Month: February 2024

DEAR GOD: I Trust You & Will Never Leave You

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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” –Romans 8:35-37

Firmly holding on to the LORD in all we do or say is a sign of a “mature Christian.” It is the dedication and introspect of His Word and knowing Christ intimately that gives us our forbearance and strength to endure all things, and still cling to our faith.

  • Psalm 28:7 – The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him

When turbulence threatens to upset your way of life or an untimely incident appears on your doorway – that is when the roots of our Christian faith are put to the “test” as we express our believe and trust in God.

  • Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Knowing He is there for us at all times is comforting and is one of the best things of accepting Jesus as our LORD and Savior. Knowing we are covered by His blood and that He ransomed us and redeemed us, and we are His, and He is ours!

No matter what circumstances you may be facing today, tomorrow or any day thereafter, have courage and be at peace – for the LORD God is with You. He will never leave you, or disappoint you. He is there for all the days of your life, and thereafter into the eternity.

  • Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever

Trust Him. Love Him. Talk to Him. Read His Word. It will make all the difference in your life. His promises are real, and so too is His love for you!

  • Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”.

“Father, thank You for being with me all the days of my life, may I be pleasing in Your eyes as I do all things unto You and give You all the glory now and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD:I Hear Your Love In The Ocean’s Roar~

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When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
–Isaiah 43:2

God’s mercy and power encompass all things. The Universe responds to His mighty Omnipotence and His Promises reach all that embrace them.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” –
Isaiah 55:8-9.

The King reigns and is in control of all. When we accomplish something in our lives, it is because of a dual effect. We essentially made the right choice and worked hard for it, but we only attained it – because fundamentally God was in control, and made it happen. Our choices have dire consequences when they’re outside the parameters of God’s will and purpose. Ostensibly, when we make the right choices, we will invariably excel at all we do, by God’s hands of grace and love.

People who don’t know of God and His love are limited in their ability to thrive. Oh, yeah, they may appear to be prosperous by outside measures, but what is inside? There is no fuel or purpose to their folly – for it lacks all wisdom or moral compass.

Instead, most times their “acts of moral turpitude” are repulsive to those who stand with God – and there really isn’t much substance to their overall structure in their lives.  It’s actually quite inept and seemingly sad. They may have troubles inwardly, and not know how to tune into the best Being ever, JESUS!

We are called to help those in the dark. To be judicious in our choices, and to turn from evil – but at the same time to spread seeds of the truth to those who wish to hear.

Blessed is those who know Him and accept Him. For their lives, although may not be completely free of heartaches, loss, and troubles – but rest assured, with God in their lives it will be easier to navigate rough waters and be lulled into the safe harbor of His arms, each and every time – He is there!

How are you fixed with Jesus? Do you know Him personally? Do you know about His love for you? Open His book – His love letter written to us – and learn about Him and accept Him as Your LORD and Savior – and He promises a life well worth living!

“Father, thank You for Your promises, Your ways, Your love, Your endless path to peace and harmony, may I always ascribe to Your commandments, and always stand in faith, in Your precious name Jesus, Amen.”

 

“The boundless beauty of the ocean and its roaring peace, eclipse my soul as Your love covers me with Your promises and Your Word…”

❤️
 (c) C D SWANSON 

 

DEAR GOD: Keep Talking To Me-I Hear You

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When God Speaks, Do We Listen? - P.I.C.C., Inc. - People In Charge of ...

The Bible is filled with captivating narratives, all depicting God’s unchanging faithfulness in upholding His promises. Let’s explore some of these comforting reassurances. I thought today I’d share some beautiful scripture and God’s Word to help those in need of encouragement in some situation they might be facing, or fighting – or for someone who needs to help a loved one who is in need of God’s love and promises at this very moment.  I know that whenever I open His Word, I hear His voice speaking to me.

D.L. Moody said – “When I pray, I talk to God. When I read the Bible, God talks to me…”  That is the truth, because I do Hear His voice speaking to me as I read. So – when reading the verses I’ve put here today – Listen to His Words – because He is speaking to you!

Promises of Salvation:

John 3:16: “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.”

Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Promises of Eternal Life:

1 John 5:11: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

John 11:25-26: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”

John 6:47: “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.”

Promises of Peace and Comfort:

Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”

Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Promises of Guidance and Wisdom:

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Psalm 32:8: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Promises of God’s Presence:

Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Matthew 28:20: “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Hebrews 13:5: “…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

May these verses remind you of God’s unwavering commitment and love, and that He is still speaking to you this very moment in time – Are you listening?

