Abide – 1 John 4:16

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

– 1 John 4:16 (NKJV)

John describes the character of God in this verse. Love is the essence of God, and God is love. When we abide in love, we abide in God. As Christians, we know and believe in God’s unwavering love. All His actions are motivated by love.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

– Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

– John 3:16 (NIV)

To abide is to remain, to dwell, to stay. To abide in love, we need to dwell in love and let it influence our thoughts and actions. When we abide in love, we reflect God’s essence by extending His love to one another. By exhibiting forgiveness, selflessness, and patience, we embody God’s love.

John highlights that God is love in this verse and exhorts us to dwell in God and emulate his love. When we do this, we not only enrich our lives but also those around us, creating a ripple effect of love and kindness in the world.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and love for us. We are blessed by Your forgiveness and mercy. Teach us to be more like You by being kind, patient, forgiving, and loving. Like the blue-eyed grass blossoms are open and close together, let us be open-hearted and close to each other. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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God’s faithfulness—Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

At the time Isaiah wrote this, the Israelis were exiles in Babylonian captivity. God, through Isaiah, reassures them, reminding them of God’s faithfulness, support, and care, even in old age. He is our constant companion; he will sustain us. God is eternal and unchangeable; He will carry us throughout our lives, as He always has. God is faithful to His people.

God made us and has plans for us; He guides our path. We can trust in His promises and find comfort in His unwavering presence. With each step we take, His love and guidance provide us with the strength to persevere through any trial. God will rescue us and deliver us from affliction and, at the end of life, take us home to live with Him in heaven.

For us, this verse serves as a reminder of God’s love and support from the beginning to the end. We can find comfort in His faithfulness, power, and grace. In every challenge, we can rely on His unwavering presence to guide us, strengthening our faith and inspiring us to share His love and hope with others.

I’ve been carrying you on my back from the day you were born,
And I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old. I’ll be there, bearing you when you’re old and gray. I’ve done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you. – Isaiah 46:3b-4 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your love and care for us. Thank you for your grace, faithfulness, and support throughout our lives. Teach us to listen and follow Your path for us. Guide our steps and teach us Your way. Like the blossoms of the anemones open in the spring, let us open our hearts and blossom in Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Majestic – Psalm 8:3-4

3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them?

Psalm 8:3-4 (NET)

David is praising the immense beauty and wonder of God’s creation. God formed the heavens, earth, and the vast universe. Our earth is a wonder of diversity and complexity, with a remarkable interdependence between plants and animals.

God formed the majesty of the heavens, the moon, and the stars. The sun that lights our days.

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1

In verse 4, David ponders the significance of humanity in the grandeur of the universe. He is humbled that God, in His infinite wisdom, made man in His image and bestowed His love, mercy, and kindness upon us, entrusting us to be stewards of His world, responsibly managing the earth.

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1

3-4 I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?

Psalm 8:3-4 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, like David, we are in awe of You and the wonder and grandeur of creation. When we look at the vastness of the universe, we feel insignificant and are humbled by Your love and care for us. We praise You for Your mercy and grace toward us. How majestic is Your name in all the earth! Like the bright azalea blossoms bring beauty to spring, let us shine brightly with the beauty of Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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His Love Endures Forever – Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 118:1

The beginning of Psalm 107:1 is a reminder to Give thanks to the Lord and to praise His name because God is good. God is faithful, He is good, He has helped us, provided for us, and rescued us, His people. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness towards us. It encourages us to acknowledge and appreciate the blessings, mercy, and grace we have received from God.

It has been said when God repeats himself, He is trying to get our attention. The verse; Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever is in the bible 41 times. The wording may be stated differently, like His devotion, steadfast love, and mercy; endure forever. In Psalm 136, all 26 verses end with, His love endures forever. Endures forever, meaning His love is everlasting, eternal, abiding, and perpetual.

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Give thanks to the God of heaven! His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 136:26

Paul expresses God’s enduring love in the New Testament, Romans 8, stating that neither death, life, angels, heavenly rulers, height or depth, or anything in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NET)

God loves everyone, showing kindness and mercy to all. God loves us so much; He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

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Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ?

Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks and praise to You. You are good; You guide us, help us, and love us with a love that endures forever. We thank You for your love, mercy, and grace toward us. As phlox flowers face upward following the sun, let us follow Jesus, God’s son, and share His love. Amen

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Seek Him -Psalm 63:1

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

David was weary, thirsty, and pursued by enemies, and he longed for God. He earnestly seeks Him; His soul thirsts for the Lord. David’s first response when in dire need in the wilderness of Judah, a dry, parched land, was to turn to God. David’s priority was the Lord.
He states, “earnestly I seek you, for God; you are my God.” The dry, overwhelming desert he was facing in his life made David hunger and thirst for God, for His presence and grace.

God—you’re my God!
I can’t get enough of you!
I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts. Psalm 63:1 (MSG)

Only God can provide the comfort and sustenance we desperately need, when we face the parched weary deserts of life, He is with us.

^2-4So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last! Psalm 63:2-4 (MSG)

Seeking God, thirsting for Him, drinking in His strength and glory, accepting His generous love, and making Him your priority, then you are really living at last.

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Prayer: Oh Lord, our God, our Heavenly Father, we earnestly seek You. The deserts of life scorch and drain us our souls thirst for You. You are our strength and comfort, our salvation. As the Mandavilia flower opens in the sun, let our hearts be open and follow Your son Jesus. Amen

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Abba, Father – Galatians 4:6

4But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:4-7 (NLT)

God sent his only Son to earth to redeem us. Belief in Christ frees us from slavery to sin and the law. His death on the cross allows believers to receive the Spirit of adoption, becoming children of God.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 (AMP)

God sends the Spirit to live in us, his adopted children. The Spirit of His Son moves into our hearts, guiding and helping us communicate with God in prayer, praise, and calling out, “Abba, Father”! God is our Abba, Father; we are not slaves but children of God and heirs.

4-7 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. Galatians 4:4-7 (MSG)

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Prayer: God, we thank You for sending us Your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, who died on the cross for our salvation. As we celebrate His birth, let us realize He set us free from sin, allowing us to be adopted by You and call You Abba, Father. Like the blooms of the Chrysanthemum grow and blossom every fall, let us grow in faith and blossom with love. Amen

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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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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Known By God – 1 Corinthians 8:3

But if someone loves God, he is known by God. – 1 Corinthians 8:3 (NET)

Paul is stressing what matters in life is love. In verse three, He uses the Greek word agapao for love, which means selfless love, to love dearly, to take pleasure in, to wish well, and to esteem. Our goal as Christians is not only knowledge; our main guiding principles are to love God and love and exhibit kindness to others.

But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved]. -1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP)

As verse three states, those who love God are known by God. God loves them, and they belong to Him, children of God.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. -1 John 3:1 (ASV)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, our guide, our strength, and our protector. Guide us in Your truth and light. We are thankful that we are known by You and for Your unconditional love for us. May our love for you be shown in all we do. Like the blue hydrangea flower brings joy to summer days, let us flower and spread Your joy and love to all. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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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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