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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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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Jesus is Lord: Romans 10:9-10

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)

Paul was sharing the doctrine of salvation with the Romans. Explaining how a person is transformed and redeemed when they accept; Jesus is Lord. Telling them by His grace, God offers salvation to all who believe in Christs’ resurrection from the dead. For all who believe in their heart that Christ is our Savior, that he died for our sins, you are made right with God. By openly declaring your faith in Christ, you are set free from the guilt of sin, acceptable to God. Jesus is Lord; He is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except through Me (Jesus). (John 14:6)

Are you lost, caught up in a sinful life, need forgiveness? Open your heart, accept Jesus is Lord believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, openly declare your faith, and receive salvation.

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your forgiveness and grace. We thank You for the gift of salvation, bought by the blood of Your Son, Jesus, who died for us. Help us to openly declare our faith to others and share Your Word with others. Teach us to love one another as You have loved us. Like the lily is covered with bright, joyful blossoms, let us shine bright with Your light and joyfully proclaim that Jesus is Lord. Amen

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Search me God: Psalm 139:23-24

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

David knew anxiety; he was pursued and fought many battles. Yet David continually praised, sang, and rejoiced in the Lord. He reaches out to God, asking for protection and strength. In humility, he asks God to look at his heart, to discern his inner thoughts. To search him to look for any sin and to deliver him from evil. David asks for notification of any ungodliness found; so he can be purified, cleansed of anything not of God. David opens his heart to God, asking Him to guide him on the path of righteousness that leads to everlasting life. This searching, purifying, and guidance is as appropriate today as it was in David’s time.

Are you willing to have God search you and test you, remove your weaknesses and sin like David, to allow God to lead you in the way of everlasting?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, you know our inner thoughts and fears. Teach us to open our hearts to You and reach out to You for guidance. Lord, search us and check our ways, guide us toward Your way. Lead us on Your pathway to everlasting. Like the open blossoms of the rose, reach for the sun, let us be open-hearted, and reach for your help and guidance. In Jesus’ loving and holy name. Amen

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Free: John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36 (NIV)

True freedom; is found in Jesus. When we believe in Jesus; and submit to His authority, we are adopted and become children of God. Jesus is not setting us free to do what we want but freeing us; to clearly see what we should do. Faith in Jesus frees us, frees us from the slavery and corruption of sin. Jesus is our source of spiritual truth; in Him, we are free, free indeed.

What is holding you back from believing in Jesus and walking in a relationship with Him being free, indeed?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and forgiveness toward us. We are in awe of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Teach us to believe, put our faith in Jesus, and become the people You created us to be. Help us to follow Your path. Like the petals of the daisy embrace the bright center, let us embrace Jesus, learning to be free from the slavery of sin. In His Holy Name. Amen

God’s Glory: Romans 5:2

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory
Romans 5:2 (NLV)

By accepting Christ into our lives, we have become pardoned offenders. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we have been reconciled with God Our Father. Through faith, we have become true believers, able to experience the undeserved privilege of the grace of God. We stand in His grace, praising Him, rejoicing in the confidence of sharing God’s glory.

“We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand-out in the wide-open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise”
Romans 5:2b (The Message Bible)

Are you joyfully praising God and looking forward to sharing God’s glory?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Help us to grow in faith and confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing Your glory. As the bold and bright crabapple blossoms brighten spring days, let us be bold in our faith and bright with joy and confidence. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Peace with God: Romans 5:1

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 5:1 (NASB)

We are justified by faith, made righteous by God. This was made possible by the atonement of our sins by Jesus Christ. Through which we became reconciled with God. The love of Jesus Christ, our faith, and by the grace of God, we are righteous (set right with Him), giving us peace with God.

Are there times where your self-direction takes you away for God’s way and peace with God?

Prayer: Our loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your grace and forgiveness. Teach us to grow in faith, embrace Your way, and follow Your path. We thank you for the blessing of Jesus atonement, which opened the door for us, to be set right and feel peace with You. Like the white beach rose is lit and glows in the sun’s rays, let our path be lit by Your light and our day’s glowing in peace with God. In Jesus’ loving and holy name. Amen

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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

Walk in the Light: 1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7 (NIV)

God is light in Him there is no darkness. To walk in the light is to follow God’s teaching and align our lives with God’s Word. Light is a symbol of purity, holiness, and goodness. Walking in the Light is a progressive and continuing motion along a God-centered path. Christ’s blood purifies us of sin, allowing us to walk in the light and unite together in fellowship and love.

Is your walk in the light a progressive, forward walk?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, teach us to persevere and continually move forward, walking in the light. Let your Word guide us, transforming us into children of light, bringing love, and fellowship to those around us. As the drift roses glow with sunlight after rain, teach us to glow and walk in the light dispersing darkness and bringing light to those around us. In Jesus’ loving and holy name. Amen