My Hope: Psalm 62:5-6

5Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
6Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6 (NIV)

Psalm 62 is a psalm of David. It is a psalm of confidence, of trust in God. David has bitter enemies, but he has confidence God could and would deliver him. When our souls find rest in God, we give up our worldly concerns and trust God.
Where does our hope come from; our hope comes from God. He is our rock, our salvation. Meditation and prayer strengthen faith and build a strong foundation in the Lord. Like David, we can learn not to be overcome by worries but to stand strong in faith unshaken.

When worldly issues are overwhelming, is God your rock and your hope?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, You are our rock, salvation, and our hope. Thanks for being our strong foundation and our shelter during life storms. Teach us to let go of our worldly concerns and put our trust in You. Like the full rose blossoms make a lovely garden, let us be full of hope and reflect Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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I pray for the Ukrainian people, I pray for peace, and I pray for the end of war.

Grace: Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

It is not because we are good or deserving that we are saved. God doesn’t only accept good people. By, His grace, His freely given blessing, His gift, we all can be saved.

Grace can be described as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Christ died for our sins. We don’t need to be “good enough” for salvation, we just need to believe and have faith, in God and Christ’s goodness. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, faith: is belief and trust in and loyalty to God.

10For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Good works are not the cause of salvation; good works are the purpose of salvation. God saves us to do good works in His name, which brings Him glory.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your love and grace. Let our faith and trust in You direct our lives. Guide us to follow Your path, and do good works, to glorify Your name. Like the mallow flowers are open and illuminated by sunlight, let us be open to Your Word and illuminated with Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Faithful Love: Psalm 147:10-11

10 He doesn’t take pleasure in the strength of horses.
He doesn’t take delight in the strong legs of warriors.
¹¹The Lord takes delight in those who have respect for him.
They put their hope in his faithful love.
Psalm 147: 10-11 (NIRV)

The Lord takes pleasure in strength and perseverance in faith; rather than in strength in physical ability. He delights in worship, prayer, and obedience rather than the strength of warriors.
Many versions of verse 11 state, “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” The Lord delights in those who fear Him or, perhaps better stated as those in awe of Him who acknowledge, His power, justice, and wisdom. Who respect Him, follow His Word, place hope in Him, accepting His promise of faithful, unfailing love. God is good; His steadfast love endures forever.

Where do you find hope and strength during stressful times? Is your hope found in God’s faithful love?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your faithful love and abundant mercy. Teach us to listen for Your direction, respect Your laws, follow Your ways, and spread Your love. Help us to grow in faith and to put our hope in You. Like delightful oriental lilies brighten our days, let us delight in Your Word and brighten the world with Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Glory and Majesty: Jude 1:24-25

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 1 24:25 (NIV)

Jude praises God, our Savior, and encourages us. First, he describes what God can do for us; prevent us from stumbling and present us before His glorious presence without fault. In God’s presence, we will rejoice and find great joy. Then Jude describes God’s attributes; His majesty (magnificence and sovereign power), His dominion (authority), and His glory (greatness, honor). God so loved us that He gave us Jesus, our mediator, our salvation. Our Lord has been here from the beginning, is here now, and forever. These verses often are used as a doxology or benediction.

Have you taken time to worship and praise God? His majesty, glory, and love abound.

Prayer; Lord, we thank you for your forgiveness and mercy to us. We praise and worship you; Your glory is abundant, Your majesty abounds, and Your power is mighty. Guide us in Your truth and teach us Your ways. Like the open flowers of the lilies reach toward the sun, let us be open to Your direction and reach forward toward Your path for us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Lord, Your love: Psalm 36:5-7

5 Lord, your love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithful love reaches up to the skies.
6 Your holiness is as great as the height of the highest mountains.
You are as honest as the oceans are deep.
Lord, you keep people and animals safe.
7 How priceless your faithful love is!
People find safety in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:5-7 (NIRV)

Psalm 36 verses 1-4 David is concerned about wicked people; who are evil, rebellious, embrace sin, and have no fear of God. In contrast in verses, 5-7 David, describes the Lord, His love is vast as the heavens, His faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds, His righteousness is mighty like the mountains and, His justice deep like the ocean. The Lord is compassionate; He cares for all His people and all the creatures of the earth. In Luke 12:6: Jesus says, What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. He cares for all His creation; all humanity finds shelter in the shadow of God’s wings. Lord, we worship and praise You; Your Love is as high as the heavens. Your faithful love reaches up to the skies. You are all-powerful and almighty.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:5-7 (NLT)

Lord, Your love is as high as the heavens, and Your faithful love reaches the sky. The wicked may have temporary success, but our almighty God will shelter the godly in the shadow of His wings and reward the righteous.

