Mercy: 1 Timothy 1:16-17

But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:16-17 (NLT)

In 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul is instructing his protege Timothy. In verse 16, he explains that God had mercy on him, a foremost sinner. For, Saul, as he was known then, was persecuting the followers of Jesus, trying to stop the spread of Christianity.
When Saul was traveling to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and changed his life and mission. Paul’s conversion is a testimony to the great mercy and forgiveness of the Lord.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, as Paul had been. Paul converted and became God’s representative taking the gospel to the Gentiles.
Paul’s testimony highlights the mercy and infinite love of Jesus; and its transforming power.
The Lord is still patiently waiting for sinners to believe and repent.
In Verse 17, Paul closes with heartfelt praises to God, the Eternal King; all honor and glory to God forever and ever belong to Him!

What testimony can you share of God’s mercy and love for you?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your Son Jesus; and His saving grace. Jesus, we are in awe of Your mercy, forgiveness, and infinite love. We admire, worship, and praise our Triune God for all You have done for us. Like the beautiful trumpet-like blossoms of the azalea, we raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving for your mercy and grace. 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. 🌺

Noel: Unto us a Child is born…

Noel or Noël comes ultimately from the Latin natalis via Anglo-Norman and Middle French. Originally an exclamation of joy at the birth of Christ, in the middle ages it was also used to refer to the Christmas period.
http://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/

Noel (lyrics)
written by, Chris Tomlin

Love incarnate, love divine
Star and angels gave the sign
Bow to babe on bended knee
The Savior of humanity
Unto us a Child is born
He shall reign forevermore
Noel, Noel

Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel
Son of God and Son of man
There before the world began
Born to suffer, born to save
Born to raise us from the grave
Christ the everlasting Lord
He shall reign forevermore
Noel, Noel
Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel

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The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel
Noel, Noel

Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel

Enjoy Lauren Daigle singing Noel:

Unto Us, a Child is born. He shall reign forevermore.

Noel! Peace, Joy, and Merry Christmas! Have a healthy and happy New Year! Blessings! ✨

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

Father of Lights: James 1:17

All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.
James 1:17 (NET)

In James 2:17, James is explaining God is good; He does not tempt people. He wrote in response to the early believers’ concerns when going through life’s trials (verse 13.)

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
James 1:13 (AMP)

God is the Creator; of all that is good; He is the source of and the Father of light. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from God. He is characterized; by goodness, patience, and love. God is the giver of all good things. His light shines brightly; with love, grace, compassion, and blessings.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 (NLT)

In God, there is no hint of darkness or deceit. In Him is no variation or change; He keeps His promises. He gives perfect gifts; “The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.” James 1:17 (MSG)
It is the devil that tempts us, not God.

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life.
(James 4:7 MSG)

God, Father of Lights; greatest gift to us is Jesus, His son Our Redeemer.

Have you let God, the Father of Lights, shine in your life?

Prayer; Our good Father, Father of Lights, giver of every perfect gift, we thank You. Let Your light shine on our dark world. Teach us to follow Your way, illuminate our path, and guide us in Your truth. Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks for Your gifts of love, grace, and forgiveness. Like flowers grow and bloom in sunlight, let us grow in faith and glow with Your light. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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. 🌺

To Serve: Mark 10:45

42 Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you. Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10: 42-45 (NET)

In Mark 10:37, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, brothers, and disciples, requested, to Jesus; “Permit one of us to sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.” This request caused the other ten disciples to become angry at this grab for power and authority (Mark 10:41). Jesus responded to His disciples. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” All power is entrusted to Jesus, the Son of Man, yet he acted as a servant, as an example, His kneeling to wash His disciple’s feet. Jesus’ teaching and His way of life illustrated the difference between worldly and spiritual greatness. He taught that the path of greatness was achieved through humility and by learning to be a servant thereby glorifying God. Jesus’ final act of service was when He gave his life as a ransom for many.

This verse is also found in Mathew:

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28 (NET)

How do you measure greatness? Do you feel to serve others is a worthy goal?

Monarch caterpillars feeding on a butterfly bush

Prayer; Jesus we thank you for your healings, guidance, and love for us. Teach us to be humble, and to help others by being Your hands and feet. Encourage us to seek spiritual goodness rather than worldly gain. Like the butterfly weed provides a host plant for monarch caterpillars and nectar for butterflies; teach us to help and to serve others. 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. 🌺

God’s Wisdom: James 3:17

16Wherever there is jealousy and rivalry, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere. 18A harvest that has God’s approval comes from the peace planted by peacemakers.
James 3:16-18(GWT)

James, in verse 16, is describing worldly wisdom, often driven by envy, jealousy, and selfish ambition, which results in disorder, conflict, and evil. In comparison, God’s wisdom is pure and moral; full of mercy, compassion, it is sincere. His wisdom is impartial, free of prejudice. Trusting in God and His wisdom, and; His ability to provide for us; teaches us to be caring, compassionate, and kind. It encourages us to serve the needs of others and to do good deeds. When you plant peace, along with gentleness, mercy, and compassion, you reap a harvest of righteousness.

16 Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. 17 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. 18 You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
James 3:16-18 (MSG)

What wisdom are you following, God’s wisdom of peace, gentleness, and compassion, or worldly wisdom of selfish ambition?

Prayer; Our loving and compassionate Holy Father, we thank you for your grace and mercy. Teach us Godly wisdom, facing each day with kindness and peace. Guide us to be caring and compassionate rather than being jealous and filled with selfish ambition. Let us plant seeds of peace and be impartial and gentle to each other. Like the chrysanthemum flowers are reaching out, spreading in all directions, help us to reach out in peace and spread Your wisdom and love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

The Lord Rules-Psalm 96:10-12

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
Psalm 96:7 (NLT)

10 Say to the nations, “The Lord rules.”
The world is firmly set in place. It can’t be moved.
The Lord will judge the people of the world fairly.
Psalm 96:10 (NIRV)

11 Let the heavens be full of joy. Let the earth be glad.
Let the ocean and everything in it roar.
Psalm 96:11

12 Let the fields and everything in them be glad.
Let all the trees in the forest sing for joy.
Psalm 96:12

The Lord is glorious and strong. We are to proclaim to the world that the Lord rules. Make known that God’s work is lasting and good. He has firmly established the world; it is immovable and lasting. God is good! Let us tell the world of His glory and His salvation.
God is a righteous judge, fair, and ruling with justice. In praise, all creation rejoices, the heavens are full of joy, the oceans roar, the fields are glad, and the forests sing for joy. For the Lord rules, He is glorious, strong, and good. We rejoice and worship Him with love and thanksgiving.

The Lord rules, He is loving, forgiving, fair, and good. Are you thankful for His providence, grace, and mercy?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your works and amazed by Your grace. We thank you for your justice and love. Teach us to proclaim to all that the Lord rules. Let us praise, rejoice, and be thankful for Your forgiveness, love, and provision to us. May nature and Your people sing for joy. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

In America, we celebrate Thanksgiving this Thursday. May we count our blessings every day and always be thankful. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

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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. 🌺

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

Living Letter of Christ: 2 Corinthians 3:3

3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)

Paul is explaining to the people of Corinth; he was just the messenger that delivered the gospel of Christ to them. Through their faith, they became living letters, letters written by the Holy Spirit on their hearts. The indwelling Holy Spirit converts and humbles our hearts filling us with the love of Christ. Now the wonder and power of God are written by the Holy Spirit in our hearts, not on tablets of stone on Mount Sinai. We become a living letter of Christ, ambassadors of love and truth to those who do not know Jesus.

Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.
2 Corinthians 3:3 (MSG)

Are you a living letter for Christ? Have you opened your heart to the Holy Spirit? Have you accepted the truth of the gospel and have it written in your heart?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your compassion, grace, and love. Teach us to open our hearts to the Holy Spirits’ direction. Let the Holy Spirit transform us, guide us, and write on our hearts, Your truth. Like azaleas grow and flourish with blossoms, teach us to grow in Your Word and our hearts to blossom and become a living letter from Christ. 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.🌺