Abide – 1 John 4:16

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

– 1 John 4:16 (NKJV)

John describes the character of God in this verse. Love is the essence of God, and God is love. When we abide in love, we abide in God. As Christians, we know and believe in God’s unwavering love. All His actions are motivated by love.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

– Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

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 3:16 (NIV)

To abide is to remain, to dwell, to stay. To abide in love, we need to dwell in love and let it influence our thoughts and actions. When we abide in love, we reflect God’s essence by extending His love to one another. By exhibiting forgiveness, selflessness, and patience, we embody God’s love.

John highlights that God is love in this verse and exhorts us to dwell in God and emulate his love. When we do this, we not only enrich our lives but also those around us, creating a ripple effect of love and kindness in the world.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and love for us. We are blessed by Your forgiveness and mercy. Teach us to be more like You by being kind, patient, forgiving, and loving. Like the blue-eyed grass blossoms are open and close together, let us be open-hearted and close to each other. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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His Love Endures Forever – Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 118:1

The beginning of Psalm 107:1 is a reminder to Give thanks to the Lord and to praise His name because God is good. God is faithful, He is good, He has helped us, provided for us, and rescued us, His people. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness towards us. It encourages us to acknowledge and appreciate the blessings, mercy, and grace we have received from God.

It has been said when God repeats himself, He is trying to get our attention. The verse; Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever is in the bible 41 times. The wording may be stated differently, like His devotion, steadfast love, and mercy; endure forever. In Psalm 136, all 26 verses end with, His love endures forever. Endures forever, meaning His love is everlasting, eternal, abiding, and perpetual.

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Give thanks to the God of heaven! His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 136:26

Paul expresses God’s enduring love in the New Testament, Romans 8, stating that neither death, life, angels, heavenly rulers, height or depth, or anything in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NET)

God loves everyone, showing kindness and mercy to all. God loves us so much; He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.

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 3:16 (NIV)

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Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ?

Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks and praise to You. You are good; You guide us, help us, and love us with a love that endures forever. We thank You for your love, mercy, and grace toward us. As phlox flowers face upward following the sun, let us follow Jesus, God’s son, and share His love. Amen

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Known By God – 1 Corinthians 8:3

But if someone loves God, he is known by God. – 1 Corinthians 8:3 (NET)

Paul is stressing what matters in life is love. In verse three, He uses the Greek word agapao for love, which means selfless love, to love dearly, to take pleasure in, to wish well, and to esteem. Our goal as Christians is not only knowledge; our main guiding principles are to love God and love and exhibit kindness to others.

But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved]. -1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP)

As verse three states, those who love God are known by God. God loves them, and they belong to Him, children of God.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. -1 John 3:1 (ASV)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, our guide, our strength, and our protector. Guide us in Your truth and light. We are thankful that we are known by You and for Your unconditional love for us. May our love for you be shown in all we do. Like the blue hydrangea flower brings joy to summer days, let us flower and spread Your joy and love to all. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Sing for Joy

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 (NIV)

Psalm 90 is a psalm of Moses, a prayer for God to show the Israelites his mercy and His love every morning. It asks us to turn to the Lord and trust in Him and his unfailing love. When we accept His love, it satisfies us and brings us gladness and joy. In the King James Dictionary, the word satisfy definition is: “To gratify wants, wishes or desires to the full extent.” The faithful, unfailing love of God our Father satisfies and fulfills us, causing us to sing for joy.

22The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

When we trust in the Lord, we find joy and can be glad all of our days. For the faithful love of the Lord never ends. His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. The Lord’s mercies are new each morning, so we may sing for joy!

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Do you turn to the Lord to find satisfaction or try to go forward on your own when you are dissatisfied or upset? Does the Lord’s love and mercies lead you to sing for joy?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and mercy. Teach us to realize that Your love and mercies never cease. Satisfy us in the morning with Your mercies so we will sing with joy all our days! As the hibiscus flowers glow in the morning sun, let Your love glow in us, and let us grow closer to Your son, and be glad all our days. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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God’s Love – Romans -8:38-39

Click for a free Download print of the God’s Love photo with cherry blossoms and scripture.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans -8:38-39 (NLT)

Neither death nor life or angels or demons or fear and worries about today and the future, nor can the powers of hell separate us from God’s love; nothing can. Nothing that occurs today or thousands of years from now can change God’s love. God, by His nature, is love. His love for us is forever.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
1 John 4:16 (NLT)

God’s love for us is shown in His sending Jesus Christ, His only son, to provide salvation for all believers. (John 3:16) Through Christ, we are saved eternally forever. Our salvation is secure; God will not abandon or forsake us; we are secure in His love. Since Jesus loves us, he intercedes for us, His redeemed people, speaking to God on our behalf.
God so loves us that He gave us His Son Jesus, who loves us so much that he died for us sinners and intercedes for us.

