Harmony and Peace: 2Corinthians 13:11

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, where they were struggling to keep a Christian lifestyle. Many of the believers were being swayed by the city’s immorality, idolatry, and false teachers. Paul is seeking for them to mend their ways and restore their unity of purpose. He encourages them to be joyful, to grow in maturity. To repair their relationships so they could work together and encourage one another. To be of one mind, with shared values; to become complete, restored, work in harmony, and live in peace. Traits church people are still in need of today. For God’s love and peace surround those who work in unity for His good.

In today’s world, we are bombarded with bickering, name-calling, and disagreement daily. Are you encouraging harmony and peace in your church/community?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, you are a God of love and peace. We thank you for your compassion and grace to us. Teach us to mend our ways and live in unity, harmony, and peace. Keep us strong, in Your way, unswayed by false teaching and immorality. Guide us in your truth and light. Like the Echinacea flower’s beauty is enhanced when grouped together; let our life be enhanced with harmony and peace when we go forward in unity. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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

The Lord Reigns: Psalm 93:1

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.

Psalm 93:1 (NIV)

The LORD reigns over everything. His throne is eternal, established at the beginning of time. He is powerful, clothed in strength and honor. He is robed in majesty, not just clothed but empowered with majesty, splendor, honor, and glory. And He shall reign forever and ever. The world He created, He established, and He rules. The world is under His established dominion, solid, secure, and immovable. The Lord reigns; our Eternal King, our Triune God, reigns, in supreme serenity, forgiving, caring, and loving. Our Lord is omniscient, has knowledge of everything, and His people must abide by His Word, follow His path, and not worry, knowing He is in control.

Are you putting your faith and hope in Our majestic Lord, who has reigned, does reign, and will reign forever, allowing Him to guide and direct you?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we worship you and praise you. We are in awe of your majesty, and strength, and wisdom. Lord, you reign, with power and majesty. We know you are Lord God Almighty; we turn our worries and fears over to you, knowing You are in control. Like the three glowing, bright, and beautiful lilies shine in the light, the majesty, strength, and honor of our three in one God; shine truth and light on us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

 He Shall Reign (Live) – Hillsong Worship

Lyrics:

Holy holy holy
Our God is on the throne
So firm is His foundation
No power can overthrow

And He shall reign
Forever and ever

One name outlasts the ages
Through time His truth revealed
While kings may pass like shadows
Our God is sovereign still

And He shall reign
Forever and ever…

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

Gracious Love: Psalm 36:10

Send forth your gracious love to those who know you, and your righteousness to those who are upright in heart.

Psalm 36:10(NIV)

A psalm of David, Psalm 36 is a song of prayer. A request to God to continue to send forth His gracious love, His loving kindness, and mercy to those who know and love Him. To continue His favor, protection, and righteousness to the upright in heart. The upright in heart; true believers who are pure and holy in intentions. To pour His unfailing love and give justice and righteousness to those with honest and loving hearts. David is praying that the gracious love, mercy, and righteousness of God continues for himself and everyone who is in a sincere and faithful relationship with God.

One definition for the term upright in heart; is to have wholeness or integrity of heart. David is praying for the Lord to continue sending forth His gracious love and righteousness to everyone in a sincere and faithful relationship with Him. Is your relationship with the Lord open-hearted, upright, and sincere?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your gracious unfailing love. We pray that you continue to send forth to us your loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness. Help us to be upright in heart, open to Your Word and way. Guide us in Your truth and light. Like the open petals of the chrysanthemum, gather close in the center of the flower; let us be open-hearted and gather together in love. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

God is open to and listens to our prayers. If you need prayer, I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

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

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

God’s Will: 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

What is God’s will? According to Paul in 1Thessalonians, God’s will is for us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Lofty goals for us. It would be easier if Paul said, rejoice and pray often, and remember to be thankful. How do we learn to rejoice, pray, and give thanks to the Lord more often? By looking to God in all circumstances, praying for His direction, seeing others through His loving eyes. By realizing that rejoicing and prayer bring us closer to the promises of God and the hope of Christ, our source of true joy. Even when Paul was in jail and shackled, he rejoiced in God’s goodness. In prayer, we acknowledge God, His goodness, His grace, His mercy, and His provision for us. When we trust God, we feel thankfulness for His past, His present, and His future mercies toward us. These make us want to rejoice, pray, and thank our Heavenly Father.

God’s will for us is to rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. When you are troubled, confused, afraid, and overwhelmed, do you stop; and take a moment to rejoice, pray, and give thanks?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your love and compassion for us. We rejoice in your goodness to us, we pray for Your guidance, and we thank you for Your amazing grace. Teach us to find delight in Your love and to rejoice always. Open our hearts to You. Let us embrace Your will, focus on Christ, and reach out in prayer with thanksgiving in all circumstances. Like the foxglove blossoms appear to be open and in song, let us open our hearts to you and rejoice with singing. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

 God is open to and listens to our prayers. If you need prayer, I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Faithful Love: Psalm 147:10-11


10 He doesn’t take pleasure in the strength of horses.
    He doesn’t take delight in the strong legs of warriors.
11 The Lord takes delight in those who have respect for him.
    They put their hope in his faithful love.

Psalm 147: 10-11 (NIRV)

The Lord takes pleasure in strength and perseverance in faith; rather than in strength in physical ability. He delights in worship, prayer, and obedience rather than the strength of warriors.
Many versions of verse 11 state, “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” The Lord delights in those who fear Him or, perhaps better stated as those in awe of Him who acknowledge, His power, justice, and wisdom. Who respect Him, follow His Word, place hope in Him, accepting His promise of faithful, unfailing love. God is good; His steadfast love endures forever.

Where do you find hope and strength during stressful times? Is your hope found in God’s faithful love?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your faithful love and abundant mercy. Teach us to listen for Your direction, respect Your laws, follow Your ways, and spread Your love. Help us to grow in faith and to put our hope in You. Like delightful oriental lilies brighten our days, let us delight in Your Word and brighten the world with Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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

Lord, You are Good: Psalm 139:1-6

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand! Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT)

Lord, you know me, you have examined my heart, you know my thoughts, you know everything I do. You love me with unconditional love; you stand beside me and guide me. You place your hand of blessing on my head and forgive me. Lord, You are good. Your greatness God touches my life; you care about me and direct me on Your path. Through You, I understand who and whose I am. Lord, You created us, know us, bless us, are with us, and care for us. Lord, we are in awe of You, Your power, divine knowledge, and wisdom. Our purpose is to glorify You, Lord, in all we do.

Lord, You are great, Lord, You are good, Lord, You are all-knowing. Do you take time to reach out and let the greatness of God touch and direct your life?

Prayer; Lord, You are our Heavenly Father; You know us and love us. We thank you for Your forgiveness, love, grace, and mercy. Lord, You are good. We worship You with awe and reverence. We praise Your Holy name. We revere Your patience, Your blessing, and Your guidance. Like the beauty of the three, lily blossoms brighten days; let us dwell in the beauty and glory of our three in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all our days. Amen

I discovered this heartfelt song Lord, You are Good by Todd Galberth and wanted to share it with you.

God is open to and listens to our prayers. If you need prayer, I will be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Glory and Majesty: Jude 1:24-25

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude 1 24:25 (NIV)

Jude praises God, our Savior, and encourages us. First, he describes what God can do for us; prevent us from stumbling and present us before His glorious presence without fault. In God’s presence, we will rejoice and find great joy. Then Jude describes God’s attributes; His majesty (magnificence and sovereign power), His dominion (authority), and His glory (greatness, honor). God so loved us that He gave us Jesus, our mediator, our salvation. Our Lord has been here from the beginning, is here now, and forever. These verses often are used as a doxology or benediction.

Have you taken time to worship and praise God? His majesty, glory, and love abound.

Prayer; Lord, we thank you for your forgiveness and mercy to us. We praise and worship you; Your glory is abundant, Your majesty abounds, and Your power is mighty. Guide us in Your truth and teach us Your ways. Like the open flowers of the lilies reach toward the sun, let us be open to Your direction and reach forward toward Your path for us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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

Lord, Your love: Psalm 36:5-7

5 Lord, your love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithful love reaches up to the skies.
6 Your holiness is as great as the height of the highest mountains.
You are as honest as the oceans are deep.
Lord, you keep people and animals safe.
7 How priceless your faithful love is!
People find safety in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36:5-7 (NIRV)

Psalm 36 verses 1-4 David is concerned about wicked people; who are evil, rebellious, embrace sin, and have no fear of God. In contrast in verses, 5-7 David, describes the Lord, His love is vast as the heavens, His faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds, His righteousness is mighty like the mountains and, His justice deep like the ocean. The Lord is compassionate; He cares for all His people and all the creatures of the earth. In Luke 12:6: Jesus says, What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. He cares for all His creation; all humanity finds shelter in the shadow of God’s wings. Lord, we worship and praise You; Your Love is as high as the heavens. Your faithful love reaches up to the skies. You are all-powerful and almighty.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 36:5-7 (NLT)

Lord, Your love is as high as the heavens, and Your faithful love reaches the sky. The wicked may have temporary success, but our almighty God will shelter the godly in the shadow of His wings and reward the righteous.

Have you found love, hope, and shelter in the shadow of God’s wings?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, You are our hope, our strength, and our salvation. Lord, teach us to cling to Your promises, bask in Your love, and know You are in control. Help us to open our hearts, transmit Your light, and share Your love with others. Like the Gomphrena fireworks, bright flower petals radiate in all directions; let us brighten the world by radiating Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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

True Light: John 1:9

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

John 1:9 (NLT)

There it was—the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone.

John 1:9 (AMP)

John chapter one introduces Jesus and establishes that Christ was one with God. Jesus is the one, the true light. He is the source of light eternal, perfect light. For Jesus is the light of the world, in Him there is no darkness. Jesus gives light to everyone, enlightening all, with His teachings, His actions, His love. We reflect the light of Christ by believing in Him, spreading His Word, and sharing His love with others.

Are you walking in true light and reflecting it to others?

Prayer; God, Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your Son, Jesus, the true light, illuminating the darkness. Let us follow His teaching and actions and be enlightened. Teach us to reflect His light, and share His love with others. Like the vibrant, pure scented gardenia blossom, help us to be vibrant in our love for others and pure in our faith. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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