Glorious Joy – 1 Peter 1:8

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

1 Peter 1:8 (NLT)

Peter writes to encourage early Christians exiled in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who were facing persecution. His central message is to remain steadfast and joyful in faith, despite adversity.

Although these believers had not seen Jesus, their faith was grounded in Gospel teachings. Peter reminds them to keep the faith through trials and urges them to look forward to the hope of salvation.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

– 2 Corinthians 4:18

Believers love Jesus because He first loved them, dying for their salvation. Their unseen love is grounded in trusting God. This love is rooted in having a relationship built on faith rather than sight. This relationship empowers us to endure hardships and retain hope in the promise of eternal life.

The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:9 (NLT)

Joy comes from faith: finding hope and peace in the promise of eternal life. Knowing Jesus loves us unconditionally and died for our sins gives us strength to persevere and to rejoice even in the face of adversity—to rejoice with glorious, inexpressible joy! This joy transcends circumstances, filling hearts with peace and an unwavering sense of love and fellowship.

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Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your mercy, grace, and love for us. We love You and praise Your name for Your incredible gift of salvation. Help us be steadfast in our faith and joy during difficult times. As the sight of the bright, bold flowers of the Gazania brings pleasure, our bright hope of salvation brings glorious joy. Amen

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His Love Endures Forever – Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 118:1

The beginning of Psalm 107:1 is a reminder to Give thanks to the Lord and to praise His name because God is good. God is faithful, He is good, He has helped us, provided for us, and rescued us, His people. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness towards us. It encourages us to acknowledge and appreciate the blessings, mercy, and grace we have received from God.

It has been said when God repeats himself, He is trying to get our attention. The verse; Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever is in the bible 41 times. The wording may be stated differently, like His devotion, steadfast love, and mercy; endure forever. In Psalm 136, all 26 verses end with, His love endures forever. Endures forever, meaning His love is everlasting, eternal, abiding, and perpetual.

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Give thanks to the God of heaven! His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 136:26

Paul expresses God’s enduring love in the New Testament, Romans 8, stating that neither death, life, angels, heavenly rulers, height or depth, or anything in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NET)

God loves everyone, showing kindness and mercy to all. God loves us so much; He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.

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)

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Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ?

Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks and praise to You. You are good; You guide us, help us, and love us with a love that endures forever. We thank You for your love, mercy, and grace toward us. As phlox flowers face upward following the sun, let us follow Jesus, God’s son, and share His love. Amen

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Living Water – John 7:38

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

– John 7:38 (BSB)

On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrates God’s provision during the Israelites’ wilderness journey of providing water from a rock. During the festival, Jesus announces, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”

Then Jesus declares the scripture from Isaiah fulfilled, that those who believe in him will have streams of living water flowing within them.

The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)

What is the living water? The Holy Spirit, Jesus explains that believers would receive the Holy Spirit soon after He has been crucified and glorified. Jesus, our Savior, offers His believers living water.

When we accept Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit, the living water, which transforms our lives, bringing spiritual renewal. The living water flows through us, nourishing and refreshing us, a stream of peace, joy, and love, giving life to everything around us.

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Jesus, our Lord, we praise and worship You for all You have done for us. You are our hope and salvation. As Your followers, we receive living water, the Holy Spirit, our counselor and guide. Teach us to follow you, spreading the gospel and sharing Your love. Like a stream flows, watering plants along the way, let the living water flow through us and spread peace, joy, and love to the world around us. Amen

Light of Mankind – John 1:4

In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. John 1:4 (NET)

In verse 4, John states, in (Jesus) was life, spiritual life. When you believe in Jesus, you have the gift of eternal life. You have life, a new life in Jesus Christ.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET)

In John 1:1, John explains that Jesus is one with God; He is fully God. He is the source of life.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2The Word was with God in the beginning. 3All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. John 1:1-4 (NET)

John also refers to Jesus as “The Light.” Jesus is the light of the world, the light of truth, and the giver of eternal life.

Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 (NET)

Jesus is pure light; in Him, there is no darkness. He is our light, saving us from darkness and illuminating our path.

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are thankful for your love, grace, and mercy toward us. When we were sinners, You died for our salvation, bringing new life and light into our lives. Like the dogwood flower-like bracts glow and reflect the sun, let us glow with love and reflect Your light. Amen

Actions and in Truth – 1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth
1 John 3:18 (NIV)

John says in this verse that to love with words is not enough; that love requires meaningful actions. We are to love in action and in truth. We don’t need to serve others to be saved; through God’s grace, we are saved.

We serve others because we are saved; Jesus died for our sins. We should serve others through loving actions like Jesus. We can love with words but need to show love through our actions.

