 2:4-6 New English Translation (NET Bible)

God is rich in mercy, great in forgiveness, and amazing in grace. He loves us with unconditional, unending love. We have sinned, ignored God, and rejected His word. However, with merciful love, God has forgiven our sins and brought us salvation through His son Jesus, who died for our sins. By the grace of God, we are saved! Glory be to God!

Who do you know that needs God’s love and grace?

Prayer: Our Father, we are in awe of your care and love for us. Like the Guzmania absorb their nutrients from above and gets support from the rock, help us to reach to You for guidance and lean on You for strength and support. We praise you for forgiving our sins, giving us hope and saving us by Your grace. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Wonders: Psalm 65:8

Flowers I Discovered Blooming and Growing in a Rock Crevice.

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;

    where morning dawns, where evening fades,

    you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8

I am in awe when I take the time to dwell on God’s designs. The beauty of the flower in bloom, the wonder of the sea, the solo of the songbird, the stature of a tree, the wonder of sight, the perfection of a newborn, the glory of the stars, and the unconditional love God provides. When you see flowers growing and blooming in a small crevice of a rock, you realize nothing is impossible with God. Lord, Your creation raises us to songs of joy and praise.

What wonder of God’s creation fills you with awe makes you sing with joy?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, our creator, provider, our shelter in the storm. We thank you for the wonders that surround us, Your love which encompasses us, and the beauty of our world. Like the flowers growing surrounded by rocks and water help us to realize nothing is impossible with You. We raise our praises of joy to You! In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Forgive: Ephesians 4:32

Croton Plant

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

C.S. Lewis

When we have been wronged, when others have hurt us it is difficult to forgive. Why should we be kind, tender-hearted to someone cruel who has made our life miserable? Why, because Jesus forgives our sins, our inexcusable wrongs. Harboring anger, searching for revenge, is bad for our health and bad for our souls. Try to let go of anger, try to be kind and forgive, act like Jesus.

Where is anger, or hurt holding you back from forgiveness?

Prayer: Our Father, we thank you for forgiving us and loving us with unconditional love. Teach us to be kind and compassionate to each other. Like the leaves of the croton plant, spread upward illuminated by the sun, help us to reach upward to You, Your truth, Your light, Your love. Let Your face shine, upon us, and teach us to forgive, give us peace. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Teach Me: Psalm 86:11

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

Psalm 86: 11 (NLT)

Often we stumble and fall because we are lost in our plans, trying to go it alone. God’s truth is in the Bible, His guide for us, His word to us. God is waiting and reaching out welcoming, wanting to teach us to follow His path. When we let go of our self direction and rely on God’s foundation, His word, we find peace and live according to His truth. This truth will purify our hearts and set us free from worldly woes.

A common prayer for me is to ask the Lord to teach me His ways, and to open my heart. Where in your life do you need instruction from God?

Prayer: O Lord, teach us Your ways, guide us with Your truth. Help us to purify our hearts. Let us live together in unity as the plants grow together in the planter. Like the vines help us to reach out and spread Your love. We honor, worship, and praise You. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen

Splendor: Psalm 145: 5-6

Ranunculus blossom

I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor

    and your wonderful miracles.

6 Your 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