Everything I Need: Psalm 16:5

Beach Rose – Rosa Rugosa

Your pleasant path leads me  pleasant places.
I’m overwhelmed by the privileges
that come with following you,
for you have given me the best!
⁷The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more,
for your whispers in the night give me wisdom,
showing me what to do next.
⁸Because you are close to me and always available,
my confidence will never be shaken,
for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.
⁹My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory!
Even my body will rest confident and secure.
Psalm 16:6-9 The Passion Translation (TPT)

The Passion Translation has a beautiful description of the Lord and lists examples of how He is everything we need. The Lord is always available to us, He gives us wisdom, He counsels us, and in Him, we can rest confident and secure. If you need hope, security, or wisdom, call on the Lord and listen for guidance. God forgives us and surrounds us with His unconditional Love.

What do you need to give to Jesus, to let the Lord be your everything?

Another way of saying the Lord is everything I need is “Christ is Enough.” Click here for the song – by Hillsong Live.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are our everything! We are thankful for your compassion, care, and guidance. Help us to grow in faith and give our lives to You. The lovely beach rose is a simple rose that doesn’t need pampering, it thrives in the sand at the beach. Lord, teach us to realize You are what we need to thrive You are our hope and our salvation. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Teach Me: Psalm 86:11

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
Psalm 86: 11 (NLT)

Often we stumble and fall because we are lost in our plans, trying to go it alone. God’s truth is in the Bible, His guide for us, His word to us. God is waiting and reaching out welcoming, wanting to teach us to follow His path. When we let go of our self direction and rely on God’s foundation, His word, we find peace and live according to His truth. This truth will purify our hearts and set us free from worldly woes.

A common prayer for me is to ask the Lord to teach me His ways, and to open my heart. Where in your life do you need instruction from God?

Prayer: O Lord, teach us Your ways, guide us with Your truth. Help us to purify our hearts. Let us live together in unity as the plants grow together in the planter. Like the vines help us to reach out and spread Your love. We honor, worship, and praise You. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen

Possible: Matthew 19:25-26

Snapdragon blossoms

²⁵When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:25-26 (NIV)

²⁵The disciples were staggered. “Then who has any chance at all?”²⁶Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”
Matthew 19:25-26 (The Message)

God is omnipotent all-powerful, with God all things are possible. God alone can save sinners, and give them eternal life. Yes, all things are possible with God, but we must learn to submit to Him to His plan. Trust Him to do what is best for us. For, nothing is impossible when our trust is in God.

What worries are keeping you from trusting God, through whom all is possible?

Prayer: Dear Lord teach us to rely on You, to trust Your direction, and to follow Your path. The beauty of the snapdragon blossoms and the majesty of nature that surrounds help us perceive Your amazing power. God help us to realize that all is possible through You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Justice: Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.
Micah 6:8 (NET)

⁸He has made it clear to you, mortal man, what is good and what the Lord is requiring from you—to act with justice, to treasure the Lord’s gracious love, and to walk humbly in the company of your God.
Micah 6:8 (ISV)

We often have a list of wants we want from the Lord, and we ask Him in prayer to help us. This scripture instead speaks to what God wants from us. Our Lord wants us to carry out justice, be faithful in love, and live obediently to His word. Some versions say to act with justice, to treasure the Lord’s gracious love, and to walk humbly with your God. What a wonderful synopsis of how to live.

What actions demonstrate carrying out justice to you?

Prayer: Dear Lord, our loving Father, we thank you for your forgiveness and grace to us. Like succulent leaves are known for their ability to hold water, let us be known for acting with justice and treasuring Your gracious love toward us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Glory: Philippians: 4:19-20

¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20

¹⁹I 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.

Prince of Peace: Isaiah 9:6-7

Poinsettia – Pink, White, Red

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 🎄

What I desire: Psalm 27:4

Clematis Vine and Flower

I have asked the LORD for one thing—
this is what I desire! I want to live in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor.
Psalm 27:4 New English Translation (NET Bible)

What I desire, is to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life. My first response is Amen. Then when I continue and read the NIV version of this verse, it says, “to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Wow! Yes, this is my goal, my dream, and my hope. Can you even imagine?

Who or what has influenced your growth in the path toward God’s kingdom?

Prayer: Dear Lord, let our faith be bold and bright like the clematis flowers. Like the clematis plant twines around its support, lead us to pursue your path, and to rejoice in your splendor. Lord help us obtain our desire to live in Your house all the days of our life. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen.