Tag Archives: promise

DEAR GOD: Your Grace Gives Salvation-Amen~

Posted on by

woman wearing black camisole top walking on grass field during sunrise

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11 (KJV)

Grace That Walks Into Our Ordinary Days
by C D Swanson~

This verse is a reminder that God’s grace is not hidden, distant, or reserved for a select few. It has appeared — meaning it has stepped into the world, into our lives, into our mess, into our fears, into our failures, and into our ordinary days.

In a world where people feel overlooked, judged, or forgotten, this verse whispers a different truth: God’s grace comes looking for you.

It doesn’t wait for you to be perfect. It doesn’t require you to earn it. It doesn’t demand that you fix yourself first.

Grace appears — right where you are.

Today, life feels rushed, loud, and heavy for so many. People are tired, anxious, stretched thin, and unsure of tomorrow. But Titus reminds us that grace is not a theory — it’s an arrival. It shows up in the quiet moments when you feel weak. It shows up in the strength you didn’t know you had. It shows up in the peace that settles your heart when nothing around you makes sense.

Grace is God saying: “I see you. I know you. I’m with you. And I’m not leaving.”

And because grace has appeared to all, it means no one is beyond hope, no one is too broken, and no one is too far gone. Grace levels the ground. Grace lifts the head. Grace restores the soul.

This verse is a soft but powerful reminder that you are never walking alone — grace walks with you. 

“LORD – thank You for the grace that finds me right where I am. Let Your presence steady my heart, calm my mind, and guide my steps today. Help me live with gratitude, kindness, and quiet strength, knowing Your grace goes before me.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Holding Pattern in Your Care~

Posted on by

text

Be Still and Know I am God….Psalm 46:10

“Holding Pattern in Your Care”
C D Swanson~

When we are in a “holding pattern” it can be difficult to stay still and let “God be God.”  Humans have a tendency to lack patience and the ability to have a “wait and see” attitude.  We tend to rush through decisions and want immediate gratification or answers for whatever it is we are looking for.  However – that is when we should lay it all down, walk away and look up to the One who has all of the answers.  The One who knows what is best for us, and the One who plans and guides each step of our way.

We’ve been waiting for the longest time to see if we should be making a move out of state.  It’s been going on for a while now, oh – close to 2 years or more.  Friends have begun to refer to us as the “couple who talks about it and does nothing about it.”  LOL – Well, that’s okay.  Only if you are engaged in an intimate relationship with the LORD, Jesus Christ would you or could you possibly understand this behavior.

God tells us to rest in Him.  To wait upon Him. To trust Him. And to know His voice.  Sure we have free will. And we could move if we want. But, it doesn’t feel right.  And it doesn’t seem the right time.  So we are still waiting – for God’s timing, and perfect plan and will for our lives.

Evidently at this time. This is where we are supposed to be.  We have been here for 39 years.  And I love it here.  So – it is easy for me to wait, as I really don’t want to go!  But – I feel we will eventually.  And God is “holding us in this pattern” for a reason.  One we cannot see or grasp at this time.  But it will eventually become crystal clear.  And with clarity and with faith I wait.   Until He waves us to “where, when, how and why.”

If you are in a holding pattern right now.  Whatever your circumstances are, trust in Him, the One that holds you in the palm of His hand.  Trust Him to lead you and guide you and show you the way. He always will.

Proverbs 3:5-8 says just that – Trust in God with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Don’t be wise in your own eyes, love Him and keep from evil, and it shall be health for your navel, and marrow for your bones. 

Wait. Reflect. Trust. And love – that’s what you do when you are in a “holding pattern.”  Eventually – it will all become clear.

