Tag Archives: Devotion

DEAR GOD: Just Simply “I love You” ~

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green field under blue and white sky during sunset

John 14:15 — “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” Isaiah 55:8–9 — “For My thoughts are not your thoughts… My ways are higher than your ways.” John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world…” John 10:27 — “My sheep hear My voice…”

Honor & Adore You LORD
by C D Swanson

LORD, all I wish to convey in this post is how much I love You and honor You. And wish to exalt You and tell You that I love You and place You first in all I do, say and feel.

Scripture encourages us to  follow His commandments, and to say within the confines of His will and purpose for our lives.  He can see what is coming down the road before we can, and He is working behind the scenes in every moment and nano second of our lives.

His provisions are never ending and His wisdom is above all else – the Word is our book for LIFE and for what comes next after we leave this earth.  Eternity is forever.  This life is but a flash in the pan. A blink of the eye and it is over.  So therefore, do all things according to His will and honor Him all the days of your life.  For He loves you like none other, today and always.

His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.  And His love reaches into areas that we cannot even begin to comprehend. Starting with sending His only begotten Son to “save us and redeem us” by defeating death and to all those who believe, shall have eternal life. But only which is possible through Christ.  To reach the Father, we need to accept the Son, our LORD and Savior.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Your Savior?  Is not, what are you waiting for?  I tell you the feeling is like none that can be described.

LORD, thank You for opening eyes and ears, and guiding those to Your arms, and I thank You for each day, and every second, may I do all according to your purpose, in Your precious Son’s name, Amen.

DEAR GOD: All Seasons With You Forever~

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View of a sunset on a rocky beach, with birds and the ocean in view, 1990. (Photo by Tom Kelley/Getty Images) (Photo by Tom Kelley/Getty Images)

 

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

 

All Seasons Forever His
C D Swanson~

There is a peculiar ache that comes with human disappointment — not merely the sting of the moment, but the philosophical weight of realizing how fragile human constancy truly is. People change. Circumstances shift. Promises evaporate. Even our own hearts contradict themselves.

But God does not.

In the intellectual landscape of faith, this is the most profound truth: the only unbroken connection in the universe is the one between the soul and its Creator. Every earthly bond is subject to erosion, but the divine bond is immune to decay. When life uproots you — whether through a move, a loss, or a revelation of human frailty — you are not drifting; you are being repositioned closer to the One who cannot fail you.

The wit of faith is this: while humanity fluctuates, God remains the same. While life rearranges itself, God remains the same. While your emotions rise and fall, God remains the same. The constancy of Christ is not merely theological — it is existential. It is the one truth that stabilizes every other truth.

So, when you find yourself in the middle of transition, remember you are not losing connection. You are rediscovering the only connection that was ever truly secure.

Lord, thank You for being the same in every season of my life.
Help me cling to Your unchanging love when everything else shifts. In Jesus name, Amen.

  faith, constancy, devotion, trust, surrender, hope, renewal, courage, grace, wisdom, peace

DER GOD: I Exist Only Because of You

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Waves crashing against dark volcanic rocks under a warm orange sky

Psalm 73:25 “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.”

I Exist Only Because of YOU

This verse captures the heart of every follower –  I exist only because of You. It is the cry of someone who knows their life, breath, identity, and purpose flow from the Lord alone.

There is a sacred truth hidden inside this title — a truth the world often forgets. You are not an accident. You are not self‑made. You are not sustained by your own strength.

You exist because God willed you into being, breathed life into you, and continues to uphold you moment by moment. Your existence is not random — it is intentional, chosen, loved, and sustained.

Psalm 73:25 is the voice of a heart that has discovered this: When everything else fades, when strength fails, when circumstances shake, God remains the One who defines your existence.

You are here because He wanted you here. You are held because He chooses to hold you. You are loved because He cannot deny His own nature.

The title is a confession of dependence — not weakness — but holy belonging. It is the recognition that life is rooted in Someone eternal, Someone faithful, Someone who has never once let go of you!

Where in your life right now do you most feel the truth that you exist only because of Him?

