Rest for Soul: Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

A yoke is a device used to harness animals to attach them to a plow or cart. Jesus asks us to take His yoke and let him control and direct our life; learn from Him. As an instructor, He is gentle and humble. He teaches with fairness and patience. For; Jesus is humble in heart. His priority is always God’s will, not his own. Like Him, we need to follow God’s will and let go of our pride.

Jesus’s yoke is lined with love and brings peace and joy; rest for our souls.

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Are you tired of trying to find your way and failing? If we accept God’s guidance and let go of pride, we find rest for our souls.

Prayer; Lord Jesus, thank You for Your guidance and salvation. Help us to realize what is important in life. Teach us to be humble; let go of pride and walk with You. Like the clematis flower is open and rests against the post, let us be open to God’s will and find rest for our souls. Amen

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Live in Him: 1 John 3:24

23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
1 John 3:23-24 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit lives in believers, enlightening, sustaining, and guiding us to be more Christ-like. We are given the Holy Spirit, a gift from God, to guide us in truth. The presence of the Holy Spirit can’t be seen but is exhibited in its effect on a believer’s heart and life; by growth in faith, love, and sanctification.
A believer in Christ; lives in Him, and Christ lives in the believer; through the Holy Spirit.

Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.
1 John 3:23-24 (MSG)

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Does God live in you? When we believe in Jesus and love one another, God lives in us, and we live in Him.

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Guide us to live in You and love others as you have loved us. Teach us to listen to the Holy Spirit and find help and guidance. As the hardy geraniums glows with raindrops in the sunlight, let us glow with Your love and spread Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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God-breathed: 2 Timothy 3:16

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV)

In Greek, the word Theopneustos translates as God-breathed. Paul is saying that scripture is; divinely breathed into by God. Men penned the scripture, but the words were divinely inspired. Scripture written years ago is still relevant today; because God guides and counsels us through the ancient pages.

Scripture instructs us, points out sin, counsels, corrects us, and teaches us to accept and apply truth. Our God-breathed Scripture is for us; a firm foundation, the wisdom we can rely on, equipping us for good work.

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG)

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Is our God’s-breathed scripture your firm foundation?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your guidance and counsel. May your God-breathed scripture guide and direct our path. Teach us to go to the scriptures for clarity, counsel, and truth. Let us embrace Your Word, equipping us to do good works. May we cluster together like the spirea blossoms and spread Your love. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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The Lord Reigns: 1Chronicles 16:33

31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees of the forest sing,
let them sing for joy before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
1 Chronicles 16:31-33 (NIV)

These verses are sometimes titled “Creation Praises God.” The majesty of creation, its beauty, and diversity is a testimony of praise; praise to their creator to the Lord. The beauty and complexity of nature; display His marvelous works. The Lord reigns. Let the trees sing; bringing forth blossoms; a chorus of joy, for the Lord is a righteous judge.

He will judge the world in righteousness and people in faithfulness. God is coming to set things right!

30-33 God is serious business, take him seriously;
he’s put the earth in place and it’s not moving.
So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant,
and pass the word among the nations, “God reigns!”
Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow,
let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters;
Then the trees in the forest will add their applause
to all who are pleased and present before God
—he’s on his way to set things right!
1 Chronicles 16:30-33 (MSG)

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The Lord reign, creation praises Him, do you sing for joy for our righteous Lord?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your creation. Help us to rejoice, be jubilant and sing with joy, for You are hope and salvation. Let nature sing; for you are a righteous judge. Like the dogwood and cherry tree crescendo with spring flowers, let us sing in joy as we grow in faith and righteousness. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Seek His Kingdom: Matthew 6:33

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

To seek means to strive after, endeavor to find, and tenaciously look for; to strive after something. In other words, Jesus tells us to strive after the Kingdom of God above all else. Instead of fruitless worry over worldly concerns, Jesus tells us to trust the heavenly Father; He provides His children with what is needed.

We need to pursue the kingdom of God, trusting in God’s righteousness and His love. God knows our needs. He will provide for our basic needs when we live righteously and trust in Him. We need to change our focus from material things instead make our priority focusing on seeking the Kingdom of God. When we make our relationship with God the center of our life, he will give us everything we really need. ⁂

Do you try to solve your problems and worries elsewhere, or do you turn to the Kingdom of God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and care. Lord, teach us to reach out to you instead of relying on our understanding. Help us to live righteously and have faith and trust in Your care for us. Guide us to pursue Your kingdom and accept Your will. Like the Ranunculus blossom opening in the sunlight, let us be open-hearted and turn toward and share Your light, Lord Jesus. Amen

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House of the Lord: Psalm 27:4-5

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:4-5 (NIV)

What is David asking and seeking? He is asking to dwell in the House of the Lord, God’s temple, a place of worship, and is seeking to spend his life in praise and worship. He longs to be in God’s presence in a lifelong relationship with the Lord. To behold the beauty of the Lord; meaning to contemplate God’s wisdom, grace, truth, and justice.

