DEAR GOD: You Are My Number One Always & Forever~

by C D SWANSON // March 29, 2025 // No Comments

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever.” – Psalm 103:8-9

Title: The Eternal Compassion of Our Loving God

Commentary: God’s character is one of perfect love and unwavering faithfulness. In Psalm 103, we glimpse His tender care for His children. His compassion is not fleeting, nor is His anger lasting. This reminds us that God’s love is not dependent on our perfection but on His infinite grace. His nature is unchanging, and this certainty offers us stability in a world full of uncertainty.

This verse also reflects God’s patience. He understands our flaws and failures, yet His love remains. Such enduring compassion should inspire us to model grace and forgiveness in our relationships. If God, in His perfect holiness, can be slow to anger, how much more should we—imperfect as we are—strive to extend patience to others?

Reflective Questions:

How do we respond to the knowledge of God’s compassion in our daily lives?
In what ways can we show patience and love to those who hurt or frustrate us, mirroring God’s example?
What steps can we take to truly embrace the security of God’s unchanging nature in times of doubt?

Supportive Scriptures:

Lamentations 3:22-23: “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.”
Exodus 34:6: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.”

These verses weave a tapestry of hope, each revealing aspects of God’s love that reassure us of His presence and unwavering commitment. They remind us that His love is not just a promise; it is a living reality.

Moral Thoughts: God’s love calls us to reflect His character in our own lives. Whether it’s in acts of kindness, a moment of forgiveness, or a quiet prayer for someone in need, every choice we make can mirror the love He has shown us. His example is a call to action—a challenge to love beyond our limits and trust Him even when the path is unclear.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, we thank You for Your endless compassion and unfailing love. Teach us to rest in the security of Your character and to reflect Your grace in all that we do. Help us to live with patience and forgiveness, honoring You by loving others as You love us. In Jesus name we pray -Amen.

Question of the Day: How can you reflect God’s compassion and patience in a challenging situation today?

DEAR GOD: Thank YOU for Your Faithfulness & Mercy~

by C D SWANSON // March 15, 2025 // No Comments

The Faithfulness of the Lord - Logos Sermons

A Tribute to the LORD’s Mercy and Goodness

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

What a magnificent truth to anchor our hearts on—the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases. These words invite us to meditate on the boundless, unrelenting nature of God’s love. A love so immense that it doesn’t waver, weaken, or expire. It’s steadfast, meaning it is faithful, reliable, and rooted in His eternal nature. His love isn’t conditional or fleeting; it surrounds us through every season of life, in our greatest joys and deepest sorrows.

The Depth of His Mercy

“His mercies never come to an end.” Mercy is the compassion He shows us, despite our flaws and failures. His mercy doesn’t exhaust itself based on how much we need it. It is like an ever-flowing river, cleansing and refreshing. Reflect on how many times you’ve stumbled yet found His hand ready to pick you up. Could we even count the moments we’ve fallen short but were met with forgiveness and patience rather than condemnation? His mercy reminds us of His heart—a heart that desires restoration over retribution.

Reflective Question: Have you taken time recently to recognize the mercies that God has extended to you today? What specific blessings or moments of grace stand out?

His Love Made Manifest

The beauty of the LORD’s goodness is that it isn’t abstract. It is tangible in how He sustains us, provides for us, and walks beside us. We see it in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the ultimate revelation of His mercy and goodness. John 3:16 reminds us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

This sacrificial love is the foundation of our hope.

The Call to Love Him Back

How can we not love Him in return? 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because he first loved us.” To love the LORD is to respond to the unfathomable kindness He has shown us. It is to surrender our hearts and lives to the One who gave everything for our sake. Loving Him means trusting Him even when the path is uncertain, praising Him when the storms rage, and obeying Him as an act of worship.

Moral Reflection: How often do we pause to consider what it means to truly love God—not just in words, but in the choices we make, the priorities we set, and the way we treat others?

Scriptures to Support and Strengthen

Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” His goodness isn’t a fleeting thing; it’s a faithful companion to us every day.
Exodus 34:6: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” God’s mercy and love are at the very core of who He is.
Romans 8:38-39: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This love is unshakable, eternal, and victorious.

A Purposeful Prayer of Thanks

“Father in Heaven, we stand in awe of Your boundless mercy and unwavering goodness. Thank You for loving us with a steadfast love that never fails, for showing us compassion even when we falter, and for renewing Your mercies every morning. May we never take Your love for granted, but instead live lives that reflect our gratitude. Help us to trust You more deeply, love You more fully, and honor You in all that we do. LORD, bless the hearts of those who read these words today. May they feel Your presence, embrace Your peace, and be filled with the assurance of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

A Meditative Thought for the Day

Take a moment to meditate on this truth: The same God who paints the sunrise with new mercies each day also holds you tenderly in His hand. His faithfulness is your stronghold, and His love is your song.

