Faith to Faith – Romans 1:17

For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” Romans 1:17 (NET)

The gospel tells of God’s “good news”; everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is saved and gets a new life. Faith starts with belief in Jesus Christ, realizing He died for our sins; He is our Lord and Saviour.
Faith spurs spiritual growth and transformation. The righteous will live by faith, an ongoing process of growing spiritually and learning to trust God. It is a continual journey that shapes our thoughts, priorities, and actions. From faith to faith, we grow spiritually, learning to trust God by having faith in His promises and righteousness – by starting in faith and ending in faith.

It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.” Romans 1:17 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace while we were still sinners. Help us grow in spirit and faith. Guide us, transform us to be more Christ-like. Like a rose blooms from bud to flower, let us grow from faith to faith. Amen

All Things – John 3:35

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. – John 3:35 (ESV)

God (the Father) has an eternal extravagant love for His Son, Jesus. Jesus was born of Mary but came as a divine messenger from heaven. He is a teacher, healer, and miracle worker. He is our Saviour; He died for our sins.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are saved and have eternal life. Jesus is God; the Trinity is composed of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. A person must accept Jesus for salvation; He is the one and only way to heaven and to God the Father.

God the Father has given and entrusted all things into Jesus’ hands. He has the full authority of the Father over all things.

34-36 “The One that God sent speaks God’s words. And don’t think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that”. John 3:34-36 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and grace. For You so loved us that You gave us Your only Son, Jesus. We are saved and blessed for He died for our sins, and we realize You have placed all things in His hand. Like the camellia flowers glow and shine against winter skies, let us glow with love and shine with Your light. Amen

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Path of Peace: Luke 1:79

78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79 (NIV)

These verses are part of Zechariah’s Song, his joyful song of praise and prophecy after the birth of his son. The previous verses, 76, and 77, are about his son, John the Baptist.

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, – Luke 1:76-77

Due to God’s compassion and tender mercy toward us, He sent the rising sun from Heaven. The rising sun; His son, the Messiah, came to earth. To save those living in the darkness, of sin and wickedness, living in the shadow of death. Jesus came, bringing light – directing, reviving light of spiritual comfort and salvation.

Jesus came to save us, transform our lives, direct and guide our feet on the path of peace.

Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
    God’s Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
    those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
    down the path of peace. Luke 1:78-79 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your compassion and tender mercy toward us. Thank you for loving us and giving us Your son Jesus. Let us follow Him and have Him guide us on the path of peace. Like a rose blossoms and grows in the sun, let us blossom with love and follow Jesus, the Rising Sun. Amen

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Reverence and Awe – Hebrews 12:28

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28 -29 (ESV)

The kingdom that cannot be shaken is God’s eternal kingdom. God’s kingdom is given to us when we believe in Jesus. We need to place our hope and trust in His kingdom, not worldly things. This requires us to let go of the things of this world that impede us and fix our eyes on Jesus.

God loves us, forgives us, and guides us. We, in turn, need to show gratitude and reverence and be thankful for all God has done for us. Worship Him with reverence and awe, opening our hearts and lives to Him. Praising God by lifting our voices in gratitude and thanksgiving while living in a way that pleases and glorifies Him.

Verse 29 explains God’s wrath is on those who defy him; he is a consuming fire. His fire burns away impurities, refines, and purifies until all is clean.

28-29 Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire! Hebrews 12:28-29 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your many blessings. We are grateful for Your grace and for sharing Your unshakable kingdom. We praise and worship You with reverence and awe. Teach us to store our treasures in heaven rather than in earthly things. Like the beautiful hollyhock flowers are open wide to the sun, let us open our hearts to You and follow Your son, Jesus. Amen

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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