Monthly Archives: January 2026

DEAR GOD: I Am Rooted In What Endures Forever~

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The Grass Withers The Flower Fades But The Word Of Our God Stands ...Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and bideth forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man asthe flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof faileth away, but the Word of the LORD endureth forever. And this is the world which by the gospel is preached unto you.  1 Peter 1:23, 24, 25 (KJV)

These verses should speak directly to our very soul, as this is the substance of which we are to live and abide as Christian followers. The world is corrupt, and filled with so many dark moments, and scenarios, but we are to put on the “incorruptible” which is to say the “WORD” of the LORD.

All things are subject to “perish” – all have a season and time to live here on earth.  The grass, flowers, even automobiles have a time limit until they are no longer useful. But our spirit and being born again is “forever alive” and not subject to death. For it is said, in Romans, 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.”

We will never “die” we are going on to eternal life once we leave these “flesh bodies.”  But until such time, we need to be diligent in all aspects of our life, in what we do, take on, and choose. We are to be respectful of others, but to adhere to the LORD and His will and commandments, over everything – and everyone.  For He is what matters, and He is the nucleus of our existence.

Peter reminds us that our new life in Christ isn’t fragile or temporary. We were reborn through the incorruptible Word of God, something that doesn’t fade, wrinkle, or wither like human strength does. Everything earthly eventually dries up, but God’s Word — and the life it produces in us — remains steady, eternal, and untouched by time.

This incredible truth is what drives Christians to devotion, worship and passion for our LORD. The fact that His WORD (which Jesus is the living Word – John 1:1) – Incorporate the Word into every detail of life and obey Him with a fiery spirit of devotion. 

He came for us, to save us. To redeem us from sin, and to bring us ever lasting life.

  • Those who believe in Him shall never die!   
  • Those who drink from His Water, shall never thirst!  

No matter how innocent something may seem, if it is NOT of the LORD, don’t fluff it off thinking “oh well it’s harmless, how bad can this be?”  Rather -Instead, turn from it – no matter the consequences, even if it “offends someone” or someone is not in agreement with it. 

Jesus said, “anyone who is against us is not of us“(Matthew 12:30). And ostensibly, He warns us in Mark 9:40, and Luke 9:50  – “Whoever is not against us is for us.”  

Today as you go about your daily activities of living – are you ready to defend and guard your heart, soul and mind in the name of the LORD?

“Father, thank You for giving me a new life that cannot decay or be taken away. Let Your Word take deeper root in my heart, shaping my thoughts, my choices, and my peace. Help me stand on what is eternal, not on what fades. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: You Are Our Everything!~

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God Over Everything | Christian Wallpaper“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” — Psalm 73:25 (KJV)

My Everything
by C D SWANSON~

This verse is the cry of a heart that has discovered its true home. When the psalmist says there is “none upon earth” he desires besides God, he isn’t rejecting the world — he is recognizing that nothing in it can compare to the One who holds him, heals him, and carries him. To love God like this is to finally breathe freely. It is to know that even when life shakes, even when fear rises, even when the path feels uncertain, the center of your soul remains unbroken because it rests in Him.

As a Christian, this becomes more than belief — it becomes identity. We are people who have tasted the goodness of God and found that nothing else satisfies. We are people who walk through valleys with confidence because His Presence is our portion.

We are people who can say, with trembling love and steady faith, “Lord, You are my everything.” This is not perfection. It is devotion. It is the daily choosing of the One who first chose us. It is the quiet, fierce love of a heart that knows it belongs to Him.