How will you choose to respond to His unending goodness today?

God Bless You All~

Free Bible Verse Art Downloads for Printing and Sharing ...

DEAR GOD: Love Through Christ’s Vision and Spirit

by C D SWANSON // February 21, 2025 // No Comments

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

Romans 13:8-10

The commandments are pillars of moral guidance, culminating in the profound call to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Romans 13:9) This commandment encapsulates all others, emphasizing the overarching principle of love. Yet, loving someone who curses you, mocks you, or harbors hatred towards you is one of the most challenging tests of our faith.

Reflecting on the scriptures, we are reminded of Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” This radical love is not rooted in our strength but in Christ’s. By seeing others through Christ’s vision and spirit, we recognize their inherent worth and potential for transformation.

Furthermore, Ephesians 4:32 encourages us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Forgiveness and compassion are acts of love that can heal wounds and break cycles of enmity. It’s crucial to remember that love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate act of will—choosing to respond with grace and patience, even when it’s difficult.

When faced with derision or hatred, seeking help from Christ empowers us to embody tolerance and purpose. As we strive to love as He loves, we become instruments of His peace, reflecting His light in a world often overshadowed by darkness.

Loving Prayer and Blessings:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before you with hearts yearning for your wisdom and guidance. Teach us to love as You love, even when faced with adversity and animosity. Fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit, granting us the strength to bless those who curse us and to do good to those who hate us. May we be vessels of your grace and instruments of your peace, always reflecting your boundless love.

Bless us, O Lord, with the courage to forgive, the patience to endure, and the compassion to understand. Let your love flow through us, touching the lives of those we encounter, even our adversaries. We seek your help and guidance as we navigate the complexities of human relationships, always striving to see others through your eyes.

In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless and keep you, filling your heart with His love and peace.

Scripture to Ponder: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

May this reflection bring you strength and inspiration as you continue your journey in faith. Blessings to you!

DEAR GOD: Thank You For Wiping Out Our Transgressions~

by C D SWANSON // November 2, 2024 // 2 Comments

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25, ESV)

This powerful verse from Isaiah 43:25 speaks of God’s incredible grace and mercy. Here, God declares that He is the one who forgives our sins, not for our sake, but for His own. This highlights His divine nature and His desire to restore and redeem us. It emphasizes that God’s forgiveness is an act of His own volition, motivated by His love and purpose for us.

Moral Takeaways

Divine Grace: God’s forgiveness is a gift of grace, not something we earn or deserve. It is an expression of His boundless love for us.

Transformation: When God forgives, He not only wipes the slate clean but also transforms our lives, enabling us to move forward without the burden of past sins.

New Beginnings: This verse reassures us that our past mistakes do not define us. In Christ, we have the opportunity for a fresh start.

Reflective Questions
How can I embrace God’s forgiveness and let go of my past sins?
In what ways can I reflect God’s grace and forgiveness in my own life?
How can I support others who are seeking forgiveness and a fresh start?

Story of Harry C.

Harry C. was once a man deeply entrenched in a life of addiction and reckless partying. His days were consumed by alcohol, and his nights were filled with the empty pursuit of pleasure. Harry’s life was a blur of bars and parties, where he sought solace in the bottom of a bottle and the thrill of the next high. Despite the fleeting moments of euphoria, he was trapped in a cycle of self-destruction that left him feeling empty and lost.

One night, after a particularly chaotic party, Harry found himself at a crossroads. His health was deteriorating, and his relationships were in shambles. In his despair, he remembered his grandmother’s words about Jesus and the hope He offers. Desperation drove Harry to his knees, and he cried out to God for help. That night marked the beginning of a profound transformation.

Harry began attending a local church, where he found a supportive community that embraced him with open arms. Through prayer and the study of God’s Word, Harry discovered the depth of God’s love and forgiveness. He learned that his past mistakes were blotted out by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This realization filled him with hope and a renewed sense of purpose.

Today, Harry is sober and has been for 15 years. His life is a testament to God’s redeeming power. He now dedicates his time to helping others who struggle with addiction, sharing his story and the message of God’s grace. Harry is grateful every day for the new life he has found in Christ, and he lives with the assurance that his past no longer defines him.

