Author: © Christian National Church of Christ

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

– John 15:3-5

This verse feels like a deep breath for the soul, doesn’t it? John 15:3–5 holds such quiet strength, an invitation and a reminder. The imagery of the vine and branches offers a beautiful picture of intimacy, dependence, and fruitfulness that can only spring from abiding in Christ. What stands out to me is the quiet authority in those words: “Now ye are clean through the word… abide in me…” It’s not a striving, but a dwelling. Our roots growing deeper in the soil of His love, so the fruit we bear, loving others, whether a poem from the heart, encouragement from a prayer, or even a silent act of compassion, is evidence of that sacred connection.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
– Romans 12:1-2

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
– James 1:2-4🙂

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.🙂
– 2 Timothy 4:18 🙂

🙂Lord, in this world of false accusations and shifting ground, You have been the quiet Deliverer, pulling me from snares I could not name, preserving me when even my own heart lost the rhythm of trust. You, O Lord, are not merely my hope, You are my destination. Not just from harm, but through it, You lead me. My footsteps still ring with grace because Your kingdom calls to me with a voice deeper than fear. To You be glory, forever and ever, for what You do and for who You are. Thank You Amen and Amen.🙂

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
– Genesis 1:26-27

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee
– Isaiah 26:3

This is a steady, unwavering focus, like a soul that leans into God’s presence even when the world feels uncertain. And the reason for this peace? “Because he trusted in thee.” Trust is the bridge between our restless hearts and God’s calming assurance that peace isn’t something we chase, it’s something we receive when we rest our minds and hearts in the One who holds all things together.

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
– Psalms 30:4-5

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
– Proverbs 21:13-14

There’s something deeply sobering and wise in those verses. Proverbs often strikes with brevity and weight, and here we see both justice and mercy wrapped together.

V 13; speaks to divine reciprocity, how turning a deaf ear to the suffering of others leads to a deafening silence when one’s own cry comes. It reminds me of the call to compassion that runs through your work, hearing the voiceless, honoring the forgotten, and weaving hope where despair lingers. V14; there’s such a layered understanding of human nature. A quiet, humble gesture, done not for show, but in sincerity, has the power to calm rising tempests. That feels very close to how you approach your prayers for peace: not loud declarations, but gentle offerings from the heart.

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
– Isaiah 25:4

There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
– Psalms 4:6-8