Category: God is with us

Light a Lamp: Psalm 18:28

You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.

Psalm 18:28 (NLT)

When the world seems dark and dreary, we can look to God for illumination. He will light a lamp for us, to remedy discouragement and darkness around us, and illuminate our path. Christ and the light of His countenance will enlighten us, leading us out of the darkness and into the light. He will transmit His light to us, imparting understanding, love, and peace.

Where do you need Jesus’ to light a lamp and illuminate darkness?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for the light you bring into our world. Help us to turn to you when darkness approaches. Shine a light on our discouragement and fear, and revive our spirit. We ask you to light a lamp and enlighten our path. Like the trillium plant flower is illuminated and glows in the sun, illuminate us and let us glow with Christs’ love toward one another. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

God is Our Refuge: Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

My help and glory are in God

    —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—

So trust him absolutely, people;

    lay your lives on the line for him.

    God is a safe place to be.

Psalm 62:7-8 (MSG)

Trust is defined as; “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone.” God is truth, His strength is unparalleled, and His people have relied on Him for years. When we pour our hearts out to God, we make known to him in prayer our sorrows, worries, wishes, and troubles. The definition of refuge is; “a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.” As David advises, God is our refuge a safe place to take shelter during life’s storms. When we put our trust in God and go to Him with our troubles, God keeps us safe and shelters us.

Is God your refuge, do you reach out to Him when you are lost, afraid, worried, or troubled?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank You for your grace, Your forgiveness, and Your guidance. Teach us to trust in You, to go to You with our concerns, and to remember in all situations that You are our refuge. As the white cross-shaped bracts (flowers) of the dogwood tree brighten spring days, let us remember your sacrifice on the cross, and brighten the world by spreading Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

 I would like to thank Dawn Drawing Closer to Christ and Jacquie JOY COTTAGE for nominating me for the Kennedy Award for Excellence. I highly recommend Dawn’s and Jacquie’s blogs they are inspiring, full of God’s love, and spirit-driven.

A New Heart: Ezekiel 36:26

26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)

A stony, stubborn heart one hardened by sin, and selfishness can be changed, renewed by the Lord. With His love, mercy, and grace He can open and soften a heart of stone. The Holy Spirit infuses us with love and leads us from a self-centered life into a God-centered life, and to a new heart that is compassionate, and tender.

Where do you need God to open your heart and to give you a new and more responsive heart?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, open our hearts to Your Word and ways. Thank you, for being tendered hearted to us, teach us to be tenderhearted to others. Take away our stony, stubborn, self-centered hearts and replace them with new hearts that are loving and caring. Like the sunflower blossoms are different but join together into a beautiful display, teach us to join together, displaying love and compassion for each other. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

I thought you would enjoy this video of people from 50 countries affected by COVID-19 singing Amazing Grace.

The Rising Sun: Luke 1:78-79

78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79  to 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)

In Luke, Zachariah prophesied about his son John the Baptist and Jesus “The Rising Sun.” In different versions of the Bible, Jesus is called the “Sun of Righteousness,” “Heaven’s Dawn,” and “Dayspring from on High” all terms to describe the light that Jesus brings into the world. God, in His great and tender mercy, gives us Jesus. He is the light shining on those in darkness, a guide to our feet showing us which way to go, and illuminating our path to peace. Jesus leads us to spiritual peace here and eternal peace in Heaven.

When you are surrounded by confusion and unrest where do you go for peace? Jesus, “The Rising Sun,” is waiting for your call.

Prayer: Our tender and merciful Father, we thank you for the gift of light, Your Son, “The Rising Sun,” Jesus. He shines, light into our dark places, and leads us through the shadow of death, guiding our feet on the path of peace. Like the agave, and impatiens flowers highlight and brighten a pathway, teach us to brighten our surroundings by shining Your light, highlighting the path toward peace. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

* A special thank you to Tangie Wood, Christian Blogger, for nominating me for The Original Outstanding Blogger Award — MRS. T’S CORNER. Please check out her site, her posts are thoughtful, loving, and encouraging.  

Be Strong: Joshua 1:9

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

The Lord our God, is with us wherever we go. He is with us, He loves us, and He forgives our sins, we just have to ask. The Lord reminded Joshua to be strong and courageous, not to fear for God was with him. God is with us also. Our Heavenly Father is faithful to His promises. We need to be strong in the Spirit, to have faith, and to trust in the Lord. Faith enables us to feel secure to be strong for we know that we are not alone for God is with us always.

When you are dismayed, and trembling with fears, struggling to be strong, where do you turn for strength? God is patiently waiting to hear from you.

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for surrounding us with Your love, and for being with us always. Dear Lord, we know that we are weak, but you are strong. Like the impressive display of gathered flowers on the doublefile viburnum branch, teach us to display our faith and find our strength in You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen