DEAR GOD: You Are Our Sanctuary At All times~

Posted on September 19, 2025 by C D SWANSON

Sanctuary in church free image download

“My people will live in safety, quietly at home. They will be at rest.”
Isaiah 32:18

This verse is a balm for the soul—especially for those, like you, who are seeking a home not just of walls and windows, but of sacred quiet and spiritual anchoring. Isaiah speaks of a divine promise: not just safety, but quiet safety. Not just shelter, but rest. It’s a vision of peace that transcends noise, turnover, and uncertainty. For every map you’ve drawn, every area of life concerning decisions, or faced incomparable odds, and things in general you’ve considered, this verse affirms that God sees your longing—and has prepared a place where your spirit can truly exhale.

🙏

“LORD, you are the keeper of sacred quiet and the giver of true rest. As we walk through this season of discernment, wrap us in your peace. Let every step toward sanctuary be guided by your wisdom and softened by your Presence. May our home—present or future—be a place where heavenly hosts of angels linger, where grief is comforted, and where joy is gently restored. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Your Love Found Us First~

Posted on September 18, 2025 by C D SWANSON

💛 The First Love That Found Us

✨ Before we ever reached for God, He reached for us. Before we ever whispered a prayer, He had already spoken our name. The verse from 1 John 4:19 is not merely a theological statement—it is a tender unveiling of divine initiative. “We love him, because he first loved us.” These words are the heartbeat of grace.

God’s love is not reactive. It is not earned, provoked, or bargained for. It is original, initiating, and eternal. In a world that often teaches us to perform for affection, this truth stands in holy contrast: we are loved first. Not when we are perfect. Not when we are ready. Not when we are useful. But first.

This “first love” is the foundation of our faith. It is the reason we can respond with love, worship, and obedience—not out of fear or obligation, but out of awe. When we realize that God’s love preceded our existence, our failures, and our repentance, we begin to live differently. We stop striving and start abiding.

This love is not abstract. It was embodied in Christ, who came while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). It was poured out in blood, sealed in resurrection, and offered freely. It is the love that waits for the prodigal, weeps with the broken, and walks with the weary. It is the love that calls us beloved even when we feel unworthy.

To love Him back is not a transaction—it is a response. A response to being known, chosen, and pursued. And even our response is empowered by His Spirit. We love because He loved. We forgive because He forgave. We serve because He served. Everything begins with Him.

In seasons of doubt, grief, or transition, this truth anchors us. When we feel distant, His love remains near. When we feel unlovable, His love remains unchanged. When we feel lost, His love remains seeking.

Let this be our testimony: not that we found God, but that He found us first. Not that we earned His love, but that He gave it freely. Not that we are strong, but that His love strengthens us.

📚 Supporting Scriptures:

Romans 5:8 — “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
John 15:16 — “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…”
Ephesians 2:4-5 — “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…”
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 — “The Lord did not set his love upon you… because ye were more in number… but because the Lord loved you…”
Psalm 139:13-16 — “Thou hast possessed my reins… I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Isaiah 43:1 — “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”

🪞 Reflective Questions:

When did you first realize that God loved you before you ever loved Him?
How does knowing you are loved first change the way you approach prayer, worship, or service?
Are there areas in your life where you still feel you must “earn” God’s love?
What would it look like to rest in His initiating love today?
How can you reflect this “first love” to others who feel forgotten or unworthy?

🙏 Closing Prayer:

“LORD- thank You for loving us first. Before we knew You, before we sought You, before we could even respond—You loved. Let Your love be our anchor, our identity, and our song. Teach us to rest in it, reflect it, and respond with hearts full of gratitude. May we never forget that our love for You is only possible because You loved us first. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD WITH LOVE: You Are Our Sunrise 24 Hrs~

Posted on August 15, 2025 by C D SWANSON

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” —Nahum 1:7 (ESV)

Nahum is a book many pass over—tucked between Micah and Habakkuk, often remembered only for its judgments against Nineveh. Yet within its thunderous warnings lies a verse of tender clarity: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

This is not a distant declaration—it’s a morning promise. In the quiet hours when fears stir and decisions loom, this verse reminds us that God’s goodness is not abstract. It is a shelter. A stronghold. A knowing.

To be known by God is more than being seen—it is being understood, remembered, and protected. The Hebrew word for “knows” here implies intimate awareness, like a shepherd who knows each sheep by name and gait. In the day of trouble—whether financial uncertainty, emotional weariness, or relational strain—He doesn’t just offer help. He offers Himself.

This verse also affirms that refuge is not weakness. To take refuge in God is to choose trust over panic, surrender over striving. It is to say, “I will not be shaken, because I am held.”

Supportive Scriptures (ESV):

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” —Psalm 91:1
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” —Psalm 119:114
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” —Proverbs 18:10

Together, these verses form a tapestry of Divine protection. They remind us that morning light is not just the sun—it is the Presence of God breaking into our wilderness with warmth and clarity.

“LORD-thank You for being my stronghold when the world feels uncertain. You are good—not just in theory, but in every detail of my life. You know me. You see the burdens I carry and the hopes I hold. Teach me to take refuge in You—not just in crisis, but in every quiet morning. Let Your love be my first light, and Your Word my shelter. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD WITH LOVE: I Choose Peace–Which Means You~

Posted on August 13, 2025 by C D SWANSON

Isaiah 32:17 (KJV)-
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

Dear God, In a world that often rushes, demands, and overwhelms, You offer something radically different: peace that flows from righteousness, not performance. You don’t ask me to earn rest—you invite me to receive it. The fruit of walking rightly with You isn’t just moral—it’s emotional. It’s quietness. It’s assurance. It’s the gentle knowing that I am held, guided, and never alone.

When I feel anxious about finances, health, traffic, noise, or change, You remind me that peace isn’t found in the absence of movement—it’s found in the Presence of You. You build peace around me like a shelter. You whisper calm into my anxious thoughts. You lead me beside still waters, even when the world feels like a highway.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:2 (KJV)

Beloved Brothers and Sisters –
This new season—perhaps some of us are considering a possible move, a new place to go for medical help, or maybe one of us may have received bad news, or facing a crises of some kind, maybe even angry about something that hasn’t happened yet, or already has happened -or following a new component in our lives – this shift in routine—is not a step into chaos. It’s a step into a new rhythm of rest, handcrafted by You LORD. We don’t have to fear the road ahead, because You’ve already walked it. You’ve paved it with grace. You’ve softened it with mercy. And You’ve lined it with quiet assurance for all of Your children. And we are placing our utmost trust in You –
(Proverbs 3:5-8) – may we always follow Your path.

Reflective Question –
Where in my life do I need to release fear and receive the peace God has already prepared for me?

“LORD,” Thank You for being my peace. Thank You for building quietness around me—not just in my home, but in my heart. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me that You are near. When I fear the unknown, remind me that You’ve already gone before me. Let Your righteousness guide my steps, and let Your assurance settle my soul. I choose peace today—not because I’m strong, but because You are. With love, I trust You. In Jesus name. Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Your Peace Always Silences Worry~

Posted on August 12, 2025 by C D SWANSON

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)

Peace That Silences Worry

This passage is a gentle command and a powerful promise. God doesn’t dismiss our concerns—He invites us to hand them over. When we choose prayer over panic and gratitude over grumbling, His peace steps in like a guard at the gate of our hearts. It’s not a peace we earn—it’s a peace we receive. And it’s stronger than anxiety, deeper than fear, and steadier than any storm.

Anxiety often feels like a thief—stealing our sleep, our joy, and our clarity. But God doesn’t ask us to fight it alone. He offers a divine exchange: our worry for His peace. This isn’t a shallow peace that depends on circumstances—it’s a supernatural calm that flows from trust in His presence.

Paul’s words in Philippians are both practical and profound. He doesn’t say “don’t feel anxious”—he says, “don’t stay anxious.” The way out is through prayer. Not just formal prayer, but honest, daily conversation with God. When we tell Him what we need and thank Him for what He’s already done, we shift our focus from fear to faith.

Gratitude is a spiritual weapon. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness and opens the door to peace. And that peace isn’t passive—it actively guards our hearts and minds. Like a sentry standing watch, it protects us from spiraling thoughts and emotional overwhelm.

Prayer:

Father, I come to You with everything that weighs on me. I release my worries, my fears, and my unknowns into Your hands. Teach me to pray with trust and to thank You even before the answer comes. Let Your peace flood my heart and mind, calming every anxious thought. Help me live in the freedom of Your presence, knowing You are near and faithful. Amen.

`DEAR GOD: Thank You for The Sabbath ~

Posted on June 23, 2024 by C D SWANSON

“Truly my soul silently waits for God;
from Him comes my salvation.” Psalm 62:1 (NKJV)

Resting in Jesus’ Love

In the quiet of the Sabbath morn
In His love we never feel forlorn
We find our refuge, our haven each day
Loving Jesus and believing is the only way

Stanza 1: The Sabbath’s Embrace

In the hush of dawn’s gentle light
We stand in His love-no need to take flight
The cares that weigh upon our hearts
Dissipate as His presence we meet

Stanza 2: His Arms, Our Shelter

I can find joy resting in Jesus’ arms
And I fear not the world’s alarms
Tho’ its storms assail me on every side
In His loving refuge my soul shall hide

Stanza 3: Peace Amidst Chaos

He cradles all worries and my strife
His love, an unwavering anchor-for life
Whispers peace to my weary souls
As life’s tempests around us rolls

Stanza 4: Sabbath’s Sweet Symphony

In the arms of Jesus my cares depart
For He shares my sorrow and cheers my heart
All my heavy burdens He bears away
For I take them to Him each and every day.

Stanza 5: Grace’s Restful Embrace

Grace upon grace the Sabbaths one of many gifts
My countenance is never down He always lifts
As sun-kissed hours unfold their wings
I can rest surely and lovingly as the choir sings

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Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

“So let us rest, dear Christian soul, In the rhythm of grace, we find our peace, The Sabbath whispers His love story, as we surrender, our striving shall cease. May your heart find solace in the embrace of Jesus’ love, and may the Sabbath be a sacred space where you rest in His presence. The Peace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen.”

Ever Increasing Grace: REST IN THE LORD OR BE RESTLESS IN THE WORLD!

~Dear God With Love~

C D Swanson

Tag Archives: rest

DEAR GOD: You Are Our Sanctuary At All times~