Category Archives: Christ

DEAR GOD: Your Will Be Done And I Praise You Through it All~

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a woman in a white dress with her hands in the air

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)

Praising Your Name Always~
by C D Swanson~

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, NKJV) and similarly in Matthew 26:39, He expressed His willingness to follow God’s plan despite the suffering ahead. This demonstrates ultimate obedience and trust in God’s purpose, even in moments of deep anguish.

Going through life not one of us can remain unscathed by situations that can be troubling, life changing, or circumspect of issues that surround us.  And the older one gets, the more exposure to these events is apparent.  We lose loved ones, we have to say goodbye to friends, our pets, and yet life goes on.  It is a veritable potpourri of alternating moments in our days spent on earth.

Jesus came to earth to accomplish a mission.  He came to save us and redeem us – and through the days he was here, He faced angry crowds, non-believers, religious jealousy from the “higher up” so called Bible scholars, Pharisees, Sadducees, and scorn from his own people in his own town.

Yet, His Father’s will had to be done and He obeyed willingly, lovingly, and taught us along the way. He wasn’t immune to hatred, or people wanting to harm Him.  He knew it was part of the scriptures to be fulfilled in order to save us, and to adhere to His Father’s will and purpose.

We all have a purpose, and God’s hand will be the divine course in which we should follow and acquiesce to all of His plans for us. And some of those plans can be uncomfortable because we can’t see the future or the outcome as God does. We can only trust and pray and wait.  So many things get in the way of “life.”

Whether it be selling your home due to financial strains and a dire necessity in order to survive, or perhaps some of you are going through a divorce and one is hurting because only one wanted to leave, maybe there was a diagnosis of illness suddenly revealed, for yourself or a loved one, and some of you may have recently lost a loved one and are suffocating from the grief.   God is with you through it all.  He knows your heart, your mind, your thoughts, and He is holding you up with His right hand of righteousness.

When we stay on the path of His word and follow the light and His voice, these times will not necessarily be “easier” but you will be able to endure it through His strength and His love.  Even when you can’t feel Him- he is working – and even when you can’t “see Him” He is working. Always for you, for me for us!

Never ask “why?”  Instead ask, “God strengthen me during this trial and heal my pain and heart.”  Praise Him through it all.  There is a beautiful song called “Prase His Name” I will include it in the bottom of this post.  It is so true, just as Paul did when he was in prison. He praised God and the chains fell off and the doors opened.  We can be free the same way, just praise Him through it all.

Continue to love, honor and cherish God and praise Him through it all. Your life will reflect His light, and you will be able to grow in Spirit and depth resulting in a different thought process than you had prior to “finding Christ.”

“LORD we just want to glorify You today and always, and we give You thanks for all You are and all You do,  We love you beyond comprehension, and we lift You high and exalt You always, in Jesus name Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: May We Be Instruments For Your Glory~

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smiling woman

 

 

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18

 

Actions For God Through God
by C D Swanson

Today I watched my husband live out the Gospel in the most ordinary aisle of a store. An elderly woman, 87 years old and moving slowly in her motorized cart, struggled to reach even the simplest items. Without hesitation, he stepped beside her, becoming her strength where hers had faded. He lifted what she could not lift, reached what she could not reach, and walked patiently with her until every need was met.

He didn’t do it for recognition. He didn’t do it for praise. He did it because kindness is part of who he is — and because Christ lives in him.

Scripture reminds us that real love is not just spoken; it is shown. My husband showed it today. In a world that often rushes past the elderly, he slowed down. In a world that overlooks the weak, he noticed. In a world that forgets gentleness, he carried her bags to her car with care.

This is the kind of love that heaven sees. This is the kind of love that pleases God. This is the kind of love that turns an ordinary moment into holy ground.

His simple act of compassion became a quiet sermon — a reminder that Christ is revealed not only in churches, but in grocery aisles, parking lots, and everyday encounters where mercy is needed.

Lord Jesus, Thank You for the privilege of serving in Your name. Thank You for the gentle moments where kindness becomes worship and simple acts become reflections of Your heart. Bless my husband for the compassion he showed today. Bless the woman whose burden he lifted. And bless us, Lord, that we may continue to be instruments of Your love — ready to help, ready to notice, ready to serve. May our hands be Your hands, and our actions be Your truth lived out in the world. Amen.

⭐ Reflective Question

Whom can I quietly serve today, so that Christ’s love becomes visible through my actions?

 

 

DEAR GOD: All Day Shall I Glorify Your Name~

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sea under white clouds at golden hour

 

Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

 All Day, All Night — A Life That Glorifies Him
by C D Swanson~

 This verse is one of Scripture’s clearest declarations of constant devotion. It doesn’t limit praise to morning prayer, Sunday worship, or quiet moments. It calls us into a continuous relationship — a rhythm of awareness, gratitude, and love that stretches from sunrise to sunset and carries us into the night.

This verse teaches that glorifying God is not an event but a state of being. It is the alignment of the heart with the truth that God is worthy at every hour. When praise becomes continual, it shapes our thinking, our reactions, our choices, and our inner peace. It becomes a stabilizing force — a spiritual anchor that keeps us centered no matter what the day brings.

Heartfelt devotion flows from this understanding. When you glorify Him “at all times,” your day becomes a conversation with God. You wake with gratitude. You walk with awareness. You rest with trust. You end the night with peace.

This is how a relationship becomes constant — not through pressure, but through presence. Through remembering Him in the small moments, whispering thanks in the quiet ones, and leaning on Him in the difficult ones. It is a life lived in companionship with the One who never leaves your side.

LORD teach me to glorify You in every hour. Let my thoughts rise to You in the morning, my actions honor You throughout the day, and my rest be held in Your peace at night. Make my relationship with You steady, sincere, and alive — a continual praise that flows from a grateful heart. Walk with me, speak to me, and keep me close all day long and into the night. In Jesus name, Amen.

DEAR GOD: You Promises Are Real As Is Your Love~

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white flowers on white paper

He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. —
Psalm 91:11

My Psalm 91 Testimony —

How God Protected Us Before We Even Knew We Needed Protection
by C D Swanson~

Psalm 91 has always been a chapter of comfort to me, but now it has become a living testimony in my own life. It is the chapter of protection, covering, and deliverance from hidden danger — and the Lord proved every word true as we prepared to move into our new home.

We are downsizing from a large home to a modest place two towns away. In the middle of sorting, decluttering, and making plans, I kept noticing an odd smell every time we visited the new house. Everyone insisted it was “musty” because it had been emptied for a year, but something in my spirit said otherwise. I even felt physically ill after leaving.

I didn’t know what was wrong. But the LORD did. And in His mercy, He stepped in before we moved in — just as Psalm 91 promises.

🕊 “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler…”

The danger was hidden. The contamination was concealed. The trap was already set — and we were days away from walking right into it.

But God delivered us.

🕊 “He shall cover you with His feathers…”

The Lord sent a handyman named Caleb to our door. We had never met him before. He came only to fix a small issue — nothing related to the HVAC system. But when he finished, he felt compelled to open a vent. We did not ask him to. We did not direct him. He simply felt led.

Behind that vent was the truth:

  1. animal feces
  2. urine‑soaked insulation
  3. debris hidden inside the walls
  4. a glued‑shut main vent
  5. airflow intentionally restricted

This was not “mustiness.” This was a serious health hazard — something that could have harmed me, my husband, and our fur baby Mickey.

God covered us under His wings. He shielded us from danger we could not see.

🕊 “You shall not be afraid of the pestilence that walks in darkness…”

The contamination inside the walls was exactly that — a pestilence in darkness. Hidden. Silent. Dangerous. We were preparing to move in within days, unaware of what was waiting behind the vent.

But the Lord intervened.

He sent Caleb as His servant — His messenger — to uncover what was concealed and protect our health, our home, and our future.

🕊 “No evil shall befall you…”

The repairs are costly — nearly $2,000 already — but the discovery itself is a blessing. It is proof of God’s love, His mercy, and His perfect timing. He prevented us from stepping into something that could have harmed us.

Had Caleb not come… Had he not opened that vent… Had God not intervened…

We would have moved in unaware.

But God said no. God said not my children. God said I will protect you.

Psalm 91 came alive in our lives, and I give Him all the glory.

