Tag Archives: mercy

DER GOD: I Exist Only Because of You

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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: Thank You For Walking Ahead of Me~

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Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV) “And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

The God Who Walks Ahead
by CD Swanson

When you step into a new season, a new home, a new chapter — you are not stepping alone. The Lord Himself goes before you, clearing the path, calming the storms, and preparing blessings you cannot yet see. He walks ahead so that when you arrive, His peace is already waiting.

Even when your heart trembles, His promise stands firm: He will not fail you. He will not forsake you. Every room you enter, every decision you make, every mile you travel — His Presence surrounds you like a shield. You are carried by the One who knows the way, sees the way, and is the way.

Father, thank You for going before me. Thank You for preparing the path and staying beside me through every change. Give me courage to follow where You lead, and peace to trust Your perfect timing.  In Jesus name Amen.

DEAR GOD: We Belong to You – Eternal Citizens~

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Philippians 3:20 (KJV) “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Citizens of a World We Have Yet to See
by C D Swanson

Paul’s words in Philippians 3:20 remind us that our true citizenship is not rooted in the soil beneath our feet but in the Kingdom above our heads. Earth is the place where we labor, struggle, learn, and grow — but heaven is the place where our identity is fully realized.

To say “our conversation is in heaven” is to say that our orientation, our values, our longings, and our final belonging are anchored in a realm we have not yet stepped into. Philosophically, this creates a tension: we live here, but we belong there. We act within time, but we are shaped by eternity. We carry out earthly tasks — cleaning homes, paying bills, loving family, enduring hardship — yet every action is quietly tethered to a divine future.

This dual existence is not a contradiction; it is a calling. Earth is the apprenticeship. Heaven is the mastery.

Here, we practice faith. There, we experience fulfillment.

Here, we wrestle with imperfection. There, we are made whole.

The “final expectation” is not escape — it is arrival. It is stepping into the country where our citizenship has always been registered, the place where our deepest self finally matches our eternal home. Heaven is not merely the end of suffering; it is the completion of purpose.

Lord Thank You for reminding us that our true citizenship is in heaven. Help us live each day with the awareness that we are preparing for a world more real than anything we see now. Strengthen our hearts when earthly life feels heavy, and guide our steps so that everything we do reflects the hope of eternity. Keep our eyes fixed on You, our Savior, and prepare us for the day when we finally enter the home You have prepared. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

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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: You Are With Us Always~

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God is Faithful signage with leaved background

Isaiah 41:10 –“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”

The God Who Holds Us Steady
by C D Swanson

The LORD does not simply reassure us — He upholds us. His promise is not that life will be easy, but that He will be with us in every step, every burden, every unknown. His glory is revealed not only in miracles but in the quiet strength He pours into us when we feel stretched beyond our limits. He moves in the unseen places, guiding, protecting, and lifting us when we feel too tired to lift ourselves. His presence is the reason we do not fear. His hand is the reason we do not fall. His love is the reason we keep going.

 Father, steady my heart with Your strength and remind me You are near. Let Your presence quiet every fear and fill me with Your peace. In Jesus name, Amen.

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

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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: Your Grace Holds Us Steady~

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Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Grace That Holds Us Steady
by C D Swanson~

God’s ways are not hurried, nor are they harsh. They are gentle, steady, and full of grace. In stressful seasons, when life feels tangled and uncertain, His Spirit works quietly within us — cultivating peace where panic once lived, patience where frustration once burned, and love where fear tried to take root.

The fruit of His Spirit is not earned; it is grown through surrender. When we yield our hearts to Him, He transforms our reactions into reflections of His character. His love teaches us to wait without worry, to forgive without bitterness, and to trust without trembling.

Every trial becomes soil for His goodness. Every tear becomes water for His mercy. Every moment of weakness becomes a doorway for His strength. The Lord’s love is not only powerful — it is patient, and it never fails.

When life presses hard against your peace, do you let the Spirit’s fruit rise within you — or do you try to carry the weight alone?

  — Philippians 4:7 (KJV) “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

This verse echoes Galatians, reminding us that true peace is not humanly produced — it is divinely given. It guards our hearts like a fortress built by grace.

Lord, let Your Spirit grow in me until peace becomes my natural breath. Teach me to rest in Your love and reflect Your grace in every moment in Jesus name, Amen.

Honor to the Lord All glory to the One who plants peace in our hearts, who waters our souls with mercy, and who brings forth fruit that never fades. His love endures forever, and His grace is sufficient for every storm.

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.