“Father, thank You for talking to me through Your Word, may I adhere to Your commandments, may I ease into Your way of direction and purpose, and may I always acknowledge You in all I do and say, each day of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: You Are My Umbrella & More~

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~Psalm 3:3~
 But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

So, the rain poured down from the Heavens and I reach for my umbrella – and it shields me from harsh elements- and I am protected!

LORD – You are my umbrella of fortune and blessings and I know You are with me in all kinds of weather. In fact, You control the weather patterns, and it “listens” to You!

When we are aligned in God’s word and pull away from the insignificance of the World, and all its ugly enticements – we are assured of rewards to come here and most especially in the eternity.

Some may say, “why can’t I indulge in some pleasurable things – if I’m good and do good things, what’s the big deal?”  Well, it is a big deal if you’re not adhering to His Word and are doing ungodly things that are not favorable in His sight. God doesn’t want His children to partake in insignificant things or indulge in idolatry. Idolatry is anything that takes you away from the LORD and His Word. No matter how small you may think it is, if it’s an abomination in God’s eyes, and not godly – then it isn’t as “small” as you think it is.

Idolatry is not acceptable in His eyes. This can run the gamut from addictions, possessions, materialistic items, anything that leads to the eviction of God in your life.

We need to concentrate on “living” but staying within the confines and parameters of being C child of Christ and living a life that suits Christians.

He is the provider for all our needs and His provisions are never ending, and His love is free flowing. Nothing and no one can compare to His magnificence, and His Omnipotence.

Do you feel God is your umbrella? Can you recall any time in your life where God protected you fully? Do you have idols in your life you need to be rid of?

“Father, thank You for Your continuous Presence in my life, may I always be in obedience to You and Your Word, may I never stray, and if I do – as I am human- please gently guide me back onto Your path of righteousness, as that is the only path I wish to walk upon, in Jesus’ name I thank You, Amen.”

 

 

DEAR GOD: Thank You For Handling The Evil In The World~

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Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:1-4 (ESV)

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm that teaches us how to trust in God and live righteously in a world where the wicked seem to prosper and flourish without repercussions. Suffice to say, the LORD has eyes and ears over all in the Universe, and He knows what and who is accountable for evildoings, and He will hold them to judgement eventually.

The main theme of the psalm is to not fret or be envious of the evildoers, but to delight in the Lord and commit our ways to Him. The psalmist assures us that God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked in His time and His way. And everything is in His control. No matter how “out of control” the world seems to be at any given time. The LORD is watching and weighing in on all circumstances and reprehensible acts of violence, iniquities, debauchery, evil lusts and deeds, and all else that are an abominable in His righteous eyes and ways.

Some verses to bring encouragement to those who are in despair at this moment will follow. May they enlighten you, fill you with hope and build your confidence in the LORD, knowing He goes before us, and the battle is the LORDS. Amen.

Here is a breakdown of some of the verses in Psalm 37.

  • Verse 1: Do not fret because of evildoers, Do not be envious of wrongdoers. This verse tells us to avoid anxiety and jealousy when we see the wicked prospering. Fretting and envying only leads to anger, bitterness, and sin. Instead, we should focus on God and His promises.
  • Verse 4: Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. This verse tells us to find our joy and satisfaction in God, not in the things of the world. When we delight in God, He will align our desires with His will and grant them according to His wisdom and love.
  • Verse 5: Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. This verse tells us to surrender our plans and actions to God, and to rely on Him to accomplish His purposes. When we commit our way to God, He will guide our steps and bless our endeavors.
  • Verse 7: Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. This verse tells us to be still and trust in God’s sovereignty and justice. We should not worry or be impatient when we see the wicked succeeding, because God will eventually bring them to account.
  • Verse 23: The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. This verse tells us that God ordains and directs the path of the righteous, and He takes pleasure in their obedience. God is not indifferent or distant from His people, but He is intimately involved and interested in their lives.
  • Verse 39: But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. This verse tells us that God is the source and protector of the righteous. He delivers them from their enemies and supports them in their difficulties. God is faithful and powerful to save those who trust in Him.

Some other scriptures that relate to the message of Psalm 37 that are there for our eyes and for us to grow strong in the fact of God’s Omnipotence are the following:

  • Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
  • Matthew 6:33: But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
  • Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.Hebrews 10:36-37: For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.
  • 1 Peter 5:6-7: Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Do these verses bring immediate comfort to your souls? Are you trusting God in the way He wants you to? Do you love Him fully? What are some of the ways these verses help you and your loved ones in troubled times?

