Just and Good: Psalm 33:5

4For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. 5He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth.
Psalm 33:4-5 (NLT)

Psalm 33 starts with;

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is beautiful.
Psalm 33:1 (CEB)

The following verses give reasons to praise the Lord. We can trust in Him, for the Word of the Lord is true; we can believe the truth of His Word (verse 4). We can rejoice because God loves righteousness and justice. He is good and wants us to be like him, moral and good. We should rejoice and praise the Lord for His goodness and unfailing love for us (verse 5). As His love fills the earth, let us rejoice and show love to all. ⁂

Our Lord is good, just, true, and righteous. He forgives our sins and loves us. Have you taken time to praise, rejoice and worship Him today?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we rejoice in Your goodness, truth, and justice. We praise You for Your patience and forgiveness of us. We thank You for Your grace, mercy, and your unfailing love for us. Like the sunflowers grow and glow in the sunshine, let us grow in faith and glow with Your Son’s light. Amen

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Living as Children of Light: Ephesians 4:20-24

Radiate the Lord’s Light

20But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Ephesians 4:20-24 (NLT)

Renew

Our Plans: Proverbs 16:9

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

We often try to control and fine-tune our plans to the way we want. Forming plans for the future is wise, but often our plans are limiting; God can direct us to achieve abundantly more than we ever considered. In humility, we need to realize that God is in control and determining our steps. The best way to plan is to commit our way to God, trusting him to direct us. He will guide us on the correct path, the way best for us, in this world, and eternally.

⁹We plan the way we want to live,
but only God makes us able to live it.
Proverbs 16:9 (MSG) ⁘

When in your life has God changed your plans for the better?

Prayer; Our loving Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and patience. Teach us to open our hearts to You and to listen to Your direction. Help us to live in faith and trust You to determine our steps. Like the blossoms of the clematis are open reaching toward the sun, let us be open to Your guidance and reach out to You in faith. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Power of God: 1 Corinthians 2:5

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (KJV)

Paul didn’t have dazzling delivery or lofty speech for the people of Corinth. Instead, he used the power of God; by speaking healing words of truth as the Holy Spirit directed. The dynamic speech of humans; can be enticing and cajole, but when based on the wisdom of men rather than the power of God, it is limited and falls short.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV

Paul wanted to share his message of faith, highlighting Jesus’ love and salvation for them. He spoke with the power of the Spirit to encourage growth in understanding, faith, and appreciation of the power of God. ⁘

What do you rely on; the enticing speech of the worldly or the wisdom and power of God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, open our eyes and teach us to be guided by Your wisdom. Help us to grow in faith and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Like the small trumpet-like flowers of the lilac spread out in all directions, guide us to avoid the diverse directions of the world and follow the true direction, the power of God. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

Path: Isaiah 30:21

21 Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)

As Christians, it is important to determine which way to go; which path to follow. We need to discern God’s plan for us to determine the correct direction to go. How do we know which path to follow? By trusting in God’s promises, following His Word, and listening to His voice, the voice behind us, to find our correct path.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Worldly distractions can influence and divert us from His path for us. We need to keep our hearts open to God, seek His will and take time to listen to His direction. He will tell us which path to take. We may be fickle and disobedient, but God stays beside us, telling us which way to go. God promises never to leave us or forsake us. We can rely on His promise to be with us and to tell us the way to go, whether to the right or left. ⁂

When you are faced with changes, uncertain choices, and are confused about the path to take, who do you listen to?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your guidance and direction. Teach us to listen to Your voice and follow Your path for us. Guide us by turning us away from worldly distractions and help us focus on Your voice. Like the Stella D Oro daylily flowers, bloom in all directions around the plant; help us to grow, blossom, and follow Your path. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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Freedom: Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 (NET)

In the United States of America, today is Independence Day, causing me to think about freedom. Freedom through Christ. How are we free? By following the teachings of Jesus and by being His disciple; by believing in Him, and walking in obedience. We obtained freedom by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Through our faith in Christ, we live in freedom, freedom from the slavery of sin; our sins are forgiven. We belong to God; we are His chosen.

In freedom, we are allowed to make choices. Choices we will be held accountable for. Our freedom is not to be used as an excuse to indulge ourselves, but instead to serve one another in love.
As the Message bible version of Galatians 5:14 states: “For everything, we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.”

^13-14It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.
Galatians 5:13-14 (MSG)

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By God’s grace, we have freedom. Is your freedom as a Christian focused on self-satisfaction or on serving others in love?

Prayer; Lord Jesus, we thank you for setting us free from slavery to sin. We thank You for the freedom you have granted us through Your grace. Guide us to use this freedom to be more like You in our actions. As the Gomphrena, Fireworks pink blossoms with tiny yellow flowers spread outward in all directions; let us spread Your love outward to others, in all directions. Amen

Keep Alert: 1Corinthians16:13-14

13 Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NRSV)

Paul is informing the Corinthians that it is vital to keep alert and be vigilant against all evil. To cling to Christian convictions and trust the Lord’s direction. To be strong and courageous and stand firm in the faith, realizing that Jesus is our rock, our salvation our firm foundation.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV)

Paul continues after the four instructions; to keep alert, stand firm, be courageous, be strong, and adds a final instruction “Let all that you do, be done in love.” Highlighting that our thoughts, words, and actions are to be done in love.
We need to keep alert, watch for and avoid evil, and let love be our guide when dealing with one another.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (NLT)
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Paul gives five instructions in 1Corinthians 16:13-14; keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be strong, be courageous, and let all you do be done in love. Do you try to follow these instructions?

Prayer; Lord Jesus, You are our rock and our redeemer. Teach us to keep alert, avoid evil, and grow in faith. Guide us to stand firm, be courageous, strong, and grounded in Your Word. Help us keep our thoughts, words, and actions centered in love. Like the allium flowers are centered together, reaching out in all directions, let us be centered in Your love and reach out, spreading love in all our actions. Amen

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Love Life: 1 Peter 3:10

10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
1 Peter 3:10-11 (NIV)

To love life during hard times and trials requires a deliberate attitude of faith, trusting that the Lord is in control. These verses in 1 Peter are quotes from David’s Psalm 34:12-14.

12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:12-14 (NIV)

In these verses, David and Peter are encouraging us to have a positive attitude; to realize that God is with us always. Our job is to keep our tongues away from evil and our lips away from deceitful speech. Turning away from evil and doing good while pursuing peace causes the Lord to look on us with approval and be attentive to our prayers.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
1 Peter 3:12 (NIV)

It is up to us to make the most of our time on earth, take time to love life, have a thankful heart, embrace good and turn away from evil. ⁘

During difficult times, struggles, and weariness, do you remember to thank God for His blessings, embrace His peace, to love life?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for watching over us and listening to our prayers. Help us grow in faith, hope, and righteousness, taking time to love life. Teach us to turn away from evil and do good. Like the pansies’ “faces” and bright colors bring smiles, let our smiling faces spread joy, happiness, and peace. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen.

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Guide Me: Psalm 32:8

8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT)

In Psalm 32, David talks about the blessing of sin forgiven, of God’s protection, and in verse eight, the wisdom of following the Lord’s pathway. If we ask, the Lord will guide us along the best path for our lives. When we take time to listen to God’s Word and walk in His ways, He will advise, direct us, watch over us, guiding our steps.
We need to humble ourselves and walk willing with the Lord to reach out to Him in prayer. To confess our sins and ask for direction. Knowing that God will watch over us, advise us and guide us. ⁘

Do you reach out to the Lord for guidance when you are confused, worried, or afraid? Do you ask Him to guide your steps and to show you the path to take?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your forgiveness of our sins and Your protection. Guide us along the best pathway, teach us to listen to Your word, and walk-in Your ways. Like the orange trumpet-like flowers reach outward and glow in the sunlight, let us reach out to You and glow with Your guiding light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Light of Your Presence: Psalm 89:15

15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.
Psalm 89:15-16 (NIV)

Blessed and happy are the people who worship the Lord. Praising, Him with open hearts and voices raised in song, making a joyful sound. A sound in biblical times associated with trumpets and singing during feast day celebrations.
To walk in the light of God’s presence, or the light of His countenance means to walk in God’s favor, enjoying His love and blessings. Celebrating and rejoicing; God’s righteousness and grace. Worshiping the Lord with shouts of joy and songs of praise. Delighting; in the light of His presence. ⁘

Are you taking time to worship God and joyfully praise Him? Is your heart open to His Word, and are you walking in the light of His presence?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your righteousness and grace. Joyfully we raise our voices in songs of praise and worship. Lord, you are our hope and salvation, our refuge in times of trouble. Like the open, glowing rose blossoms, let us be open to Your Word and glow with the light of Your presence. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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