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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Spirit and Truth – John 4:24

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”

John 4:24 (NKJV)

God is a spirit transcending our physical limitations; he is not restricted to being in a single location. Our God is immortal and omnipresent. He is infinite, invisible, and intelligent. He can be in all places at once; he is not like an idol limited to one spot, for God can be worshipped at any time or place.

How do we worship in spirit and truth? By worshipping God sincerely, with all our heart, mind, and soul, and in our actions.

“36 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. -Matthew 22:36-37 (ESV)

Worshipping in the spirit involves our minds, will, and emotions, having a genuine connection to God. It is important to worship Him with gratitude, adoration, and thanksgiving. Worshiping in truth means worshiping honestly, believing in God, and trusting Him and His promises.

23-24 “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” John 4 : 23-24 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your love, grace, and mercy. Help us to develop a closer genuine connection with You. Teach us to worship in the spirit; with sincerity and truth, in honesty, and, with thanksgiving. Like the flower of the sunflower seeks the sun, let us seek You worshiping You in spirit and truth. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Simply Love – 1 Timothy 1:5

5 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love – love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.
1 Timothy 1:5 (MSG)

Timothy was left in Ephesus to make sure teaching stayed on track. False preaching was leading to bickering over pointless issues and meaningless speculations. They were so caught up in controversy that they missed the importance of loving God and others.

Paul explains that false teachers are not motivated by love; instead, they raise controversy by pushing false doctrines and dwelling on spiritual pedigrees. A true Christian leader needs to be motivated by love, simply love. Love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

Christians should exhibit a love of God and love for others, a life open to God.

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Do you radiate love, simply love in all you do?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father guide us and protects us from false teachers. Help us not to be self-centered but have our actions and behaviors, radiate love, simply love. Teach us to have a pure heart and sincere faith. Like the bright and beautiful flower of the bleeding heart plant, let us shine with your brightness and flower with Your love. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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Sing for Joy

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 (NIV)

Psalm 90 is a psalm of Moses, a prayer for God to show the Israelites his mercy and His love every morning. It asks us to turn to the Lord and trust in Him and his unfailing love. When we accept His love, it satisfies us and brings us gladness and joy. In the King James Dictionary, the word satisfy definition is: “To gratify wants, wishes or desires to the full extent.” The faithful, unfailing love of God our Father satisfies and fulfills us, causing us to sing for joy.

22The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

When we trust in the Lord, we find joy and can be glad all of our days. For the faithful love of the Lord never ends. His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. The Lord’s mercies are new each morning, so we may sing for joy!

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Do you turn to the Lord to find satisfaction or try to go forward on your own when you are dissatisfied or upset? Does the Lord’s love and mercies lead you to sing for joy?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and mercy. Teach us to realize that Your love and mercies never cease. Satisfy us in the morning with Your mercies so we will sing with joy all our days! As the hibiscus flowers glow in the morning sun, let Your love glow in us, and let us grow closer to Your son, and be glad all our days. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Steadfast Love: Psalm 100:5

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:5 (ESV)

Our Lord is good; He is faithful; He continually shows loyal love to His faithful followers. God’s steadfast love endures forever.

17 But the Lord continually shows loyal love to his faithful followers, and is faithful to their descendants, 18 to those who keep his covenant, who are careful to obey his commands.
Psalm 103: 17-18 (NET)

Our Lord is a faithful God, and to those who obey His commands, He keeps a covenant of love to all generations of those who love Him. (Psalms, Exodus, and Deuteronomy)

but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:6 (NIV)

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)

The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. Thanks be to God!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:34 (ESV)

Yes, shout with joy for God’s faithful, steadfast love endures forever!

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!
Psalm 100:1b (NLT)

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God’s love is faithful, enduring, and steadfast; have you opened your heart to the Lord?

Our Holy Father, we thank You for Your love. We are blessed by Your faithfulness. Teach us to rest in Your steadfast love and give our concerns and worries to You. Like the magnolia blossoms in spring, Your steadfast love for Your followers springs forth through generations. Thank you for Your faithfulness, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Everlasting Love: Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
(NIV)

The Israelites had not kept God’s commandments. They were in exile in Babylon. In this verse, God promises to forgive them and restore them. This is an example of God’s grace and his love and kindness.

This verse showcases God’s grace, love, and kindness. For God is holy and just; and His faithfulness endures for generations. When we repent our sins, give up our sinful ways, and turn to God, He forgives us.

For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

For God is love; it’s His very nature; He is forgiving, and He loves us with everlasting love.

God is generous and doesn’t limit His kindness. For God shows us unfailing kindness, never-ending kindness through His everlasting love. He will always be there for us, listening to our prayers and helping us.

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God loves us with an everlasting love; do you respond with love and forgiveness to others?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your forgiveness, grace, and kindness. We raise our thanks and praise for Your faithfulness and everlasting love. Guide us in Your truth and light. Like the red rose’s beauty shines brightly and brings happiness, let us shine brightly, reflecting Your light and Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Treasures: Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

In these verses, Jesus is explaining to His followers how to live and act. Our life should not revolve around earthly treasures, which are easily lost or destroyed. Instead, we should store our treasures in heaven by living the way God asks us to live, by loving our neighbor as ourselves, guarding against evil, helping the less fortunate, and loving the Lord with all our hearts.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37b

Where is your treasure? Is it on worldly success and building wealth?

If so, that’s where the desire of your heart is; what your heart is focused on.
If our focus is on heavenly rewards, our hearts are focused on honoring God; and enjoying that treasure forever.

Prayer; Lord Jesus, teach us to store our treasures in heaven. Help us to embrace the correct priorities in life. Encourage us to love God with all our hearts, and help us to love others as You have loved us. Like orchid blossoms are beautiful to behold, let our treasures be beautiful to God. Amen

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

Come Close to God: James 4:8

7So 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)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. God is waiting for you to knock on the door, to reach out to Him. God is waiting, ready to accept us with open arms. When we reach out to God, He welcomes us and draws near to us. Pride causes resistance to God; being humble brings us close to God.
Washing; cleaning our hands means reforming our ways, ceasing to do evil, and amending our actions. A pure heart is free of evil desires and false teachings and is focused on God. It is a heart full of love, compassion, purity.
Our prayer should be; “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Our loyalty is to God. Our hearts are not pure when divided between God and worldly things. A pure heart fully trusts in God.

Will you come close to God, follow His word, praise Him, and go to Him in prayer with a pure heart?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, guide us in Your truth. Help us to come close to You, and cease to do evil. Create in us a pure heart, O God focused on You. Like the open and bright flower of the Gerbera Daisy, may our hearts be open and shine brightly with Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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

Jesus is the same forever: Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

In this turbulent, fast-changing world, it is good to know that Jesus Christ, our Savior is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus never changes, and neither does His Gospel. God never changes; neither does His Word, truth, or promises. Men have changes in mind, attitude, and priorities, but Jesus is steadfast for us in His love, His forgiveness, and His salvation. We can rely on Him; He is our strength and security in this turbulent world.

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Hebrews 13:5b

Jesus is as faithful as He has always been; we can have confidence that He will continue to take care of us, He will not abandon us. He is our High Priest at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us yesterday, today, and forever.

When you are overwhelmed by the news and worry about changing policies, do you find peace in knowing that Jesus Christ and His love are the same yesterday, today, and forever?

Prayer; Jesus, we thank you for caring for us and listening to our prayers. We are in awe of your steadfast unchanging love, your comfort, and your everlasting peace. When the word is turbulent; and we are confused, teach us to put our trust in You. We know we can rely on You, for You will not forsake us. The flowers in bloom vary with the seasons, but you are constant in our lives; the same yesterday, today, and forever. We are grateful that You will never fail us or abandon us. Amen

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

True, Honorable, and Right: Philippians 4:8-9

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)

Paul is writing the Philippians, advising how to handle disagreements, and explaining how to focus on things that are pleasing to God instead. He stressed the importance of deliberately focusing on positive things; true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable things. To meditate on these good things, not the bad things; to focus on things to praise rather than bemoan; to exhibit fruits of the Spirit. To embrace spiritual fruits; like love, kindness, patience, gentleness, and self-control. These spiritual fruits increase when we have strong faith and; our minds are focused on Christ; instead of on problems and difficulties. Practice kindness and love, have holy thoughts, and live holy lives; and the God of peace will be with you and guide you.

Do you allow disagreements and discord to rule your life, or do you fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your guidance, forgiveness, and grace. Teach us to respond to others as You do to us; with love, kindness, and gentleness. Encourage us to fix our minds on Christ; and focus on what is true, honorable, right, and admirable. Like the daisy flowers are open and reaching toward the sun, let us be open to positive actions, and reach toward You and receive peace. In Jesus’ holy loving name. Amen

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