Let Your Light Shine: Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Christ the true Light, Light of the world, is speaking, to His disciples, encouraging them to let their light shine before others. To allow the transforming light of the gospel and His teaching to shine in their hearts. To make sure light glows in their daily life. Spreading Christianity and hope to the world; by shining God’s light on those struggling in darkness. A guiding light, leading others to Christ. Evident in our words and actions. Let your light shine; let it be visible to others through your good deeds and your love. Let your light shine through the darkness and lead people to the loving arms of Jesus, glorifying our Heavenly Father.

When you let Christs’ light into your heart, it transforms your thoughts and actions. Do you let your Christian light shine before others?

Prayer; Lord, we thank you for your forgiveness and love. Teach us to embrace Jesus’ teachings and open our hearts to light. Guide us in Your truth and way, help us be light-bearers, glowing with an inner light. May Your light guide us, illuminating our daily actions and thoughts. Like the coreopsis flower radiates color outward and shines, let us radiate Your love and let our light shine. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven
Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG)

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All Things Are Possible With God: Mark 10:26-27

²⁶They were even more astonished and said to one another, “Who then can be saved?
²⁷Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:26-27 (NIV)

In Mark 10:17, a man runs up to Jesus. “Good teacher,” he asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, and the man replies I have kept them since youth. Then:

²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:21-23

The disciples were astonished, saying. Who then can be saved?

²⁷ Jesus looked at them (the disciples) and said, “With man, this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

The inner weakness of the rich man was his wealth; his desire for comfort and prosperity kept him from following Jesus. The man put his trust and priority in his status quo rather than in God.

We cannot save ourselves, but God can. God can change a rich person’s heart. He can change anyone’s heart. He reached out to Zacchaeus, the tax collector, and changed his life focus and his heart. Wealth, pride, and self-importance make it difficult for people to rely on God, but when we trust in God and sincerely love, Him; all things are possible with God through His saving grace.

²⁶ Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”
Matthew 19:26 (MSG)

All things are possible with God. His saving grace is available to all who seek it. Is your heart delight riches, or self-satisfaction, or God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, help us to find our treasure in You. Teach us to seek You always instead of worldly goods. Lord, help us to trust and rely on you rather than ourselves. Open our hearts and eyes to see that all things are possible with God. Like the calibrachoa flowers are gathered together facing upward, help us gather together and lift our face upward reflecting Your; amazing, love. In Jesus holy name. Amen

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Harmony and Peace: 2Corinthians 13:11

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, where they were struggling to keep a Christian lifestyle. Many of the believers were being swayed by the city’s immorality, idolatry, and false teachers. Paul is seeking for them to mend their ways and restore their unity of purpose. He encourages them to be joyful, to grow in maturity. To repair their relationships so they could work together and encourage one another. To be of one mind, with shared values; to become complete, restored, work in harmony, and live in peace. Traits church people are still in need of today. For God’s love and peace surround those who work in unity for His good.

In today’s world, we are bombarded with bickering, name-calling, and disagreement daily. Are you encouraging harmony and peace in your church/community?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, you are a God of love and peace. We thank you for your compassion and grace to us. Teach us to mend our ways and live in unity, harmony, and peace. Keep us strong, in Your way, unswayed by false teaching and immorality. Guide us in your truth and light. Like the Echinacea flower’s beauty is enhanced when grouped together; let our life be enhanced with harmony and peace when we go forward in unity. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Gracious Love: Psalm 36:10

Send forth your gracious love to those who know you, and your righteousness to those who are upright in heart.
Psalm 36:10(NIV)

A psalm of David, Psalm 36 is a song of prayer. A request to God to continue to send forth His gracious love, His loving kindness, and mercy to those who know and love Him. To continue His favor, protection, and righteousness to the upright in heart. The upright in heart; true believers who are pure and holy in intentions. To pour His unfailing love and give justice and righteousness to those with honest and loving hearts. David is praying that the gracious love, mercy, and righteousness of God continues for himself and everyone who is in a sincere and faithful relationship with God.

One definition for the term upright in heart; is to have wholeness or integrity of heart. David is praying for the Lord to continue sending forth His gracious love and righteousness to everyone in a sincere and faithful relationship with Him. Is your relationship with the Lord open-hearted, upright, and sincere?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your gracious unfailing love. We pray that you continue to send forth to us your loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness. Help us to be upright in heart, open to Your Word and way. Guide us in Your truth and light. Like the open petals of the chrysanthemum, gather close in the center of the flower; let us be open-hearted and gather together in love. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Search me God: Psalm 139:23-24

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

David knew anxiety; he was pursued and fought many battles. Yet David continually praised, sang, and rejoiced in the Lord. He reaches out to God, asking for protection and strength. In humility, he asks God to look at his heart, to discern his inner thoughts. To search him to look for any sin and to deliver him from evil. David asks for notification of any ungodliness found; so he can be purified, cleansed of anything not of God. David opens his heart to God, asking Him to guide him on the path of righteousness that leads to everlasting life. This searching, purifying, and guidance is as appropriate today as it was in David’s time.

