Hosea 14:4-7 NIV — “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon”.

Flourish: Grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.

In reading today’s key verse and definition of flourish, is it easier to receive and give grace? According to Hosea, grace is an important key to flourishing. Doing something hard brings great rewards. When we partner doing something hard with relying on God for strength and endurance then the reward is even greater. It is called spiritual discipline. When our identity shows spiritual discipline, we shine the light of Jesus for His glory. Flourishing is all about progress and not perfection. 

Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo. Palm trees are known for their strength and symbolize victory, peace, and eternal life. Is your spiritual life strong like a palm tree? Are you living in the identity of Jesus’ victory at the cross? Are you spreading the peace of God through His grace? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for equipping me with the strength to do hard things. Help me in my spiritual discipline so that I can shine Your light. May I continue to flourish through progress by giving myself and others grace today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Compassion: Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of misfortunes of others.

In reading today’s key verse and definition of compassion, is it easier to receive and give grace? I love the promise of something new! A fresh start! Whether self-imposed or assumed by society, we often devalue ourselves by having a mindset that we are not worthy of God’s grace. The truth is, we are all worthy. 

Take a moment to look at Ray’s beautiful photo of the clouds. Often our compassion towards ourselves or others gets clouded by society. Not knowing the unpublished stories in people’s lives, we tend to have a narrow mindset. We can lose sight of receiving and giving grace by creating false labels. Who might you have a narrow mindset towards today? Maybe yourself? A family member or friend? Ask God to give you Christ-like compassion. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for your compassions that never fails us, even when the world does. Give me the Christ-like compassion I need to walk in Your light throughout my day. Show me how to act and react with Your great love by reviving and giving grace. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

“In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. That he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV 

Lavished: Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.

In reading today’s key verse along with the definition of lavished, is it easier to receive and give grace? This week we will dive deeper into receiving and giving grace, as well as our identities in Christ Jesus. I want to share a quote with you from Author Lysa Terkheurst, who has helped me tremendously with my Identity: “When my identity is tied to circumstances, I become extremely insecure because circumstances are unpredictable and ever-changing. We must tie our identities to our unchanging, unflinching, unyielding, undeniably good, and unquestionably loving God.” 

Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo. I am sure we all have chapters in our lives we wish to keep unpublished, hidden deep in the woods, or maybe Satan just wants us to think they should remain that way. Often the circumstances that we go through in life are stories that someone needs to hear so that they too can know our loving God that gives grace lavishly. What identity are you giving yourself or others today? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for lavishing Your grace on me so that I can live freely. Thank You that no matter my circumstances, my Identity is tied back to You. Help me to receive and give grace as I go about my day and my week. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Join me by clicking the link for See You Saturday as we talk about Intercessory Prayer.

I encourage you to worship through intercessory prayer with William McDowell and “Songs of Intercession”

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about finding joy through prayer. Today I want us to find rest through prayer. In our key verse, God gives us rest by refreshing our souls. Do you need physical rest? Are you tired of waiting on someone or something? Are you in a spiritual or physical battle? Does your soul feel heavy and burdened? Or maybe you don’t know where or how you need rest. 

Notice Ray’s picture of a bridge over a pond. According to Merriam-Webster, a bridge is a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle. Just like this bridge helps us cross over the water, God guides us along the right paths. Will you be swimming or taking the bridge today? Allow Him to lead you beside the quiet waters. Let’s pray.

Father, Thank You for the seasons of every activity, including rest (Ecclesiastes 3:1). When I need physical rest, I want to be still as You guide me to quiet places and refresh my soul (Psalm 23:2-3). When I’m in a time of waiting, I want to be still in Your presence, waiting patiently and confidently for Your perfect plan to unfold (Psalm 37:7). When I’m in battle mode, I can be still, knowing that You will fight my battles for me (Exodus 14:14). When my soul needs rest, I can come to You with my burdens, and in Your gentle, humble heart I can find rest (Matthew 11:28-29). When I do not know what kind of rest I need, Your Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf according to Your will (Romans 8:27). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last, you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭12 ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about making a spiritual resolution and moving forward with God’s good work. On this Thankful Thursday, I want us to find joy through prayer.

I was able to find joy this past weekend as we stayed in a beautiful bungalow on a horse farm while visiting our son at Clemson. I made sure to get up early so I could see the sunrise from the comfort of my rocking chair. At first, I was disappointed that the dense fog blocked my view of the sun. In the meantime, I had the joy of witnessing the horses being fed as I patiently waited for the fog to lift. The horses had been eating grass out in the pasture when a farmhand drove up with feed. Immediately most of the horses made their way back to the barn, except for a few stragglers that had to be whistled in. It was amazing to witness the horses and how they knew that the farmhand was supplying their food. Within a matter of minutes, I was able to witness the fog lift. I was reminded of the secret of being content. Does life feel like a dense fog lingers over you? Are you struggling to find joy? Or has the fog lifted and you can see and feel contentment? Let’s pray.

Father, As I come before You, show me the path of life; that I might find the dance, for in Your presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Help me to focus on the blessings I receive within Your full measure of joy (John 17:13). As I live by Your Spirit, help me to keep in stride with Your spirit of joy (Galatians 5:22-25). I long to learn contentment through all circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. Help me to find contentment in every situation, well fed or hungry, living in plenty or want (Philippians 4:11-12). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about how the process of transformation starts inwardly in the unseen places with God. Today I want to talk about resolutions. Not the ones we make in January and don’t keep, but a lasting spiritual resolution. According to the dictionary, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something. In our key verse, we know that God has already begun a good work in each of us. Although God has equipped us, we must make a decision to step out in faith and do that good work. In Hebrews 13:21 NIV, we read that God will: “Equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Where are some areas in your life where you need to stand firm? Are you walking on water or sitting in your boat? I have created my own spiritual resolution. I encourage you to recite mine or create your own. Let’s join together in creating a legacy of faith by being a Water Walker.

My Spiritual Resolution: I resolve to conquer my fear! I will live my life on purpose, earnestly seeking to honor my Lord in my actions and reactions. I will focus on His promises and not my fears. I will spend time in His word and prayer, basking in His truths so that I can demolish any strongholds. I will hear His call and respond by becoming the wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend God has designed me to be. I commit to leaving a legacy of faith. I resolve to be Brave!