Faithful Stewards – 1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Spiritual gifts are given to every believer by the Holy Spirit. We receive these gifts through the grace of God. Spiritual gifts are special talents and abilities.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

1Corinthians 12: 9-28 and Romans 12:6-8 list the many spiritual gifts. A few of them are discernment, wisdom, knowledge, teaching, serving, evangelism, and mercy. As faithful stewards of God’s grace, we should use our gifts to serve others. We are delivering God’s words when we teach, serve, and speak words of encouragement. By wisely serving and helping others, we are fulfilling God’s will and glorifying His name.

10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 4:10-11 (NET)

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Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us spiritual gifts. Help us to be faithful stewards and use your gifts to serve others. May we glorify you through Jesus Christ in all we do. Like the clematis blooms are gathered together, let us gather together, sharing our gifts and helping each other. For Yours is the power and glory forever and ever. Amen

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Praise His Name – Psalm 96:2

Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

– Psalm 96:2 (NIV)

1-2 Sing God a brand-new song!
Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship God!

2-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!

5-6 God made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.

7 Bravo, God, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

Psalm 96: 1-6 (MSG)

🎶Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 🎶

Psalm 96:2 (NIV)

Amen! 🌺

Unfailing Love – Psalm 36:7

Click to download a print of the unfailing love photo with scripture.

5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV)

In the first few verses of Psalm 36, David talks about the sinfulness of the wicked; they plot evil and are deceitful. In contrast, in verses 5-7, he focuses on the loving-kindness of God. God’s quality of unfailing, loyal love for us goes far beyond what we deserve. His love for us is priceless, also referred to as precious, and excellent in other bible versions. God’s love is a transformative force; a force that transforms hearts and brings us hope and peace.

God’s people can take refuge in the shadow of His wing, finding comfort and protection. Our Lord is faithful, just, and righteous and loves us with an unfailing love.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for your unfailing love for us sinners. We are in awe of Your loving-kindness, compassion, and mercy. Your love transforms our lives and brings us hope and peace. Like the tulips grow and acclaim spring, let us grow in love and acclaim Your name. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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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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Thanks, and Praise: Psalm 34:1-7

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
Psalm 34:1

2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34: 2-3 (NIV)

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Psalm 34: 4-7 (NIV)

Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving this week. I am thankful for God’s love, mercy, and grace. “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” (Psalm34:3)

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Yes in Christ: 2 Corinthians 1:20

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20(NIV)

Yes, in Christ, through Jesus is God saying yes to all the promises he has made. God’s promises for deliverance and salvation are found in Jesus. Our loving God, through Jesus, offers us redemption, forgiveness, and a glimpse of God’s glory. By accepting Christ, we are claimed as children of God.

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26 (NLT)

The definition of Amen is to express solemn ratification, as an expression of faith, or heartfelt agreement and approval. (Merriam-Webster) God says yes, in Christ, and we say Amen.

20Certainly, Christ made God’s many promises come true. For that reason, because of our message, people also honor God by saying, “Amen!” 21God establishes us, together with you, in a relationship with Christ. He has also anointed us. 22In addition, he has put his seal [of ownership] on us and has given us the Spirit as his guarantee.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (GWT)

Our Heavenly Father adds His seal, His pledge to us by giving us the indwelling Holy Spirit; our guide and guarantee of what is to come.

God, through Jesus says yes to us, and we reply with heartfelt Amen!

Amen, to the glory of God!

20-22 Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit, he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (MSG)

Prayer: Lord, we thank You; You are our rock, strength, and caring Father. Thank You for Your son, Jesus, who was crucified for our sins and upholds your promises. Teach us to stand firm in faith and be guided by the Holy Spirit. Like a geranium plant that blooms spring through autumn, let us spring forth with gratitude and respond with a heartfelt grateful Amen. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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God’s promises are stamped yes, with Christ. Have you accepted the yes of Christ?

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Prayer: James 5:16

Therefore, make it your habit to confess your sins to one another and to pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (ISV)

Prayer is communication with God. Prayers don’t need to be fancy or long. Prayer is an incredible privilege; through it we can communicate with the creator of the universe, who listens to us and answers us.

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.”
Max Lucado

It is important to confess our sins because sin and unforgiveness can block the effectiveness of our prayers. God calls us to pray for others, reflecting God’s characteristics of love, mercy, and healing. Prayer exhibits our faith and dependence on God.

Prayer was a priority in Jesus’ life. He often arose early went away to somewhere quiet and prayed.

