God-breathed: 2 Timothy 3:16

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV)

In Greek, the word Theopneustos translates as God-breathed. Paul is saying that scripture is; divinely breathed into by God. Men penned the scripture, but the words were divinely inspired. Scripture written years ago is still relevant today; because God guides and counsels us through the ancient pages.

Scripture instructs us, points out sin, counsels, corrects us, and teaches us to accept and apply truth. Our God-breathed Scripture is for us; a firm foundation, the wisdom we can rely on, equipping us for good work.

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG)

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Is our God’s-breathed scripture your firm foundation?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your guidance and counsel. May your God-breathed scripture guide and direct our path. Teach us to go to the scriptures for clarity, counsel, and truth. Let us embrace Your Word, equipping us to do good works. May we cluster together like the spirea blossoms and spread Your love. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Seek His Kingdom: Matthew 6:33

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

To seek means to strive after, endeavor to find, and tenaciously look for; to strive after something. In other words, Jesus tells us to strive after the Kingdom of God above all else. Instead of fruitless worry over worldly concerns, Jesus tells us to trust the heavenly Father; He provides His children with what is needed.

We need to pursue the kingdom of God, trusting in God’s righteousness and His love. God knows our needs. He will provide for our basic needs when we live righteously and trust in Him. We need to change our focus from material things instead make our priority focusing on seeking the Kingdom of God. When we make our relationship with God the center of our life, he will give us everything we really need. ⁂

Do you try to solve your problems and worries elsewhere, or do you turn to the Kingdom of God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and care. Lord, teach us to reach out to you instead of relying on our understanding. Help us to live righteously and have faith and trust in Your care for us. Guide us to pursue Your kingdom and accept Your will. Like the Ranunculus blossom opening in the sunlight, let us be open-hearted and turn toward and share Your light, Lord Jesus. Amen

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Strength & Joy: 1Chronicles 16:27

Splendor and majesty are in his presence. Strength and joy are where he is.
1 Chronicles 16:27 (GWT)

1 Chronicles 16 is a song, a hymn of thanksgiving. It was sung on the day of the Ark of the Covenant’s arrival in the city of David. The song celebrates and glorifies the Lord and praises and proclaims his miraculous deeds.

8 Give thanks to the Lord!
Call on his name!
Make known his accomplishments among the nations.
9 Sing to him! Make music to him!
Tell about all his miraculous deeds.
10 Boast about his holy name.
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice
1 Chronicles 16: 8-10 (NET)

Our Lord is majestic; He set in place the planets, moon, and stars; he designed and made all living things. The magnificent beauty and diversity of the world declare His glory. Splendor; describes the Lord’s supernatural glory, His grander, and His moral perfection. The Lord is great; splendor and majesty; are found in His presence.

The Lord is our source of strength and joy; they are His dwelling place. He radiates; strength and joy. When you trust and believe in the Lord, you find strength and hope. Living in faith, living in the presence of God, brings joy. Joy is not dependent on circumstances; joy is internal, a gift from God. Joy is found by walking daily with the Lord, living in God’s presence, and through prayer and rejoicing.

25 And why? Because God is great – well worth praising! No god or goddess comes close in honor.
26 All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense, but God made the cosmos!
27 Splendor and majesty flow out of him, strength and joy fill his place.
1 Chronicles 16:25-27 (MSG)

How majestic is our God; splendor emanates from Him, and He is the source of our joy and strength. ⁂

When you are overwhelmed and feel lost, do you reach out to God, our source of joy and strength?

Prayer; Our majestic Heavenly Father, you are our source of strength and joy. We worship you with song and praise with thanksgiving for your support and care. We thank you for the beauty and splendor of your handiworks; and the diversity of nature. Like the beautiful lilies, glow with your light; let us find strength through you and glow, with joy and light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

All I Ever Need – Psalm 73:26

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Psalm 73:26 (NLT)

Psalm 73 is a psalm of lament written by Asaph. He felt bitter and unhappy because he saw the wicked prospering.

2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
3 For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
Psalm 73: 2-3 (NLT)

He tried but couldn’t understand God’s ways; until he went into God’s sanctuary.

16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
Psalm 73: 16-17 (NLT)

Asaph then realized that wickedness and evil have consequences. Earthly life ends, and eternal judgment awaits. He realizes that trust in God is paramount. That God is his portion, his source of happiness. That God is the strength of his heart, the rock of his heart. He realizes that God is his and our’s forever. God is all we ever need. He is our salvation. ⁂

When you face difficulties, do you trust in God, understanding He is all you ever need?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, teach us to come to you with our problems and concerns. Help us to grow in faith and realize You are in control. Let us embrace Your strength, realizing You are all we ever need. Like the sunflowers turn toward the sun and shine with light; let us turn to You and shine Your light. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Our Refuge: Psalm 9:9-10

⁹The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
¹⁰Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you
Psalm 9:9-10 (NIV)

God, our Heavenly Father, is our stronghold in times of trouble. A stronghold is defined as a well-fortified place of protection against attack. God is a refuge for the oppressed, the poor, the needy, those without power, and for protection from evil. He is our refuge and stronghold.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1(NLT)

Our God is faithful; He keeps His promises. Seek Him, for He is good; He will not forsake you. He is worthy of your confidence and trust. He is your help in times of trouble, your refuge; you can rely on Him.

