Father God, my mind is open to Your Thoughts, and closed today to every thought but Yours. I rule my mind, and offer it to You. Accept my precious gift, for it is Yours to me. Amen and Amen.
07/13/2017 OCM-83656272 {Member of ULC 9/23/22
7545620-0414Susan Ruth Robertson202004377}
In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. – Job 5:20-21
This passage carries such quiet strength. It speaks of God’s care that reaches into every kind of threat, hunger, conflict, even the harm of careless or cruel words, and promises shelter that is both seen and unseen. There’s a deep reassurance in knowing that protection isn’t only physical, but also covers the heart and reputation, the places where fear often tries to settle. May that promise rest gently over your day, steady and unshaken. Have a peaceful, grace-filled day.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
This passage carries such a quiet strength and gently turns our attention outward, reminding us that humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves, but choosing to value others with intention and care. It’s a call to live generously setting aside rivalry and self-promotion in favor of love that notices, listens, and lifts. There’s something deeply peaceful about that posture. It softens our interactions and steadies our hearts, especially in a world that often pushes the opposite. Such a grounding reminder. God bless you with a calm, grace-filled day as well.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father… But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. – John 4:19-21,23
That moment at the well is so quietly revolutionary. Jesus doesn’t argue geography or tradition, He gently lifts her eyes beyond both. Worship, He says, is no longer anchored to a mountain or a city, but to a living relationship with the Father. What stands out is who He says the Father is seeking. Not perfect people. Not those with the right lineage or location. But those who come honestly, in spirit and in truth. That means hearts awake, not just rituals performed. Truth lived, not merely spoken. It’s also tender that He reveals this to a Samaritan woman, someone overlooked, questioned, and dismissed by others. In doing so, Jesus shows that access to God isn’t guarded by walls or titles. The well becomes a sanctuary. The conversation becomes worship. That truth still steadies us today: wherever we are, when our hearts turn toward God with sincerity and trust, heaven meets us there.
May that same warmth and kindness in knowing Jesus, fill your day with peace, purpose, and gentle joy.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. – 1 John 5:3-4
Love walks in obedience, not burden.Faith overcomes, because it belongs to God.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. – 1 Chronicles 16:32-34
This is a beautiful passage to rest. All of creation joining in praise, the sea roaring, the fields rejoicing, the trees singing, reminds us that gratitude isn’t just spoken, it’s lived and breathed by everything God has made. That closing line anchors it all: “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.” No conditions. No expiration. Just steady goodness and mercy that outlasts every season. May your day, and your peace be wrapped in that same enduring mercy, with peace as deep as the sea and joy as quiet and faithful as the trees standing watch.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Paul isn’t celebrating pain for pain’s sake, he’s honoring the mystery that God’s grace doesn’t wait for us to be strong. It meets us right where we’re worn thin, misunderstood, grieving, or quietly carrying more than anyone knows. The strength that matters most doesn’t come from having it all together; it comes from Christ resting on us when we don’t.“ When I am weak, then am I strong” isn’t a slogan. It’s a testimony.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. – 2 Timothy 2:11-13
This is one of the most powerful summaries of covenant faithfulness in all of Scripture. It speaks directly to the heart of marriage, ministry, and our walk with Christ:
“Even when we falter, He is faithful. Even when we forget, He remembers. Even when we suffer, He reigns.” A good marriage dies to selfishness. When both bride and groom surrender pride, they find new life in unity. Every covenant faces trials. But suffering together with Christ leads to reigning together in grace. Marriage without Christ becomes fragile. But when He is honored, the bond is protected. Even when one heart wavers, Jesus remains faithful. He cannot deny His nature, and He will not abandon the covenant.
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
This passage is a beautiful call to remember, not just who God is, but what He has done & gently gathers the whole soul and reminds it to stay awake to grace. Forgiveness that reaches every failure. Healing that touches body, heart, & memory. Redemption that pulls life back from the edge. A crown, not of burden, but of lovingkindness and tender mercy. That’s not a distant promise; it’s daily provision. May your soul stay anchored in gratitude today, & may every benefit named in this psalm meet you right where you are, quietly, faithfully, & with joy. Have a peaceful, grace-filled day.
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. – Isaiah 41:12-13
This is a beautiful promise of God’s protection and presence. It reminds us that those who rise against us will vanish, not because we fight harder, but because God holds our hand and helps us.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:11-13
Jeremiah 29:11–13 is such a fitting way to close, speaking right to trust, prayer, and wholehearted seeking, tying it all together with grace. reminds both leaders and believers that God’s plans aren’t rushed or harsh, but full of peace and purpose. It’s not just about what’s ahead, it’s about relationship. God invites His people to call, pray, seek, and trust, knowing He’s already listening. For leaders, it’s a reminder that God’s thoughts toward them bring peace, not pressure; that prayer is an invitation, not an obligation; and that seeking Him wholeheartedly means being found, not lost. It reflects the heart of Exodus 29 without repeating it, leadership flows from dependence on God, not control or perfection. This gentle reflection to pair with this verse could be God’s plans unfold through prayerful trust, not anxious striving. A short, natural prayer might be: “Lord Jesus, help me to rest in Your plans, trust Your timing, and seek You with all my heart.” Thank You in Your Precious Name Amen.
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