“Lord, You are the One who gives me breath and purpose. Hold me close and steady my heart in Your presence. Let my life reflect the truth that I exist only because of You. 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: We Love You So Much~

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“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” — Colossians 3:17

❤️ Being in Love With Christ & Offering All You Do for Him
by C D Swanson~

To be in love with Christ is to let His presence shape your motives, soften your heart, and guide your actions. It’s not just believing in Him — it’s living for Him. When your work, your choices, your service, and even your quiet moments are offered to Jesus, they become worship.

Love for Christ transforms ordinary tasks into holy devotion. Folding laundry becomes gratitude. Helping someone becomes ministry. Choosing kindness becomes obedience. And every sacrifice becomes a gift laid at His feet.

What does offering “all you do” to Christ look like in your daily life?

Lord Jesus, teach me to love You with my whole heart and to offer every action, every word, and every quiet thought for Your glory. Let my life be a living offering of devotion, shaped by Your Spirit and anchored in Your love. In Your holy name, amen.

 

DEAR GOD: Temporary Passage Here on Earth~

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A black vintage convertible car parked in an underground garage

1 Peter 2:11 (KJV) “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.”

This verse captures the truth that we are pilgrims, passing through, training for eternity, and that everything here is temporary compared to the glory of being with the Lord.

 A Long, Beautiful Reflection
by C D Swanson~

Life on earth often feels loud, glittering, and demanding. Everywhere we turn, something tries to pull our attention — possessions, achievements, admiration, status, beauty, comfort. Yet Scripture reminds us that we are strangers and pilgrims, not permanent residents. We are here for a season, for shaping, for learning, for refining. Our true home is not built with human hands.

When we remember this, the weight of earthly things becomes lighter. The pressure to impress, to accumulate, to keep up, begins to fade. We start to see the world as God sees it — a temporary classroom where He teaches us trust, obedience, compassion, humility, and love.

I saw this clearly in one moment in a parking lot. People gathered around an unusual, beautiful car, admiring it, marveling at it, almost worshipping it. And yes, it was striking — a rare sight, something that turns heads. But my spirit whispered a deeper truth: Imagine if people were this fascinated with Jesus.

Imagine if hearts raced at His mercy the way they raced at horsepower. Imagine if eyes lit up at His Presence the way they lit up at polished chrome. Imagine if crowds gathered not around metal and paint, but around the Savior who gives eternal life.

That thought wasn’t random — it was spiritual clarity. It was the Holy Spirit reminding me that everything dazzling in this world is temporary, but Christ is eternal. Cars rust. Trends fade. Beauty changes. Wealth evaporates. But the love of God, the Presence of Jesus, and the promise of eternity remain untouched.

We are pilgrims. We are passing through. And everything else is just “fill-in” until our training is complete.

When we anchor our hearts in Him, the temporary things lose their power. We can enjoy them without being owned by them. We can see beauty without worshipping it. We can walk through this world without being shaped by it.

Because our eyes are fixed on the One who is everlasting.

Ask yourself –What temporary thing in my life has been pulling my attention away from the eternal, and how can I gently turn my focus back toward Jesus?

🙏 Lord, remind me daily that I am a pilgrim passing through, and that my true home is with You. Help me loosen my grip on the temporary things that distract my heart. Teach me to see Your eternal beauty in every moment, and to desire You more than anything this world can offer. Shape me, train me, and guide me until the day my journey is complete. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DEAR GOD: Show Me Your Path & Teach Me Your Ways~

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a man walking on a path between trees

Isaiah 30:21

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”

 The Path That Whispers Peace
by C D Swanson~

There are seasons when the path feels quiet, lonely, or uncertain — yet it’s in those very moments that God draws you closer. When distractions fade and the noise settles, His presence becomes clearer. Patience grows in the stillness. Strength rises in the silence. And your soul is refreshed not by rushing forward, but by walking slowly with Him, listening for His gentle direction.

God meets you in the quiet places — the moments when you feel alone, the pauses between decisions, the breath before the next step. In His presence, your spirit is steadied, your heart is restored, and your walk with Him deepens in ways only solitude can shape.

Where is God inviting you to slow your pace so you can hear His whisper more clearly?

