With Us—Psalm 121:7-8

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;

Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)

These verses are a comforting reminder of God’s love, protection, and care for us. He will watch over our comings and goings, not just today, but forevermore. The verses affirm God’s promise to protect us from harm and to keep watch over our lives, guiding and protecting us through life’s trials. In moments of uncertainty, we can find solace in the knowledge that we are never alone; His presence surrounds us like a gentle shield.

God is with us. His continuing protection and constant presence afford us confidence; we are able to face life’s challenges, trusting in God’s supreme power. His unwavering support encourages us to face challenges with courage and faith, trusting in His divine plan.

God is faithful; as we trust in Him, we can look forward to His steadfast love and care now and forevermore. We can live without fear and worry, knowing our Almighty God is looking after us. This assurance enables us to navigate even the most turbulent times with hope and resilience.

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Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, guidance, and protection. Help us bring our worries and troubles to You, and lead us on Your path. Remind us to reach out to You when we are troubled, knowing You are always with us and we are never alone. Just as flowers bring beauty and joy, Your protection brings us comfort and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Sing a New Song – Psalm 98:1

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done awesome deeds! His right hand and powerful arm have brought him victory.

– Psalm 98:1 (ISV)

Sing to the Lord a new song; celebrate His mighty work in our lives. We sing to express our gratitude and joy and to exhibit our love and thankfulness through praise. A new song means a need for new, fresh praise, sung with enthusiasm and gladness, celebrating His goodness to us.

We sing in gratitude for God’s marvelous, wonderful deeds, showcasing His love and faithfulness to us. He triumphs over evil, protects, forgives, and provides salvation to those who believe in Him.

God is sovereign and powerful. He is strong. His right hand and powerful arm are instruments of His strength. His might brings victory over His enemies and those who challenge Him.

Let’s sing a new song personally praising God for His care and love, showing our gratitude for His daily guidance and help.

Sing to God a brand-new song.
He’s made a world of wonders!

He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right. – Psalm 98:1 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we worship and praise You for Your mighty works in the world and in our lives. May we worship and sing with new fervor, raising genuine praise daily for Your steadfast help and love. We are in awe of Your wisdom and power. Like the brightly colored petunia brings forth blossoms all summer, let us shine brightly with Your light and blossom in Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

The Word – John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1 (KJB)

John 1:1, like the book of Genesis, opens with the words “In the beginning.” John continues with In the beginning was the Word. The Word is Jesus; He is the Word of God. Jesus was present with God in the beginning before the world was formed. For Jesus wasn’t created; Jesus is God, fully eternal and divine.

The Word (Jesus) was with God, and all things were made by Him. This profound declaration emphasizes the intimate relationship between Jesus and God. Through Him, not only was the physical universe brought into existence, but also the foundation for faith and salvation for humanity. Jesus was with God and present at creation.

God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

-John 1:3 (NLT)

Jesus, the Word, is God. Our God is a triune God, existing as 3 distinct forms: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. They stay in perfect unity. Jesus, the Word, reveals to us God’s truth, grace, and glory.

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Our eternal and loving God, we thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. In the beginning was Jesus, the Word, our savior, truth, and hope. Open our hearts and guide us on our path. Let us unite with our triune God, like the three hibiscus flowers gathered together. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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By Faith – Hebrews 11:3

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)

By faith, we understand the worlds were created by the word of God. Because of this, we can have confident expectations of the Lord and firm belief in His power. By faith we have firm belief in what is unseen, an assurance of God’s promises, and a confidence in the future. Faith in God is not wishful thinking, but a deep assurance and complete confidence in Him.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

– Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

Godly faith is trust, trust in God’s nature, character, and promises. It is putting our trust in God and relying on Him where we cannot see. His good works, grace, and help in the past allow us confidence in the future.

We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. Hebrews 12:2a (CEV)

We go forward by fixing our eyes on Jesus, who perfects our faith.

By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Hebrews 11:3 (AMP)

Our Heavenly Father, our Loving Creator, thank You for Your love and grace. Help us to live by faith and in obedience. Teach us to go forward in Your truth and grow in faith. Let our light shine bright, just like the mountain azalea flowers that are gathered together and brighten spring days. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Whole Heart – 1 Chronicles 28:9

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. – 1 Chronicles 28:9 (ESV)

In this verse, King David tells his son Solomon the importance of knowing and serving God with his whole heart. David wanted Solomon to follow in his footsteps and maintain a sincere and personal relationship with God. To be committed to God and grow closer to Him, be honest, and put his trust in God. Serving the Lord with a willing mind and wholehearted devotion, relying on Him and trusting His guidance.

The verse continues with the power of the Lord; he searches our hearts. For God sees and knows all things. He knows our intentions and motives. David is reminding Solomon that he cannot hide anything from God.

The verse concludes if you earnestly seek God, He will be found by you, but if you turn away from Him, forsaking Him, He will reject you and cast you off forever.

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Are you serving God with a whole heart and a willing mind?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for your patience with us and grace to us. Guide us to reach out to You and develop a sincere personal relationship with You. Encourage us to serve you with our whole hearts and with willing minds. Like the blossom of the yellow rose is open to the sun, let our hearts be open to You and Your Son Jesus. Amen

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The Word – Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah contrasts the temporary nature of flowers and grass to the enduring promise of God’s word.
Earlier in verse 6, Isaiah compares people to being like grass and their love and faithfulness being as fragile as a wildflower. Which withers and falls when the wind sent from the Lord blows on it.

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:6b-8 (NIV)

Permanence and stability are found in the eternal word of God, which endures forever. For God is steadfast, His promises never fail; they last forever. When we trust in God’s word and live in obedience, His word will sustain us for now and forever. The word of God stands firm; it endures forever.

“These people are nothing but grass,
    their love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,
    if God so much as puffs on them.
    Aren’t these people just so much grass?
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,
    but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your grace and love for us. Thank you for Your word and Jesus, The Word. Teach us to read Your word and follow Jesus. May Your word guide and direct us. Your word stands firm and forever, giving us hope. Though we are fragile, like dandelions and wildflowers, let us be strong and secure in our faith. Amen

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You Protect Me – Psalm 139:5

5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. Psalm 139:5 (CEV)

David is explaining his confidence in God that God guards us on all sides. When we feel weak, the Lord strengthens us, protecting us from despair and anxiety. God is Omniscient; He has knowledge of all things and is Omnipresent everywhere we go He is present. He is always with us.

5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

God’s hand of blessing on our heads shows God’s compassion and gentle care. God’s hand of blessing upon us brings us grace, comfort, and strength. Our God is a loving Father who cares for, protects, and sustains His children.

6 I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.

Psalm 139:6 (CEV)

David continues in verse 6, stating God’s greatness, power, and knowledge is too vast for us to understand, too wonderful to take it all in. However, we can relax and put our trust in God.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we are amazed by Your strength, power, grace, and love for us. We thank you for Your protection, compassion, and care. We are in awe of Your power and that You are with us everywhere we go. Like the hydrangea flower head, the little florets are not alone but gathered together; we are never alone, for God is with us and places a hand of blessing on our heads. We praise and worship You, our Omniscient, Omnipresent Lord. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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God of Creation – Romans 1:20

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. – Romans 1:20 (NLT)

People have the opportunity to know God, revealed through His creation. What kind of power would it take to create the world and solar system? Eternal power, the power of God, manifests in His creation, miracles, and salvation. God’s invisible qualities are visible when you look at what God has created.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known. – Psalm 19:1-2 (NLT)

As David says in Psalm 19, heaven proclaims the glory of God, and the skies display His craftsmanship. After partaking in the majesty and beauty of the world, there is no excuse for not knowing, honoring, and worshiping our God of Creation.

But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. Romans 1:19-20 (MSG)

Here is a link to God of Wonders -Documentary John Whitcomb, Dan Sheedy, Don B. DeYoung. This documentary details how the natural universe shows God’s creative genius, His power, majesty, and wisdom. It is beautiful and touching.

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Prayer: Our powerful, mighty, and loving Heavenly Father, we worship You, God of Creation, God of Wonders. We thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace toward us. Let us be open to Your guidance and authority. As the Fireworks Gomphrena flower glows with beauty, let us radiate peace and glow with Your love. In Jesus, holy name. Amen

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Afraid – Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. – Psalm 56:3 (NIV)

David had confidence in God’s power to protect him and to fulfill His promises. He knew how God had helped him in the past. Instead of falling apart when his situation was dire, he trusted God. Instead of being self-reliant and self-confident, he was God-confident. In verse 11, David praises the Lord and restates that his trust in God is greater than his fear.

10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise— 11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? – Psalm 56:10-11

Fear encourages us to run, to escape. Faith helps us realize that God is with us and He is greater than our fear.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

So fear not; do not be afraid, for God will strengthen you and help you.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, You are our hope and our salvation. Teach us to trust You, especially when we are overwhelmed and afraid. Help us turn to You rather than try to deal with problems on our own. Like the opening petals of the daisy flowers reach upward, let us open our hearts to You and reach out to You in prayer. In Jesus’ loving and holy 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. 🌺

Faith – Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2This is why the ancients were commended.
Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV)

The word faith is often used in conversations. What is faith? Faith is defined as belief and trust in and loyalty to God. (www.merriam-webster.com) It is a trust that God’s promises will be fulfilled. Faith is trusting in God having the assurance that things hoped for will become reality.

Faith is a belief in things you can’t physically see. But you don’t need to view them when you trust in God, His truth, power, and Word.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Hebrews 11-3 (ESV)

We trust God because He never lies. He fulfills His promises; He is worthy of our trust.

When you live by faith, not by sight, you trust God even though you don’t know where He is leading you or the plans He has for you. It requires patience as well as trust, realizing God is in control.

God has plans for us, plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

The undeniable evidence of God’s faithfulness is Jesus, who fulfills the hopes and promises of God.

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. 3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
Hebrews 11:1-3 (MSG)

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Does faith in God change the way you live?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness, love, and beautiful works. Help us to grow in faith, hope, and love. Guide us in Your truth and teach us. Like the azalea bush flourishes and produces new flowers every spring, help our faith to flourish and produce fruit. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen