Tag Archives: grace

DEAR GOD: Love Your Unchanging Love & Mercy~

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“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” — Malachi 3:6 (KJV)

Unchanging God, Unfailing Mercy
by C D SWANSON~

Malachi speaks into a weary, wandering people — a people who had drifted, doubted, and forgotten the God who carried them. Yet in this single verse, the Lord declares something breathtaking: His constancy is the reason we are still standing.

God does not shift with moods, seasons, or circumstances. He does not love us one day and withdraw the next. His mercy is not fragile. His patience is not thin. His covenant is not conditional.

When life feels unstable, when people disappoint, when our own hearts falter, this verse becomes an anchor. We are not consumed — not overwhelmed, not destroyed, not abandoned — because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

His mercy meets us every morning. His faithfulness holds us every night. His love outlasts every failure.

Malachi reminds us that God’s unchanging nature is not a theological idea — it is a personal rescue. It is the reason we wake up with hope. It is the reason we can return to Him again and again. It is the reason grace still flows.

Reflective Scriptures

  • “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” — Lamentations 3:22 (KJV)
  • “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)
  • “For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” — Psalm 100:5 (KJV)

Personal Thoughts

There is something deeply comforting about knowing that God does not change. In a world where everything shifts — emotions, relationships, finances, health — His steady presence becomes a sanctuary. His mercy is not a moment; it is a daily gift. His love is not a phase; it is a lifetime covering.

When I read Malachi 3:6, I hear God saying: “You are still here because I am still here.” And that truth alone is enough to breathe peace into any storm.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for being the God who never changes. Thank You that Your mercy meets me every morning and Your faithfulness carries me through every night. Teach me to rest in Your constancy, trust in Your character, and walk in Your grace. Let my life reflect gratitude for Your unending mercy. In Jesus name,  Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: Your Name Heals & Provides~

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Healing In His Wings

Malachi 4:2 (KJV) “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings…”

The Rising With Healing
by C D SWANSON~

This verse is one of the most tender promises in all of Scripture. Malachi paints a picture of God’s righteousness rising like the morning sun — steady, unstoppable, and full of warmth. The night may feel long, the shadows may cling to the edges of our hearts, but dawn is guaranteed. God Himself is the sunrise.

The phrase “healing in his wings” is breathtaking. In Hebrew imagery, the “wings” refer to the edges of a garment — the place where blessing, covering, and protection rest. It is the picture of God bending low, wrapping His presence around His people, and restoring what darkness tried to steal.

Just as the sun touches everything — rocks, waves, shorelines, valleys — God’s healing reaches every hidden place. Nothing is too broken, too bruised, or too far gone for His light. When the Sun of righteousness rises, He brings not only illumination but restoration. He does not simply reveal what is wounded; He heals it.

This is the promise for every heart that reverences His name: Morning is coming. Healing is coming. Hope is rising.

Reflective Thought

Where in my life do I need the Sun of righteousness to rise and bring healing today?

Supportive Scripture

Psalm 84:11 (KJV) “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory…”

“LORD let Your light rise over my life today. Shine into the places that feel weary, wounded, or hidden. Wrap me in the healing of Your presence, and let Your righteousness warm every cold corner of my heart. Thank You for being my sunrise, my shield, and my hope. Help me walk in the healing You so freely give. In Jesus name,  Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Walking Your Way All The Day~

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Beautiful Paths

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” — Jeremiah 6:16

The Ancient Path That Leads to Him
by C D SWANSON~

 

This verse is often overlooked, yet it carries a quiet, powerful invitation. God calls His people to pause, to look around, and to intentionally choose the “old paths”—the timeless, holy ways that lead straight to Him.

These are not outdated roads but sacred ones, marked by obedience, humility, and trust. When everything around us feels noisy or uncertain, the Lord gently points us back to the path He has always blessed. Walking in His way brings clarity, rest, and a deep sense of belonging that only His presence can give.

Closing Prayer

Lord, guide my feet to Your ancient and holy path. Help me recognize the way that leads to You and give me the courage to walk it faithfully. Quiet my heart so I can hear Your direction, and steady my steps so I never wander from Your presence. Lead me into Your rest and into the fullness of Your will. Amen.

DEAR GOD: Another Day Another Hope~

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Hope In God | FDCC

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”  Romans 15:13 (KJV)

Another Day, Another Hope  –C D SWANSON~

 

Hope is not a fragile wish or a thin thread we cling to when life feels uncertain. In Scripture, hope is a living force, rooted in the character of God Himself. Paul calls Him “the God of hope,” reminding us that hope is not something we manufacture — it is something God pours into us.

This verse is a gentle invitation to begin each day with expectation, not fear. Notice the progression:

  • God fills
  • We believe
  • Hope abounds

Hope grows not because circumstances improve, but because God is present, steady, and faithful. When we believe — even with trembling faith — God responds by filling us with joy and peace. These are not emotions we force; they are gifts He gives.

And then something beautiful happens: We don’t just have hope — we abound in it. Overflowing. Spilling over. Renewed day after day.

Every sunrise becomes a reminder that God is not finished. Every breath is a quiet testimony that His power is still at work. Even when yesterday was heavy, today can still be a day of hope, because hope is anchored in Someone who never changes.

This is the kind of hope that steadies the heart, lifts the spirit, and whispers, “Keep going — God is already in your tomorrow.”

🕊 Reflective Question –Where do I need God to fill me with renewed hope today?

“Father, thank You for being the God of hope. Fill my heart today with Your joy and peace, and help me trust You in every place where I feel uncertain or weary. Let Your Spirit breathe fresh hope into my soul so I can walk forward with confidence, knowing You are guiding every step. 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: You Are The Love That Found Us

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The Work of the Trinity in Salvation - Thinking on Scripture

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.”