“LORD, thank You for guiding us and holding us up through all kinds of adversities, and through all kinds of storms, may we always be aware of You and Your plans and will for our lives, in Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: My Window of Life~

Posted on by

 

Light Through Window Stock Photos, Images and Backgrounds for Free Download

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

Window of Life
by C D Swanson~

Life has a way of shifting beneath our feet. One season feels bright and full of promise, and the next arrives with questions we never expected to ask. As Christians, we walk through valleys and mountaintops, through laughter and tears, through moments when God feels near enough to touch and moments when we strain to feel Him at all. Yet through every rise and fall, one truth remains unshaken: God does not change.

Malachi 3:6 is like a window frame carved into eternity. It reminds us that while everything around us moves, God stays steady. His character does not waver. His love does not thin out. His promises do not expire. His mercy does not run dry. When life feels unpredictable, God becomes the one place where our souls can breathe again.

We look through the window of God’s constancy and see a love that has carried generations before us. We see a faithfulness that has never once failed. We see a God who stands in every storm, not as a distant observer but as the One who holds us together when we feel like we’re falling apart.

As believers, we learn to rest in this unchanging God. We learn to trust that even when our circumstances shift, His heart toward us does not. We learn that His “I change not” is the anchor that keeps us from drifting into fear. And we learn that every season—good or hard—is held in the same steady hands.

When we look through God’s window, we see hope. We see purpose. We see a future shaped by His love, not by our uncertainty. And we remember that no matter what life brings, God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Dear Lord, thank You for being my unchanging foundation in a world that shifts daily. When life feels uncertain, steady my heart with the truth of who You are. Help me trust Your constancy, lean on Your promises, and rest in Your everlasting love. Keep my eyes fixed on You, the One who never changes. In Jesus name. Amen.

DEAR GOD: Your Son Is Risen Hallelujah~

Posted on by

low angle view of cross with red garment

“He is risen.” — Matthew 28:6 (KJV)

Title: The Dawn That Changed Everything

 The words “He is risen” are the heartbeat of our faith. They declare that darkness does not win, death does not reign, and despair does not have the final word. The empty tomb is God’s eternal proclamation that every promise He ever made is trustworthy and alive.

When Jesus rose, He didn’t just step out of the grave — He stepped into our stories. His resurrection means restoration for what felt ruined, hope for what seemed lost, and life where we thought only endings remained. It is the assurance that no night is too long, no stone too heavy, and no heart too broken for His resurrection power to reach.

Because He lives, we face tomorrow with courage. Because He lives, we walk through today with peace. Because He lives, we know that every valley will one day give way to glory.

Short Prayer of Thanks

Lord Jesus, thank You for rising in power and love. Thank You that Your victory becomes our hope, Your life becomes our strength, and Your Presence becomes our peace. Amen.

DEAR GOD: My Heart Renews Daily For You~

Posted on by

The sun is setting over the horizon of the ocean

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10

“A Heart Renewed at Dawn
by C D Swanson~”

There is something sacred about the early hours, when the world is quiet and the first light begins to soften the edges of the night. In that stillness, God does some of His most tender work. David’s prayer in Psalm 51:10 is not just a cry of repentance — it is a longing for renewal, a desire for a heart aligned with God’s own.

A clean heart is not a perfect heart. It is a surrendered one. A renewed spirit is not a flawless spirit. It is a willing one.

When we begin the day with this prayer, we invite God to shape our thoughts, steady our emotions, and guide our steps. Sunrise becomes more than a moment — it becomes a reminder that God is still creating, still cleansing, still renewing, still loving us into wholeness.

To start the day in His Word is to anchor the heart before anything else can pull at it. To stay in His Word is to walk through the day with a spirit strengthened by truth, guarded by grace, and held by the One who never grows weary of restoring us.

Let this morning be a fresh beginning. Let your heart rise with the dawn, open and ready for the renewing touch of the Lord.

Father, thank You for the gift of a new day and the gentle mercy of morning light. Create in me a clean heart, Lord, one that reflects Your love and seeks Your ways. Renew my spirit so I may walk in peace, humility, and obedience. Keep me close to Your Word today and let every step be guided by Your presence. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

💭 Reflective Question

Where in my heart do I most need God’s renewing touch today?

