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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Refuge – Psalm 91:4

He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. Psalm 91:4 (CSB)

God will cover us tenderly with His wings, like a bird protects its young. Under God’s wings, we will find refuge, a safe haven, and a place of security, protection, and care. His love and grace offer us shelter from life’s adversities. In this sanctuary, we can find rest for our weary souls.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7 (NLT)

God offers us protection and a refuge, and His faithfulness is a protective shield where we can rest and find peace. It is like a security blanket for us, leaning on God’s unwavering protection in this chaotic world. He will protect and defend us, shielding us when we take our worries and fears to Him. For God is faithful and true, our shelter during life’s storms, our refuge, and our strength.

In God’s presence we have security, guidance, protection, and care. We need to learn to turn over our fears and worries to God and allow Him to lead and steer our lives, accepting God’s love, peace, and protection.

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Our Heavenly Father, how wonderful is Your unfailing love! We thank You for covering us with Your wings, offering us protection and refuge from life’s storms. Help us to give our worries to You and rest in Your peace. Like the beautiful Mandevilla flowers sheltered under the plant’s leaves, let us find shelter and refuge under Your loving wings. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Morning: Psalm 143:8

In the morning let me hear of your gracious love, for in you I trust. Cause me to know the way I should take, because I have set my hope on you.
Psalm 143:8 (ISV)

David is praying to God for protection and deliverance in Psalm 143 and; appealing for guidance. He requests: Lord hear my prayer; listen to my cry for mercy.

Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
Psalm 143:1

He continues in verse 8; Wake me Lord; every morning; Let me hear of Your gracious unfailing love. For weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Lord, in You I trust.

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 (NIV)

Lord, my hope is in you; let me know the path I should take; guide me. Teach me thy will, and help me to understand and live accordingly. My hope is in You. In the morning, I will rest in your gracious love; for great is thy faithfulness. ⁂

Do you reach out to the Lord in the morning, embracing His gracious unfailing love?

Prayer; Lord, we trust in You; we pray with hope and thanksgiving. We ask for Your guidance and direction. Hear our prayer for protection and deliverance from evil. Teach us to listen each morning and hear your promise of unfailing love. You are our hope, Lord; direct us on the path we should take. Like the ivy geranium flowers are open and bright, open our hearts to Your direction and let us brighten the world with Your light. In Jesus’ holy loving name. Amen

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Pathway: Psalm 32:8

8 I will guide you and teach you the way you should go.
I will give you good advice and watch over you with love.
Psalm 32:8 (NIVR)

The Lord guides us and teaches us He wants to lead us along the best pathway for our life. He instructs us directs our way through life. We receive His counsel through praying, reading His Word, and following His truths. When we accept God’s counsel and follow His good advice, He helps us achieve the life He desires for us. For, God has plans for us, plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future.

11 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 (NIV)

Is your pathway through life self-centered or God-centered?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for guiding us and watching over us with love. Teach us to seek Your way through scripture and prayer. Guide our steps and lead us along the best pathway for our life. Lord be our compass, as we travel, let us not get lost or stray from Your path. Like the open, reaching upward, white flowers of the crocus, let us be open to Your path and reaching upward for Your guidance. 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. 🌺

Hope Within: Hebrews 10:23

Garden Mums – blooming now

³So now we must cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! ²⁴Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love.
Hebrews 10:23-24 The Passion Translation (TPT)

A while ago, I started a prayer journal. In the journal, I made notes of the people that needed prayer, personal requests, and worries I wanted to give God to handle. Looking back at the journal pages, what do I see? Hope! Hope from answered prayers, hope in God’s continuing protection, and hope within me to rely on God’s guidance through life’s storms. Yes, I am clinging tightly to hope, knowing that God always keeps his promises.

Where have you encountered hope?

Prayer: Dear Loving Lord, Like the mums in the garden, which faithfully bloom year after year help us to cling to hope and faithfully follow You. Let us be bright and beautiful like the blossoms. Teach us to have hope within and encourage and motivate others toward compassion and beautiful works as expressions of love. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen