Radiance of God’s glory – Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)

This verse is about Jesus, the Son of God. The radiance of God’s glory. In some versions, it says that Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory or the brightness of God’s glory. Jesus shines or radiates all that is honorable, praiseworthy, and glorious in God. He is divine as God is divine.

In the Old Testament, God spoke in many ways; now, He speaks to us through Jesus. Jesus is the eternal Word of God. He sustains all things by His powerful word.

After Christ was crucified and died on the cross, His work on earth was finished. He ascended to heaven and was seated at the right hand of God the Father. To sit at the right hand is a reference to power and honor. For Jesus, to be seated at the right hand of God shows honor, power, and authority; He reigns with God.

By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Hebrews 1:2-3 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. We are blessed for You love us so much that You gave us Your Son, Jesus, the radiance of Your glory. Teach us to follow Jesus, the word of God. Like sunflowers brighten summer days and reflect light, let us shine bright and reflect Jesus’ light. Amen

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Heavenly Citizenship – Philippians 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, – Philippians 3:20 (NIV)

As Christians, though we live on earth, our ultimate home is heaven; we have a heavenly citizenship. Things on earth are temporary, so we should focus on what pleases God rather than earthly concerns.

Our perspective should glorify God’s kingdom, while with anticipation and hope, we eagerly await Christ’s return. The joyful expectation of Christ’s return should shape our attitudes and actions.

We have a heavenly citizenship when we believe in Jesus; heaven is our future home.

20-21 But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. –

Philippians 3:20-21 (MSG)

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, we eagerly await Your return. Teach us to listen to You and follow You. Let our focus be on our ultimate home, Heaven, rather than on things of this world. We are thankful for our heavenly citizenship. As the open flower of the lily reaches toward the sun, let us be openhearted and reach toward You, Jesus, son of God. Amen

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Listen to Him: Matthew 17:5

5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

– Matthew 17:5 (NIV)

Peter, James, and John were with Jesus. They watched, and in front of them, Jesus was transfigured; His face shone like the sun, and He glowed with light, radiating the glory of God.

2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.

Matthew 17:2 (NLT)

Then Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus. Peter is excited and speaking to Jesus when a bright cloud arrives and overshadows them.

5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Matthew 17:5 (NIV)

From the bright cloud, God’s voice affirms Jesus and says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”

God is telling us to listen to His beloved son, Jesus, to seek no other teachers, to hear Him, to believe in Him, and to heed His teachings. We are to be obedient and incorporate the teachings of Jesus into our lives daily.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we love You and thank You for Your son Jesus. Teach us to open our hearts and listen to Him. Help us follow Jesus and incorporate His teachings into our daily life. Like the native sunflowers, flourish in the sunshine, let us follow Jesus and flourish in Your Son’s light. Amen

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Perfect Peace – Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. – Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

What is perfect peace? The original Hebrew text says shalom, shalom. A single shalom is peace; a second shalom intensifies the meaning from ordinary peace to “perfect peace.” God is offering us perfect peace, an abundant, and complete peace.

When you are worried, overwhelmed, and life’s storms surround you, how do you find perfect peace? By trusting in God, believing His promises, and keeping a steadfast mind firmly focused on the Lord.

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7 (NET)

However, perfect peace isn’t an absence of difficulties, it instead is a profound sense of security, a peace that surpasses all understanding, when we focus our minds on Jesus.

I have told you this so that through me you may have peace. In the world you’ll have trouble, but be courageous—I’ve overcome the world!” – John 16:33 (ISV)

Trusting in the Lord and anchoring our hearts in Him allows us to accept God in our minds and maintain perfect peace.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Teach us to be steadfast in faith and to follow You. Help us keep our minds focused on You rather than on our difficulties. Like the gerbera daisy petals are open and reaching toward the sun, let us be open-hearted and follow Your Son, Jesus. Amen

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Pursue Peace – Hebrews 12:14

14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 (NET)

Pursuing peace with everyone is a common theme in the New Testament. To pursue is not passive; it means eagerly seeking, actively, and diligently seeking peace.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18 (NET)

Bitterness causes strife where pursuing a peaceful lifestyle encourages working together and building up one another.

19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:19 (ESV)

Working to get along with and help others demonstrates that we are disciples of Christ, growing in holiness and spiritual maturity. We, as Christians, pursue peace, and abide in Jesus, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

14-17 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. – Hebrews 12:14-17 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Holy Father, help us to pursue peace. Guide our path helping us to get along with others and be tolerant of different points of view. Teach us to study Your Word and grow in faith. Like the Ranunculus flowers open and bloom in the spring, let us open our hearts to You and bloom with love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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New Self- Ephesians 4:24

22 So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. 23 Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, 24 and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (GNT)

Paul asks believers to discard their sinful nature (their old self) and embrace an entirely new way of life, being transformed, renewed in righteousness, and changed into a new self.

22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

Ephesians 4:22 (NLT)

This new self is transformed by the Holy Spirit’s renewing our thoughts, attitudes, hearts, and minds.

23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes

-Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

When you open your heart to Jesus, your life is transformed and renewed from within.

21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,

-Ephesians 4:21 (NLT)

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We need to transform our lives to be like Jesus and live a life that is upright and holy.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

– John 14:6 (NIV)

We were created to be like God; we need to cast off our old way of life and be renewed by the Spirit and transformed by Jesus into a new self.

20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to cast off our old ways of life and embrace a new self that is upright and holy. Let us learn from the Holy Spirit and transform our hearts and minds. Teach us to cast off our sinful ways and grow to be like Jesus. Like the glowing white pansy, let us glow with Your light and wash us white as snow into a new self. Amen

Great Gain – 1 Timothy 6:6

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. -1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)

Paul is writing to Timothy, explaining spiritual wealth. Spiritual wealth comes from godliness, “the practice of conforming to the laws and wishes of God” (dictionary.com). The greatest gain is found in following Christ rather than pursuing and amassing great wealth. For devoutness and moral uprightness lead to inner contentment.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. – 1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV)

When we choose to be content with spiritual wealth rather than through material riches, we are following God’s desire for us. For what we treasure is where our heart will be.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

A contented heart is worth more than wealth. Choosing godliness leads us to contentment and brings great gain.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for our salvation through Your son Jesus’s death for our sins. Teach us to embrace spiritual wealth rather than striving to amass worldly wealth. Let us realize that godliness with contentment is a great gain. Like the lily blossoms are facing upward following the sun, let us turn our face toward Jesus and follow Your son. Amen.

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Greater than All – John 10:29

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:29 (NIV)

Great is our God! How great is our God? He is greater than all! He has incomparable, unmatched power. He created heaven and the earth, and He is loving, merciful, and forgiving. He is great, greater than all; all creatures, angels, and men.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. – Psalm 145:3 (NIV)

By God’s authority, the ones who know Jesus’ voice (His sheep) are given to His Son, Jesus. God has placed us (Jesus’ sheep) under Jesus’ care. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross saved his followers, giving believers eternal life.

God is greater than all and more powerful. No one can snatch believers away from Him.

My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.” John 10: 27-30 (MSG)

No one can snatch believers away from Jesus, for Jesus and His father God are one, one in heart and mind. ⁂

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, You are great greater than all. We thank You for Your grace in sending Your Son to save us sinners. We are in awe of Your power and strength that keeps us safe in Your hands. Like the flowers of the Viburnum are opened and gathered together, let us be open to Your love and gathered safely in Your mighty hands. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

I am taking a short break from writing – back in a couple weeks. 🌺

Once and Forever – Hebrews 7:25

24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. – Hebrews 7:24-25 (NLT)

Jesus was raised from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God. Where He is available to intercede for us eternally. His priesthood is unending. Jesus saves us once and forever. Other versions say Jesus saves completely, now and always, and for all times. Before Christ, the priesthood was temporary, imperfect, and ending with death.

Jesus’ saving grace will be with us always; He will never abandon anyone who believes in Him. He will never leave us or forsake us. He has the power to save us from sin and offer us forgiveness. Jesus lives forever, intercedes for us forever, and saves us once and forever.

23-25 Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them. – Hebrews 23-25 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your son Jesus, who died for our sins. Help us understand that Jesus is our Savior, our eternal Interceder, who saves us once and forever. He will never abandon or forsake us. Like the Anemone flower opens and follows the sun, let us be open and follow Your Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Humble and Gentle: Ephesians 4:2

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. – Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

In this verse, Paul explains how to live in a way that honors God. He is urging believers to turn away from their prior lifestyles and embrace a new Christian lifestyle. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to emulate Jesus. Jesus lived a humble life He was born in a manger, entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and acted like a servant washing His disciples’ feet. He extends grace and mercy to all, regardless of social standing. We need to follow Jesus, set aside our pride, be gentle, and humbly serve others.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:29

Jesus exhibits gentleness. He treats people with compassion, forgiveness, and love. He shows kindness to sinners, heals the sick, and treats people with respect and love.

As Christians, we learn to follow Christ’s example by being humble, and gentle, serving others, and treating everyone with compassion and love.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your mercy and grace. Help us to become more Jesus-like in our actions. Teach us to act humbly and be gentle in our actions. Like the petunia blossoms are open to the sun, let us blossom in faith and be open-hearted, following Your Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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