Temple of God: 1Corinthians 3:16

16 [a]Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]? 17 If anyone destroys the temple of God [corrupting it with false doctrine], God will destroy the destroyer; for the temple of God is holy (sacred), and that is what you are.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (AMP)

The church in Corinth had problems; the people had different beliefs and backgrounds, leading to divisions within the church. Paul is reminding them that the church is the temple of God. The church’s foundation is Jesus Christ. God’s temple is holy. The church is a group of believers. Bickering, fractions, and personal agendas were corrupting the church, God’s temple.

God dwells in the church in the heart of His people. God’s people are holy and precious to Him. Paul is telling the church that they need to treat each other in a sacred manner. Their actions to each other should be pure and holy. As Christians, we must live a life that gives honor to God.

Is your foundation in Jesus Christ? Is the Spirit of God alive in you? Are you giving honor to God in God’s temple?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father opens our hearts to You. Teach us to treat each other in a sacred manner. Help us to live a life that gives honor to You. Guide us in making Jesus Christ our strong foundation, giving honor to God in all we do. Like the flowers of the Calibrachoa bloom together growing toward the light, let us gather and bloom together, reflecting Your light. In Jesus’ holy and 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. 🌺

Grace: Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

It is not because we are good or deserving that we are saved. God doesn’t only accept good people. By, His grace, His freely given blessing, His gift, we all can be saved.

Grace can be described as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Christ died for our sins. We don’t need to be “good enough” for salvation, we just need to believe and have faith, in God and Christ’s goodness. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, faith: is belief and trust in and loyalty to God.

10For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Good works are not the cause of salvation; good works are the purpose of salvation. God saves us to do good works in His name, which brings Him glory.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your love and grace. Let our faith and trust in You direct our lives. Guide us to follow Your path, and do good works, to glorify Your name. Like the mallow flowers are open and illuminated by sunlight, let us be open to Your Word and illuminated with Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. 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. 🌺

Full of Light – Matt 6:22

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
Matthew 6:22 (NIV)

How is the eye a lamp to the body? When the eye is focused on worldly things, we see dimly; we don’t see the light and truth of Jesus. Our eyes are like a window. When the window is clean, light comes in and illuminates the room. When our eyes focus on worldly things, the window is dirty; the light is blocked, the room dark and dim.

But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
Matthew 6:23 (NLV)

When our eyes are good, our bodies are full of light; helping us to perceive what is true and right. Helping us to discern the correct path.
Our eyes are the gateway to our hearts and mind. They allow us to see when people are hurting, needy, or lost. Enabling us to help others and spread the light of Jesus.
When our eyes are open, and we seek His kingdom first, our bodies will be full of light; illuminating the darkness.

How is your sight? Are you seeing things clearly; is your body filled with light?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, may our eyes be healthy and fixed on You. May our bodies be full of light and our actions humble and loving. Teach us to perceive what is true and right. Like the Gerbera daisy glows and reflects sunlight, let us glow and reflect Your light. In Jesus’ holy and 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. 🌺

Treasures: Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

In these verses, Jesus is explaining to His followers how to live and act. Our life 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, by loving our neighbor as ourselves, guarding against evil, helping the less fortunate, and loving the Lord with all our hearts.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37b

Where is your treasure? Is it on worldly success and building wealth?

If so, that’s where the desire of your heart is; what your heart is focused on.
If our focus is on heavenly rewards, our hearts are focused on honoring God; and enjoying that treasure forever.

Prayer; Lord Jesus, teach us to store our treasures in heaven. Help us to embrace the correct priorities in life. Encourage us to love God with all our hearts, and help us to love others as You have loved us. Like orchid blossoms are beautiful to behold, let our treasures be beautiful to God. 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. 🌺

Seasons: Ecclesiastes 3:1

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

In my area, it is the season of winter. Normally our winters are mild, with occasional small snowfall. This Saturday, over 11 inches of snow fell. I managed to cover my blooming camellia before the heavy snow.

Indeed for most flowers and gardens, there is a season, a planting season, a growing season, and a blooming season. In life, our seasons can be times of trials, times of growth, times of change, and times of blessings.

Through all seasons, God is with us, guiding us. We can trust in God He’s sovereign; He is in control.

This Rachel Carson quote has always been a favorite of mine:

There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.
Rachel Carson

In all season’s do you place your trust in God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for guiding us through the seasons of our lives. Help us to follow your path and to rely on your guidance. Teach us to turn to you when we are overwhelmed, confused, or feel lost. Like the out-of-season bloom on the camellia, remind us to set our eyes on You when life is confusing. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

Waiting for Spring…

Winter can be a season for play.

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

Come Close to God: James 4:8

7So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
James 4:7-8 (NLT)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. God is waiting for you to knock on the door, to reach out to Him. God is waiting, ready to accept us with open arms. When we reach out to God, He welcomes us and draws near to us. Pride causes resistance to God; being humble brings us close to God.
Washing; cleaning our hands means reforming our ways, ceasing to do evil, and amending our actions. A pure heart is free of evil desires and false teachings and is focused on God. It is a heart full of love, compassion, purity.
Our prayer should be; “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Our loyalty is to God. Our hearts are not pure when divided between God and worldly things. A pure heart fully trusts in God.

Will you come close to God, follow His word, praise Him, and go to Him in prayer with a pure heart?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, guide us in Your truth. Help us to come close to You, and cease to do evil. Create in us a pure heart, O God focused on You. Like the open and bright flower of the Gerbera Daisy, may our hearts be open and shine brightly with Your love. In Jesus’ holy 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. 🌺

Love Deeply: 1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1Peter 4:8 (NIV)

In this verse, Peter acknowledges that we are not perfect; we make mistakes and fail to obey. The redemptive love of Jesus covers our sins. When dealing with one another, we need to exhibit this Christ-like love. We need to forgive each other, overlook past difficulties, strengthen each other, and learn to love each other deeply. Peter is requesting that we make love a priority, for love covers a multitude of sins. It is important Christians show deep love, forgiving as Christ does.

8Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another
1 Peter 4:8-10 (NLT)

Do you love deeply, sharing the love of Jesus in your daily interactions?

Prayer; Jesus, we thank You for Your forgiveness and love. Teach us to embrace Your love and share it in our daily activities. Help us to love deeply and forgive graciously. Guide us in Your truth and light. Like the Passion Flower’s name emanates from Jesus’ crucifixion, let our love emanate from the love and forgiveness of Jesus. 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. 🌺

Guard Your Heart: Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

God’s Word has the power to transform your heart. Reading the scriptures and meditating on God’s Word opens your heart, enlightening and renewing your thoughts and actions. A transformed heart that is right and pure has the right beliefs and focuses on God’s Word.

Like David, in Psalm, 51:10 we need to pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

In 1 Samuel 16:17b, The Lord says to Samuel: “People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

God’s Word can strengthen and heal your heart; guide you in wisdom. Guard your heart; follow the right path, allow God to direct your steps, to keep you from evil.

23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.
Proverbs 4:23-27 (MSG)

Will you let God’s Word guide your heart and direct your path?

Prayer; Lord, create in me a clean heart, guide my path. Teach me to guard my heart, to keep my eyes focused on You, and to resist evil. Let my words and actions be acceptable in Your sight. Like the flowers of the bleeding heart plant reflect sunlight, let my heart reflect the light of 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.🌺

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