DEAR GOD: You Are My Deepest Love~

Posted on by

Attributes of God | Adoring God

Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.” — Psalm 73:25 (KJV)

💛 My Soul’s Deepest Love
by C D Swanson~

Lord, You are the One my heart returns to again and again, the steady flame that warms every cold corner of my life. When I look back over the years, I see Your fingerprints on every rescue, every comfort, every moment when I thought I would fall but somehow stood. You have been my strength when I was trembling, my peace when I was overwhelmed, my joy when the world felt dim.

There is no love like Yours — patient, unchanging, endlessly kind. You have carried me through storms I could not name and lifted me into sunlight I did not deserve. You have whispered truth into my fears and breathed courage into my weakness. You have been the One constant in a world that shifts like sand.

Lord, I love You because You first loved me — fiercely, tenderly, completely. You are the desire of my heart, the anchor of my soul, the song that rises in me even on the quietest days. My life is richer because You are in it, and my future is secure because it rests in Your hands.

I give You my love, my gratitude, my whole being. You are my portion, my treasure, my forever. There is none beside You, none before You, none who can compare with the sweetness of Your presence. My heart is Yours, Lord — today, tomorrow, and always.

🙏  

Lord Jesus, receive this offering of love from my grateful heart. Draw me deeper into Your presence, steady my steps, and let my life reflect the beauty of Your grace. You are my everything, and I adore You. Amen.

DEAR GOD: The Gain Outweigh Every Loss~

Posted on by

Premium Photo | Jesus Christ giving a helping hand to humans

Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…”

The Gain That Outweighs Every Loss
by C D Swanson~

Life brings seasons of loss — people we love, chapters we cherished, dreams we held close. Some losses shake us, some refine us, and some leave a quiet ache that lingers long after the moment has passed. But in Christ, every loss is met with a greater gain, a deeper promise, a richer hope.

Paul understood this when he wrote that everything he once valued was nothing compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. That truth still stands today. What we lose in this life is temporary, but what we gain in Him is eternal, unshakable, and overflowing with purpose.

Through Christ, we gain:

  • strength in our weakness
  • peace in our storms
  • comfort in our sorrow
  • direction in our confusion
  • hope in our waiting
  • life beyond this life

Loss may visit us, but it does not define us. Christ does. And in Him, nothing is wasted — not a tear, not a trial, not a moment of pain. He gathers every broken piece and turns it into something that draws us closer to His heart.

The world may take, but Christ restores. The world may wound, but Christ heals. The world may shift, but Christ remains.

And one day, when we stand in His Presence, every earthly loss will fade in the light of the eternal gain we have in Him. Until then, we walk forward with confidence, knowing that His love carries us, His grace sustains us, and His promises never fail.

“Lord, thank You for being my gain in every season of loss. When life feels heavy, lift my eyes to see the eternal hope I have in You. Strengthen my heart, steady my steps, and remind me that nothing I walk through is greater than the glory You are working within me. Help me trust Your timing, Your wisdom, and Your love. In every loss, let me find more of You. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Your Warmth In All Seasons~

Posted on by

Free Cardinal in Winter Image | Download at StockCake

“He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.” — Psalm 147:16 (KJV)

Warmth In Winter And All Seasons
by C D SWANSON~

No matter the temperature outdoors, or the season. God’s love is sufficient to cover us at all times and His warmth covers us like a blanket of comfort.

The temperature this past 10 days have been frigid to say the least, but the Word keeps me warm and keeps me tethered in His love and promises, which ultimately ignite the fires of my soul.

When we are faithful and embrace His promises and keep His commandments we not only align with His Word, but we are adhering to His will for our lives and purpose for our existence. 

