God-breathed: 2 Timothy 3:16

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV)

In Greek, the word Theopneustos translates as God-breathed. Paul is saying that scripture is; divinely breathed into by God. Men penned the scripture, but the words were divinely inspired. Scripture written years ago is still relevant today; because God guides and counsels us through the ancient pages.

Scripture instructs us, points out sin, counsels, corrects us, and teaches us to accept and apply truth. Our God-breathed Scripture is for us; a firm foundation, the wisdom we can rely on, equipping us for good work.

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG)

⁂

Is our God’s-breathed scripture your firm foundation?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your guidance and counsel. May your God-breathed scripture guide and direct our path. Teach us to go to the scriptures for clarity, counsel, and truth. Let us embrace Your Word, equipping us to do good works. May we cluster together like the spirea blossoms and spread Your love. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

🌺

Possible: Matthew 19:25-26

Snapdragon blossoms

²⁵When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:25-26 (NIV)

²⁵The disciples were staggered. “Then who has any chance at all?”²⁶Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”
Matthew 19:25-26 (The Message)

God is omnipotent all-powerful, with God all things are possible. God alone can save sinners, and give them eternal life. Yes, all things are possible with God, but we must learn to submit to Him to His plan. Trust Him to do what is best for us. For, nothing is impossible when our trust is in God.

What worries are keeping you from trusting God, through whom all is possible?

Prayer: Dear Lord teach us to rely on You, to trust Your direction, and to follow Your path. The beauty of the snapdragon blossoms and the majesty of nature that surrounds help us perceive Your amazing power. God help us to realize that all is possible through You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Justice: Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.
Micah 6:8 (NET)

⁸He has made it clear to you, mortal man, what is good and what the Lord is requiring from you—to act with justice, to treasure the Lord’s gracious love, and to walk humbly in the company of your God.
Micah 6:8 (ISV)

We often have a list of wants we want from the Lord, and we ask Him in prayer to help us. This scripture instead speaks to what God wants from us. Our Lord wants us to carry out justice, be faithful in love, and live obediently to His word. Some versions say to act with justice, to treasure the Lord’s gracious love, and to walk humbly with your God. What a wonderful synopsis of how to live.

What actions demonstrate carrying out justice to you?

Prayer: Dear Lord, our loving Father, we thank you for your forgiveness and grace to us. Like succulent leaves are known for their ability to hold water, let us be known for acting with justice and treasuring Your gracious love toward us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Everlasting: Psalm 90:1-2

Dahlia

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
²Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God
Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV)

What a wonderful feeling to know that God is everlasting, and He rules from eternity to eternity. He is our protector during life’s storms and offers us His unconditional love. He guides us along our path and forgives us of our sins. Plus, His gift to believers is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Romans 6:23). We are blessed!

Where can you share God’s everlasting goodness today?

Prayer: Lord, we praise you for your everlasting goodness, forgiveness, and unconditional love through the ages. Dahlias bright, beautiful blooms, bring joy to our days like your everlasting love brings joy, hope, and peace to our lives. We are blessed to have an everlasting caring, God, who has been our shield and dwelling place for generations. In the holy name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Shield of God: Psalm 84:11

Calibrachoa “million bells” and Petunias brighten a summer day

¹¹The Lord God is like the sun that gives us light.
    He is like a shield that keeps us safe.
    The Lord blesses us with favor and honor.
He doesn’t hold back anything good
    from those whose lives are without blame.
Psalm 84:11 (NIRV)

God is like a shield He keeps us safe. He honors us and blesses us with His favor. He is Our Father He loves us with unconditional love, and He takes care of us. We just need to believe in God and have faith. To reject evil and do good. It is the deal of a lifetime for it leads to His kingdom. We are blessed!

Have you embraced God’s shield of faith?

Prayer: Our Lord, our light, our salvation, our shield from worldly problems, we give you thanks. We rejoice and raise joyful praise to You like the joyfully colored “million bells” and petunias reflect the sun. God, we are blessed by your favor, care, and shield of protection. Teach us to live righteously. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Confused: Proverbs 3:5

PJM Rhodendron – Early Blooms

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ISV)

Often when I find myself confused, trying to figure out why things aren’t going my way, or things aren’t following my well-laid plans. I realize that I am relying on my understanding. Currently, the PJM rhododendron in my backyard is blooming, because autumn sunlight and temperature have fooled it into thinking that it’s spring. The spring flower bud has opened and the blooms have appeared, but it’s autumn. Often, I also get confused, not allowing myself to seek God and ask for His direction, to let Him guide me to make my paths straight. My goal is to learn to trust the Lord with all my heart.

Where are you confused, and need God to set your path straight?

Prayer: Dear Lord, teach us to trust you with all our hearts. Like the PJM Rhodendron, with its red autumn leaves and unseasonal pink blossoms, we are often traveling a confused path. Lord, we acknowledge your loving guidance and wisdom and ask You to make our paths straight. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen

Salvation: Titus 2:11-13

Azalea

¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ¹²It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:11-13 (NET)

The passage makes you want to shout with joy, for the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all. We are redeemed. We are admonished to lead godly lives while we wait for the glorious return of Jesus. Our hope is alive built on Jesus’s love.

Where are you doing God’s work today? How are you preparing for Jesus?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your grace to us. Like the clean white flowers, help us to be pure and bright, to reject worldly desires. Use the trumpet-like flowers of the azaleas to remind us to prepare for the sound of the trumpet that will proclaim your return. We thank you for your love and the promise of salvation. In Jesus’s name. Amen

What I desire: Psalm 27:4

Clematis Vine and Flower

I have asked the LORD for one thing—
this is what I desire! I want to live in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor.
Psalm 27:4 New English Translation (NET Bible)

What I desire, is to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life. My first response is Amen. Then when I continue and read the NIV version of this verse, it says, “to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Wow! Yes, this is my goal, my dream, and my hope. Can you even imagine?

Who or what has influenced your growth in the path toward God’s kingdom?

Prayer: Dear Lord, let our faith be bold and bright like the clematis flowers. Like the clematis plant twines around its support, lead us to pursue your path, and to rejoice in your splendor. Lord help us obtain our desire to live in Your house all the days of our life. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen.

Do All: Colossians 3:17

Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’

Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!
Colossians 3:17 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Start your day and end your day with Him. Pray for His direction and His wisdom in all you do. Let your lip be drenched with the beauty of Jesus, share His love. Praise His holy name!

Prayer: Dear Lord, like the Gomphrena fireworks, flowers, shoot out in many directions, similarly, our life bursts forth in diversified directions. Jesus, help us to do all; words and deeds to Your glory. As the blossom tips appear to be rimmed in shimmering gold help us to glow and shine with Your peace and love. We praise and love You! Amen.

Delight: Psalm 37: 3-4

3Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness
⁴Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37: 3-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

Today delight in the Lord and do good. Praise His name and dwell in the land of faithfulness. Trust the Lord. When we delight in the Lord, He fills our heart with compasion and love.

What way do you delight in the Lord?

Prayer: Dear Lord you are our delight you bring sunshine and brightness to our days. Like these blossoms cluster together, help us to gather together to do good. The flowers are exuberance in color and form let us be exuberant in praise to God. In Jesus name. Amen.

*Special thanks to Matt at https://jesusluvsall.wordpress.com for nominating me for Sunshine blogger award. His site is great, new content daily, plus a lot of diversity, compassion, and fun.

*Special thanks also to Jacquie at https://joycottage.blog for nominating me for the Liebster Award. Her blog has great content, plus many thoughtful and encouraging articles.