Pursue Peace: Psalm 34:14

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14(NIV)

Psalm 34 talks about how to live a good life. Verse 14 encourages us to choose good over evil and peace over sin. Shun sin and turn away from evil, pride, and arrogance. We honor the Lord when we turn from evil.

To honor the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and false words.
Proverbs 8:13 (GNT)

Embrace righteousness, truth, and godliness. Seek and pursue peace; let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 (King James)

Strive to live in peace and do good. Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, as God forgave you. Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to help those in need.

14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.
Psalm 24:14-15 (MSG)

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Is your focus on avoiding evil, doing good, and pursuing peace?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, teach us to turn away from evil and do good. Guide us to follow Your will; and practice virtue and righteousness. Let us spread love, do good, and pursue peace. Like the snapdragon is facing forward, teach us to face forward, turn our back on sin, embrace peace, and honor You. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Listen: Isaiah 48:1718

This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Psalm 48:17 (NIV)

Isaiah is a prophet who is bringing a message from God. The people were praising God with their words but not with their actions; their hearts were far from Him. At this time, they were probably in captivity in Babylon.
Isaiah’s words are ones of encouragement; God had not forgotten them. They need to change their ways and action. To listen to God and obey His laws. For God knows best; follow His directions and His path.

“If only you had listened to my commands! Then blessings would have flowed for you like a stream that never goes dry. Victory would have come to you like the waves that roll on the shore.
Isaiah 48:18 (GNT)

In verse 18, God reminds them that if they Had listened to Him instead of following sinful ways, His blessing would have flowed like a stream that never runs dry. Victory and peace would be theirs; rich blessings would be abundant, rolling like waves over the land.

What does this mean for us? It is vital to keep God’s laws and act accordingly. To have a teachable spirit and an attentive heart and to listen to the Lord, obey Him, and let Him guide our way. ⁂

Do you take time to listen to God; and have a teachable spirit?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your patience and forgiveness. Lead us on Your path of righteousness and teach us to listen and obey. Like the Gerbera Daisy turns toward the sun, let us turn toward You and follow Your ways. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Our Plans: Proverbs 16:9

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

We often try to control and fine-tune our plans to the way we want. Forming plans for the future is wise, but often our plans are limiting; God can direct us to achieve abundantly more than we ever considered. In humility, we need to realize that God is in control and determining our steps. The best way to plan is to commit our way to God, trusting him to direct us. He will guide us on the correct path, the way best for us, in this world, and eternally.

⁹We plan the way we want to live,
but only God makes us able to live it.
Proverbs 16:9 (MSG) ⁘

When in your life has God changed your plans for the better?

Prayer; Our loving Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and patience. Teach us to open our hearts to You and to listen to Your direction. Help us to live in faith and trust You to determine our steps. Like the blossoms of the clematis are open reaching toward the sun, let us be open to Your guidance and reach out to You in faith. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Path: Isaiah 30:21

21 Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)

As Christians, it is important to determine which way to go; which path to follow. We need to discern God’s plan for us to determine the correct direction to go. How do we know which path to follow? By trusting in God’s promises, following His Word, and listening to His voice, the voice behind us, to find our correct path.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Worldly distractions can influence and divert us from His path for us. We need to keep our hearts open to God, seek His will and take time to listen to His direction. He will tell us which path to take. We may be fickle and disobedient, but God stays beside us, telling us which way to go. God promises never to leave us or forsake us. We can rely on His promise to be with us and to tell us the way to go, whether to the right or left. ⁂

When you are faced with changes, uncertain choices, and are confused about the path to take, who do you listen to?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your guidance and direction. Teach us to listen to Your voice and follow Your path for us. Guide us by turning us away from worldly distractions and help us focus on Your voice. Like the Stella D Oro daylily flowers, bloom in all directions around the plant; help us to grow, blossom, and follow Your path. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Steadfast: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NRSV)

Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, expressing his love, and asking them to be steadfast, immovable, and always excelling in the work of the Lord. Paul asks them to be steadfast, meaning faithful to the Lord, and firmly committed to His ways. He is entreating them to be immovable, firm, stable, strong in their beliefs, and uncompromised by their culture. The goal for their church and all churches; is to excel in the work of the Lord, doing His will, upholding Christian virtues, and spreading the gospel and love. Labor for the Lord is not in vain; it is to His glory and is rewarded in heaven.

Would you describe your faith as steadfast, immovable, and your behavior as excelling in the work of the Lord? How can you improve?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, help us be steadfast and immovable in our faith. Teach us to excel in doing Your work and sharing Your Word. Open our hearts to Your way, sharing Your love. As the crabapple blossoms enhance the tree, let our actions enhance Your kingdom. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

The Lord Reigns: Psalm 93:1

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Psalm 93:1 (NIV)

The LORD reigns over everything. His throne is eternal, established at the beginning of time. He is powerful, clothed in strength and honor. He is robed in majesty, not just clothed but empowered with majesty, splendor, honor, and glory. And He shall reign forever and ever. The world He created, He established, and He rules. The world is under His established dominion, solid, secure, and immovable. The Lord reigns; our Eternal King, our Triune God, reigns, in supreme serenity, forgiving, caring, and loving. Our Lord is omniscient, has knowledge of everything, and His people must abide by His Word, follow His path, and not worry, knowing He is in control.