Prayer

“Father, You are my everything. My strength, my peace, my joy, my hope. Teach my heart to desire You above all else. Let my life reflect Your love, and let my steps honor the One who never leaves me. Hold me close, guide me gently, and keep me rooted in Your Presence. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Teach Us About Your Loving Heart~

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“Jesus wept.”—John 11:35 (KJV)

The Tears That Teach Us God’s Heart
by C D SWANSON

The shortest verse in Scripture carries one of the deepest revelations of God’s character. “Jesus wept” is not simply a moment of sorrow; it is a window into the compassion of Christ. Standing at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus knew He was about to raise him from the dead. He knew joy was moments away. Yet He still allowed Himself to feel the weight of human grief, the sting of loss, and the ache of those He loved.

His tears were not a sign of weakness but of divine empathy. They tell us that God is not distant from our pain. He does not rush past our sorrow or silence our emotions. Instead, He steps into them with us. He feels what we feel. He honors our tears with His own.

In this single moment, Jesus shows us that love is not only expressed in miracles but also in shared sorrow. His tears sanctify our tears. His compassion dignifies our grief. His presence assures us that no valley is walked alone.

When we face heartbreak, confusion, or loss, this verse whispers a truth we desperately need: God is moved by what moves us. He is not indifferent. He is not cold. He is not far away. He weeps with us, walks with us, and ultimately brings resurrection into places that feel hopeless.

Lord Jesus, thank You for being a Savior who feels deeply and loves completely. Thank You for entering our sorrow, carrying our burdens, and meeting us with compassion. When my heart aches, remind me that You are near, that You understand, and that Your presence brings comfort and hope. Teach me to trust Your timing, rest in Your love, and believe in Your power to bring life where there has been loss. Amen.

DEAR GOD: My Heart Trusts You Solely

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“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

My Heart Trusts You Solely~
By C D SWANSON

Loving God and trusting God are not two separate paths — they are one intertwined journey of surrender, devotion, and confidence in His character. When Scripture calls us to trust the Lord with all our heart, it is inviting us into a relationship where fear loosens its grip, self‑reliance fades, and the soul finds its true anchor.

Trusting God is not passive. It is an active, daily choice to place the weight of your life — your hopes, your wounds, your uncertainties, your future — into His hands. It means believing that His wisdom surpasses your understanding, His timing surpasses your impatience, and His love surpasses your fears.

Loving God means drawing near to Him with affection, reverence, and desire. Trusting God means resting in Him with confidence, peace, and surrender. Together, they form a life that is not shaken by circumstances because it is rooted in Someone unshakeable.

There will be days when trusting feels difficult — when the path is unclear, when prayers seem unanswered, when your heart feels fragile. Yet it is in those very moments that God invites you deeper. He does not ask you to understand everything; He asks you to trust Him through everything. He does not demand perfection; He desires your heart. He does not expect you to carry the weight alone; He offers Himself as your strength.

To love God is to trust that He is good. To trust God is to love Him enough to let go. And in that letting go, you discover the peace that only His presence can give.

Where in your life is God inviting you to trust Him more deeply today?

🙏 Closing Prayer

Father, teach my heart to love You more deeply and trust You more fully. When my understanding fails, let Your wisdom guide me. When fear rises, let Your peace settle over me. Draw me into a place of surrender where my confidence rests not in myself, but in Your unfailing love. Strengthen my faith, steady my steps, and help me walk each day with a heart anchored in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DEAR GOD: You Sing Over All Your Children~

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“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17

Singing Over Me
by C D SWANSON~

This verse is a quiet sanctuary for the weary heart. It reminds you that God is not distant, not passive, not watching from afar. He is in the midst of you—present in your home, your thoughts, your struggles, your Sunday stillness.

He is mighty, not only in power but in tenderness. His strength is not harsh; it is protective, steady, and deeply personal. He saves, not once, but continually—lifting you, shielding you, guiding you, and restoring you day by day.

The most breathtaking part of this verse is the phrase: “He will rest in His love.” It means God’s love toward you is not frantic, conditional, or wavering. It is settled. Secure. Unchanging. He is not pacing heaven wondering if you are worthy. His love is already decided, already anchored, already complete.

