8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Psalm 103:8-9
With the start of the new decade, much has been written about change. However, with God, there is a constancy he is unchanging. Our Father has been and is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger. As David said, “He is abounding in love.” The best change for us this new year is to follow God’s wisdom and be abounding in love.
Where could you share God’s love today?
Prayer: Our Father, we thank you for your many blessings and your abounding love toward us. Like waterlilies flourish in the water, help us to flourish by being compassionate and spread Your love. May we also learn to be slow to anger and accepting of others. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen
1 Clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with cries of joy.
Psalm 47:1
Thanks to Matt at jesusluvsall.wordpress.com for tagging me for the decade tag. The tag is a look back at what the Lord has done in my life the past ten years. I am going to look back at my spiritual journey, my spiritual awakening.
Growing up, Sundays always included church and Sunday school. Then things started distracting me worldly things like pride, my things, me first, my schedule.
Happily, this decade God became my focus, my joy, and my path. People with kind words and caring hearts helped me find His way. My church community opened my eyes to opportunities to learn and grow.
Pastor Kay, my mentor, and friend and prayer warrior taught me many ways to pray and opened the door to healing prayer. All my fellow healing prayer warriors who accepted my quiet listening for years, until faith allowed me to step out of my fear and insecurity and reach out to others in healing prayer. Life-changing for me. As my Spiritual Director, Pastor Kay encouraged me to take my flower photographs to tie them with scripture to share them. The push needed to start this blog in June to share His word and joy.
Fran, another friend, encouraged me and showed me ways to be God’s hands and feet. Her guidance has opened my eyes and heart to local needs through the church’s soup kitchen. She also directed me into church-based fundraising projects and other local opportunities to spread God’s love.
This decade I have grown in faith found that I could escape my shyness with God at my side, that I could encourage others by Listening, Praying, and Loving.
I am leaving this tag opened ended for anyone who wants to look back and write about the changes the Lord has made in their lives, just leave a comment on this post.
Rules: To play along: 1- Please share a link to the creator of the tag- jesusluvsall.wordpress.com 2- Share some highlights for you over the past decade and if you want a few low points 3- Tag whoever you wish to. 4- Ask them some questions 5- Use any picture appropriate for such a tag. (As usual, I didn’t follow all the rules, sorry Matt.)
My question: Where have you seen God in the past decade?
Remember this new year to shout to God with cries of joy!
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
The Lord is with us, he goes before us, he never leaves us, and He surrounds us with unconditional love. Take time to rest in God’s love, and let go of fear, worry, and discouragement. Do not fear God, is with us, and He cares about us. May your New Year be blessed with hope, faith, and joy.
What do you need to let go of and let God handle?
Prayer: Dear Lord, loving Savior, we give thanks for your help and compassion for us. Teach us to be bright and open like the poinsettias, reflecting Your love and compassion. Help us not to worry, instead to realize that You are always with us and will never leave us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20
19 I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!
The Passion Version – Philippians 4: 19
We behold glory in our God Almighty, we praise and worship Him. His attributes are beyond comprehension. Jesus’s life and teachings led us toward understanding the glory of God our Father. The beauty is God the Almighty loves us, provides for us, and satisfies all our needs. Our job is to accept God’s teachings, follow His path, and glorify and praise our holy blessed Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
How do you glorify God?
Prayer: Lord of all, amazing Father, we give thanks and glorify Your Name. We bask in Your unconditional love, amazing grace, and forgiveness toward us. Like the beauty of the poinsettias pink blossoms brighten winter days, Your compassion toward us brightens our lives. Almighty God, we glorify You, praise You and worship You! In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For us, a child is born, a son is given. Jesus the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father may He open our hearts to love and peace. To find His peace of no end and feel His unconditional love. We praise and worship You, Jesus.
Have you embraced Jesus’ peace?
Prayer: Help us to be more like You, Jesus. Teach us to spread compassion, love, and hope. Prince of Peace, help us to follow your path and guide us in your truth. Like the poinsettia symbolizes the season help us to exemplify Your birth. As we celebrate Your birth help us to seek your kingdom of righteousness and justice. Amen.