Are you willing to have God search you and test you, remove your weaknesses and sin like David, to allow God to lead you in the way of everlasting?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, you know our inner thoughts and fears. Teach us to open our hearts to You and reach out to You for guidance. Lord, search us and check our ways, guide us toward Your way. Lead us on Your pathway to everlasting. Like the open blossoms of the rose, reach for the sun, let us be open-hearted, and reach for your help and guidance. In Jesus’ loving and holy name. Amen

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Faithful Love: Psalm 147:10-11

10 He doesn’t take pleasure in the strength of horses.
He doesn’t take delight in the strong legs of warriors.
¹¹The Lord takes delight in those who have respect for him.
They put their hope in his faithful love.
Psalm 147: 10-11 (NIRV)

The Lord takes pleasure in strength and perseverance in faith; rather than in strength in physical ability. He delights in worship, prayer, and obedience rather than the strength of warriors.
Many versions of verse 11 state, “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” The Lord delights in those who fear Him or, perhaps better stated as those in awe of Him who acknowledge, His power, justice, and wisdom. Who respect Him, follow His Word, place hope in Him, accepting His promise of faithful, unfailing love. God is good; His steadfast love endures forever.

Where do you find hope and strength during stressful times? Is your hope found in God’s faithful love?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your faithful love and abundant mercy. Teach us to listen for Your direction, respect Your laws, follow Your ways, and spread Your love. Help us to grow in faith and to put our hope in You. Like delightful oriental lilies brighten our days, let us delight in Your Word and brighten the world with Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Glory and Majesty: Jude 1:24-25

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 1 24:25 (NIV)

Jude praises God, our Savior, and encourages us. First, he describes what God can do for us; prevent us from stumbling and present us before His glorious presence without fault. In God’s presence, we will rejoice and find great joy. Then Jude describes God’s attributes; His majesty (magnificence and sovereign power), His dominion (authority), and His glory (greatness, honor). God so loved us that He gave us Jesus, our mediator, our salvation. Our Lord has been here from the beginning, is here now, and forever. These verses often are used as a doxology or benediction.

Have you taken time to worship and praise God? His majesty, glory, and love abound.

Prayer; Lord, we thank you for your forgiveness and mercy to us. We praise and worship you; Your glory is abundant, Your majesty abounds, and Your power is mighty. Guide us in Your truth and teach us Your ways. Like the open flowers of the lilies reach toward the sun, let us be open to Your direction and reach forward toward Your path for us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Lord, Your love: Psalm 36:5-7

5 Lord, your love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithful love reaches up to the skies.
6 Your holiness is as great as the height of the highest mountains.
You are as honest as the oceans are deep.
Lord, you keep people and animals safe.
7 How priceless your faithful love is!
People find safety in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:5-7 (NIRV)

Psalm 36 verses 1-4 David is concerned about wicked people; who are evil, rebellious, embrace sin, and have no fear of God. In contrast in verses, 5-7 David, describes the Lord, His love is vast as the heavens, His faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds, His righteousness is mighty like the mountains and, His justice deep like the ocean. The Lord is compassionate; He cares for all His people and all the creatures of the earth. In Luke 12:6: Jesus says, What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. He cares for all His creation; all humanity finds shelter in the shadow of God’s wings. Lord, we worship and praise You; Your Love is as high as the heavens. Your faithful love reaches up to the skies. You are all-powerful and almighty.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:5-7 (NLT)

Lord, Your love is as high as the heavens, and Your faithful love reaches the sky. The wicked may have temporary success, but our almighty God will shelter the godly in the shadow of His wings and reward the righteous.

Have you found love, hope, and shelter in the shadow of God’s wings?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, You are our hope, our strength, and our salvation. Lord, teach us to cling to Your promises, bask in Your love, and know You are in control. Help us to open our hearts, transmit Your light, and share Your love with others. Like the Gomphrena fireworks, bright flower petals radiate in all directions; let us brighten the world by radiating Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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My Help: Psalm 121: 1-2

1I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121: 1-2 (NIV)

This psalm is considered a song of ascent used by pilgrims traveling upward through the hills to Jerusalem. It also is a blessing for travelers leaving on a journey. Verse one is a poetic question, where does my help come from? The second verse is the answer; “My help comes from the Lord.” Yes, our help comes from the Lord; if we rely on Him, He will watch over us, and He will protect us. As verse 3 states: “He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber;” The Lord is the creator of heaven and earth, He is mighty, vigilant, He will watch over us, He will help us. When we face trouble, God will protect us, and He is with us, His light illuminating the darkness.

God is waiting for you to call out to Him. When you face trouble, do you reach out to God for help?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love, protection, and guidance. You are our hope, our salvation, and our help in time of need. Lord, teach us to turn toward You and rely on Your great power. Let us proclaim that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Like the open and vibrant weigela blossoms, let us be open to God’s love and His power and be vibrant in our faith. For our help comes from the Lord. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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God filled life: Titus 2:11-14

11-14 God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
Titus 2:11-14 (MSG)

Salvation is available to everyone through the grace of God. Christ Jesus died for our sins; His sacrifice freed us from darkness and brought us into the light. The light of Jesus a shining, illuminating life, freeing us from our dark, sinful world. He transforms our life, bringing peace, hope, and direction. He opens our hearts to love and teaches us to turn our back on a godless, indulgent life, to lead a God-filled, God-honoring life. A life that reflects the life of Jesus; be self-controlled, upright, godly, and doing good works. A God-filled, God-centered life while expectantly awaiting the glorious return of Jesus.

Through God’s forgiveness and grace in Jesus, salvation is available to everyone. Is your life God-filled and God-directed?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of your grace, forgiveness, and love. You have made salvation available to all who believe in Your Son, Jesus. We thank you for Jesus, who has brought love and light into our world. Teach us to let go of worldly things and live a joyful, God-filled life. Like the allium flowers are gathered together, open to the sunlight, let us gather together, open to and transmitting the light of Jesus. Amen

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