“Father, I am filled with confidence knowing You are over me in all I do, I am humbly and securely filled with peace and assurance that You alone are the One in complete control. Not me, or anyone else, but You, may I submit to Your hands of mercy, and may I be guided by Your voice alone, may I always realize that no matter how the evil seem to be getting ahead, that You have the victory, and we are victorious in You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: How Do We Help Someone To Forgive?

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Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin ...Forgiveness is not easy, especially when someone has hurt us deeply. We may feel angry, betrayed, or resentful, and we may want to retaliate or seek justice. But the Bible teaches us a different way of responding to those who hurt us. It teaches us to forgive, as God has forgiven us.

Forgiveness is not a feeling, but a decision. It is not condoning or forgetting what happened but releasing the offender from our debt. It is not denying or minimizing our pain but choosing to heal and move on. Forgiveness is not a one-time act, but a process that may take time and effort. It is not a sign of weakness, but a mark of strength and maturity.

Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves and to others. It frees us from bitterness, anger, and resentment, and restores our peace and joy. It opens the door for reconciliation, restoration, and renewal. It reflects the character and love of God, who forgave us while we were still sinners. It honors the sacrifice of Jesus, who died on the cross to pay for our sins. It follows the example of Jesus, who prayed for his enemies and forgave those who crucified him.

The Bible is full of verses that encourage us to forgive those who hurt us. Here are some of them:

– “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

– “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

– “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

– “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

– “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

– “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

– “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
(1 Peter 3:9)

Forgiving those who hurt us is not easy, but it is possible with God’s help. He gives us the grace, the strength, and the motivation to forgive. He heals our wounds and restores our relationships. He blesses us when we obey his command and follow his example. He makes us more like him, as we forgive as he forgave us. So, for those of you who need to hear/read this today, because you may be going through a similar circumstance, or know someone going through this, please let go, choose to forgive, and move on in Christ’ Light and Grace.

“Father, should I encounter a wrongdoing, may I be of Jesus’ Spirit in terms of forgiving and praying for the individual, may I be tolerant and humble in moving forward, and may I be a witness to Your commandments and Your doctrine in all I do and say, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: I believe In Your Goodness~

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1 Corinthians 15:55 –“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

I really believe that there are more “good” than “bad” in the world. I personally think that the news likes to show sensationalism and not sweet peaceful stories. People tend to seek the “abnormal” more than the “norm.”

A friend of mine was stating how evil everyone is in the world today. She was on a roll that lasted for about 25 minutes. I mean she was going on and on. It was negative and dark and didn’t look like there was any stopping her caustic dialogue. Until I said, “Please-enough!” She stopped on a dime.  I then said, “There is still good in the world. God is good all the time, and all those who follow Him – His light is in them, and they are inherently good.”  She didn’t say anything for a while then realized she was caught up in a negative energy of the prince of the air – and was forgetting about the King of the Universe! The devil likes to whisper and entice you to spread negativity and anger and disgust, and that was my friend. For a moment she was caught up in it.

When we take the time to realize that Jesus is victorious- we can get back on the track of reality. Yes- the harsh reality right now is that the world is in kind of a chaotic mode, and the dark is seemingly overtaking the light. However, Stop! And know that Jesus Reigns Supreme and conquered the grave!  The sting of death – is non-existent! Praise Him! He gets the victory all the time.

We need to reinforce His Word and let it mesh within our being. The Word should be in our brain, heart and soul. It is there to reach and bring us back to the joyous fact that Jesus is King of kings and LORD of lords, and He Reigns forever!

So – if you get melancholy about the sight of the world as it stands, look up and embrace His Word to fill you with inspiration and hope, and courage to face the day and days ahead.

Here are just a few of inspirational verses for you to meditate upon, to give you hope and solidify how Great the Great I AM is! Never forget – The One and only King -and the One we owe our lives and all things!

Remember, no matter how harsh the winds that seem to be blowing in your face, God is there to be a buffer for us. He is the One who controls all things, including the weather, and our breath that we breathe! Amen! Thank You Sweet LORD!

Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

John 16:33 –“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Ephesians 6:10 –Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

1 John 5:4 –for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Joshua 10:8 –  The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.”