May peace, joy, and Jesus’ love encompass you this Christmas. Merry Christmas! – Jeanne 🎄
9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! 10 But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! 11 For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah.
Luke 2:9-11 The Passion Version (TPT)
An angel appeared in radiant splendor to the shepherds. Announcing the joyous news a savior was born, Jesus the Messiah. Then the sky in heaven burst forth with a multitude of angels singing praise. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men (Luke 2:14).” Good news for all, we praise the Lord for his blessing!
How do you share the Good News of Jesus?
Prayer: Our Father, we praise you for the good news of the birth of Your Son, our Messiah, our Savior. Like the beauty of the sky surrounds the sunflowers, let the beauty of Jesus’s birth surround us and touch our hearts. Lord, teach us to embrace Your love and peace and to share it with others. We worship and praise our Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen
Angels from the Realms of Glory Poem by, James Montgomery based on Luke 2:10
Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Come and worship, come and worship Worship Christ, the newborn King… Though an infant now we view him, He shall fill his Father’s throne, Gather all the nations to him; Every knee shall then bow down:
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15: 9-11 (ESV)
Jesus said, “Abide in my love.” Remain, exist, stay, continue, live, and survive are a few synonyms for the word abide. All the words encourage us to exist in Jesus’s love just as He has followed God the Father’s instructions and remained in His love. How do we abide in Jesus’s love? By keeping His commandments and by discovering our potential by following His path for us. His love and path lead to a blessed life full of joy.
This Advent season, where will you find joy?
Prayer: Teach us dear, Lord, to abide in You, to follow You, and accept your unconditional love. Like the three Camellia blossoms are gathered together, we thank you for the threefold love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for us. Lord, we praise you for you are a benevolent loving Father who guides us along a path to love, peace, and joy. Amen.
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God
Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV)
What a wonderful feeling to know that God is everlasting, and He rules from eternity to eternity. He is our protector during life’s storms and offers us His unconditional love. He guides us along our path and forgives us of our sins. Plus, His gift to believers is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Romans 6:23). We are blessed!
Where can you share God’s everlasting goodness today?
Prayer: Lord, we praise you for your everlasting goodness, forgiveness, and unconditional love through the ages. Dahlias bright, beautiful blooms, bring joy to our days like your everlasting love brings joy, hope, and peace to our lives. We are blessed to have an everlasting caring, God, who has been our shield and dwelling place for generations. In the holy name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Calibrachoa “million bells” and Petunias brighten a summer day
11 The Lord God is like the sun that gives us light. He is like a shield that keeps us safe. The Lord blesses us with favor and honor. He doesn’t hold back anything good from those whose lives are without blame.
Psalm 84:11 (NIRV)
God is like a shield He keeps us safe. He honors us and blesses us with His favor. He is Our Father He loves us with unconditional love, and He takes care of us. We just need to believe in God and have faith. To reject evil and do good. It is the deal of a lifetime for it leads to His kingdom. We are blessed!
Have you embraced God’s shield of faith?
Prayer: Our Lord, our light, our salvation, our shield from worldly problems, we give you thanks. We rejoice and raise joyful praise to You like the joyfully colored “million bells” and petunias reflect the sun. God, we are blessed by your favor, care, and shield of protection. Teach us to live righteously. In Jesus’ name. Amen
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Proverbs 4:18 (NIV)
While following your path, do you reflect enough light so that others see you shine? Take time to review your day, do a check, see if your righteousness is showing. Christmas season is a wonderful time to brighten someone’s day, be kind, helpful, in sharing God’s love. As you walk your path, today try to shine ever brighter until you glow, like a Son lit day.
Would a stranger recognize you as a Christian by your actions?
Prayer: Our gracious God, we thank you for Your forgiveness and blessings. Teach us to glow in righteousness as the cherry blossoms glow in the sun. As the lovely pink cherry blossoms brighten Sping days, let us reflect God’s light and shine brightly. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen
Garden Faith 