Tag: #gardenfaith

Harmony – 1 Peter 3:8

Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. 1 Peter 3:8 (GWT)

Peter wrote this letter to the Christians in Asia Minor, explaining how all Christians should act. We should live in harmony, be courteous and accept each other’s differences, listen, compromise, respect, love one another, and live in peace and unity.

Peter reminds them that if they are to be faithful, obedient followers of Christ. They need to exhibit inner qualities by being kind and sympathetic, showing compassion, and caring for each other.

Believers should reflect Jesus’ actions by being humble, forgiving, and loving one another.

8-12 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

1 Peter 3:8-9 (MSG)

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The words of Peter are still viable today; are you living in harmony and showing compassion to others?

Our Heavenly Father, help us to live in harmony with each other. Guide us to be more Christlike in our actions, showing compassion, forgiveness, and respect to all we meet. Teach us to learn to listen and be respectful to each other. Like the flowers of the bleeding heart plant are open and gathered together, let us be open-hearted and gather together in harmony. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Christ Lives in Me – Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

To download a copy of the above photo with scripture click here. To print press the  CTRL + P (Windows) or CMD + P (Mac)

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? It means Christ paid for our sins; they were crucified with Him on the cross. When we believe in Christ, we become a new creation; our old sinful life is dead and gone, replaced with faith, faith in Christ, our Savior. Christ lives in us.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

We trust in His plans for us; we strive to grow like Christ, and our thoughts and actions are transformed.
Instead of living in selfishness and worldly passions, we change priorities and behaviors, surrender control, and strive to live in a way that pleases God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 34:16 (NIV)

Why did Jesus die for us? He died on the cross for us because He loves us.

Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Galatians 2:20 (MSG)

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Lord Jesus, you are our hope and salvation. We thank You for Your grace and love toward us, dying for our sins, and for living in us. Guide us on Your path, and teach us to follow You. Like the Magnolia tree has beautiful purple flowers in the spring, its blossoms opening in the sunlight; let us grow in faith and flower in Your light and love. Amen

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Everything I Need – Psalm 23:1


A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. – Psalm 23:1 (NET)

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. – Psalm 23:1 (GNT)

Psalm 23 is about God’s protection; David is confident that the Lord is his shepherd, providing everything he needs. It is a psalm of gratitude for God’s guidance and love. David trusts in God, considering Him a good “Shepherd.” When we believe in the Lord and stay in close fellowship with Him, He provides His unlimited resources.

David has faith in God’s promises and goodness. God is with him; he has nothing to fear. God is with us; we are precious to the Lord.

We might not have everything we desire, but God will provide what we need. God is with us always, watching our steps, guiding us, and blessing us with everything we need.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and provision. Help us to grow in trust and faith and realize that You will take care of us. Lord, let us trust in You, knowing we have nothing to fear, for You are with us. Like the crocus blooms in spring, let us believe, follow Christ, and bloom in faith. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Living Water – John 7:38

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

– John 7:38 (BSB)

On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrates God’s provision during the Israelites’ wilderness journey of providing water from a rock. During the festival, Jesus announces, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”

Then Jesus declares the scripture from Isaiah fulfilled, that those who believe in him will have streams of living water flowing within them.


The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)

What is the living water? The Holy Spirit, Jesus explains that believers would receive the Holy Spirit soon after He has been crucified and glorified. Jesus, our Savior, offers His believers living water.

When we accept Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit, the living water, which transforms our lives, bringing spiritual renewal. The living water flows through us, nourishing and refreshing us, a stream of peace, joy, and love, giving life to everything around us.

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Jesus, our Lord, we praise and worship You for all You have done for us. You are our hope and salvation. As Your followers, we receive living water, the Holy Spirit, our counselor and guide. Teach us to follow you, spreading the gospel and sharing Your love. Like a stream flows, watering plants along the way, let the living water flow through us and spread peace, joy, and love to the world around us. Amen

Give Thanks and Praise – Ephesians 5:20

Be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,  20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

– Ephesians 5:18b – 20 (NKJV)

Paul is telling the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit, to joyfully speak to one another with the words of psalms and hymns. To make a melody in their heart to the Lord; to praise the Lord.

A Spirit-filled believer regularly gives thanks and praise for all God has done and is doing for them. They are filled with gratitude, giving thanks to Him. Thanks, always, and for all things to God for His grace, mercy, and blessings.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.- John 15-16 (NIV)

We pray to God the Father, in the name of Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Giving thanks and praise helps us shift our focus from our struggles to the goodness of God. When we thank Him, we stay grounded in faith, trusting God’s plans for us, and find peace.

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Lord, we praise and thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace toward us. We lift our voices to You in hymns and spiritual songs, praising Your name. Guide our thoughts and steps. Like the forsythia plant blooms every spring, let us be grounded and bloom in faith. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Whole Heart – 1 Chronicles 28:9

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. – 1 Chronicles 28:9 (ESV)

In this verse, King David tells his son Solomon the importance of knowing and serving God with his whole heart. David wanted Solomon to follow in his footsteps and maintain a sincere and personal relationship with God. To be committed to God and grow closer to Him, be honest, and put his trust in God. Serving the Lord with a willing mind and wholehearted devotion, relying on Him and trusting His guidance.

