Set Free – Romans 8:2

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1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

What does condemnation mean? It means that by our sins, we are sentenced to death; we are condemned. However, our belief in Jesus delivers us from the power of sin.

Jesus was judged and crucified for our salvation. His death on the cross paid the full price for our sins. We are set free from the power of sin; there is no condemnation for anyone who believes in Jesus. We are declared righteous by God and set free by the law of the Holy Spirit.

2 I am now controlled by the law of the Holy Spirit. That law gives me life because of what Christ Jesus has done. It has set me free from the law of sin that brings death.
Romans 8:2 (NIRV)

Life with the law of the Holy Spirit in control sets us free from sin and death.

Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
Romans 8:1b-2 (MSG)

For whoever believes in Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life.

For 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.
John 3:16 (NIV)

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Are you held captive by sin, or have you accepted Jesus and been set free from the law of sin and death?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus. By Your love, Jesus was crucified for our sins. We thank You that Jesus set us free from the law of sin. Like a butterfly is free to travel flower to flower, teach us to follow Jesus and be set free from sin and death. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Worries and Cares: 1 Peter 5:7

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NLV)

Peter is writing to the Christians in Asia Minor, encouraging them to take their heavy burdens and give them to God. When we try to carry our worries and concerns on our own, we become weary and discouraged.

Why should we give our worries and cares to God? Because He cares for us. By casting our cares and worries on God, we are showing our trust in Him and His promises, realizing that He is willing and able to carry our heaviest burdens. When we give the Lord our worries, He gives us rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

How do we give our burdens to God? By reaching out to Him in prayer, understanding God cares about us and that he will sustain us and get us through this.

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Do you let go of your burdens by giving your cares and worries to God in prayer?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for your care and love for us. Teach us to turn our worries and cares over to You. Help us to grow in trust and faith. Guide us, teaching us to be humble and loving to others. Like chrysanthemum flowers brighten autumn days, let us brighten everything around us with Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Complete: Hebrews 13:21

20Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13: 20-21 (NKJ)

Hebrew 13:21 is part of the benediction found at the end of the book of Hebrews, closing the letter to Jewish converts to Christianity. The author encourages them to continue in obedience, love, and prayer. For them to embrace Jesus’ sacrifice and accept the everlasting covenant; to grow in trust and follow God’s will. The author is praying for the people to be made complete in everything good and every good work. God equips us through the power of Jesus, providing everything we need to follow His path. To make us complete, prepared, and pleasing in His sight. To Christ be glory forever and ever!

May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole,
Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead,
Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please him,
Make us into what gives him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
All glory to Jesus forever and always! Oh, yes, yes, yes.
Hebrews 13: 20-21(MSG)

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Do you feel prepared and accept what is needed to be complete and pleasing to God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, our God of Peace who puts all things together, we raise our voices to You in thanksgiving and praise. Thank You for your son, Jesus; His sacrifice for us and the everlasting covenant sealed by His blood. Like the hydrangea’s small individual flowers open and mature in time, becoming complete, let us open our hearts to You, follow Your will and become complete and pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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

The Lord will Rescue Me – 2 Timothy 4:18

¹⁶At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. ¹⁷But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:16-18 (NIV)

Second Timothy; was written by Paul while he was in prison. He was writing to encourage Timothy to assure him that God keeps His promises; He is faithful.

Paul praises God; he expected to die soon but was confident of his eternal destiny.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV)

He had the assurance that the Lord would rescue him from evil and; bring him safely to His heavenly kingdom. Instead of despairing, he was able to rejoice in the Lord, saying, “To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen”.
For Christ is the power and glory forever and ever!

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Do you have assurance in God’s promises; that He will rescue you from evil and bring you safely to His heavenly kingdom?

Prayer; Lord, we thank You for helping us and rescuing us from evil. Teach us to rely on You and have faith in Your promises. As the Gerbera Daisy flowers spread upward; toward the sun, let us reach upward toward Christ Your Son. We raise our praises, to You be the glory forever and ever. Amen

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Faith from Hearing: Romans 10:17

13For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” 14But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
Romans 10:13-14

Paul is encouraging people to spread the Good News about Christ to everyone, Jews and Gentiles.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:17 (NLT)

Faith comes by hearing, by hearing about Christ, hearing what the Lord says through Christ.
Christians need to share Christ’s message and bring the Good News to non-believers. To believe in Him, people need to hear about Christ and His message. Faith comes from hearing and applying. How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news. (Romans 20:15b)

15And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Romans 10:15 (NLT)

Faith comes from hearing and sharing the gospel, by grand processions of people, telling the Good News of Christ. Sharing the gospel allows everyone who believes and calls on the name of the Lord; to be saved.

14-17 But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims,

A sight to take your breath away!
Grand processions of people
telling all the good things of God!
Romans 10:14-17 (MSG)

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Faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. Have you shared Christ’s message?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we; thank You for your forgiveness and love. Teach us to be Your hands and feet, to be messengers telling all the good things of God. Let people grow in faith from hearing our message. Like the gazania’s bright and open flower, let us brightly shine with and be open to sharing your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Happy Independence Day – July 4th. 🌺

Gracious and Pleasant: Colossians 4:5-6

5 Be wise in the way you act toward those who are not believers, making good use of every opportunity you have. 6 Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6 (GNB)

We need to live a life honoring God to give credence to our words. We need to be gracious and pleasant in our actions toward non-believers, using discernment and wisdom in what we do and say. Some versions of verse 6 say that your conversations should be full of grace and seasoned with salt.