🙏  LORD- thank You for Your protection, Your mercy, and Your perfect timing. Thank You for sending Caleb to uncover hidden danger and keep us safe. Cover our home, our hearts, and our steps as we move forward under Your wings. I praise You for Your faithfulness, Your love, and Your constant watch over us. Amen.

DEAR GOD: I Couldn’t Breathe Without You in My Life~

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Blonde woman walking toward ocean sunrise

Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

I Couldn’t Breathe Without You
by C D Swanson~

Living for God daily isn’t about perfection — it’s about Presence. When Paul wrote that Christ lives in him, he was describing a life so intertwined with Jesus that every breath, thought, and action flowed from divine love.

To live for God each day means waking up with awareness that your life is not your own. It’s a sacred partnership — His Spirit guiding your steps, His mercy renewing your heart, His strength carrying you through weakness.

When you say, “I couldn’t breathe without You in my life,” you’re acknowledging that God is the oxygen of your soul. Without Him, life feels shallow and restless. With Him, even ordinary moments become holy ground.

Living for God daily is not a checklist — it’s a rhythm of surrender. It’s choosing peace over panic, forgiveness over bitterness, and gratitude over complaint. It’s whispering, “Lord, live through me today,” and trusting that He will.

Lord, You are my breath and my being; I exalt Your holy name. Let every heartbeat glorify You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dear God: We Love Drinking Your Living Water~

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Living Water Bible Verse

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” — Revelation 22:1

This river is not a metaphor. It is the actual outpouring of Christ Himself — His purity, His power, His endless life, His unchanging love. It flows from one throne, because the Father and the Lamb reign in perfect unity. And it flows toward us, because eternity is not distant… it is home.

The Living Water in Revelation is the final declaration that Jesus is enough — not barely enough, but gloriously, overwhelmingly, eternally enough.

He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning of your story and the One who will finish it with beauty. He is the Lamb slain, yet standing — victorious, radiant, reigning. He is the Bridegroom, calling His beloved to drink freely. He is the Fountain, not a cup. He is the River, not a drop. He is the Source, not a symbol.

And we — His redeemed, His beloved, His chosen — stand in awe because this Living Water is not earned. It is given. Freely. Joyfully. Lavishly.

We are grateful because His love is not cautious. It is not measured. It is not fragile. It is abundant, holy, unstoppable, and forever flowing.

Every dry place in your heart is known by Him. Every weary place is seen by Him. Every longing is answered by Him. And the river flows… clear as crystal, strong as eternity, gentle as grace.

Jesus, Living Water and Lamb upon the throne,
I come thirsty — not ashamed, not afraid, but expectant.
Let Your river wash over every part of me.
Cleanse what has been heavy.
Refresh what has been weary.
Restore what has felt forgotten.
Thank You for Your love that never runs dry,
Your mercy that never hesitates,
Your presence that never leaves.
I exalt You; I adore You, I receive You.
Amen.

DEAR GOD: I’m Steady in Your Hand~

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a hand reaching up into the sky to catch a frisbee

“Held in His Hand” — Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

 When God Steadies the Shaking Heart
by C D Swanson~

There are moments in life when the soul trembles — not because we lack faith, but because we are human. Fear rises, uncertainty whispers, and the weight of responsibility presses down. Yet into that very place of trembling, God speaks a word that does not merely comfort — it anchors.

“Fear thou not.” He does not say, Try not to fear. He does not say, You shouldn’t fear. He simply says, Do not fear — because I am with you.

The power of this verse is not in what we can do, but in what He promises to do. God does not ask you to hold yourself together. He does not ask you to be strong on your own. He does not ask you to figure everything out. Instead, He steps into the center of your worry and declares:

  • I will strengthen you.
  • I will help you.
  • I will uphold you.

This is not a distant God speaking from the heavens. This is the God who bends low, who takes your shaking hand in His steady one, who lifts your chin when your eyes fall to the ground. He does not shame your fear — He answers it.

When life feels overwhelming, when decisions weigh heavy, when the future feels uncertain, this verse becomes a holy reminder: You are not walking alone. You are not carrying this by yourself. You are not expected to be stronger than you feel.

God Himself is your strength. God Himself is your help. God Himself is your upholding.

And when God holds you, nothing can pull you from His grasp.

