Power of God: 1 Corinthians 2:5

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (KJV)

Paul didn’t have dazzling delivery or lofty speech for the people of Corinth. Instead, he used the power of God; by speaking healing words of truth as the Holy Spirit directed. The dynamic speech of humans; can be enticing and cajole, but when based on the wisdom of men rather than the power of God, it is limited and falls short.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV

Paul wanted to share his message of faith, highlighting Jesus’ love and salvation for them. He spoke with the power of the Spirit to encourage growth in understanding, faith, and appreciation of the power of God. ⁘

What do you rely on; the enticing speech of the worldly or the wisdom and power of God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, open our eyes and teach us to be guided by Your wisdom. Help us to grow in faith and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Like the small trumpet-like flowers of the lilac spread out in all directions, guide us to avoid the diverse directions of the world and follow the true direction, the power of God. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

Living Letter of Christ: 2 Corinthians 3:3

3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)

Paul is explaining to the people of Corinth; he was just the messenger that delivered the gospel of Christ to them. Through their faith, they became living letters, letters written by the Holy Spirit on their hearts. The indwelling Holy Spirit converts and humbles our hearts filling us with the love of Christ. Now the wonder and power of God are written by the Holy Spirit in our hearts, not on tablets of stone on Mount Sinai. We become a living letter of Christ, ambassadors of love and truth to those who do not know Jesus.

Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.
2 Corinthians 3:3 (MSG)

Are you a living letter for Christ? Have you opened your heart to the Holy Spirit? Have you accepted the truth of the gospel and have it written in your heart?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your compassion, grace, and love. Teach us to open our hearts to the Holy Spirits’ direction. Let the Holy Spirit transform us, guide us, and write on our hearts, Your truth. Like azaleas grow and flourish with blossoms, teach us to grow in Your Word and our hearts to blossom and become a living letter from Christ. Amen

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Perfect Love: 1 John 4:12

12 No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us – perfect love!
1 John 4:12 (MSG)

We haven’t seen God’s image physically, but it was displayed in Jesus’ life. God, through the Holy Spirit, dwells within the hearts of His people. When we abide in Him, He transforms us until His love becomes complete in us; and we move away from worldly action becoming, more Christ-like. We are transformed and act with love and compassion; His love completes us – perfect love! Let us be recognized as Christians by our love.

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:12 (NET)

Do others see God in you, by your love? Are you striving to be more Christ-like and perfected in love?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we might not see you, but we feel your presence and are comforted by You. Thank You for Your love and compassion for us. Lord, teach us to be open-hearted and abide in You. Guide us to learn from and submit to the Holy Spirit to live in truth, so Your love becomes complete in us. Like violets are recognized by their delicate purple flowers, let us be recognized through our Christ-like actions and perfected love for one another.

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God of Hope: Romans 15:13

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NLT)

This is a short prayer by Paul for the Christians in Rome. The verse also is used as a benediction. It is a reminder that God is the source of all blessings. God is the source of our hope and true spiritual happiness. This overflowing powerful hope; derived from the supernatural power; of the Holy Spirit inside us, calming us and alleviating our fears. When we open our hearts and walk in faith with our God of Hope, we can have confident hope, spiritual peace, and inward joy.

Is your trust in the God of Hope? Who will you bless with Paul’s prayer?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, God of Hope, helps us to grow in faith. Thanks for your blessings, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Open our hearts, teach us to trust, and guide us in Your truth. Lord, we thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, for help and guidance. Like the rhododendron, buds hold the promise of flowers; faith in You brings promises of hope, joy, and peace. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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. 🌺

Revealed: 1Corinthians 2:9-10

But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” ¹⁰But God has revealed those things to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (ISV)

Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, was sharing the wonders of God. God provides for those who love Him, things beyond our comprehension. He forgives our sins, He loves us with unconditional love, and He sacrificed His Son to redeem us. Through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, God reveals and helps us to understand spiritual things. The Holy Spirit allows us to believe things that we can’t physically observe. When we are open and listen to the Holy Spirit, He will guide us to all truth.

When you are confused, do you stop and listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction? What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of your miraculous works and grateful for You giving us the Holy Spirit as our helper. We thank you for the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance when we are weak or confused, and when we are overwhelmed His intercession for us in prayer. As the petunia blossoms are bright and open, help us to keep our hearts open to the Holy Spirit to reveal and understand Your teachings. In Jesus’, loving and holy name. Amen