Spirit in our Hearts- 2 Corinthians 1:22

21Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV)

To the Corinthians, Paul explains that when we accept and stand firm in Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. This means that God claims us as His own and recognizes us as His children.

With the Holy Spirit, we can have confidence in our salvation and trust in God’s unfailing love. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God, given to us as a deposit, a promise, and a guarantee of His faithfulness. A promise that assures us of eternal life and peace through Jesus. Jesus, His son, who died for us while we were still sinners.

God puts His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, a promise, a guarantee of His faithfulness. Assuring us of eternal life and peace.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your mercy and grace to us. Thank you for putting your Spirit in our hearts. Let us be guided by Your Spirit, drawing closer to You. Like the violet plants spread and grow in the sun, let us spread Your Word and grow in faith. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Greatly Rejoice: Isaiah 61:10

Click for a free Download print of “greatly rejoice” flower with scripture photo.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 (NRSV)

Isaiah greatly rejoices in the Lord; his whole being exults God. He is joyfully praising the Lord because the Lord clothed him in salvation and covered him in a robe of righteousness. We have been clothed in the beauty of His grace as a bridegroom and bride adorn themselves.

What joy to know the blessings of God, His love, forgiveness, grace, and salvation. We are saved by grace; through faith in Jesus. We greatly rejoice in the Lord, singing with joy. Let us celebrate our Lord with worship and praise.

I will sing for joy in God,
    explode in praise from deep in my soul!
He dressed me up in a suit of salvation,
    he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo
    and a bride a jeweled tiara.
Isaiah 61:10 (MSG)

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Do you greatly rejoice and lift your voice in joy in praise and worship to the Lord?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father; we thank You for Your forgiveness, promises, and grace. We greatly rejoice and praise You for our salvation through Jesus; and His sacrifice for us. Teach us to be righteous and exhibit justice and love. Like the lily flowers are open, reaching toward the sun, let us be open-hearted and reach out toward and follow Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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Clothe yourself:Colossians 3:12-14

13Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are changed, transformed, and holy. As holy people, we need to emulate Jesus to put on a heart of compassion. Letting go of sin, pride, anger, and unforgiveness, clothing ourselves in patience, kindness, humility, gentleness, and compassion.
When we allow Christ to rule in our hearts our lives are transformed. We learn to act as Jesus did and forgive others as He forgives us. We clothe ourselves with love, learning to love one another as He has loved us.

12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Colossians 3:12-14 (MSG)

Are you clothing yourself by putting on kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace, compassion, and forgiveness toward us. Teach us to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Guide us, and teach us to clothe ourselves with love. Like the straw flowers are gathered close together, let us gather together with love in perfect harmony. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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Living as Children of Light: Ephesians 4:20-24

Radiate the Lord’s Light

20But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Ephesians 4:20-24 (NLT)

Renew

Save the World: John 3:17

God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world.
John 3:17 (GWT)

Jesus came to save people. The leaders of Israel wanted a Messiah that would rescue them from Roman rule. Jesus didn’t come to condemn or to judge people; He came to save the world. The whole world, Jews and gentiles. He was on a saving mission, showing God’s love for all His people. Jesus is still on a saving mission; He’s a Savior to all people who believe in Him. He came to lead us on the path of love, to guide us in righteousness, and to spread God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. Jesus came so the world through Him could be saved.

¹⁶For 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. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17 (NIV)

God so loved the world that He gave us His one and only Son. Have you opened your heart and accepted Jesus, who came in love to save the world?

Prayer; God, thank you for Your amazing love for us. Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to save us from our sins. Teach us to spread Your love, Your Word, Your truth, and salvation found in Jesus. Thank You for not condemning us but instead sending Your Son Jesus to save the world. Like the three petals of the trillium form a flower, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit lead us and transform our lives. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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

Reach Upward: Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, 14with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14 (NET)

Paul’s testimony was about the way to perfection and his zeal to be perfected. He was explaining that the work of the Lord was not yet complete in him. He was still pursuing his goal, doing the work of the Lord, reaching upward toward the prize. He had a past of persecuting Christians, but he was able to leave the past behind. To focus on moving forward, reaching upward, toward the prize of heavenly life, striving for perfection to be more like Jesus.

Do you have troubles in the past that you need to release and reach upward, striving toward the prize, God’s heavenward call in Jesus Christ?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of your love and forgiveness. We thank you for your Son Jesus. He was an example of perfection, who died for our redemption. Teach us to rely on You, to leave the past behind, and reach upward toward the goal of becoming more like Jesus. Like the magnolia blossoms are open and reaching upward toward the sun, let us be open-hearted and reach upward toward the prize God has provided through Christ Jesus. 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. 🌺

Light of Christ: 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.
2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (MSG)

In Paul’s writing to the Corinthians, he explains that the Message he brings in not about him. He is only a messenger of Jesus Christ the Lord. In the beginning, God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:4). To fill our lives with His light, God gave us His Son, Jesus Light of the World, and the light of eternal life. From Christ’s face, God’s glory shines bright and beautiful. With Jesus as our Light, we never will walk in spiritual darkness. His true light illuminates our hearts, encouraging us to spread spiritual light, the Word, to others.

Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face.
2 Corinthians 4:5-6(GW)

Are you illuminated with the light of Christ?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for filling our lives with the light of Christ. May our paths be illuminated by Christ, the Light of the World. May His glory shine brightly in our hearts. Like the petals of the geranium glow in the sunlight, help us to glow with Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

I want to thank Beverley for nominating me for the Outstanding Blogger Award. I highly recommend her blog Becoming the Oil and Wine; it is inspiring, full of God’s love, and spirit-driven. 🌺

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. 🌺