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. 🌺

Abba, Father: Romans 8:14-16

14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:14-16 (NET)

Are you feeling lost, alone, unwanted, or afraid? You are not alone; those who believe, who are led by the Holy Spirit, are children of God. We have not received a spirit of slavery but the Spirit of adoption, allowing us to call God; Abba, Father. We are His children, heirs to His kingdom. We can reach out in prayer to God, our Heavenly Father, for advice and guidance; He is our help, hope, and future. We can relax knowing that God, Abba, loves us and has a plan for us:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) We may go through difficult times, but God, our Father, is with us always.

All that accept Christ and are Spirit lead; are God’s children allowing us to cry out to Him in need, for our Heavenly Father loves all His children. What fear are you holding onto that you need to give to God, Abba, our Father?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, Abba, we are your children, and we worship and praise You. Thank you for Your forgiveness, care, and love. Teach us to cry out to You in prayer when we need help, direction, and guidance. Let the Holy Spirit guide and direct us, and bring us closer to You and Your kingdom. Like the mums and begonias, grow together with beauty and harmony, teach us as children of God to live together in harmony and peace. 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. 🌺

My Help: Psalm 121: 1-2

1I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121: 1-2 (NIV)

This psalm is considered a song of ascent used by pilgrims traveling upward through the hills to Jerusalem. It also is a blessing for travelers leaving on a journey. Verse one is a poetic question, where does my help come from? The second verse is the answer; “My help comes from the Lord.” Yes, our help comes from the Lord; if we rely on Him, He will watch over us, and He will protect us. As verse 3 states: “He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber;” The Lord is the creator of heaven and earth, He is mighty, vigilant, He will watch over us, He will help us. When we face trouble, God will protect us, and He is with us, His light illuminating the darkness.

God is waiting for you to call out to Him. When you face trouble, do you reach out to God for help?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love, protection, and guidance. You are our hope, our salvation, and our help in time of need. Lord, teach us to turn toward You and rely on Your great power. Let us proclaim that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Like the open and vibrant weigela blossoms, let us be open to God’s love and His power and be vibrant in our faith. For our help comes from the Lord. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Need prayer? I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Do Not Be Afraid: Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

This verse has always been a go-to verse for me. This encouraging verse calms me when I am overwhelmed, gives me hope when I am discouraged, and strengthens when I am afraid. For God is encouraging us not to fear, instead to trust in Him, for He is with us, He is powerful, and no situation is greater than He is. God will support, comfort, and strengthen us. He is our ever-present help during trouble; He can be relied upon. Yes, God will uphold us with His pure, faithful, and righteous right hand.

God says, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” When you are overwhelmed, weak, or afraid, do you reach out to God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for being our shelter during life’s storms. You are our hope when we are discouraged and our strength when we are afraid. Teach us to bring You our fears and not be afraid. Help us to rely on You, strengthen our faith, and guide us in Your truth. Like the petals of the peony flowers are gathered together reaching upward, let us gather our fears and reach upward in prayer to You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Need prayer? I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page.

Shelter of the Most High: Psalm 91:1

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

Believers who trust in God, and have a close fellowship with Him, dwell in the shelter of the Most High. For God is the Most High, exalted above all, He reigns over the universe. God is our shelter during storms, our refuge, and our strength. Resting in the shadow of the Almighty is to rest in faith, knowing God is our shield; He keeps us safe under His wings. When we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we can rest secure knowing that God is with us; He is our strength, hope, and salvation.

When your day is overwhelming, where do you find rest? Where is your safe place? Do you reach out to God to rest and dwell in the shelter of God Almighty, the Most High?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks for Your protection and grace. Help us to grow in faith and have a closer relationship with you. Teach us to release our worries to you to dwell in the shelter of (You) the Most High, and to rest and find peace in Your shadow. Like the beauty of the begonias and artemisia, growing, closely together, let us grow in faith, drawing closer to You, finding rest in Your shadow. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Need prayer? I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

God is With Us: Psalm 139:9-10

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:9-10 (NIV)

God’s presence is everywhere. God dwells with His people wherever they are, so we are never alone. He is with us at all times, at daybreak, and through the night. God wants to take care of us and guide us along His path for us. His right hand will hold us, protect us so we won’t slip and fall. He will uphold us with His righteous right hand and keep us safe. Our God is with us always; He is omnipresent present everywhere, omnipotent all-powerful, and omniscient all-knowing.

When you feel alone, worried, or afraid do you take time to rest in God’s peace, relaxing and knowing God is with you?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your care and guidance. Help us to understand that You are always with us and always reachable by prayer. Teach us to look to You for guidance and direction, knowing that Your righteous right hand will hold us and keep us safe. Like the flowing wing-like petals of the orchid, let us realize that on the wings of dawn and the far side of the sea, you are with us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Be Strong: Joshua 1:9

⁹Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

The Lord our God, is with us wherever we go. He is with us, He loves us, and He forgives our sins, we just have to ask. The Lord reminded Joshua to be strong and courageous, not to fear for God was with him. God is with us also. Our Heavenly Father is faithful to His promises. We need to be strong in the Spirit, to have faith, and to trust in the Lord. Faith enables us to feel secure to be strong for we know that we are not alone for God is with us always.

When you are dismayed, and trembling with fears, struggling to be strong, where do you turn for strength? God is patiently waiting to hear from you.

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for surrounding us with Your love, and for being with us always. Dear Lord, we know that we are weak, but you are strong. Like the impressive display of gathered flowers on the doublefile viburnum branch, teach us to display our faith and find our strength in You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

God Is With Us: Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 English Standard Version (ESV)

God is with us, and He loves us with an everlasting love. He rejoices over His people with gladness. The Lord’s love encompasses us which brings tranquility and quiet peace. God takes delight in His people. God’s love is unconditional He freely gives it to those who humble themselves and seek Him. Put your faith in Immanuel, God with us, Almighty and powerful, who can save us and rejoices over us when we do good and seek Him first above all things.

God is with us and takes delight in us when we seek Him. What is hindering you from feeling God’s love?

Prayer: Lord, help us to seek You and follow your Word. In times of trouble teach us to realize that You are with us and love us with an everlasting love. Like the bright yellow pansies seem to smile with joy, let us realize that You are for us, and rejoice over us with joy. Lord, teach us to put our faith in You and find peace. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen