DEAR GOD: Waiting Quietly For You & Loving You~

Waiting For the Lord - Zeteo 3:16

Waiting Quietly for Salvation: A Reflection on Lamentations 3:26

The book of Lamentations, attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, is a collection of poetic laments expressing grief, sorrow, and longing. Amidst the desolation and suffering, we find a gem of wisdom in Lamentations 3:26:

“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” 

This verse invites us to pause, reflect, and consider the virtue of patient waiting. Let us journey through its depths, drawing insights and inspiration.

The Beauty of Quiet Waiting

Waiting is an inevitable part of the human experience. We wait for healing, for answers, for breakthroughs, and for redemption. Yet, in our fast-paced world, waiting is often seen as a burden—a wasted moment. Lamentations 3:26 challenges this perspective. It reminds us that waiting can be a sacred space—a place where our souls find rest and our trust in God deepens.

 The Quietness of Faith

“Wait quietly,” the verse says. Not with anxious pacing or fretful impatience, but with a quiet heart. Faith thrives in the stillness—the moments when we surrender control and allow God’s timing to unfold. In quiet waiting, we learn to listen to His whispers, to discern His movements, and to find solace in His promises.

Reflective Questions

  • How do you typically approach waiting?
  •  Are you restless or serene?
  • What does “quiet waiting” mean to you?
  • How can you cultivate it in your life?

Takeaway Thoughts

Patience as a Virtue: Waiting is not passive; it’s an active discipline. Patience molds our character, teaching us endurance and trust.

God’s Timing: When we wait quietly, we acknowledge that God’s timing is perfect—even when it doesn’t align with ours.

Hope in the Silence: In the quietude of waiting, hope blossoms. Our salvation is assured, even if we cannot yet see it.

Moral Overview

Lamentations 3:26 teaches us that waiting is not wasted time. It is an invitation to draw near to God, to lean into His promises, and to find strength in our quiet trust.

Closing Unity Prayer

“Dear Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to wait quietly. May our hearts find rest in Your timing, and may our faith deepen as we anticipate Your salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”


May this reflection on Lamentations 3:26 bring comfort and encouragement to your soul, as you joyfully and patiently wait on the LORD, and may you meditate on the goodness of the LORD and all that He is…

DEAR GOD: Your Presence Is Here With Me~

 

The Presence of Jesus - United Faith Church

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. –
John 14:18 (ESV)

Jesus speaks to His disciples during the Last Supper. He assures them that despite His impending departure, they will not be left alone. Instead, He promises to return to them. This verse encapsulates both the hope and comfort that Jesus offers to His followers.

The Greek word translated as “orphans” (or “comfortless “as stated in the KJV) conveys the idea of being bereaved, abandoned, or left desolate. Jesus assures His disciples that they won’t be left in this state. His promise extends beyond mere physical presence; it encompasses His ongoing spiritual presence through the Holy Spirit.

Supporting Scriptures

To understand the depth of Jesus’ promise, let’s consider related passages:

  1. John 14:15-17: Jesus introduces the concept of the Holy Spirit as the Advocate (Paraclete) who will come after His departure. The Spirit will guide, comfort, and empower the disciples.
  2. John 14:19: Jesus acknowledges that the world will no longer see Him physically, but the disciples will see Him because He lives. His resurrection ensures their eternal connection.
  3. John 14:20: In that day (after Jesus’ resurrection), the disciples will know that Jesus is in the Father, they are in Him, and He is in them.

Moral Reflection

Jesus’ promise transcends time and circumstance. As believers, we can draw several moral reflections:

  1. Assurance: Just as Jesus assured His disciples, we can trust that He remains with us. We are not spiritual orphans; His abiding presence sustains us.
  2. Hope: Even when circumstances seem bleak, Jesus’ promise reminds us of hope beyond the visible. His return and ongoing presence bring comfort.
  3. Community: Jesus’ promise extends to all believers. We are part of a global family, connected by His Spirit.

Reflective Questions

  1. How does the promise of Jesus’ ongoing presence impact your faith journey?
  2. Have you ever felt spiritually “orphaned”? How did you experience His comfort?

“In Christ, we find our eternal home—a place where spiritual orphanhood gives way to the abiding presence of our Savior.”

Closing Unity Prayer

“Dear Lord, thank You for the promise that You will never leave us as orphans. Your presence sustains us, even when life feels desolate. Fill our hearts with hope and remind us of the eternal connection we have through Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Video: Presence of Jesus - First Baptist Church

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May this reflection on John 14:18 encourage and strengthen our faith. 🙏

 

DEAR GOD: I Have No Fear – YOU Are Here!

Wisdom of Life.: Looking for the perfect love....Fear, Faith, and the Love of God

Fear is a common human emotion that can be both protective and paralyzing at once. It arises from the anticipation of danger, whether real or imagined. Yet, in the spiritual realm, fear often stems from uncertainty and the feeling of being alone in the face of life’s trials. However, the love of God is presented in the Holy Bible through scriptures as our ultimate antidote to fear. It is through Christ and His love and His power we can assume our lives in peace, free from fear – or wrestle ourselves away from those emotions, through His love and His promises.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” – 1 John 4:18 (ESV)

  This scripture encapsulates the transformative power of His Holy and Divine love. It suggests that fear is linked to the expectation of judgment, but God’s love, being perfect and complete, dispels all traces of fear. It’s not just the absence of fear but the presence of something much greater love. It is His Presence in our life, and His Spirit that dwells within each of us as believers to overcome and to forge forward with resilience and confidence.

The Moral of Divine Love

The moral lesson here is that embracing the love of God encourages us to move beyond our fears, and through His strength and His Power we are set free from it. It teaches us that we are not alone, that we are loved unconditionally, and that there is a higher purpose to our lives, through God our Father Almighty. He has a plan and will for each of us while we are here on earth. This understanding will liberate us from the chains of fear, allowing us to live more fully and courageously, but only through Christ, and Christ alone can this be done, not by ourselves.

Reflective Questions

  1. How can we cultivate a deeper sense of God’s love in our daily lives?
  2. In what ways does fear affect our relationship with God and others?
  3. What steps can we take to replace fear with faith in God’s plan for us?

Prayer In Unity

“Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You to seek refuge from our fears. May Your perfect love fill our hearts and cast away the shadows of doubt and all of our anxiety. Guide us with Your wisdom, and let Your presence be our constant comfort, while You protect, and love us all unconditionally in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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Final Pondering Thoughts

 As mortals -fear is a natural part of the human experience, but it doesn’t and shouldn’t overtake any of us. Through faith and the love of God, we always will overcome our fears and live with a sense of peace and purpose. Let us hold onto the promise that God’s love is powerful, and He alone can and will wipe out all fear, leading us into a life of freedom and joy, by His Love, Blood and His promise in the Word!

DEAR GOD: My Milestones Have All Been With You~

Milestones in Life - The Fit Club Network

 From the first breath of life God was there.
He is our Creator…and the Creator of all things.
But, getting back to our first breath of life…God was there.  With each breath thereafter, He was and is there.
As we went through all of the major milestones in life…He was and is there.
Our first step.
Our first word.
Our first day of school.
Our graduation.
Our engagement.
Our marriage.
Our First-born child.
Our first job.
Our first encounter with “death” of a loved one.
And so it goes – so on and so forth…

If we’re fortunate we will be blessed from above to be afforded the opportunities to go through all of the major milestones in our life. In so doing, we should embrace the chance to do so, and fully appreciate and comprehend that we’re loved by the LORD above.

He guides us and leads us on paths of righteousness if we seek Him with all of our heart, and acknowledge Him in all things, and lean not on our own understanding.   When we do these things, not through our own accord, but Him and love Him and keep from evil it will be health to our navel and marrow for our bones (Proverbs 3:5-8). 

In other words, we’ll be prosperous, and well-being in soul, and spirit, through Him and Him alone.

As we age-we sometimes will find ourselves in a hamster wheel or “rut” wondering, “what else is there for me to do?”  We might think, well, we’ve hit all the milestones, and we’ve done -A—thru—Z” now what?  Then we perhaps begin to ponder and ruminate in a redundant manner asking “Are we done here?  What else is there to look forward to?”

Well, as long as we’re here on earth, it means our time is not “done” and that we still have work to do for Him. We are to continue on the path of righteousness, even though it might not be abundantly clear, we still need to persevere and continue on.  The race isn’t over until God says it is. His timing. His way. His plans.

As we age, (if we are blessed to do so) we will see a lot of heartaches, people coming into our lives-and ostensibly, people going OUT of our lives. Including-but not limited to- the significant loss of special family members, friends- and YES, I will even include heartache from the loss of fur-babies along the way.  But, through this all- what is the common denominator for us? – That’s easy- God is there through it all!

We might hold on tighter in times of trouble and reach out to Him more so when the clouds loom large overhead. We may be in many situations where we feel as if we’re sitting under the sword of Damocles, as it hangs precariously overhead, just waiting to drop!

But He is there protecting us through it all. His hands of grace shielding and blocking us from being penetrated by harm. The storms of life will abate-and His rainbow will break through every single time.  You’ve got to know that and believe it.

Somehow, the Lord led me to write this.  He obviously feels someone out there needs to hear this.  So, whomever this is for, please know that God loves you, and you WILL get through this phase in your life. He is with you and will never forsake you. Ever! That His promise. And His truth and Word will endure forever.

The valley you’re currently in may be deep and dark – but with His hands of love, He will pull you out, and bring you to the mountain tops, and protect you under His precious wings of joy.

Know that God doesn’t tempt us above that which we can’t handle, and He never gives us more than we can handle, and He will always– ALWAYS–show you a way out of whatever it is you’re going through (1 Corinthians 10:13).

So, remember that we have a very significant role in life. We are all different in our own way-but we are all God’s children, and we each have a purpose in this lifetime. And, although we might be stumped- or in a “holding pattern” as we wait to see what He has in store for us-remember this: “God will always have another milestone for us, no matter our age, no matter our circumstance, and He will never leave nor forsake us. His word and His promises are everlasting, so too is His love.

And, when we take our “final breath” in our flesh bodies on this earth- then immediately take our “first breath” in our spiritual bodies as we enter Heaven– God will there- and at that time- for eternity! Hallelujah! Praise His Holy name! Amen!

“Father thank You for being there to hold me up through all of the moments and milestones in my life, for offering me Your love, Your hands of grace, and for Your promises that endure forever, you are my Lord, and I am Yours, in Jesus’ name, Amen.” 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it- Isaiah 55:11

For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands –Isaiah 55:12

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us-Hebrews 12:1

There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it –1 Corinthians 10:13

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones. –Proverbs 3:5-8

DEAR GOD: Show Us Our Purpose & Love~

Christ's Amazing Love (Rewards Me) - YouTube

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful- Colossians 3:15 

As children of God, we are to reflect His light to those in darkness, and in so doing, we’re called to a higher purpose in fulfilling His commandments. By living as an example to those who might otherwise be “lost,” we’re walking the path in which we’re called. Saving even the “one sheep” is cause for a celebration, to which the angels sing and rejoice…but most especially, to our Father, who shall be well pleased with us.

Christ’ goodness inherently is in within those who believes.  He dwells in us.  Should we not then be compelled and honored at once to subsidize His love and purity from within?  His love is beyond the scope of all understanding, His pure love is a welcome balm to our very souls.

His love is the love that withstands all time and adheres to our souls and sustains us in all kinds of storms. He is the umbrella to the harsh elements, He is the Captain of our ship, He is the light shining in the darkness, He is the One that holds our hearts in His hands with a gentle kindness and sincerity that eclipses all else.

He is the one constant source in which we seek reinforcement on a daily basis that borders on redundancy…in a good way…it is fresh, and new, with each breath we take. With each day the formation of His love and Daily Bread transforms us to another level of understanding.  So, although a passage is well known, one never knows when it will “quicken” our spirit and bring forth a “new meaning” to absorb and share with others.

Breathe deep and aspire to His Word and His commandments. Follow Him, the Spotless Lamb of God as we go through our life here on earth. Each act of love is another solidification of our obedience, in which we strive together, in this race toward our inherent goals and promises spoken by our LORD- that is to say -eternal rewards!

“Blessed Father, King of the Universe, and Creator of all things, give us the ability, share Your insight and bring us to where we should be according to Your purpose, help us daily, and keep us from evil O’ Lord, in Jesus’ beautiful name, Amen…”

 

DEAR GOD” RSVP – LORD I ACCEPT YOUR INVITATION~

Devotion - The Faith of a Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15:21-28) - Lutheran ...

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:43 (NKJV)

 

God wants everyone to partake in the promise of Eternity. He specifically makes reference when He refers to the “Wedding Banquet.” Jesus often taught spiritual truths in the form of parables or stories. Some of the parables were explained by Jesus in the Bible; others were not. One Christ’s parables is the wedding feast found in Matthew 22.  

The groom at the wedding feast is Christ. An invitation is given to those to attend this wedding banquet. And those who attended were in wedding garments and attended gladly. And others ignored the invitation with all kinds of excuses. Those who accepted Christ were in attendance of the wedding banquet. They had on their wedding clothing and were prepared for the marriage.  Those who attended were going to be part of “eternal rewards” and at the Lamb’s table, the feast, the wedding.

Now everyone is surely invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb, the bad as well as the good. Sinners are all called to repentance, to salvation, and to eternal life by trusting in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In this parable, the king finds a man at his feast who is not wearing a wedding garment. The king asked why he wasn’t adorned in wedding attire, the man’s speechless and offers no reason as to why he wasn’t wearing the proper garments. In other words, “he had no excuse.”

Although we are ALL invited, only those who are fully clothed in the righteousness of Christ by faith in Jesus will be given entry and allowed into heaven and the marriage supper of the Lamb. Some may try to gain their way into heaven by other means, such as good works, but only the blood of Christ can cover our sines and wash us clean.

Our Father will not accept any excuse for rejecting His Son’s sacrifice. There is no plausible reason or viable excuse for rejecting His Son. Those who refuse to adhere and accept the LORD, as stated will be case into the outer darkness of hell, such as the “speechless” man in the parable.

Do you want to share in Eternal life in Heaven and be seated at the Lamb’s supper? If so, put on your wedding clothes and be ready, Amen!

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

“Father, my LORD, may I always have on my wedding attire as I wait and know Your promises of Eternal Life are forthcoming, until then, I live for You and Your Word, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”