9-10 God’s a safe-house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
you’re never sorry you knocked.
Psalm 9:9-10 (MSG) ⁂

God is our refuge and our strength. In times of trouble, is your first response to turn to God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our stronghold and refuge during difficult times. Help us to grow in faith, seek You, and trust You. Teach us to reach out to You in trust knowing you will never forsake us. Like the allium flowers spiral out in all directions, your love spirals out, surrounding us; You are our stronghold, our hope. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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His Strength: 1 Chronicles 16:11

Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NLT)

This verse in 1 Chronicles is also in Psalm 105:4, David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving. He wrote this verse to celebrate the return of the Ark of the Covenant. To remind everyone of the importance of seeking the Lord and having a relationship with Him. We need to search for Him and listen to His way, not seeking our path but following His path for us. Our strength is found in the Lord; He is our hope, grace, and salvation. When our world is complicated and confusing, we can find strength like David did through our relationship with our Lord. Always search for the Lord and seek His strength. ⁘

When you are overwhelmed and confused, is your first response to seek the Lord’s strength?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we come to you in praise and thanksgiving. Teach us to follow Your ways and seek You. Lord, when we are overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do, let us ask for Your guidance. Like the zinnia blossoms, seek the sun; Lord, let us seek You and Your strength. 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

Guide Me: Psalm 32:8

8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT)

In Psalm 32, David talks about the blessing of sin forgiven, of God’s protection, and in verse eight, the wisdom of following the Lord’s pathway. If we ask, the Lord will guide us along the best path for our lives. When we take time to listen to God’s Word and walk in His ways, He will advise, direct us, watch over us, guiding our steps.
We need to humble ourselves and walk willing with the Lord to reach out to Him in prayer. To confess our sins and ask for direction. Knowing that God will watch over us, advise us and guide us. ⁘

Do you reach out to the Lord for guidance when you are confused, worried, or afraid? Do you ask Him to guide your steps and to show you the path to take?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your forgiveness of our sins and Your protection. Guide us along the best pathway, teach us to listen to Your word, and walk-in Your ways. Like the orange trumpet-like flowers reach outward and glow in the sunlight, let us reach out to You and glow with Your guiding light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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

Light of Your Presence: Psalm 89:15

15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.
Psalm 89:15-16 (NIV)

Blessed and happy are the people who worship the Lord. Praising, Him with open hearts and voices raised in song, making a joyful sound. A sound in biblical times associated with trumpets and singing during feast day celebrations.
To walk in the light of God’s presence, or the light of His countenance means to walk in God’s favor, enjoying His love and blessings. Celebrating and rejoicing; God’s righteousness and grace. Worshiping the Lord with shouts of joy and songs of praise. Delighting; in the light of His presence. ⁘

Are you taking time to worship God and joyfully praise Him? Is your heart open to His Word, and are you walking in the light of His presence?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your righteousness and grace. Joyfully we raise our voices in songs of praise and worship. Lord, you are our hope and salvation, our refuge in times of trouble. Like the open, glowing rose blossoms, let us be open to Your Word and glow with the light of Your presence. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Perfect, Sure, Right-Psalm 19:7-10

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, [e]converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the [f]honeycomb. (NKJ)
Psalm 19:7-10

David is describing the law, testimony, statutes, and commandments of the Lord; as perfect, sure, and right. God’s Word is mentioned; in synonyms as law, testimony, statutes, commandments, and judgments. These are the will of God directing the way we are to live.
God’s Word is perfect and just; David cites the blessings that come to those who obey and love His law. Blessings include the brightening and enlightening of the eyes, the heart rejoicing, and the soul enriched.
Using six descriptions, he tells of the glorious character of God’s Word.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making the wise the simple
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

The law of the Lord is greater than gold; fine gold and has a lifetime guarantee. It’s a spiritual treasure more enriching to the soul; and more valuable than material wealth. David again says this in Psalm 119:127.

Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
Psalm 119:127 (NKJ)

In verse ten, David explains that believers will find the Lord’s statutes, the way to sweet joy, sweet to the soul sweeter than honey. Yes, the Word of the Lord is perfect, sure, and right!

The revelation of GOD is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of GOD are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of GOD are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of GOD are plain and easy on the eyes. GOD’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of GOD are accurate down to the nth degree. God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
Psalm 19: 7-10 (MSG)

Is God’s Word changing your life? Is His Word perfect, sure, and right to you? Valuable to you? More than gold?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and guidance. Help us to open our hearts and minds to Your law. Guide us in Your perfect, sure, and right ways. Let Your commandments shine brightly in us, giving light to our minds. Like the bright yellow crocus is a signal of spring, let Your Word be a signal of hope and joy for us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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