Truth – Psalm 119:160

The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. Psalm 119:160 (NKJV)

Biblical truth, an attribute of God, is seen in His character and word. The verse affirms that all of God’s word is the truth. His teachings are absolute, reliable, eternal, and unchanging. These standards offer a solid, unshakable foundation on which we can build our lives.

And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. – Psalm 12:6 (NIV)

Following God’s righteous, unchanging, enduring judgments leads us along the path of righteousness. By accepting and following His teachings, we find hope in His love, truth, and unbreakable promises and develop a closer relationship with Him and a more purposeful life.

Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth.
Your righteous decisions are eternal.

Psalm 119:160 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and Your word. We know Your word is true and lasting. Help us accept Your teaching and grow closer to You. Guide us in Your truth and light. Like the recurring sunset and sunrise, let us trust Your unbreakable promises and truth. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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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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Jesus, the Son of God – IJohn 4:15

Whoever confesses and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. – 1 John 4:15 (AMP)

When we confess that Jesus is the Son of God, we confirm His deity and His relationship to God the Father. Jesus is the divine, the Son of God; He is fully God and man. He is the Messiah who came to earth to save us from our sins and reconcile us with God. When we confess, we declare our trust and acknowledge our belief in Jesus. This declaration shapes our faith and transforms our lives, guiding us to live in accordance with His teachings.

Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. – 1 John 4:15-16 (MSG)

God and believers share a mutual relationship defined by unity, communication, guidance, and love. God transforms and shapes our thoughts and actions. This relationship is nurtured through Bible study, prayer, and obedience. As it deepens, we reflect God’s character in our daily lives and positively influence others.

Our belief in Jesus as the Son of God should be evident in our actions. We are called to demonstrate His teachings by showing love, forgiveness, and grace to everyone.

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Our triune God, we thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and grace. Let us embrace Your teachings and turn away from sin and self-reliance. Open our hearts and guide our thoughts and actions. Like Allium flowers spread outward from the center, let us be centered in faith and spread Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Wisdom – James 1:5

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:5 (NLT)

In life, we have trials and difficulties. Often, we try to solve them on our own and end up repeating bad decisions and choices. A better option is to reach out in prayer to our benevolent God and ask Him for guidance and wisdom. Our Lord is forgiving and generous; He is gracious, kind, and eager to share His wisdom.

For God is the ultimate source of wisdom; He is eager to help us learn and grow. He offers us wisdom lovingly and freely, without rebuke or blame. When we humble ourselves and seek His counsel, we open ourselves to new perspectives and insights that can lead us toward better paths. Trusting in His guidance also strengthens our faith in challenging times.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. – James 3:17 (NIV)

When faced with a difficult decision or situation, go to God in prayer and ask for His help, guidance, and wisdom. For He is kind and merciful, and His wisdom is pure, gentle, reasonable, and sincere. God is always available; reach out to him in prayer and listen to His guidance and wisdom.

5 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. – James 1:5 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace, forgiveness, and wisdom. Teach us to reach out to You when we are faced with a difficult situation or decision. Guide us in Your truth. Like the open and bright tithonia flower, let us be open to your wisdom and shine brightly with Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Pure Heart – James 4:7-8

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

– James 4:7-8 (NLT)

James noticed that worldliness was pervading the Christian community in the early church. He urged them to resist the devil and repent from their sinful ways. Telling them to wash their hands, a symbol of repentance, and turn away from being double-minded, serving self and God. For them to turn away from sin and serve God.

We need to obey God, be humble, and come close to God. When we move toward God, He moves closer to us. We need to live according to Jesus’ teaching. Purifying our hearts, letting go of worldly ways, and loving the Lord your God with all our hearts.

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Matthew 22:37 (NIV)

A pure heart characterized by an absence of impurity and contamination. A pure heart has openness and integrity, which are essential for a deep relationship with God.

It is time to quit playing in the worldly field, to repent from sin, purify our hearts, and love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.

7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.