⁵Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. ⁶Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].
Colossians 4:5-6 (AMP)

In early times salt was used as a preservative and a flavor enhancer; our conversation, likewise, should be palatable and acceptable to others. Christians should be ready and eager to give an answer for their hope and faith remembering to be consistent in our actions and considerate in our conduct, making the most of any opportunity to share the message of Jesus.

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Do you make good use of the opportunities you have to be gracious and pleasant and share your faith?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, help us to be considerate in our conduct and gracious and pleasant in our actions. Teach us to make the most of every opportunity to share Your message. Guide us to walk in wisdom, speaking the right words and spreading Your truth. Like the Deutzia delicate bell-like flowers grace the yard in spring, let our speech be delicate and full of grace. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Our Hope: Psalm 33:22

My Easter Basket

20We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

21In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

22Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33: 20-22 (NLT)

My hope is in the Lord; my soul waits for Him. What is hope? A dictionary definition is a feeling of trust. There is a close connection between hope and trust. Biblically, hope can be defined as a confident expectation of God’s promises. A confident expectation in what God has promised, and belief in God’s faithfulness, gives us hope.

The Lord is our help, shield, and salvation. Trusting in His holy name and unfailing love causes our hearts to rejoice.

Verse 22 is a closing prayer; Dear Lord, let your unfailing love and loving devotion surround us; for our hope is in you alone. Amen ⁂

When you have problems and concerns, where is your hope; is your hope in the Lord?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, You are our strength, help, and shield. We thank You for your grace, compassion, and unfailing love. You are our hope Lord; our hearts rejoice in Your faithfulness. Like bulbs planted in the Fall grow and bring joy in Spring, may our faith grow and our hope be in You alone. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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My Heart Rejoices- Psalm 16:9

8 I know the LORD is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.

My body rests in safety.
Psalm 16:8-9 (NLT)

David is celebrating his relationship with the Lord; he is confident; for he believes in God’s protection and promises. He feels secure, for the Lord is always beside him. The Lord is his instructor, friend, counselor, and his refuge from life’s storms.
David’s heart rejoices even in the face of death; for his eternal destiny is assured.

8 Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

9-10 I’m happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that’s not my destination!
Psalm 16:9-10 (MSG)

Are you confident and secure in your faith; does your heart rejoice in the Lord?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, thank you for being beside us, guiding us, and keeping us secure. Teach us to put our confidence in You. You are our strength and refuge. Let our hearts rejoice; as you guide and protect us. Like the red geranium blossoms bring joy to the garden, let us grow, blossom, and spread Your joy. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Morning: Psalm 143:8

In the morning let me hear of your gracious love, for in you I trust. Cause me to know the way I should take, because I have set my hope on you.
Psalm 143:8 (ISV)

David is praying to God for protection and deliverance in Psalm 143 and; appealing for guidance. He requests: Lord hear my prayer; listen to my cry for mercy.

Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
Psalm 143:1

He continues in verse 8; Wake me Lord; every morning; Let me hear of Your gracious unfailing love. For weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Lord, in You I trust.

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 (NIV)

Lord, my hope is in you; let me know the path I should take; guide me. Teach me thy will, and help me to understand and live accordingly. My hope is in You. In the morning, I will rest in your gracious love; for great is thy faithfulness. ⁂

Do you reach out to the Lord in the morning, embracing His gracious unfailing love?

Prayer; Lord, we trust in You; we pray with hope and thanksgiving. We ask for Your guidance and direction. Hear our prayer for protection and deliverance from evil. Teach us to listen each morning and hear your promise of unfailing love. You are our hope, Lord; direct us on the path we should take. Like the ivy geranium flowers are open and bright, open our hearts to Your direction and let us brighten the world with Your light. In Jesus’ holy loving name. Amen

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Rescue Me: Psalm 55:16

16As for me, I will call upon God,
And the Lord shall save me.
17Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55:16-17 (KJV)

Fear, trials, and problems can be discouraging and overwhelming to us; however, the Lord is with us and hears our prayers. When we are afraid or worried, we can call upon the Lord. We can give Him our burdens and rest upon His promises. He saves us, protects us, sustains us, comforts us, and rescues us. We have no prayer limit; we can reach out as often as we want; for the Lord welcomes our prayers.

David had confidence in the Lord; He constantly reached out to Him in prayer and with thanksgiving. He knew the Lord heard His voice and would save Him. ⁂

^16-18I call to God;
    God will help me.
At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh
    deep sighs—he hears, he rescues.
My life is well and whole, secure
    in the middle of danger
Even while thousands
    are lined up against me.
Psalm 55:16-18 (MSG)

When you are afraid, weary, and overwhelmed, do you reach out to the Lord with confidence; in prayer?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for listening to our prayers and helping us. Help us to turn our concerns, fears, and worries over you; in prayer. God, teach us to reach out to you, rest on Your promises, and spread Your love. Thanks for hearing our prayers and rescuing us. Like the hidden daylily seeks sunshine, let us reach out for help and seek Your light. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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