Empowered: 2 Timothy1:7

For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NET)

Paul is writing his friend and protégé Timothy. In this encouraging letter, he reminds Timothy that the Holy Spirit empowers and directs him. Power for our life comes when we rely on Christ, who strengthens us when we are weak. This power gives us energy, courage, a spirit of love, and the ability to make sound judgments. God has given us the Spirit of love which, carries us through opposition. Strength in God’s Spirit of power and His guidance for self-control. Faith in God empowers and casts out fear.

Are you empowered; do you rely on the power of God to cast away your fear?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your love and care. Teach us to seek your direction, rest in Your strength, and rely on Your power. Lord empower us, strengthen us when we are weak. Let us embrace your Spirit of power, love, and self-control. Like the three camellia blossoms are open and closely gathered on the branch, let us have open hearts, closely gathered to the Holy Trinity. 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. 🌺

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The Power of Prayer

Prayer is communication with God. Prayer is conversing with The Lord with an open heart and mind. It’s letting the Holy Spirit guide content and flow; while taking time to be still and listen for God’s response. Prayer doesn’t need a set time, place, or form. It is a communication of our soul to Our Father. Prayer can be informal or formal, a joy-filled thank you, spontaneous or scheduled. Prayer may be intercessory, asking for help for someone else, or a request for healing. Or prayer may be a plea for help, or a petition asking God to intervene, or a confession asking the Lord for forgiveness. Prayer maybe a song or a poem or just sitting quietly in adoration. The power in prayer is not in the words that we say, but worship that praises God and draws us closer to Him.

Prayer shouldn’t be casual or sporadic, dictated only by the needs of the moment. Prayer should be as much a part of our lives as breathing. ― Billy Graham

Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts. ― Mother Teresa

“What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.”
― Corrie Ten Boom

No one can pray and worry at the same time. When we worry, we aren’t praying. When we pray, we aren’t worrying. ― Max Lucado

“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”
― Corrie Ten Boom

I do 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. 🦋🌺🌼

Grace to the Humble: James 4: 6-7

6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

 James 4:6-7 (AMP)

God is asking us to trust Him and follow His way; to resist sin and turn away from self-righteousness and pride. God is asking us to be humble and faithful to repent of sin and receive His grace. For when we yield to worldly pursuits, we turn away from God. When we follow God’s way and stand firm in faith, rejecting temptation, pride, and envy, the devil will flee. God continually gives grace to the humble.

The humble who turn away from self-righteousness receive grace. What worldly pursuit or pride is keeping you from trusting God’s way?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your guidance, forgiveness, patience, and grace. Teach us to be humble, to trust You, and turn away from worldly pursuits. Lead us on the path of righteousness and give us the strength to resist evil. Like the white, open blossoms of the petunia turn toward the sun, let us be open to Your word and turn toward Your light. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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

Live by Faith: 2 Corinthians 5:7-9

Our life is lived by faith. We do not live by what we see in front of us. We are sure we will be glad to be free of these bodies. It will be good to be at home with the Lord. So if we stay here on earth or go home to Him, we always want to please Him.

2 Corinthians 5:7-9 (NLV)

When we live by faith, we trust and rely on God’s Word. We walk God’s path for us, listening to the Holy Spirit’s direction. Faith allows us to trust in the unseen, to rely upon with confidence, Jesus, and God’s Word. When we live by faith, we look forward with happiness to spending eternity at home with our Lord in Heaven. As children of God, living in faith, we want to please God by doing good works, with compassion and love.

When we live by faith, we trust in God. When you are uncertain, distracted, or confused, do you rely on Him?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your forgiveness, grace, and love. Help us to grow in faith and guide us along Your path. Let us trust with our hearts the unseen, and live by faith. Teach us to follow Your Word, to be good Christians, and to help others. Like the bright petals of the coneflower radiate from the center of the flower, let us shine bright in our faith, and radiate Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

I believe in the power of prayer. If you would like prayer, I 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.” 10 But 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

God’s Masterpiece: Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.—⁠

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Yes, we are God’s masterpiece, His workmanship, His design. God handcrafted us and loves us with unconditional love His mercies flow. Our faith in Jesus allows us to born again, created anew. We are new in Christ. With a God-given plan for each of us. The Lord empowers us and prepares us, and the Holy Spirit enlightens our minds. Giving us the skills to focus, move forward, and empowering us to do good works.

Have you been created anew in Christ Jesus? Do you feel you are God’s masterpiece?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and unconditional love. For creating us anew, forgiven, and redeemed by Jesus’ blood. Help us to focus on being Your masterpiece and seeking Your will. Like the bold and bright Mallow flower, let us be bold while traveling Your bright path. Empower us to do the good works You have planned for us, and guide our path. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Pray in the Holy Spirit: Jude 1:20

20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Let the Holy Spirit guide and help you when you pray. 2

Jude 1:20 (NIRV)

People sometimes find prayer difficult and are uncertain about how to pray. Prayer is a conversation with God, it doesn’t need to be rote or complicated; it just needs to come from the heart. The Holy Spirit is our Intercessor, and Advocate gives us strength and guidance when we are unsure of how or what to pray.  In Romans 8:26 Paul states: “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groans that cannot be expressed in words.” Our job is to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, our teacher, and helper. To follow God’s Word and pray empowered by the Holy Spirit.

When you are confused, scared, or uncertain of how to pray, do you listen to, and let the Holy Spirit guide you in prayer?

Prayer: We thank you, Lord, for giving us the Holy Spirit to guide and help us in our weakness. Our Father, we are blessed to be able to communicate to You, our wishes, hopes, fears, and thanks in prayer. Like the peony bloom flourishes glowing with morning dew, help us to flourish in prayers and glow with Your love and compassion. Teach us to go and grow forward in faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ holy and mighty name. Amen

I will be taking a short writing break, back in a couple of weeks with more flower along with 😊 new puppy photos.😊

Lord in Your Heart: 1Peter 3:15

But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

1 Peter 3:15 (NET)

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

When we revere Christ as Lord in our hearts, we honor Him and give Him glory. We acknowledge Him as our God, our protector, and our hope. With actions, confidence, and strength, our hope is visible to others. Which causes people to inquire, from where our hope comes? With patience and respect, we explain, our hope comes from the Lord!

In your actions and deeds, are you exhibiting Christ as Lord in your heart?

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for the hope you give us. Help us to open our hearts to You, and our actions to show You, Lord, in our hearts. As the open lily blossom shines in the sun and reflects the shadows of its stamens, let our hearts shine with Your love, and our actions shadow and reflect Christ. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

A New Heart: Ezekiel 36:26

26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)

A stony, stubborn heart one hardened by sin, and selfishness can be changed, renewed by the Lord. With His love, mercy, and grace He can open and soften a heart of stone. The Holy Spirit infuses us with love and leads us from a self-centered life into a God-centered life, and to a new heart that is compassionate, and tender.

Where do you need God to open your heart and to give you a new and more responsive heart?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, open our hearts to Your Word and ways. Thank you, for being tendered hearted to us, teach us to be tenderhearted to others. Take away our stony, stubborn, self-centered hearts and replace them with new hearts that are loving and caring. Like the sunflower blossoms are different but join together into a beautiful display, teach us to join together, displaying love and compassion for each other. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

I thought you would enjoy this video of people from 50 countries affected by COVID-19 singing Amazing Grace.