Depths of the Sea – Micah 7:18

You will once again have mercy on us; you will conquer our evil deeds; you will hurl our sins into the depths of the sea. – Micah 7:19 (NET)

Micah was an Old Testament prophet. He was upset with the moral decay in Judea and admonished his people to return to God. He denounced the evil that had taken over his land. He warned that God’s judgment would destroy Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah stated, “Faithful men have disappeared from the land; there are no godly men left.” (Micah 7:2)

He encouraged the people to come to God in repentance and faith. In verses 18 and 19, Micah extols the greatness of God; He is a God of forgiveness, mercy, and love.

There is no other God like you! You forgive sin and pardon the rebellion of those who remain among your people. You do not remain angry forever, but delight in showing loyal love. – Micah 7:18

Micah extols God; there is no other God like Him. For our God is willing to forgive us and restore us, for He loves us and wants to free us from the bondage of sin. If we repent of our sins, He will forgive us and not hold those sins against us.

You will once again have mercy on us; you will conquer our evil deeds; you will hurl our sins into the depths of the sea. – Micah 7:19

God will have mercy on us; He will hurl our sin into the depths of the sea. Our sins will be out of sight, never remembered, completely removed, and forgiven.

Our God has compassion and mercy; He loves us and forgives us.

Where is the god who can compare with you—
wiping the slate clean of guilt,
Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear,
to the past sins of your purged and precious people?
You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long,
for mercy is your specialty. That’s what you love most.
And compassion is on its way to us.
You’ll stamp out our wrongdoing.
You’ll sink our sins
to the bottom of the ocean. – Micah 7:18-19 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for mercy and grace. Thank You for Your compassion and forgiveness of our sins. Teach us to reach out to You and confess our sins, that You will forgive and sink to the depths of the sea. As an open blossom of a water lily flourishes in the water, let us be open-hearted and flourish in Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. 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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Freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

The veil separating us from God is lifted by our faith in Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, revealing God’s glory and giving us freedom.

We were redeemed and freed from the bondage of sin by Jesus’ death on the cross. Upon believing in Jesus, we have forgiveness of sin. The veil, which represented the gap created by sin between God and humans, is lifted.

The Holy Spirit inside us, empowers us. Empowering us to accept God’s will while helping us to follow Jesus. The Spirit in our hearts transforms us. The Spirit works within our hearts, transforming us and drawing us closer to Jesus.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. Guide us in Your truth and your light. Thank You for your love and our freedom through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Like iris flowers grow and blossom in spring, let us grow closer to You and let our faith blossom. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Heart, Soul, and Mind – Mark 12:30

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Mark 12:30 (NIV)

To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength means to put God first in your life. Making Him the center of your life. How do we show our love for God? We show our love by obeying Him, focusing on Him, and doing His will.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2 John 1:16

The word love in this verse comes from the Greek word agape. Agape love is showing, goodwill and compassion, delighting in and acting on another’s behalf. With agape love for God, we recognize Him as being true, honorable, and trustworthy. We trust in Him and want to follow His direction and to love others as He loves us.

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,
Psalm 119:2 (ESV)

When we love God, we obey Him, follow His commands, and strive to do His will.

To seek the Lord with our whole hearts means to pursue with priority and commitment and to keep our focus on Him. When we love God, we yearn to be more like Him, to grow closer to Him in thought and deed.

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Prayer: Lord, we thank you for Your grace, mercy, and love for us. Teach us to love You with our whole hearts. To love You, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To follow Your commands and strive to do Your will. Like the bleeding-heart plant blooms and grows in the spring light, let us bloom and grow with love in Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Immortal, Invisible – 1 Timothy 1:17

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)

Paul is describing God; He alone is eternal, the only God. He is immortal, invisible, and King of the ages. God is eternal; His reign is unshakable and timeless. God is immortal, He transcends time, He never dies, and He reigns forever. God is invisible to human eyes, but He is seen in His works, His creation.

Which brings to mind the hymn Immortal, Invisible. The first verse of the hymn:

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Walter C. Smith, pub.1876

May we spend our days giving honor, glory, and praise to the Lord. Let us sing, praise, and worship our God and Saviour. Giving Him honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen

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Actions and in Truth – 1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth
1 John 3:18 (NIV)

John says in this verse that to love with words is not enough; that love requires meaningful actions. We are to love in action and in truth. We don’t need to serve others to be saved; through God’s grace, we are saved.

We serve others because we are saved; Jesus died for our sins. We should serve others through loving actions like Jesus. We can love with words but need to show love through our actions.

Actions and truth go side by side. The truth is what we believe as Christians, and what we believe should be demonstrated by our actions.

18 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.
1 John 3:18 (MSG)

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Is your love shown by action and in truth?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Guide us and help us to grow more like Jesus. Teach us to exhibit actions that show Your truth and light. Like the bright and open flowers of the potentilla, let us open our hearts to love and brighten other people’s lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Happy Easter, my friends!

Simply Love – 1 Timothy 1:5

5 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love – love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.
1 Timothy 1:5 (MSG)

Timothy was left in Ephesus to make sure teaching stayed on track. False preaching was leading to bickering over pointless issues and meaningless speculations. They were so caught up in controversy that they missed the importance of loving God and others.

Paul explains that false teachers are not motivated by love; instead, they raise controversy by pushing false doctrines and dwelling on spiritual pedigrees. A true Christian leader needs to be motivated by love, simply love. Love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

Christians should exhibit a love of God and love for others, a life open to God.

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Do you radiate love, simply love in all you do?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father guide us and protects us from false teachers. Help us not to be self-centered but have our actions and behaviors, radiate love, simply love. Teach us to have a pure heart and sincere faith. Like the bright and beautiful flower of the bleeding heart plant, let us shine with your brightness and flower with Your love. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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His Seal – John 6:27

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.
John 6:27 (NKJV)

On the day before this passage, Jesus had taken five loaves and two small fish and fed thousands. People were seeking Jesus, not for spiritual needs but looking for free food and additional supernatural occurrences. Their motivation for pursuing Him was wrong.

Jesus encourages us to seek spiritual fulfillment rather than striving for physical and temporary objects. Seek spiritual nourishment, for we need more than food to thrive. As the Message version of the Bible says, “Work for food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides.”

28Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”29Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”The Son of Man, Jesus, Has God’s seal on Him, God’s seal of approval. Jesus, His Son gives believers in Him the bread of eternal life.
John 6:28-29 (NKJV)

Jesus bore the seal of God, His seal of divine approval. God’s seal of truth is on what Jesus is saying. To His believers, Jesus, gives the bread of eternal life.

²⁷“Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.”
John 6:27 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your forgiveness and grace toward us. Thank you for Your Son Jesus, who bears your seal of divine approval. Help us to strive for the nourishing spiritual food that Jesus provides. Like the crocus flowers joyfully proclaim the arrival of spring, let our voices resound with joy, proclaiming our salvation through Jesus. Amen

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