Have you found love, hope, and shelter in the shadow of God’s wings?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, You are our hope, our strength, and our salvation. Lord, teach us to cling to Your promises, bask in Your love, and know You are in control. Help us to open our hearts, transmit Your light, and share Your love with others. Like the Gomphrena fireworks, bright flower petals radiate in all directions; let us brighten the world by radiating Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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The Lord will Guide You: Isaiah 58:11

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 (NLV)

The Lord will guide you always through His Word, Spirit, and His counsel. He will bless you with His love. His fountain of water will flow within, bringing peace and joy, satisfying Your soul, and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, growing, flourishing, and producing fruit. His ever-flowing spring of salvation will not dry up. His compassion will never fail; His blessings will spring forth.

Yahweh will always guide you where to go and what to do.
    He will fill you with refreshment
    even when you are in a dry, difficult place.
    He will continually restore strength to you,
    so you will flourish like a well-watered garden
    and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing.
Isaiah 58:11 (The Passion Translation)

Are you willing to let the Lord guide you? Will you seek Him, follow His way, let His ever-flowing spring, satisfy your soul, and restore your strength?

Prayer; Our Lord, our hope and future, we thank You for Your forgiveness and guidance. When we are in a dry-difficult place, Lord, continue to guide us, refresh us with your ever-flowing stream of love and blessing. Teach us to flourish in faith, to be restored and fruitful, a well-watered garden. Like a fountain’s water, nourishes and reflects the plants, let us be nourished by Your ever-flowing stream and reflect Your love to others. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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My God will hear me: Micah 7:7

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 (NIV)

Micah was upset and saddened by the ungodly activities and sinful ways of the people and rulers Israel and Judea. We all have a choice to follow worldly pursuits or to move forward and trust in God. To move forward in faith, embrace truth, and let go of sinful ways. The remedy for a sinful world is to turn to God for help. For our God of mercy, power, and truth, our Savior; can and will help. As Micah says, my God will hear me. He will listen; He will receive my prayers.

Micah’s lament is as timely now as it was around 700BC. Our hope and future is God; we need to move forward in hope, faith, and prayer; God will hear us. Do you watch in hope for the Lord?

Our loving Heavenly Father, we thank You for your patience, forgiveness, and being open to our prayers hearing us. Guide us on Your path of righteousness. Teach us to embrace Your truth and direction. We wait in faith and watch in hope for You, Lord. Like the obedient plants, purple blossoms glow with sunlight, let us glow with Your light, and open our hearts to Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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God filled life: Titus 2:11-14

11-14 God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
Titus 2:11-14 (MSG)

Salvation is available to everyone through the grace of God. Christ Jesus died for our sins; His sacrifice freed us from darkness and brought us into the light. The light of Jesus a shining, illuminating life, freeing us from our dark, sinful world. He transforms our life, bringing peace, hope, and direction. He opens our hearts to love and teaches us to turn our back on a godless, indulgent life, to lead a God-filled, God-honoring life. A life that reflects the life of Jesus; be self-controlled, upright, godly, and doing good works. A God-filled, God-centered life while expectantly awaiting the glorious return of Jesus.

Through God’s forgiveness and grace in Jesus, salvation is available to everyone. Is your life God-filled and God-directed?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we are in awe of your grace, forgiveness, and love. You have made salvation available to all who believe in Your Son, Jesus. We thank you for Jesus, who has brought love and light into our world. Teach us to let go of worldly things and live a joyful, God-filled life. Like the allium flowers are gathered together, open to the sunlight, let us gather together, open to and transmitting the light of Jesus. Amen

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Faith: Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

God’s abundant goodness, His miraculous works, and the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, for our salvation give us the confidence to put our trust in Him. We trust God’s Word with faith, we believe in His promises, and we are confident of His love. Faith is a process of growth, following, and relying on God. Faith changes us; it changes our hearts and thoughts; it gives us hope and a future. When we embrace faith, we become confident of the future and have assurance about what we do not see.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible. Corrie Ten Boom

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right. Max Lucado

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Corrie ten Boom

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

What is faith to you?

Prayer: Our Lord, our Heavenly Father, help us to grow in hope, trust, and faith. Teach us not to be afraid of an unknown future, but to trust in You. Lord, help us grow in faith, rely on You, and know anything is possible with You. Like the simple, natural beauty of the white orchid blossoms, let us simply and naturally grow in faith and assurance. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Armor of Faith and Love: 1Thessalonians 5:8

But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NLT)

When we follow God and live in the light, we act like Jesus, living in love, walking in faith, and avoiding sin. We need to remain clearheaded focused on His path, sharing the good news while shining His light into the darkness. Protected by the armor of faith and love, secure wearing our helmet, staying strong in our faith, and focused on the hope of salvation.

⁸But since we belong to the day, we must stay alert and clearheaded by placing the breastplate of faith and love over our hearts, and a helmet of the hope of salvation over our thoughts.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (TPT)

When overwhelmed, worried, confused, do you take time and remember you are protected by God’s armor of faith and love?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for your protection and love. Help us to live in the light and be clearheaded, focused on Your path for us. Let us put on the armor of faith and love and Your helmet secure in the confidence of salvation. Like the glowing petals of the orchids reflect light, let us glow with Your light and reflect Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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