Are you putting your faith and hope in Our majestic Lord, who has reigned, does reign, and will reign forever, allowing Him to guide and direct you?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we worship you and praise you. We are in awe of your majesty, and strength, and wisdom. Lord, you reign, with power and majesty. We know you are Lord God Almighty; we turn our worries and fears over to you, knowing You are in control. Like the three glowing, bright, and beautiful lilies shine in the light, the majesty, strength, and honor of our three in one God; shine truth and light on us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

He Shall Reign (Live) – Hillsong Worship

Lyrics:

Holy holy holy
Our God is on the throne
So firm is His foundation
No power can overthrow

And He shall reign
Forever and ever

One name outlasts the ages
Through time His truth revealed
While kings may pass like shadows
Our God is sovereign still

And He shall reign
Forever and ever…

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

God’s Will: 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

What is God’s will? According to Paul in 1Thessalonians, God’s will is for us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Lofty goals for us. It would be easier if Paul said, rejoice and pray often, and remember to be thankful. How do we learn to rejoice, pray, and give thanks to the Lord more often? By looking to God in all circumstances, praying for His direction, seeing others through His loving eyes. By realizing that rejoicing and prayer bring us closer to the promises of God and the hope of Christ, our source of true joy. Even when Paul was in jail and shackled, he rejoiced in God’s goodness. In prayer, we acknowledge God, His goodness, His grace, His mercy, and His provision for us. When we trust God, we feel thankfulness for His past, His present, and His future mercies toward us. These make us want to rejoice, pray, and thank our Heavenly Father.

God’s will for us is to rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. When you are troubled, confused, afraid, and overwhelmed, do you stop; and take a moment to rejoice, pray, and give thanks?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your love and compassion for us. We rejoice in your goodness to us, we pray for Your guidance, and we thank you for Your amazing grace. Teach us to find delight in Your love and to rejoice always. Open our hearts to You. Let us embrace Your will, focus on Christ, and reach out in prayer with thanksgiving in all circumstances. Like the foxglove blossoms appear to be open and in song, let us open our hearts to you and rejoice with singing. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Future: Psalm 37:5

3Trust in the Lord and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!
4Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers.
5Commit your future to the LORD! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.
Psalm 37:3-5 (NET)

Psalm 37; considered a wisdom psalm, sharing practical advice about how to live. It was written by David, in his older years. He advises us to trust in the Lord, take delight in the Lord, and commit our future to the Lord. To commit our future is an act of will, an act of faith; it is to believe in the Lord and follow His way, and to make His way our way. Letting God guide our steps, commit our future, letting go of trusting our abilities, and being patient; rest, trust, and lay our worries and burdens on Him.

Have you committed your future to the Lord?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and care for us. Let us grow in faith, open our hearts, trust in You, and commit our future to you. Lord, teach us to go to you in prayer, with our worries and concerns, and to put our trust in You. Like the camellia buds open to beautiful flowers every year, let us open our hearts and trust in You always. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Reach Upward: Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, 14with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14 (NET)

Paul’s testimony was about the way to perfection and his zeal to be perfected. He was explaining that the work of the Lord was not yet complete in him. He was still pursuing his goal, doing the work of the Lord, reaching upward toward the prize. He had a past of persecuting Christians, but he was able to leave the past behind. To focus on moving forward, reaching upward, toward the prize of heavenly life, striving for perfection to be more like Jesus.

Do you have troubles in the past that you need to release and reach upward, striving toward the prize, God’s heavenward call in Jesus Christ?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of your love and forgiveness. We thank you for your Son Jesus. He was an example of perfection, who died for our redemption. Teach us to rely on You, to leave the past behind, and reach upward toward the goal of becoming more like Jesus. Like the magnolia blossoms are open and reaching upward toward the sun, let us be open-hearted and reach upward toward the prize God has provided through Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Pathway: Psalm 32:8

8 I will guide you and teach you the way you should go.
I will give you good advice and watch over you with love.
Psalm 32:8 (NIVR)

The Lord guides us and teaches us He wants to lead us along the best pathway for our life. He instructs us directs our way through life. We receive His counsel through praying, reading His Word, and following His truths. When we accept God’s counsel and follow His good advice, He helps us achieve the life He desires for us. For, God has plans for us, plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future.

11 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)

Is your pathway through life self-centered or God-centered?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for guiding us and watching over us with love. Teach us to seek Your way through scripture and prayer. Guide our steps and lead us along the best pathway for our life. Lord be our compass, as we travel, let us not get lost or stray from Your path. Like the open, reaching upward, white flowers of the crocus, let us be open to Your path and reaching upward for Your guidance. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen