Compassion: Isaiah 54:10

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

My word of the year this year is compassion. Surprisingly, it pops up often, usually when I least expect it. When I think of Jesus, I think of compassion, for He is the model of compassion. One definition of compassion; is a feeling you have when you become aware of another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. God has compassion for us. He cares about us and gives us His unfailing love. He wants to help us. However, in turn, we need to take our worries and troubles to Him. To pray and to follow His path of righteousness.
How has dwelling on the word compassion changed me? I have tried to really listen to others and to view everyone as a child of God. Right now, however, I am still a work in progress.

When is it difficult to be compassionate?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your unfailing, unshaken love. When a variety of flowers and grasses are grown together, color and beauty increase. Teach us, to grow together in compassion and love. As one flower may be stark, grouping with other flowers makes the results spectacular. Lord, help us, in turn, to work together to achieve harmony and compassion. We thank you for the beauty of our world. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen

Light of the World: John 8:12

Franklinia tree (named after Benjamin Franklin) for more info: https://bartramsgarden.org/explore-bartrams/franklinia-tree/

¹²When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (NIV)

Jesus said “I am the Light of the World.” We no longer have to walk in darkness because he is with us beside us. He shines brightly on us in us and around us. Let His light into your heart. Let it shine. Our job is to reflect His light into the shadows and dark areas around us.

Where will you shine God’s light?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Light of the World, help us to bask in your sunlight and be illuminated like this Franklinia flower. Teach us to follow Your light when we feel surrounded by dark shadows. Like the Franklinia tree, which exists only in cultivation, not in the wild, help us to exist in You alone. In Your holy name. Amen

Praise: Psalm 13:5-6

⁵But I trust in your faithful love.
My heart is filled with joy because you will save me.
⁶I will sing praise to the Lord.
He has been so good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6 (NIRV) A psalm of David

Sing praises to the Lord, for He is good. Let your heart be filled with joy because he surrounds us with his extravagant, faithful love. His works are amazing, and the beauty of nature astounding. Worship His Holy name in praise! The photo and the scripture remind me of a favorite worship song of mine, “10,000 Reasons” by, Matt Redman. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E)

What fills your heart with joy?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we celebrate your love. We thank you for the beauty of nature that surrounds us. Teach us to let the blue skies and bright colors of the monarch butterfly bring joy to our day. Like the clustered blossoms of the milkweed plant encourage us to join together and praise you. Lord, you have been good to us. We thank you for giving us hope and for saving us. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Salvation: Titus 2:11-13

Azalea

¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ¹²It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:11-13 (NET)

The passage makes you want to shout with joy, for the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all. We are redeemed. We are admonished to lead godly lives while we wait for the glorious return of Jesus. Our hope is alive built on Jesus’s love.

Where are you doing God’s work today? How are you preparing for Jesus?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your grace to us. Like the clean white flowers, help us to be pure and bright, to reject worldly desires. Use the trumpet-like flowers of the azaleas to remind us to prepare for the sound of the trumpet that will proclaim your return. We thank you for your love and the promise of salvation. In Jesus’s name. Amen

Great Love: Psalm 108:3-4

Columbine

³I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
⁴For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Psalm 108:3-4 (NIV)

Lord, we are blessed with Your great love which is higher than the heavens. All our days, Your faithfulness surrounds us; it reaches upward to the skies. Oh, Lord, you are our rock and redeemer to you we raise our praise and hymns. We give thanks for your grace and forgiveness.

Where do you see God’s love?

Prayer: God, like the columbine blossoms are upright and bright, let our face be upturned to you. Teach us to open our hearts to others and reflect your love like the colorful open petals. Lord, we thank you for surrounding us with your great love and faithfulness. In Jesus’s name. Amen

Psalm16: 8-9 The Lord is with Me

I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
⁹No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.^[b]
My body rests in safety.
Psalm 16: 8-9

Yes, the Lord with us always. He is beside us so we need not fear. All we need to do is call to Him for help. We need to let go and let God be in control.

I want to share with you the lyrics and the video of the song “Let Go” by, DeWayne Woods, he says it beautifully…

I couldn’t seem to fall asleep
There was so much on my mind
Searching for that peace
But the peace I could not find
So then I knelt down to pray
Praying help me please
Then He said you don’t have to cry
‘Cause I’ll supply all your needs
As soon as I stop worrying (soon as I stopped worrying)
Worrying how the story ends (When I let go)
I let go (And I let) and I let God (let Him have)
(Let Him Have) Let God have His way
(That’s when things) That’s when things start happening
I’ll stop looking at back then
I let go and I’ll let God have His way…

What do you need to release, to let go and let God have?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for always being with us. Just as the long stamens of the cleome bloom reach outward. Let us, in turn, reach out in prayer to You. As the cleome blossoms circle round the inner center encircle us with Your love. Jesus, we will not be shaken, for you are beside us. Our hearts rejoice in You! Amen

Light: 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

⁶God said, “Let light shine out of darkness.” He made his light shine in our hearts. His light gives us the light to know God’s glory. His glory is shown in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NIRV)

God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light.
Genesis 1:3

Yes, the name of this plant is obedient plant. It is now in bloom in my front yard. In the photo, sunlight illuminates the flower petals, so they almost glow. God, in turn, made his light to shine to glow in our hearts. This light of love and the sharing of love spreads God’s glory. Let there be light and let it shine!

Where is your heart light shining to push back the darkness?

Prayer: Dear Lord, Let our hearts be inner lit with light and know God’s glory. Help us to be obedient like the name of this plant and follow your path. Lead us toward the glory of Christ’s face. As a strong stem supports the plant and blossoms, help us to be strong and steady during life storms. In Jesus holy name. Amen

Psalm 27:4 Dwell

I’m asking the Lord for only one thing.
    Here is what I want.
I want to live in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life.
I want to look at the beauty of the Lord.
    I want to worship him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4 (NIRV)

This beautiful passage gives us a path to follow. The path is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our life. Travel it and feel His loving presence. Follow His word, ask for His wisdom, and find peace. Praise and Worship Him always!

Where is God’s path leading you?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for Your beauty. The three flowers pictured bring to mind the Holy Trinity. Our guides, The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Like the petals of the flower which are open and sun-touched, let us be open and touched by the Son. Lord, let us dwell in Your house forever. In Jesus name. Amen

Great Works: Psalm 92:4-5

⁴For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
⁵How great are your works, Lord,
how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 92: 4-5

In my garden, often songs of joy fill the air, emanating from a small wren. The Lord’s handiwork is manifested in gardens, by the natural beauty of the flowers, the rustle of the gentle wind, and the piping song of the birds. Today, find time to tell God of your joy by prayer and song.

What in the natural world makes you want to thank God and sing with joy?

Prayer: Dear Lord help us to have faith that is bright and open like these flowers. Help us to lead lives centered on you, like the dark vivid center of the mallow’s bloom. Let our songs of joy be lifted to You daily. Thank you, Lord, for your great works and wisdom. In Jesus name holy name. Amen

Peace and Joy: Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Trust in God, give Him your worries, listen to Him, and love Him. This brings hope. Today, may this hope from God fill you with joy and peace. May you walk in trust with Him and feel His love.

When do you feel God’s peace and joy?

Prayer: Dear Lord, let our trust in You, be bold and bright like these blooms. Like the shiny leaves glow, let us shine with joy. May our peace grow and blossom. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and abundant love. In Jesus Holy name. Amen.