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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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

Enlightened – Ephesians 1:18

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:18-19a (NIV)

This verse is part of Pauls’s prayer for Ephesians (Ephesians 1:15-20). He is praying for their hearts to be enlightened, so they can comprehend and appreciate the hope and glorious inheritance they received by grace from God. To be enlightened, we must seek the Lord and study his Word to capture the glory of salvation and inheritance. By focusing on God and following His path, we can obtain the glorious way of life He has planned for us and tie into His endless energy and boundless strength.

15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
Ephesians 1:15-19 (MSG)

Do you feel enlightened? Are your eyes focused on Jesus; can you see what He is calling you to do?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. Open our eyes to our path and enlighten our hearts with Your love. Lord, we thank You for redeeming us and giving us a glorious inheritance. Like the zinnias grows and flourishes in the sun, let us grow in faith and flourish in Your Son’s light. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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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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Righteousness: Psalm 37:5-6

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5-6 (BSB)

The Hebrew word for commit means to roll, to turn over, or hand over. In other words, to commit to the Lord; is to roll your burdens over to the Lord; trust Him to handle them. In prayer, turn over your concerns; focus on God, and find peace.

When we commit to God, He helps us grow in righteousness, and the believer’s life is transformed, approved, and validated.

New International Version
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Matt 13:43 (NIV)

Our righteousness will be revealed, and justice will shine bright like the noonday sun.

^5-6Open up before God, keep nothing back;
he’ll do whatever needs to be done:
He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day
and stamp you with approval at high noon.
Psalm 37: 5-6 (MSG)

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Psalm 37 is a psalm about God’s faithfulness. Have you committed to the Lord; are you being transformed and growing in righteousness?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your patience, forgiveness, and grace. Teach us to trust in you, turning our burdens over to You. Like the Rudbeckia flowers, grow and glow in the sun; help us to grow in righteousness and shine brightly like the sun in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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