Tag Archives: mercy

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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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.

DEAR GOD: You Shield & Protect Us~

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Psalm 84:11 — “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Protected & Shielded by His Love
by C D Swanson

God’s love is not passive; it is protective, intentional, and deeply personal. There are moments when doors close, opportunities fade, or plans fall apart — and we feel confused or even hurt. But heaven sees what we cannot. God steps between us and unseen danger, shielding us from situations that would have broken us, delayed us, or pulled us away from His purpose.

He rescues us from battles we never knew were forming, from people who were not meant to walk with us, and from paths that looked beautiful but were quietly harmful. His “no” is often His greatest act of love. His redirection is His mercy. His silence is sometimes His protection.

And while we move through life unaware of a thousand hidden deliverances, God never stops watching, guiding, and covering us. You are loved more deeply than you realize, guarded more fiercely than you know, and carried more gently than you can imagine.

Lord, thank You for every unseen rescue and every loving redirection.
Guide my steps and keep my heart aligned with Your perfect will, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

DEAR GOD: I Have Reminders of Your Love All Day Long~

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Sunrise Over Field“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” — Lamentations 3:22–23

When Love Follows You Through the Day
by C D Swanson~

The idea of reminders of God’s love all day long is not sentimental fluff; it is a deeply biblical rhythm woven into Scripture. Lamentations 3:22–23 anchors us in a truth that refuses to fade with the morning dew: God’s love is not a moment—it is a movement that follows us through the hours, the tasks, the interruptions, and the quiet spaces.

Morning: Love That Awakens You

The verse begins with morning mercies, but morning is only the doorway. When you open your eyes, you step into a world already saturated with divine affection. The sunrise is not just light; it is a reminder that God has already been at work before you even stirred. The breath in your lungs is a quiet declaration: You are loved, you are held, you are seen.

Midday: Love That Sustains You

As the day grows busy, God’s love does not retreat. It shows up in strength you didn’t know you had, in patience that surprises you, in the unexpected kindness of another person. Scripture repeatedly shows God as a companion—walking with Adam, wrestling with Jacob, speaking to Moses, comforting Elijah. The God who walked with His people walks with you through every hour.

Evening: Love That Settles You

When the day winds down, God’s love becomes a soft landing place. The same steadfast love that greeted you in the morning now gathers your worries, your exhaustion, your unfinished tasks, and whispers, Rest. I am still here. His love is not dependent on your performance; it is anchored in His character.

The Non‑Obvious Insight

The verse says His mercies are new every morning, but it never says they expire at night. God’s love is not a daily ration—it is a continuous flow. Morning is simply the moment you notice it again.

LORD thank You for surrounding me with reminders of Your love from morning to night. Let Your mercy greet me when I rise, Your strength carry me through the day, and Your peace settle over me in the evening. Teach me to notice Your presence in every hour, every breath, every quiet whisper of grace. Keep my heart soft, my spirit attentive, and my mind anchored in Your steadfast love. In Jesus name, Amen.

DEAR GOD: Grateful For You Today & Always~

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View through rock formations of a desert landscapePsalm 106:1 — “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

Loving God & Living as a Christian
by C D Swanson~

To love God is to awaken each day with a heart that remembers who made you, who sustains you, and who walks beside you through every season. His goodness is not fragile or fleeting; it is steady, patient, and present in every breath you take. Gratitude becomes the natural language of a soul that recognizes God’s hand in both the quiet moments and the miraculous ones.

To be a Christian is to live in the rhythm of grace — receiving what we could never earn and offering what we have freely been given. It is choosing forgiveness when the world chooses bitterness, choosing compassion when others choose indifference, choosing hope when circumstances whisper fear. Loving God shapes the way we see people, the way we speak, the way we respond, and the way we rise after falling.

Christian love is not passive; it is active, intentional, and deeply rooted in the example of Christ. It means loving beyond convenience, praying beyond comfort, and trusting beyond understanding. It means carrying light into places that feel dark and remembering that God’s goodness is not just something we receive — it is something we reflect.

Gratitude becomes a lifestyle, not a moment. And in that gratitude, we find peace, purpose, and a love that never lets go.

 “LORD – thank You for Your goodness. Teach us to love You deeply, walk in Your ways, and reflect Your grace in all we do. Amen.”