Tag Archives: steadfast

DEAR GOD: My Window of Life~

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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: My Heart Renews Daily For You~

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“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: Rooted, Built, and Steadfast In You~

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Colossians 2:7 — “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

Rooted In You
by C D Swanson

Paul’s words to the believers in Colossae are not gentle suggestions; they are spiritual architecture. He is describing what a life in Christ must become—not a momentary belief, but a structure, a foundation, a rootedness that cannot be shaken by the winds of culture, fear, or confusion.

“Rooted” speaks of depth. A tree survives storms not because of its branches, but because of its unseen life beneath the soil. In today’s world—where opinions shift by the hour, where identity is often built on emotion, and where truth is treated as flexible—God calls us to sink our roots into something eternal. Christ becomes the soil that nourishes, stabilizes, and anchors us.

“Built up in Him” speaks of growth. Faith is not static. It is not a one-time confession but a lifelong construction project. God adds beams of wisdom, walls of discernment, windows of compassion, and a roof of spiritual maturity. In a world obsessed with instant results, Christ builds us slowly, intentionally, beautifully.

“Stablished in the faith” speaks of firmness. This is the opposite of drifting. It is the opposite of being swayed by every new idea or cultural trend. To be established is to know whom you belong to, what you believe, and why you stand where you stand. It is spiritual backbone.

“Abounding therein with thanksgiving” speaks of posture. Gratitude is not an accessory to faith—it is the atmosphere in which faith thrives. In a world filled with entitlement, outrage, and comparison, thanksgiving becomes a radical act. It shifts our focus from what is wrong to Who is faithful. It reminds us that God is not only our foundation but our daily provision.

What This Means Today

We live in a time when many feel uprooted—emotionally, spiritually, socially. People are searching for identity, stability, and meaning. Colossians 2:7 answers that longing with clarity: Your stability is not found in the world around you, but in the Christ within you.

When the news overwhelms, when culture confuses, when fear whispers, when uncertainty rises—your roots hold. When life changes, when relationships shift, when finances tighten, when health wavers—your foundation stands. When the world grows darker, your gratitude becomes a lamp that refuses to go out.

This verse is not merely instruction; it is invitation. An invitation to grow deeper, stand firmer, and live fuller in the One who never changes.

“LORD -root me deeply in You. Build my life on Your truth, Your strength, and Your unchanging love. Establish my faith so firmly that no storm can uproot me and no voice can mislead me. Teach me to abound in thanksgiving, to see Your goodness in every season, and to walk with confidence in the foundation You have laid. Shape me, strengthen me, and steady me in Your grace. In Jesus name, Amen.“

 
 

 

DEAR GOD: You Bring Us Through Every Valley~

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“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” — Psalm 34:19

He Brings You Through Every Valley
by C D SWANSON

This verse is a steady anchor for the soul because it acknowledges two truths at once: yes, the righteous face many afflictions, and yes, the Lord delivers from every single one. God never promises a life without storms, but He promises His presence, His power, and His perfect timing in the midst of them. Deliverance is not an occasional act of God—it is His character. He is the God who rescues, restores, strengthens, and brings His children through what they could never endure alone. For the believer, affliction is never the end of the story. God writes the final line, and that line is always deliverance, victory, and His faithful love carrying you forward.

Prayer 1: Father, thank You for being the God who delivers me from every trial. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me that Your hand is already guiding me through. Strengthen my faith and steady my heart in Your promises. In Jesus name, Amen.

Prayer 2: Lord, walk with me through every valley and lift me above every burden. Let Your peace surround me, Your strength uphold me, and Your love sustain me. I trust Your deliverance in all things.  In Jesus name, Amen.

DEAR GOD: Your Warmth In All Seasons~

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“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: My Eyes Are On You~

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Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand ...

“Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” — Psalm 25:15

Keeping Your Eyes on the LORD
by C D SWANSON

There is a quiet power in this verse—a steadying force that speaks directly into the swirl of modern life. David isn’t describing a casual glance toward God; he’s describing a fixed gaze, a deliberate anchoring of attention. In a world that constantly pulls our focus in a thousand directions—notifications, worries, responsibilities, expectations—this verse calls us back to a singular center.

To keep our eyes on the LORD is to choose where our inner vision rests. It means refusing to let fear become our reference point. It means refusing to let circumstances dictate our peace. It means refusing to let the “nets” of life—stress, confusion, temptation, discouragement—define our direction.

David’s confidence is not in his ability to escape the net. His confidence is in the One who plucks him out. That word is active, intentional, rescuing. God does not merely watch us struggle; He intervenes with purpose. He sees the traps we don’t see. He knows the snares we walk into unknowingly. And when our eyes are fixed on Him, we are positioned to receive His guidance, His correction, His deliverance.

Today, keeping your eyes on the LORD might look like pausing before reacting. It might look like choosing prayer over panic. It might look like remembering His character when your emotions are loud. It might look like trusting His timing when everything feels delayed. It might look like surrendering the outcome instead of trying to control every detail.

This verse is not about perfection. It’s about direction. It’s about where your gaze returns when life pulls you off balance. And the beautiful truth is this: every time you lift your eyes back to Him, He meets you with mercy, not judgment. With help, not shame. With rescue, not rejection.

Lord, steady my heart and fix my gaze upon You.
When distractions rise, draw my eyes back to Your truth.
When fear whispers, remind me of Your faithfulness.
When I feel trapped, reach down and lift me out.
Teach me to trust Your timing, Your wisdom, and Your ways.
Let my life reflect a heart anchored in You alone. In Jesus name, 
Amen.

 

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: I Am Rooted In What Endures Forever~

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The Grass Withers The Flower Fades But The Word Of Our God Stands ...Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and bideth forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man asthe flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof faileth away, but the Word of the LORD endureth forever. And this is the world which by the gospel is preached unto you.  1 Peter 1:23, 24, 25 (KJV)

These verses should speak directly to our very soul, as this is the substance of which we are to live and abide as Christian followers. The world is corrupt, and filled with so many dark moments, and scenarios, but we are to put on the “incorruptible” which is to say the “WORD” of the LORD.

All things are subject to “perish” – all have a season and time to live here on earth.  The grass, flowers, even automobiles have a time limit until they are no longer useful. But our spirit and being born again is “forever alive” and not subject to death. For it is said, in Romans, 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.”

We will never “die” we are going on to eternal life once we leave these “flesh bodies.”  But until such time, we need to be diligent in all aspects of our life, in what we do, take on, and choose. We are to be respectful of others, but to adhere to the LORD and His will and commandments, over everything – and everyone.  For He is what matters, and He is the nucleus of our existence.

Peter reminds us that our new life in Christ isn’t fragile or temporary. We were reborn through the incorruptible Word of God, something that doesn’t fade, wrinkle, or wither like human strength does. Everything earthly eventually dries up, but God’s Word — and the life it produces in us — remains steady, eternal, and untouched by time.

This incredible truth is what drives Christians to devotion, worship and passion for our LORD. The fact that His WORD (which Jesus is the living Word – John 1:1) – Incorporate the Word into every detail of life and obey Him with a fiery spirit of devotion. 

He came for us, to save us. To redeem us from sin, and to bring us ever lasting life.

  • Those who believe in Him shall never die!   
  • Those who drink from His Water, shall never thirst!  

No matter how innocent something may seem, if it is NOT of the LORD, don’t fluff it off thinking “oh well it’s harmless, how bad can this be?”  Rather -Instead, turn from it – no matter the consequences, even if it “offends someone” or someone is not in agreement with it. 

Jesus said, “anyone who is against us is not of us“(Matthew 12:30). And ostensibly, He warns us in Mark 9:40, and Luke 9:50  – “Whoever is not against us is for us.”  

Today as you go about your daily activities of living – are you ready to defend and guard your heart, soul and mind in the name of the LORD?

“Father, thank You for giving me a new life that cannot decay or be taken away. Let Your Word take deeper root in my heart, shaping my thoughts, my choices, and my peace. Help me stand on what is eternal, not on what fades. In Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: We Trust Beyond Circumstances~

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“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

 

Life can be filled with all kinds of surprises – some good, some not so good. And the surprises can be life altering in both good and bad. The timing is unexpected, and the circumstances can be delightfully welcome, or devastating.  How do we handle both good and bad?  – there is only one correct answer for that – there is no “multiple choice” responses – the only answer is “God.”