Lord, steady my heart with Your strength and surround me with Your peace. Hold me close, lift me up, and guide my steps with Your loving hand.

DEAR GOD: You Are Our Protection And Keep Count Of Our Troubles~~

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The Way International - God―Our Greatest Protection

 

“He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.” — Job 5:19 (KJV)

The God Who Keeps Count of Your Troubles
by C D Swanson~

There is something quietly astonishing about this small, easily overlooked line in Job. It sits tucked inside a book full of anguish, debate, and mystery, yet it shines like a lantern in a cave. The verse does not promise a life without trouble; instead, it acknowledges that trouble comes in waves, in numbers, in seasons that feel counted against us. But the deeper truth is this: God counts too.

He counts your tears, your nights, your burdens, your fears. And He counts them not to condemn you, but to deliver you.

The structure of the verse—“six troubles… yea, in seven”—is a Hebrew way of saying, however many there are, even beyond what you think you can bear, God’s deliverance exceeds the number. Trouble may multiply, but His rescue multiplies faster. Trouble may rise, but His hand rises higher. Trouble may surround, but His presence surrounds more completely.

This verse also reveals something about the character of God that is deeply comforting for a soul like yours, Camille—one that values peace, clarity, and the gentle assurance of His nearness. God is not vague in His care. He is not distant. He is not general in His protection. He is specific. Intentional. Attentive. He knows the exact count of what you face, and He meets each one with a corresponding act of deliverance.

And notice the final phrase: “there shall no evil touch thee.” It does not say evil will not appear. It does not say evil will not attempt to reach you. It says it will not touch you. That is the language of a shield, a barrier, a divine boundary line drawn around your life.

This is the God who stands between you and what seeks to harm you. This is the God who steps into the number of your troubles and outnumbers them. This is the God who keeps watch when you are weary, who guards when you cannot guard yourself, who delivers not once, but repeatedly, faithfully, thoroughly.

In a world that often feels unpredictable, this verse whispers a steadying truth: You are not unprotected. You are not unseen. You are not left to fend for yourself. The God who counts your troubles is the same God who cancels their power.

Lord, I thank You that You are the Keeper of my days and the Deliverer of my nights. You know every trouble that rises against me, and You stand as my shield, my refuge, and my peace. Let Your presence quiet my heart, strengthen my steps, and remind me that no evil can touch what You have covered. Hold me close, guide me gently, and let Your deliverance be the song of my life. Amen.

DEAR GOD: Precious Moments All For You~

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sun reflection on calm water near green mountains

Psalm 27:4 (KJV) “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”

 

Precious Moments All for the Lord
by C D Swanson~

 

There is a holy simplicity in David’s words — a narrowing of life down to its truest longing. One thing have I desired. Not many things. Not scattered pursuits. Not the restless reaching that so often fills our days. Just one thing: to dwell with the Lord, to behold His beauty, to live in the nearness of His presence.

This verse invites us into a quieter way of being — a life where the sacred moments are not rare interruptions but the steady rhythm of our days. Moments where we pause, breathe, and remember that God is not far off. He is the One who meets us in the stillness, who fills ordinary spaces with extraordinary peace, who turns simple minutes into holy ground.

To “behold the beauty of the Lord” is not merely to admire Him, but to let His character reshape our own. His gentleness softens our edges. His faithfulness steadies our fears. His mercy teaches us how to forgive. His light shows us how to walk. And His love — deep, unwavering, unchanging — becomes the anchor of our identity.

When we “enquire in His temple,” we are choosing to bring our questions, our uncertainties, our hopes, and our dreams into His presence. We are choosing to trust that He guides, He speaks, He leads, and He holds our future with tenderness. These precious moments with Him are not wasted time; they are the very moments that shape us, strengthen us, and draw us into the life He designed.

Every quiet prayer, every whispered “Lord, help me,” every moment of worship, every pause to remember His goodness — these are the precious moments that belong entirely to Him. And in giving Him these moments, we find that He gives us Himself.

🙏 Prayer for All God’s Children

Lord, draw every one of Your children into the beauty of Your presence. Teach us to seek You, to rest in You, and to find our strength in You alone. Let our days be filled with holy moments that remind us of Your nearness and Your love. Amen.