Supporting Scriptures (ESV)
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”

Hebrews 8:12: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Prayer
“LORD- we thank You for Your incredible grace and mercy, for blotting out our transgressions and giving us a fresh start. Help us to embrace Your forgiveness and to live in the freedom it brings. May we be instruments of Your grace, sharing Your love and hope with those around us. Strengthen us to support those who are struggling and guide them towards Your light. Thank You for transforming lives and giving us a new purpose in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Scripture to Ponder
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Blessing
May the Lord’s grace and mercy fill your heart, guiding you in forgiveness and new beginnings. Trust in His unfailing love and let His presence transform your life.

God Bless You All

Acts‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins ...

DEAR GOD: How Do We Help Someone To Forgive?

by C D SWANSON // February 12, 2024 // No Comments

Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin ... Forgiveness is not easy, especially when someone has hurt us deeply. We may feel angry, betrayed, or resentful, and we may want to retaliate or seek justice. But the Bible teaches us a different way of responding to those who hurt us. It teaches us to forgive, as God has forgiven us.

Forgiveness is not a feeling, but a decision. It is not condoning or forgetting what happened but releasing the offender from our debt. It is not denying or minimizing our pain but choosing to heal and move on. Forgiveness is not a one-time act, but a process that may take time and effort. It is not a sign of weakness, but a mark of strength and maturity.

Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves and to others. It frees us from bitterness, anger, and resentment, and restores our peace and joy. It opens the door for reconciliation, restoration, and renewal. It reflects the character and love of God, who forgave us while we were still sinners. It honors the sacrifice of Jesus, who died on the cross to pay for our sins. It follows the example of Jesus, who prayed for his enemies and forgave those who crucified him.

The Bible is full of verses that encourage us to forgive those who hurt us. Here are some of them:

– “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

– “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

– “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

– “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

– “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

– “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

– “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
(1 Peter 3:9)

Forgiving those who hurt us is not easy, but it is possible with God’s help. He gives us the grace, the strength, and the motivation to forgive. He heals our wounds and restores our relationships. He blesses us when we obey his command and follow his example. He makes us more like him, as we forgive as he forgave us. So, for those of you who need to hear/read this today, because you may be going through a similar circumstance, or know someone going through this, please let go, choose to forgive, and move on in Christ’ Light and Grace.

“Father, should I encounter a wrongdoing, may I be of Jesus’ Spirit in terms of forgiving and praying for the individual, may I be tolerant and humble in moving forward, and may I be a witness to Your commandments and Your doctrine in all I do and say, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Life With You Is—LIFE~

by C D SWANSON // January 27, 2024 // No Comments

Being alive in Christ is the only way to LIVE. Without Christ, there is no LIFE. He is the life, the way and the truth (John 14:6). Jesus Christ, Son of God – is our Mediator and our High Priest, and our Savior. He is our Rock and our Redeemer. He is the quintessential unblemished Lamb of God who took away our sins. Our salvation is solidly in place because of His willingly going to the cross for us. Taking on our sin, corruption, and ugliness of the whole world.

He is my LIFE and I LIVE for HIM!

Below are some reminders for you to read and expand your love and growth in Christ, through His Word and His commandments.

Ephesians 2:4-10: This passage tells us that God made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our sins, and that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. It also says that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that he prepared for us.
Romans 6:11-14: This passage urges us to consider ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus, and to not let sin reign in our mortal bodies. It also reminds us that sin is no longer our master, because we are under grace, not the law.
Romans 8:10-11: This passage explains that if Christ is in us, our body is dead because of sin, but our spirit is alive because of righteousness. It also promises that the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies.

These are just some of the many verses that show how we are alive right this moment, only because of Christ. If you want to learn more, you can read the whole chapters of Ephesians 2, Romans 6, and Romans 8 where you can get a full in-depth study and semblance of understanding in Christ and His doctrine.

When you take the time to get to know Christ you will be transformed into a whole new chapter of your life. It will be a fulfilling and gradual growth in spirit and reflective in all you do on a daily basis. Interactions with others will be easier and life in and of itself will be simpler to navigate.

Do you believe in Christ? Have you accepted Him as Your LORD and Savior? Do you know He died for you/us?

Please open your heart and let Him in-it’s the best thing you will ever have done in your life. And it will make your LIFE a life worth LIVING!

“Father, thank You for Your Son, my LORD and Savior, I know I am alive only because of Him, I know that He paid the price for me, a sinner, and I know that He is never going to leave me and never will turn from me, no matter what, thank You for Your love, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

~Dear God With Love~

C D Swanson

forgiveness