There are times when I feel too numb to “feel anything” and begin to wonder if I’ve somehow lost my sense of ability to react to emotions – good or otherwise. But that is a component of life that many will encounter. It’s the invariable ups and downs and all arounds of LIFE.

But during all of these moments, and sensations or lack thereof – the only One that gets me through the cycle of life – is LIFE itself – which is to say my LORD and Savior.

  • Times are unsettled. Our LORD is anything but – He is constant.
  • Times can be chaotic. Our LORD is anything but- He is Peace.
  • Times can be scary. Our LORD is anything but – He is soothing.
  • Times can be painful. Our LORD is anything but – He is painless.

It’s okay to feel three dimensional – or one dimensional, after all we are humans. Within our flesh bodies come cascades of varying degrees of emotions and events that we react to.  But it’s so much better with a person of faith than those who have no baseline or hope or trust or love or God. I’ve seen both sides of the coin, especially in my past career working in the nursing home industry.  First, as the social worker, then as the Administrator of our nursing home. And I’ve seen all sides of humans, behavior and otherwise. The good sides. The bad sides. The beautiful sides. And the ugly sides. And I tell you this with full certainty – those with faith were able to withstand all sides of life including those surprises, both good and bad.

For those who didn’t believe, well they languished in an abysmal vortex of nothingness. They were seemingly waiting for “nothing” and didn’t care about “anything.” All hope gone, perishing and clinging to a vapor and mist of existence.

I write this not to depress my readers, but to bring comfort and uplift those of faith to even greater heights if possible.  And to those readers who are here for the first time, perhaps to elevate their circumstances and let them wonder what “Christ is all about.” Perhaps to pick up a Bible and read. Or to reach out to someone and ask questions about life with God in it.  A friend, a pastor, a teacher – a neighbor – anyone who follows the LORD and knows Him intimately can bring about a current of understanding and knowledge of how GREAT He is!

LIFE is a moving phenomenon.  It keeps going irrespective of our circumstances, and it revolves around a 24-hour cycle. –  Within those hours we can be devoted to a God that loves us more than we could ever possibly begin to fathom or imagine. And trust Him to guide us. And love Him because of who He is and what He does and continues to do for us, 24/7, non-stop.

Are you a follower? Have you reached out to Him today no matter what you are going through? Of course, He sees and knows, you and your heart – but He wants to hear it from you directly.

Go to Him – it really makes Life – LIFE!

“LORD, thank You for Your Presence in our lives, for Your continuous show of love, and for Your Word, Your promises, and for the blood of Christ, we are ever faithful, ever grateful, and love You now and always, in Jesus name, Amen.

  • Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
  • Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT) “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”  
  • Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) “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.
  • Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

DEAR GOD: There Is Always Hope Hope Anchored in Your Word

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Hope in God the Father – Word, Life, Light

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.” —Psalm 119:114 (NKJV)

In seasons of depletion, confusion, or grief, hope can feel like a distant echo. But Psalm 119:114 reminds us that hope is not a feeling—it’s a placement. When we place our hope in God’s Word, we are not leaning on emotion or circumstance. We are anchoring ourselves in something eternal, unshakable, and alive.

The psalmist calls God both a hiding place and a shield—a refuge from inner storms and a protector from outer battles. This dual image speaks to the fullness of divine care: God shelters our vulnerability and defends our dignity. When we feel exposed, overwhelmed, or spiritually threadbare, His Word becomes the covering that restores peace.

This verse is echoed in Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV):

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…”Hope in God’s promises doesn’t drift—it holds. It steadies us when everything else feels unstable.

Reflective Question

Where have you been placing your hope lately—and is it anchoring you or exhausting you?

 “LORD -be our hiding place when the world feels too loud. Shield our hearts from fear and anchor our souls in Your Word. Let hope rise again—not from circumstances, but from Your unchanging truth.  In Jesus name, Amen.”