James 4: 7-8 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, help us to realize what is important in life. Guide our steps and teach us to rely on Your guidance. Thank You for Your love, grace, and forgiveness. Help us to turn away from worldliness and sin and have a pure heart. As Dianthus flowers are gathered close together, turning toward the sun, let us draw close to You and follow Your Son, Jesus. Amen

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Love One Another – Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. Romans 12:10 (NET)

In Romans 12, Paul gives guidelines on how Christians should treat one another. He explains the importance of selflessness, love, and respect for others. Our goal is to love one another with mutual love, honor, and respect. Paul emphasized the importance of Christians to build a strong, unified, and loving community that reflects the teachings of Jesus and God’s love. The importance for us to love one another regardless of cultural or ethnic backgrounds, as He has loved us.

In the previous verse (Romans 12:9), Paul urged believers to be sincere in their love for each other. To love and help each other, to hate evil and hold tight to what is good, and to let go of anger and forgive.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NLT)

We need to be patient, love one another, live in peace, focus on what is good, detest evil, forgive, and rejoice in our future.

9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Romans 12:10 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for your unconditional love. Teach us to love one another as You have loved us. Open our hearts to forgiveness and love for all. Guide us to hate what is evil and embrace what is good. Like the lovely Peace Lily flower is open and upright, let us be open-hearted and upright in our actions. 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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Faith to Faith – Romans 1:17

For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” Romans 1:17 (NET)

The gospel tells of God’s “good news”; everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is saved and gets a new life. Faith starts with belief in Jesus Christ, realizing He died for our sins; He is our Lord and Saviour.
Faith spurs spiritual growth and transformation. The righteous will live by faith, an ongoing process of growing spiritually and learning to trust God. It is a continual journey that shapes our thoughts, priorities, and actions. From faith to faith, we grow spiritually, learning to trust God by having faith in His promises and righteousness – by starting in faith and ending in faith.

It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.” Romans 1:17 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace while we were still sinners. Help us grow in spirit and faith. Guide us, transform us to be more Christ-like. Like a rose blooms from bud to flower, let us grow from faith to faith. Amen

Faithful Stewards – 1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Spiritual gifts are given to every believer by the Holy Spirit. We receive these gifts through the grace of God. Spiritual gifts are special talents and abilities.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

1Corinthians 12: 9-28 and Romans 12:6-8 list the many spiritual gifts. A few of them are discernment, wisdom, knowledge, teaching, serving, evangelism, and mercy. As faithful stewards of God’s grace, we should use our gifts to serve others. We are delivering God’s words when we teach, serve, and speak words of encouragement. By wisely serving and helping others, we are fulfilling God’s will and glorifying His name.

10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 4:10-11 (NET)

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Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us spiritual gifts. Help us to be faithful stewards and use your gifts to serve others. May we glorify you through Jesus Christ in all we do. Like the clematis blooms are gathered together, let us gather together, sharing our gifts and helping each other. For Yours is the power and glory forever and ever. Amen

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Direct My Footsteps: Psalm 119:133-135

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133 (NIV)

Psalm 119 is a prayer. In verse 133, the psalmist asks God to order his steps to make them firm, not halting. Let our steps follow God’s word, guide us, lead us, and teach us to walk righteously. Help us to live a life free from evil and sin, to live a life aligned with You.

Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. – Psalm 119:134 (NIV)

Verse 134 asks for deliverance from the dealings of wicked people. God, free us from temptation and oppression; let justice and righteousness prevail. We pray for Your divine assistance, guidance, and strength to follow You, Lord, in joyful obedience.

Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. – Psalm 119:135 (NIV)

Verse 135 is a plea for God’s approval and blessing. Let Your face shine upon me, comfort me, and illuminate the darkness around me with Your light. Direct my footsteps, Lord, teach me Your decrees, and help me grow in spirit and truth. Direct my footsteps to follow and obey Your laws and statutes.

Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women so I can live life your way.
Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live. Psalm 119: 133-135 (MSG)

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Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, direct our footsteps and guide us on Your path for us. Deliver us from evil, free us from temptation, and protect us from wicked people. Let Your face shine on us and help us grow in spirit and truth. Like the Bellflower, blossoms follow the light, direct our footsteps to obey your laws, and follow Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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