Know the Lord – Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

David encourages us to remember God’s goodness. He is our provider, strength, and refuge. To those who seek Him, He gives support, guidance, and love. When we pursue a relationship with the Lord, we feel His presence in our lives. When we grow in knowledge of the Lord, we develop a genuine trust, realizing His goodness and faithfulness. God’s justice and faithfulness assure us that God will guide and protect us.

As we grow in faith through prayer and a deeper understanding of His word, we see God’s character and nature and realize He will not forsake or abandon anyone who seeks Him. We can release our problems to Him, for God is always present in our lives; He is our refuge and strength.

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Do you know the Lord? Do you put your trust in God and release your burdens to Him?

Our Heavenly Father, You are our hope and strength. Open our hearts and teach us to know You. Help us to grow closer to you through prayer and Your word, and grow in faith and trust. We thank you for your grace and love. Like the blue star flower blossoms brighten spring days, let us blossom in faith and shine brightly with love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23

New International Version
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Paul is explaining behaviors that Christians should have in their lives when they let the Holy Spirit lead them. These behaviors or attributes reflect Christ. Nine characteristics make up the fruit of the Spirit. They are not separate fruits but one indivisible spiritual fruit.

These nine traits or behaviors are found in a child of God and display the nature of Christ.

To live by the fruit of the Spirit believers, have power and compassion to lead with love, and serve others with patience, kindness, and goodness. Spiritual joy gives strength and rejoicing during difficult circumstances. Peace is inner tranquility, freedom from anxiety found through faith. Self-control is not being easily provoked but being patient, forgiving, and forbearing. Gentleness is being kind, tender, and caring for one another. Faithfulness to others is being reliable, dependable, and honorable to others. These spirit-filled attributes make up the fruit of the Spirit.

Through the fruit of the Spirit, being motivated by love will lead us to care, kindness, goodness, forbearance, self-control, and gentleness, in service to others.

22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and love. Help us to follow Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit. Let us be Spirit-lead and manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Like the geranium grows and flowers in the light, let us grow in faith and spread Your light. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Abba, Father – Galatians 4:6

4But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:4-7 (NLT)

God sent his only Son to earth to redeem us. Belief in Christ frees us from slavery to sin and the law. His death on the cross allows believers to receive the Spirit of adoption, becoming children of God.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 (AMP)

God sends the Spirit to live in us, his adopted children. The Spirit of His Son moves into our hearts, guiding and helping us communicate with God in prayer, praise, and calling out, “Abba, Father”! God is our Abba, Father; we are not slaves but children of God and heirs.

4-7 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. Galatians 4:4-7 (MSG)

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Prayer: God, we thank You for sending us Your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, who died on the cross for our salvation. As we celebrate His birth, let us realize He set us free from sin, allowing us to be adopted by You and call You Abba, Father. Like the blooms of the Chrysanthemum grow and blossom every fall, let us grow in faith and blossom with love. Amen

Proven Worker – 2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

– 2 Timothy 2:15 -16 (NIV)

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he encourages him to be a worker who seeks to please God rather than people. Worldly things can distract, worldly problems can draw attention away from God. Instead of trying to please people and make them happy, work to please God; be a proven worker who needs not be ashamed.

A proven worker teaches the word of truth accurately striving to understand and correctly explain God’s Word to others. To help those who indulge in worldly, godless chatter and vain babbling, which leads to godless behavior, by teaching them the truth.

Paul’s challenge is to do our best to present ourselves as an approved, proven worker who understands and explains the truth of God’s Word.

Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they’re not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul.

– 2 Timothy 2:15 -16 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to listen and do our best work for You. Guide us to avoid worldly distractions and focus our sights on You. May we be proven workers guided by Your Word and truth. Let us gather together like the colorful open blossoms of the Penta plant and be open to Your direction, teaching Your truth accurately. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Known By God – 1 Corinthians 8:3

But if someone loves God, he is known by God. – 1 Corinthians 8:3 (NET)

Paul is stressing what matters in life is love. In verse three, He uses the Greek word agapao for love, which means selfless love, to love dearly, to take pleasure in, to wish well, and to esteem. Our goal as Christians is not only knowledge; our main guiding principles are to love God and love and exhibit kindness to others.

But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved]. -1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP)

As verse three states, those who love God are known by God. God loves them, and they belong to Him, children of God.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. -1 John 3:1 (ASV)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, our guide, our strength, and our protector. Guide us in Your truth and light. We are thankful that we are known by You and for Your unconditional love for us. May our love for you be shown in all we do. Like the blue hydrangea flower brings joy to summer days, let us flower and spread Your joy and love to all. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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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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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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Pursue Peace: Psalm 34:14

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14(NIV)

Psalm 34 talks about how to live a good life. Verse 14 encourages us to choose good over evil and peace over sin. Shun sin and turn away from evil, pride, and arrogance. We honor the Lord when we turn from evil.

To honor the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and false words.
Proverbs 8:13 (GNT)

Embrace righteousness, truth, and godliness. Seek and pursue peace; let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 (King James)

Strive to live in peace and do good. Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, as God forgave you. Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to help those in need.

14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
Psalm 24:14-15 (MSG)

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Is your focus on avoiding evil, doing good, and pursuing peace?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, teach us to turn away from evil and do good. Guide us to follow Your will; and practice virtue and righteousness. Let us spread love, do good, and pursue peace. Like the snapdragon is facing forward, teach us to face forward, turn our back on sin, embrace peace, and honor You. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Rescued: Colossians 1:13

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB)

These verses are a portion of Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church. In it, he encourages them to give joyful thanks to God the Father. Reminding them that they were rescued by God, from the domain of darkness, from the bondage to sin, and delivered them into the kingdom of light.

12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:12 (NASB)

The kingdom of light; is the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, Jesus. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we are redeemed from the power of sin and death and have confidence in our eternal destiny. ⁂

Have you embraced the truth and light of Jesus? Are you rescued are, your sins redeemed?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your love, grace, and mercy. Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sins. Let us shine with Your light and spread Your Word. Like the cardinal plant glows in the sunlight, teach us to glow with your light and shine it into the darkness. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Shine Like Stars: Philippians 2:14-15

14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)

Our goal is to live without arguing and grumbling, no bickering, and become Children of God, blameless and pure. Being blameless requires diligent effort in a crooked, polluted, and warped world. To live in this way shows we are Christians, ready to carry God’s light-giving Word into the world. Then when we go forth enlightened, we will shine like stars in the sky.

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.
Philippians 2:14-16 (MSG)

A diligent effort is required to live without arguing and squabbling. How are you doing at being blameless; do you shine like stars in the sky?

Prayer; Lord help us to be kinder, and gentler; to let go of arguing and complaining. Teach us go forward, blameless and pure in this sinful world. Let us shine in Your light, with love, and share your light-giving message. As the phlox bloom shine in the sun and brighten spring, let us shine in Your light and spread Your brightness to the world. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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