Actions and truth go side by side. The truth is what we believe as Christians, and what we believe should be demonstrated by our actions.

18 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.
1 John 3:18 (MSG)

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Is your love shown by action and in truth?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Guide us and help us to grow more like Jesus. Teach us to exhibit actions that show Your truth and light. Like the bright and open flowers of the potentilla, let us open our hearts to love and brighten other people’s lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Happy Easter, my friends!

Good Shepherd – John 10:11

Click to download a print of the good shepherd photo and scripture.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11 (NIV)

Who is the Good Shepard? Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The Greek word kalos translates to good, noble, and beautiful. The Good Shepherd describes Jesus’ inherent goodness and righteousness. He guides and nurtures His flock.
Sheep are defenseless, dependent upon the shepherd’s protection and guidance. Jesus the Good Shepard is our guide and protector. He loves us so much that he laid down His life for our sins.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,
John 10:14 (NLT)

Jesus is God; He is able to protect and guide believers. He will never abandon us; He gives us eternal life.

7Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. a They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:7-11

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Are you following Jesus the Good Shepherd?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Teach us to follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who protects and guides us. Let us realize that as we love flowers in many different forms and colors, Jesus loves us regardless of nationality or color. Thank you for Your forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love. Amen

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God’s Love – Romans -8:38-39

Click for a free Download print of the God’s Love photo with cherry blossoms and scripture.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans -8:38-39 (NLT)

Neither death nor life or angels or demons or fear and worries about today and the future, nor can the powers of hell separate us from God’s love; nothing can. Nothing that occurs today or thousands of years from now can change God’s love. God, by His nature, is love. His love for us is forever.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
1 John 4:16 (NLT)

God’s love for us is shown in His sending Jesus Christ, His only son, to provide salvation for all believers. (John 3:16) Through Christ, we are saved eternally forever. Our salvation is secure; God will not abandon or forsake us; we are secure in His love. Since Jesus loves us, he intercedes for us, His redeemed people, speaking to God on our behalf.
God so loves us that He gave us His Son Jesus, who loves us so much that he died for us sinners and intercedes for us.

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Are your worries or past hindering you from feeling secure in God’s love? Rest assured, God loves you!

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for your amazing love. Help us to love each other as you love us. Teach us to trust and have faith in You. Like the cherry tree is full of blossoms, let us blossom under Your love, following Jesus. Amen

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Finding Jesus

If You Look for Me at Christmas…

Poem by: Jan Mahannah

If you look for me at Christmas,
you won’t need a special star;

I’m no longer just in Bethelehem,
I’m right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me
amid the celebrations.
You’ll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.

But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do,
and listen to your heart, you’ll find
I’m waiting there for you.

You’re the one I want to be with,
you’re the reason that I came,
and you’ll find Me in the stillness,

as I’m whispering your name. Love, Jesus

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Peace, Joy, and Merry Christmas! ✨

Have a healthy and happy New Year! Blessings!

🌺 I am taking a short break from blogging, returning in January.

Rest for Soul: Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

A yoke is a device used to harness animals to attach them to a plow or cart. Jesus asks us to take His yoke and let him control and direct our life; learn from Him. As an instructor, He is gentle and humble. He teaches with fairness and patience. For; Jesus is humble in heart. His priority is always God’s will, not his own. Like Him, we need to follow God’s will and let go of our pride.

Jesus’s yoke is lined with love and brings peace and joy; rest for our souls.

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Are you tired of trying to find your way and failing? If we accept God’s guidance and let go of pride, we find rest for our souls.

Prayer; Lord Jesus, thank You for Your guidance and salvation. Help us to realize what is important in life. Teach us to be humble; let go of pride and walk with You. Like the clematis flower is open and rests against the post, let us be open to God’s will and find rest for our souls. Amen

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Love Deeply: 1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1Peter 4:8 (NIV)

In this verse, Peter acknowledges that we are not perfect; we make mistakes and fail to obey. The redemptive love of Jesus covers our sins. When dealing with one another, we need to exhibit this Christ-like love. We need to forgive each other, overlook past difficulties, strengthen each other, and learn to love each other deeply. Peter is requesting that we make love a priority, for love covers a multitude of sins. It is important Christians show deep love, forgiving as Christ does.

8Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another
1 Peter 4:8-10 (NLT)

Do you love deeply, sharing the love of Jesus in your daily interactions?

Prayer; Jesus, we thank You for Your forgiveness and love. Teach us to embrace Your love and share it in our daily activities. Help us to love deeply and forgive graciously. Guide us in Your truth and light. Like the Passion Flower’s name emanates from Jesus’ crucifixion, let our love emanate from the love and forgiveness of Jesus. Amen.

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If you need prayer, I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