And then—He sings over you. Imagine that: the God who created galaxies bends low to sing a melody of joy over your life. Not because you are perfect, but because you are His.

On this Sunday, let this truth settle into your spirit: You are loved with a love that rests, rejoices, and remains.

🙏  

Father, thank You for being in the midst of my life with strength and tenderness. Let Your restful love quiet my heart today. Teach me to breathe deeply in Your presence, to trust Your joy over me, and to walk in the peace that comes from knowing I am held by You. Amen.

DEAR GOD: Walking Straight To You Always ~

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20 Bible Verses to Keep Your Eyes on God | Bible images, Inspirational ...

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently…” — Deuteronomy 4:9 (KJV)

Setting the Heart Steadfast
by C D SWANSON

 

This verse is often overlooked, yet it carries a deep call to wholehearted love. God invites His people not merely to obey outwardly, but to guard the soul with intention and devotion. Loving God with all the heart begins with watchfulness — noticing what pulls us away, what distracts us, what dulls our affection.

To “keep thy soul diligently” means to cultivate a heart that treasures God above all else. It is the daily choice to remember His works, His mercy, His nearness. When we guard our inner life, we create space for love to grow — a love that is not shallow or hurried, but rooted, steady, and enduring.

Loving God with all our heart is not a moment; it is a posture. It is the quiet, continual turning of the soul toward Him.

Reflection Question

What is one distraction I can lay aside today to guard my love for God?

Prayer

“LORD – help me keep my soul with diligence. Strengthen my love for You and draw my heart into deeper devotion. Amen.”

DEAR GOD: We Rest Quietly In You~

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 Rest In The LORD
by C D SWANSON

“Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.” — Psalm 131:2 (KJV)

Resting Quietly in the Father’s Arms

Psalm 131:2 paints one of the most tender pictures in all of Scripture: a soul quieted like a small child resting against its mother. Not striving. Not demanding. Not wrestling. Simply trusting.

This is the heart of holy silence.

When we choose stillness before the Lord, we are not withdrawing from life — we are returning to the One who holds life itself. Silence becomes a sacred posture, a way of laying down our anxieties, our noise, our endless inner motion, and letting God steady us.

In today’s world, quietness is almost countercultural. Everything pushes us to react, respond, explain, and perform. But this verse invites us to do the opposite: to quiet ourselves intentionally, to settle our souls in God’s Presence, and to rest like a child who knows they are safe.

When we offer the Lord a day of silence, we are offering Him trust. We are saying, “Father, I don’t need to fill the air with words. I just need You.” In that stillness, Christ meets us. He softens what has grown tense. He calms what has been stirred. He reminds us that we are held.

Let today’s quiet be a gentle surrender — a way of drawing closer to Christ not through effort, but through rest.

🙏 Prayer

“Lord, quiet my soul before You.
Teach me to rest in Your Presence with the trust of a child.
Let my silence today become worship,
my stillness become surrender,
and my waiting become a doorway into deeper fellowship with You.
Hold my heart steady, calm my thoughts,
and draw me closer to Christ with every quiet breath. In Jesus name, 
Amen.”

DEAR GOD: You Are The Love That Found Us

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Your Love Saves
by C D SWANSON

 

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

 Meaning for Today

Romans 5:8 is one of the clearest declarations of Christ’s unconditional love. Paul emphasizes that God did not wait for humanity to become worthy, moral, or spiritually mature before extending salvation. Instead, Christ acted first — demonstrating a love that is proactive, sacrificial, and undeserved. In a world where love is often transactional or based on performance, this verse confronts us with a radically different model: divine love that initiates, heals, and transforms.

Today, this message speaks powerfully into a culture marked by insecurity, comparison, and conditional acceptance. Many people struggle with feelings of inadequacy or failure, believing they must earn approval — even from God. Romans 5:8 dismantles that fear. Christ’s love is not a reward for righteousness but the foundation that makes righteousness possible. His sacrifice reveals a God who sees us fully, knows our flaws, and still chooses to redeem us. This truth invites believers to rest in grace, extend compassion to others, and live with confidence rooted not in personal perfection but in divine mercy.