LORD, guide my steps on the path You’ve chosen for me. Teach me patience as I walk with You. Refresh my soul in Your Presence and deepen my trust in Your voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

DEAR GOD: You Are Not of This World~

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woman in red hoodie sitting on rock looking at the mountains during daytime

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Not of This World~
by C D Swanson

Paul’s words are not a call to isolation — they are a call to inner revolution. The world presses, molds, and shapes with relentless force, but the Spirit reshapes us from the inside out. To refuse conformity is not arrogance; it is allegiance. To be transformed is not withdrawal; it is worship.

We walk among people, systems, and cultures — yet our compass points elsewhere. We participate in life, but we do not bow to its patterns. We work, love, serve, and build — but we do so with a mind continually renewed by the Word, not by the world.

This is the paradox of Christian living: We are present but not patterned. Engaged, but not entangled. Visible, but not absorbed. We live here, but we belong elsewhere.

The world is loud, but the Spirit is louder. The world is persuasive, but Christ is transforming. The world is temporary, but our identity is eternal.

May your life be a testimony of quiet resistance — a mind renewed daily, a heart guarded fiercely, and a soul anchored deeply in the One who calls you His own.

 

DEAR GOD: You Abide in Me and I in You~

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a lighthouse on a rocky shore

“Abide in Me, and I in you.”–— John 15:4

“The Beautiful Work of Walking with Christ”
by C D Swanson~

To abide in Christ is more than belief — it is participation. It is the daily, intentional choice to remain close to Him, to let His Word shape your thoughts, and to let His ways guide your steps. When you love Christ fully, you begin to see that His presence is not an accessory to life; it is the foundation of life.

Walking with Him means opening your Bible not out of obligation, but out of hunger. It means praying not because you must, but because your heart longs to speak with the One who knows you completely. It means surrendering your plans, your fears, your timing, and your expectations — trusting that His will is not only better, but perfect.

When Christ becomes first in everything, your life begins to reorder itself. Peace settles where anxiety once lived. Clarity replaces confusion. Strength rises where weakness tried to take root. And blessings — quiet, steady, holy blessings — begin to flow in ways you never expected.

This is the beautiful work of walking with Christ: You give Him your heart, and He gives you His life. You give Him your trust, and He gives you His wisdom. You give Him your obedience, and He gives you His joy.

To know Him fully is to love Him deeply. To love Him deeply is to follow Him faithfully. And to follow Him faithfully is to live the life He designed for you — a life anchored in His truth, covered in His grace, and guided by His Spirit.

  Lord Jesus, draw me deeper into Your Word and Your ways. Teach me to abide, to trust, and to follow You with my whole heart. Align my life with Your will, and let Your presence shape every step I take. In Your holy name, Amen.

Reflective Question: What is one area of my life where I can intentionally place Christ first today?

DEAR GOD: Steady My Steps~

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 brown wooden dock in fornt body of water


“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” — Proverbs 4:26–27 (KJV)

 

Steady Steps on Holy Ground
by C D Swanson

There is a quiet strength in choosing the path of God day after day. The world pulls, distractions whisper, fears rise — yet the Spirit gently calls you back to the narrow way, the way that leads to peace, clarity, and life. God never asks you to sprint; He simply asks you to stay steady, to keep your feet aligned with His truth, and to let Him establish your steps.

Walking with God means choosing direction over perfection. It means lifting your eyes above the noise and fixing them on the Kingdom — on what is eternal, pure, and unshakable. When you keep your gaze on Him, the path becomes clearer. When you seek His Kingdom first, everything else falls into its rightful place.

God does not abandon you to walk alone. He walks beside you, before you, and behind you. He guards your steps, strengthens your resolve, and lights the way when the path feels dim. Every moment you choose righteousness — even quietly, even imperfectly — you are honoring Him. And He delights in guiding those who desire His way.

Stay the course. Keep your heart aligned with His. Let His Word be the compass that steadies your feet. The path of righteousness is not always easy, but it is always blessed, always protected, and always leading you closer to His heart.

Lord, guide my steps and steady my heart. Help me walk Your path with faith, clarity, and unwavering trust.  In Jesus name, Amen.