When a believing person prays, great things happen.
James 5:16b (NCV)

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective! Through prayer we seek God, and we receive comfort, guidance, peace, and God’s transforming power in our lives. When we approach prayer with thankfulness, thanking God for His countless blessings and mercy, we cultivate a heart of love and gratitude.

“Prayer is the way you defeat the devil, reach the lost, restore a backslider, strengthen the saints, send missionaries out, cure the sick, accomplish the impossible, and know the will of God.”
David Jeremiah

In prayer, we communicate with God, seek His guidance and strength in times of weakness, find comfort, and experience healing and His mighty transforming power.

The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.
James 5:16b (MSG)

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Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the privilege of reaching out to You in prayer. We thank You for listening to and answering our prayers. You bless us with Your mercy, grace, and love. Help us find our divine appointments and healing as we pray for each other. As the white waterlily blossoms reach upward, let us reach upward to You in prayer and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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

Living Hope – 1 Peter 1:3

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus, says in this verse that we should praise and bless God for his great mercy, for He has blessed us with His son, Jesus. Through God’s grace, Jesus came to earth, was crucified for our sins, and resurrected from the dead. His death and resurrection gave us a new birth, born of God, and a living hope. In this verse, the Greek word hope means to have eager, confident expectations. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have a confident living hope and the promise of salvation. We are born anew by grace and through faith.

By God’s steadfast love and through His grace, those who believe in Christ and repent their sin will be saved. Christ lives; He is our living confident hope for eternal life.

4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
1 Peter 1:4 (NIV)

God, in His grace, gave us His son Jesus, our Savior, our Living Hope, and our salvation.

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Is your hope, your Living Hope, in Jesus?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your mercy and grace. Teach us to rest in Your promises during difficult times. Let us grow in trust and faith, secure in the knowledge that we are born anew by Your grace. We thank You and praise You for giving us Your son, Jesus, to forgive our sins. He is our Living Hope and Redeemer. Like the three open tulips are facing skyward, let us be open to our triune God and keep our faces turned toward You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Our Deliverer: Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord who daily carries us. God is our deliverer.
Psalm 68:19 (ISV)

The Lord deserves praise! Day after day he carries our burden, the God who delivers us. (Selah)
Psalm 68:19 (NET)

Our God, our Heavenly Father, is the creator of us and the universe and our refuge and strength. There is nothing too difficult or heavy for Him to carry. He can carry and deal with any of our problems and concerns. Day after day, he provides care and carries us and our burdens. He is our deliverer, our hope, and our Savior.

Giving our burdens to the Lord frees us, allowing us to live for God; and respond with praise and thanksgiving. Relying on the Lord releases the weight of our burdens, bringing peace. Yes, our Lord deserves praise, for He is God for us forever.

Blessed be the Lord—
day after day he carries us along.
He’s our Savior, our God, oh yes!
He’s God-for-us, he’s God-who-saves-us.
Psalm 68:19 (MSG)

Are your burdens holding you down, or have you given them to the Lord, our deliverer, and lightened your load?

Our Heavenly Father, we praise and worship You. Thank You for Your provision and day-by-day care. Teach us to turn our burdens over to You, trusting in Your promises and strength. Lord, You are our deliverer and our hope, guide and direct us. Like the weigela’s open and trumpet-like flowers brighten spring, let us praise You with trumpets and song for You brighten our world. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Spring Forth – Isaiah 61:11

For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Isaiah 61:11 (NKJV)

The power of the Lord, and His beautiful care for earth, is shown in the repeated refrains of nature. The earth putting forth bud that open and grow into shoots, perennial plants that appear to die in the winter, return and revive and flourish in the spring. In the spring planted seeds sprouting and growing in the shining sun and reviving rains. These are all illustrations of the Lord’s divine power and his providence to mankind, providing food, shade, building supplies, and medicinal plants.

The Lord’s divine grace through Christ brings righteousness and salvation to spring forth in full bloom over all the earth. May all glory be given to the Lord in praise and thanksgiving by all nations.

For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,
and as a garden cascades with blossoms,
So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom
and puts praise on display before the nations.
Isaiah 6:11 (MSG)

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for the beauty and diversity of the earth. We are thankful for Your provision and care for us. Our praise with thanksgiving we raise to You. All Glory to you, God our powerful loving Lord. Like the nigella flowers spring forth from seeds, let righteousness and praise spring forth from us. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen

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