Proverbs 21:31–The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

1 Corinthians 15:57 -But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Father, thank You, I know You are victorious and through Your blood and the name of Christ, I am able to withstand in Your name all things, and know that I am protected by Your promises and Your love and Your grace, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: Guide My Paths O’ LORD

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Psalm 85:13
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

My husband and I have been saying and feeling we need to relocate and move closer to our family. This has been an ongoing issue with us for the last three years, the result-we are still here!  Why? Well, we just haven’t had a window or door open for us to do so. We in turn take that as a sign, that it is not time to go. That the LORD isn’t directing our steps “to get moving” and we only will do so, when it is God’s time and God’s will. Anything less than that – we won’t accept. Only God’s time and will for us. Because anything less than that – would be a recipe for disaster in our eyes. We place our trust and surrender our lives to Him. Jesus is LORD – above all.

Did you ever think that while you’re stuck in traffic that God is protecting you from an accident up ahead? Or when you’re waiting patiently at a red light that seems interminably long, that the reason for that long wait is God is protecting you right there too?

All things that happen-or don’t happen – happen for a reason. There isn’t anything that transpires that doesn’t account for a reason.

We will wait for the LORD (Psalm 46:10) and realize it is only Him that can guide us from unforeseeable events that we are not aware of. The Holy Spirit is gentle and will guide us with His hands of mercy and His untrammeled eyesight. When we listen, obey, meditate and serve Him justly, all things will eventually become crystal clear. The clarity will be unmistakeable, and the door and widows will open and remain so. And then all things will fall into place, like a huge puzzle that was missing key pieces to complete the puzzle.

Trust in the LORD, and He will guide your path (Proverbs 3:4) He is always there at the helm – waiting- and guiding. We just need to focus and be aware and mesh with His Word, and then in His time, all things will happen for our benefit, in the righteousness of the LORD who makes all things possible.

” My LORD – Please create in me a pure heart and guide me through all the passages and days of my life, guide me in the direction in which I should go, and hold me up while giving me Your wisdom to grasp the meaning of my days as I serve You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: Thank You For The Word~

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The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 (KJV)

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When I see any kind of flower this verse above comes to my mind heart and soul immediately.  It brings another verse to my mind from John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  And then I grasp once again, the meaning of the Word- Jesus is the Word and He stands forever!  Amazing and so comforting.

My original thoughts on this verse are that it is a beautiful and profound statement of faith that inspires awe and wonder. It also challenges me to reflect on how I can respond to God’s love and revelation in Jesus Christ. How can I behold his glory, receive his grace, and follow his truth in my life? How can I share his love with others? These are some of the questions that this verse provokes in me. What about you?

The next time you see a flower – meditate on these verses and take in the enormity and overwhelming reality of who Christ is, what He has done for us. The WORD is powerfully comforting and a vast reminder of our salvation that was bought by Christ. His blood which covers us and His promises which are never ending, and His love which transcends all things and is unparalleled by any other Being.

“Father, thank You for Your enduring Word and for Your Son, my redeemer, all the days of my life I shall meditate on Your Word, and bring a daily reflection into the seconds of my life that is only possible because of You, in Jesus name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: You Are My Maestro In Life~

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Colossians 3:23 (NIV)-

  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

The Maestro of my life is the Creator Himself! 

The ivory and ebony keys sit waiting for hands to bring it to life. Without hands to tickle the ivory keys it doesn’t to anything but sit and wait. It sits in dead silence…

So too we wait as the keys do.  We wait to come to LIFE. Just as the keys for the hands of the LORD bring us to LIFE. For it is the LORD who is the Creator of all things. We sit and wait, until His hands of grace bring all creation to LIFE.

He is the Maestro for my symphony that plays in my heart and soul which is created only by the LORD. It is He alone who brings me to LIFE.  He brings all to LIFE!

When we do all things, anything at all- we need to do it for the LORD. Not humans…but GOD!  He alone is the reason for all things. He is the reason for the piano itself!

Colossians 3:24 –Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

The rewards and promises that come from knowing the LORD and His Word and His love are beyond all human comprehension but suffice to say – it is a worthwhile way of LIFE. But then again there is NO LIFE without Him. AND for me- He is my LIFE. He is my delight and joy!

Psalms 37:4 (KJV) – Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

The LORD is my joy, and it is my desire to please Him and all that He is. When we do all things for Him and seek Him – He will bring you the desires of your heart. He is faithful, He is precious, and His hands of grace are unlimited in extending it to His children who follow Him.

Do you do all things for the LORD? Do you realize He is the Maestro of Your life, and only through Him do you come to LIFE?

“LORD, thank You for being the Maestro over my LIFE, and bringing me to LIFE with Your hands of grace, I am at Your service, and at Your feet in worship, may I do all I can to honor You with my existence all the days of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”