 “LORD -thank You for loving me long before I ever sought You. Help me understand the depth of Your sacrifice and let Your love shape my thoughts, actions, and relationships. Teach me to walk in grace, to extend mercy, and to reflect Your heart in all I do. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Your Path Is Where I Want To Go~

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Many Paths To God

Your Path Is The Path Of Life
by C D SWANSON

“The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” — Proverbs 14:15 (KJV)

This verse speaks with surprising sharpness about the insipid, the unthinking, the easily swayed—those who drift through life without depth, discernment, or intention.

Life is a vast landscape, rich with meaning for those who seek it and strangely hollow for those who do not. Scripture often contrasts the wise with the simple, not to demean, but to awaken. The “simple” in Proverbs are not merely uneducated; they are unanchored—people who move through the world without reflection, conviction, or spiritual grounding. They accept whatever comes, believe whatever is spoken, and follow whatever path is easiest. Their lives become insipid not because they lack potential, but because they lack pursuit.

Humanity has always wrestled with this tension. We are capable of profound thought, yet often settle for shallow distractions. We are created for purpose, yet drift into patterns that numb the soul. The insipid life is not a life without activity; it is a life without depth. It is motion without meaning, noise without truth, existence without transformation.

Proverbs calls us to something higher. The prudent person “looketh well to his going”—a poetic way of saying that wisdom requires intention. It requires pausing long enough to question, discern, and choose. It requires resisting the gravitational pull of the trivial and instead anchoring oneself in what is eternal.

God invites us into a life that is anything but insipid. His call is one of depth, richness, and clarity. When we seek Him, life gains texture. When we pursue truth, our days gain weight. When we walk with purpose, even ordinary moments become sacred.

The contrast between the simple and the prudent is ultimately a call to awaken—to refuse the thinness of a life lived on the surface and instead embrace the fullness of a life shaped by God’s wisdom.

“LORD- give me discernment to rise above the shallow things of life, and guide me into a deeper walk with You, filled with wisdom, purpose, and truth. In Jesus name, Amen”

DEAR GOD: We Are Strengthened By Your Word~

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Strengthened By Your Word~
C D SWANSON

As a New Year begins, many are filled with promises of what is to come. Some are more than happy to leave the “year behind.”  Perhaps it was a sad year, you had to say goodbye to a loved one. Or something happened unexpectedly that changed your life forever. It only takes a second for a life to be changed. 

Maybe some of you had a beautifully blessed year – like an addition to your family, or some of you married, welcomed a first baby!  Some of you were healed from a terminal illness. Some of you saw things for the first time, and perhaps the best of all- Many of you found Jesus Christ and accepted Him as LORD and Savior of your life overall! Amen! and Amen!

Whatever happened last year, or “did not happen” God was with you through it all. Even when it seemed that He didn’t show up. He did. Sometimes He is silent. And that silence can be deafening to those waiting for an answer, or guidance. But sometimes that “silence is His answer.”  He works behind the scenes. He is sorting out all of the details in your life, meticulously, and lovingly. But He is there, nonetheless.

So, as we all welcome in another year – 2026 – we let us give thanks for all things and for seeing another year.

We look forward to serving you humbly and longingly and acquiescing to your will Father God! Stay in His Word – because that is a good place to be. It is our answer to all of life and how to live in this world. It is the reason to be alive, and it is the reason we ARE ALIVE.  Every day in His Word is a good day, because Jesus Christ is the LIVING WORD.

“LORD, as we look to Your Word, we hold fast to the promise of Psalm 46:1: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ May Your Presence steady every step, calm every fear, and fill this season with Your peace that passes all understanding. Strengthen the heart, guide the path, and let Your mercy shine in every moment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”