When surrounded by danger, the Lord will hide us, protect us, and shelter us from evil. He will set me high upon a rock, secure and safe from pursuers.

4 I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing:
To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.

5 That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.
Psalm 27:4-5 (MSG)

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Is it your utmost wish to dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of your life?

Prayer; Lord, You are our rock and redeemer. We long to spend all our days with You, secure from the noisy world. To be with You, In Your house, spending our time in worship and praise, safe and protected from evil. Like the cherry tree blossoms bring beauty to Spring, Your beauty springs from your truth, grace, and justice. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Did you notice the small “dweller” in the cherry blossom? 🌺

Gracious and Pleasant: Colossians 4:5-6

5 Be wise in the way you act toward those who are not believers, making good use of every opportunity you have. 6 Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6 (GNB)

We need to live a life honoring God to give credence to our words. We need to be gracious and pleasant in our actions toward non-believers, using discernment and wisdom in what we do and say. Some versions of verse 6 say that your conversations should be full of grace and seasoned with salt.

⁵Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. ⁶Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].
Colossians 4:5-6 (AMP)

In early times salt was used as a preservative and a flavor enhancer; our conversation, likewise, should be palatable and acceptable to others. Christians should be ready and eager to give an answer for their hope and faith remembering to be consistent in our actions and considerate in our conduct, making the most of any opportunity to share the message of Jesus.

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Do you make good use of the opportunities you have to be gracious and pleasant and share your faith?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, help us to be considerate in our conduct and gracious and pleasant in our actions. Teach us to make the most of every opportunity to share Your message. Guide us to walk in wisdom, speaking the right words and spreading Your truth. Like the Deutzia delicate bell-like flowers grace the yard in spring, let our speech be delicate and full of grace. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Be Content: Hebrews 13:5

Don’t love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (GWT)

Love of money, an unhealthy desire for wealth, or covetousness; are worldly behaviors that lead to dissatisfaction and envy. Christians need to be thankful for what they have and not be anxious about worldly things. Our lives should not revolve around earthly treasures, which are easily lost or destroyed. Instead, we should store our treasures in heaven; by living the way God asks us to live.
We should be happy and thankful for all God has given us; be content. For God says, I will never abandon you or leave you. An attitude of contentment brings heartfelt peace and leads to a positive outlook exemplifying Christian life.

5-6 Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
Hebrews 13:5-6 (MSG)

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Are you worried about your status and keeping up with the neighbors; or content in the knowledge that God will never abandon or leave you?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your forgiveness and love. Teach us to be content with what we have, and realize what is important in life. Help us to store our treasures in heaven; rather than in material things. Like the zinnia flower reflects sunlight, let us reflect Your light and spread Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Run With Endurance: Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

The writer of Hebrews acknowledges faithful people in the past as; huge crowds of witnesses with faith. They are examples of people persevering despite hardships and problems but continuing to trust and obey the Lord. To encourage church members to maintain their faith and to rid themselves of anything that hinders Christian life. To persevere and avoid sin, striving to do God’s will.

To run with endurance the race God has set before us, we should follow the supreme example of persistent faith; Jesus. He did not give up but endured the cross for us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

To run with endurance, we need to run our correct path; with patience, faith, and our eyes focused on Jesus.

12 1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

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Have you lost your focus, or are you running with endurance and faith?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, help us to rid ourselves of any hindrances to our walk of faith. Teach us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to run the race you set before us with endurance and perseverance. Like the hosta flower are upright reaching toward to sun, let us be upright in our ways; focus on and reach out toward Your Son, Jesus. Amen

Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!

Our Hope: Psalm 33:22

My Easter Basket

20We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

21In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

22Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33: 20-22 (NLT)

My hope is in the Lord; my soul waits for Him. What is hope? A dictionary definition is a feeling of trust. There is a close connection between hope and trust. Biblically, hope can be defined as a confident expectation of God’s promises. A confident expectation in what God has promised, and belief in God’s faithfulness, gives us hope.

The Lord is our help, shield, and salvation. Trusting in His holy name and unfailing love causes our hearts to rejoice.

Verse 22 is a closing prayer; Dear Lord, let your unfailing love and loving devotion surround us; for our hope is in you alone. Amen ⁂

When you have problems and concerns, where is your hope; is your hope in the Lord?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, You are our strength, help, and shield. We thank You for your grace, compassion, and unfailing love. You are our hope Lord; our hearts rejoice in Your faithfulness. Like bulbs planted in the Fall grow and bring joy in Spring, may our faith grow and our hope be in You alone. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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