The verse continues with the power of the Lord; he searches our hearts. For God sees and knows all things. He knows our intentions and motives. David is reminding Solomon that he cannot hide anything from God.

The verse concludes if you earnestly seek God, He will be found by you, but if you turn away from Him, forsaking Him, He will reject you and cast you off forever.

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Are you serving God with a whole heart and a willing mind?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for your patience with us and grace to us. Guide us to reach out to You and develop a sincere personal relationship with You. Encourage us to serve you with our whole hearts and with willing minds. Like the blossom of the yellow rose is open to the sun, let our hearts be open to You and Your Son Jesus. Amen

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The Word – Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah contrasts the temporary nature of flowers and grass to the enduring promise of God’s word.
Earlier in verse 6, Isaiah compares people to being like grass and their love and faithfulness being as fragile as a wildflower. Which withers and falls when the wind sent from the Lord blows on it.

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:6b-8 (NIV)

Permanence and stability are found in the eternal word of God, which endures forever. For God is steadfast, His promises never fail; they last forever. When we trust in God’s word and live in obedience, His word will sustain us for now and forever. The word of God stands firm; it endures forever.

“These people are nothing but grass,
    their love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,
    if God so much as puffs on them.
    Aren’t these people just so much grass?
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,
    but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your grace and love for us. Thank you for Your word and Jesus, The Word. Teach us to read Your word and follow Jesus. May Your word guide and direct us. Your word stands firm and forever, giving us hope. Though we are fragile, like dandelions and wildflowers, let us be strong and secure in our faith. Amen

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Seek Him -Psalm 63:1

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

David was weary, thirsty, and pursued by enemies, and he longed for God. He earnestly seeks Him; His soul thirsts for the Lord. David’s first response when in dire need in the wilderness of Judah, a dry, parched land, was to turn to God. David’s priority was the Lord.
He states, “earnestly I seek you, for God; you are my God.” The dry, overwhelming desert he was facing in his life made David hunger and thirst for God, for His presence and grace.

God—you’re my God!
    I can’t get enough of you!
I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
    traveling across dry and weary deserts. Psalm 63:1 (MSG)

Only God can provide the comfort and sustenance we desperately need, when we face the parched weary deserts of life, He is with us.

2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
    drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last! Psalm 63:2-4 (MSG)

Seeking God, thirsting for Him, drinking in His strength and glory, accepting His generous love, and making Him your priority, then you are really living at last.

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Prayer: Oh Lord, our God, our Heavenly Father, we earnestly seek You. The deserts of life scorch and drain us our souls thirst for You. You are our strength and comfort, our salvation. As the Mandavilia flower opens in the sun, let our hearts be open and follow Your son Jesus. Amen

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You Protect Me – Psalm 139:5

5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. Psalm 139:5 (CEV)

David is explaining his confidence in God that God guards us on all sides. When we feel weak, the Lord strengthens us, protecting us from despair and anxiety. God is Omniscient; He has knowledge of all things and is Omnipresent everywhere we go He is present. He is always with us.

5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

God’s hand of blessing on our heads shows God’s compassion and gentle care. God’s hand of blessing upon us brings us grace, comfort, and strength. Our God is a loving Father who cares for, protects, and sustains His children.

6 I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.

Psalm 139:6 (CEV)

David continues in verse 6, stating God’s greatness, power, and knowledge is too vast for us to understand, too wonderful to take it all in. However, we can relax and put our trust in God.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we are amazed by Your strength, power, grace, and love for us. We thank you for Your protection, compassion, and care. We are in awe of Your power and that You are with us everywhere we go. Like the hydrangea flower head, the little florets are not alone but gathered together; we are never alone, for God is with us and places a hand of blessing on our heads. We praise and worship You, our Omniscient, Omnipresent Lord. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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God of Creation – Romans 1:20

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. – Romans 1:20 (NLT)

People have the opportunity to know God, revealed through His creation. What kind of power would it take to create the world and solar system? Eternal power, the power of God, manifests in His creation, miracles, and salvation. God’s invisible qualities are visible when you look at what God has created.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known. – Psalm 19:1-2 (NLT)

As David says in Psalm 19, heaven proclaims the glory of God, and the skies display His craftsmanship. After partaking in the majesty and beauty of the world, there is no excuse for not knowing, honoring, and worshiping our God of Creation.

But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse.  Romans 1:19-20 (MSG)

Here is a link to God of Wonders -Documentary John Whitcomb, Dan Sheedy, Don B. DeYoung. This documentary details how the natural universe shows God’s creative genius, His power, majesty, and wisdom. It is beautiful and touching.

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Prayer: Our powerful, mighty, and loving Heavenly Father, we worship You, God of Creation, God of Wonders. We thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace toward us. Let us be open to Your guidance and authority. As the Fireworks Gomphrena flower glows with beauty, let us radiate peace and glow with Your love. In Jesus, holy name. Amen

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