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Are your worries or past hindering you from feeling secure in God’s love? Rest assured, God loves you!

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for your amazing love. Help us to love each other as you love us. Teach us to trust and have faith in You. Like the cherry tree is full of blossoms, let us blossom under Your love, following Jesus. Amen

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Everlasting Love: Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
(NIV)

The Israelites had not kept God’s commandments. They were in exile in Babylon. In this verse, God promises to forgive them and restore them. This is an example of God’s grace and his love and kindness.

This verse showcases God’s grace, love, and kindness. For God is holy and just; and His faithfulness endures for generations. When we repent our sins, give up our sinful ways, and turn to God, He forgives us.

For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

For God is love; it’s His very nature; He is forgiving, and He loves us with everlasting love.

God is generous and doesn’t limit His kindness. For God shows us unfailing kindness, never-ending kindness through His everlasting love. He will always be there for us, listening to our prayers and helping us.

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God loves us with an everlasting love; do you respond with love and forgiveness to others?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your forgiveness, grace, and kindness. We raise our thanks and praise for Your faithfulness and everlasting love. Guide us in Your truth and light. Like the red rose’s beauty shines brightly and brings happiness, let us shine brightly, reflecting Your light and Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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May the Lord be Praised-Psalm 40:16

May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you! May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually, “May the LORD be praised!”
Psalm 40:16 (NET)

May all who seek the Lord rejoice and be glad, be happy, and praise You. God’s love, promises, and truth bring joy and are reasons to celebrate. David wanted people to focus on the goodness of the Lord and rejoice.
Different versions have different worded rejoices; may the Lord be praised, may the Lord be magnified, and let the Lord be exalted, all praising the Lord for all He has done for us.

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!”
Psalm 40:16 (AMP)

Thanks to our God of all mercies, comfort, and salvation. May the Lord be praised! He has delivered us from slavery to sin and promises to be with us always. May the Lord be magnified! Let us rejoice, for God loves us, has mercy on us, and gives us grace. May the Lord be exalted!

Constant worship clears the debris from our hearts. Praise is the cleansing element that flushes the trash of worry and anxiety.
Max Lucado “Help is Here”

The Lord has given us much to rejoice over and be glad about. Let us remember; to joyfully thank and praise the Lord for all He has done, is doing, and will do. ⁂

Do you take time to focus on the goodness of God and rejoice?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, God of grace, mercy, and salvation, we praise You! We exalt you, Lord, and thank you for your mercy, care, and protection. Teach us to be happy and rejoice; in your promises. May the Lord be magnified! As the flowers of the orchid are colorful and spread joy, let us rejoice and declare that the Lord be praised! In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Love and Patience: 2Thessalonians 3:5

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT)

Paul is praying for the Thessalonians, for the Lord to direct their hearts. So they comprehend the steadfast love of God.
Paul encourages them to embrace the patience and endurance found in Christ. He is praying for them to be steadfast in God’s ways and to learn to be patient like Christ. May they have endurance while being conformed day by day more like Christ.

Have you embraced the love and patient endurance that comes from Christ?

Prayer; Lord, we thank you for your abundant love. Teach us to open our hearts and embrace your love. Guide us to follow Your word and path for us. As we grow in faith, teach us to be loving and patient. Like the heart-shaped leaves of the caladium brighten the environment, let our hearts be shaped by Your love and enlighten the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Clothe yourself:Colossians 3:12-14

13Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are changed, transformed, and holy. As holy people, we need to emulate Jesus to put on a heart of compassion. Letting go of sin, pride, anger, and unforgiveness, clothing ourselves in patience, kindness, humility, gentleness, and compassion.
When we allow Christ to rule in our hearts our lives are transformed. We learn to act as Jesus did and forgive others as He forgives us. We clothe ourselves with love, learning to love one another as He has loved us.

12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Colossians 3:12-14 (MSG)

Are you clothing yourself by putting on kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace, compassion, and forgiveness toward us. Teach us to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Guide us, and teach us to clothe ourselves with love. Like the straw flowers are gathered close together, let us gather together with love in perfect harmony. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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Rescued: Colossians 1:13

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB)

These verses are a portion of Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church. In it, he encourages them to give joyful thanks to God the Father. Reminding them that they were rescued by God, from the domain of darkness, from the bondage to sin, and delivered them into the kingdom of light.

12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:12 (NASB)

The kingdom of light; is the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, Jesus. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we are redeemed from the power of sin and death and have confidence in our eternal destiny. ⁂

Have you embraced the truth and light of Jesus? Are you rescued are, your sins redeemed?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your love, grace, and mercy. Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sins. Let us shine with Your light and spread Your Word. Like the cardinal plant glows in the sunlight, teach us to glow with your light and shine it into the darkness. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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