Looking out at the expansive landscape that is draped in snow and ice I see a lone Cardinal bird, sitting atop the bare branches, decorated by the magnificence of His beauty, resplendent against the backdrop of stark white.  Which brings me to think about Jesus Christ, pure as the driven snow, and His blood crimson as the Cardinal that covered us and redeemed us and brought about our salvation. 

Embrace the seasons, if you live in an area that has changing seasons – enjoy each one. Each one has a reason, and each one fulfills the purpose of God’s plans.  And for those who have year-round even temperature climate – enjoy the splendor of the consistency.  

In other words, enjoy all of God’s creations, weather, and all that His hands have made. “Because there isn’t anything made that wasn’t made by Him and for Him…”

“Father God, thank You for Your magnificence, Your Word, Your promises and Your love, thank You for Your Son our LORD and Savior, and thank You for always providing for our needs, and circumstances, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Another Day Another Hope~

Posted on by

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 Are The True Light Of The World~

Posted on by

Separating Light from Darkness – Bo – Feb. 4 – Jewels of JudaismAwaiting the Light of the World
C D SWANSON~

  “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” — Isaiah 9:2 (KJV)

Commentary & Reflection

There is something profoundly soothing about waiting for the Light of the World. Scripture paints waiting not as an empty pause, but as a sacred posture — a leaning forward of the heart. Isaiah speaks to a people surrounded by shadows, uncertainty, and heaviness, yet he declares with quiet confidence that a great Light is coming. Not a flicker, not a spark — but a Light strong enough to break through every darkness.

Waiting for Christ — whether in Advent remembrance, in prayer, or in the quiet corners of our daily lives — becomes an act of trust. It is choosing to believe that God’s light is not delayed, not diminished, not forgotten. It is already on its way, already rising, already shining upon those who long for it.

In a world that feels rushed, loud, and often troubled, this verse invites us to breathe deeply and remember darkness does not have the final word. Christ does. His light is steady, healing, and sure. When the world feels overwhelming, we return to this promise — that the Light of the World steps into our shadows with tenderness and power.

How This Speaks to Us Today

We live in a time of constant noise — news cycles, opinions, pressures, fears. Many feel as though they are “walking in darkness,” not because they lack faith, but because the world can be heavy. Isaiah’s words remind us that God’s light is not dependent on circumstances. It shines into them.

This verse calls us to respond differently than the world around us:

  • Instead of fear, we choose hope.
  • Instead of despair, we choose expectation.
  • Instead of cynicism, we choose trust.
  • Instead of rushing, we choose waiting with peace.

The Light of the World is not far off. He is near, present, and faithful.

Supporting Scriptures

  • “I am the light of the world.” — John 8:12
  • “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” — Psalm 27:1
  • “The true Light, which lighteth every man, was coming into the world.” — John 1:9
  • “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” — Psalm 112:4
  • “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” — Romans 13:12

Reflective Questions

  • Where do I feel the need for God’s light in my life right now?
  • What does waiting on the Lord look like for me in this season?
  • How can I choose hope instead of fear when the world feels dark?
  • In what ways is God already shining His light, even if subtly?
  • How can I bring Christ’s light to others as I wait for Him?

Father in Heaven, In the quiet places of my heart, I wait for Your Light. Just as Your people once walked in darkness and saw a great Light, I lift my eyes toward You with hope and expectation. Shine upon every shadow within me and around me. Let the light of Christ guide my steps, calm my spirit, and steady my faith.

Teach me to wait with peace, not fear. Teach me to trust Your timing, not my own. When the world feels heavy or confusing, remind me that Your Light is never late, never dim, never distant. It is rising even now.

Help me respond to this world with grace — choosing hope over despair, gentleness over anger, and trust over anxiety. Let Your Word be the lamp to my feet and the light to my path. Let Your presence be the warmth that steadies my soul.

Thank You for the promise that darkness cannot overcome the Light. Thank You for Jesus, the true Light who shines on every heart that seeks Him. May His radiance fill my days, my thoughts, and my waiting.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.