Inspiration For Our Daily Christian Walk

Perfecting a Glorious Church Without Spot, Wrinkle or Blemish

The Lord God, whose ways are perfect, is coming for a holy church without spot, wrinkle or blemish. Saved by and kept by His amazing grace, He continues to transform our lives, for His glory and praise!

"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

"It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words." Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the Lord. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!" (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands." (Psalm 138:8)

"But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10)

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." (Philippians 3:7-12)

"For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." (Romans 6:10-14)

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

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."(1 Peter 2:4 and 5)

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."
(1 Peter 2:9 and 10)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

"That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Children of God, Heirs of His Righteousness

Through faith in Christ Jesus, we become children of God—Born again, not of the sinful nature and its seed, but the incorruptible nature of God. Justified by faith and deemed righteous in His sight.

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (John 1:11 and 12)

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:19-21)

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:1-3) 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

"Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23) See also 1 Peter 2:9 and 10.

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:16,17)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Matthew 5:6; Matthew 6:33; John 3:1-21; Ephesians 2 in its entirety; Philippians 1:9; Hebrews 11 in its entirety; Romans Chapters 4 and 5 in their entirety; First Epistle of Peter Chapter 1:22-25

Good Friday Reflections

All thanks and praise be to eternal God, for His love, mercy and grace. For the sacrifice for sins, through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord. For the promised Holy Spirit given—our Comforter, Teacher and Guide. Amen.

Do you know Him today? Come as you are; His arms are open wide.

Believe on Him whom God raised from the dead, and be saved.

New Testament Bible Readings

The Gospel According to John | Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21

+ + +

Draw Near to God, Behold His Majesty!

Take delight in the Lord, seek His face forevermore. "The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth forever." (Psalm 111:2 & 3) 

A Prayer:

Give us a hunger and a thirst to do Your will, Lord God; to seek Your face forevermore. All Your works are done in truth; righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. You are all wise and powerful, and we worship none but You. Instruct our hearts to do that which is good and pleasing in Your sight. Let Your ways be known upon the earth. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Devotion: Bloom Where You Are Planted

Good morning and Happy Thursday, Faith Community! Bloom where you are planted...the Lord be glorified!

Related Bible Reading: Isaiah 61; Ephesians 2

A Prayer:

Thank You gracious God for saving our souls and giving us new life; for drawing us with Your love and mercy; for liberating us from the powers of darkness; for forgiveness, healing and restoration; for Your Holy Spirit who is our Comforter; for Your joy unspeakable; for the garment of praise; for Your righteousness in Christ Jesus; for all that You are doing in our lives, so that we may bring glory to Your name. 

Be glorified forever. Amen!

Everyday Prayers Online

Creation Testifies

Good morning and Happy Wednesday! Thanks and glory be to God who has revealed His invisible attributes in creation, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." (Psalm 19:1-4)

Having this understanding, the Psalmist David was inspired to desire God's perfect law, His sure testimony, His right statutes, His pure commandments, His clean fear, His true and righteous judgments. He reckoned they were more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 

He wrote, "Moreover, by them Your servant is warned and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand His errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." 

And centuries later, the Apostle Paul would write, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."" "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."

A Prayer:

Thank You Lord for who You are! You are God! Make us more and more like Jesus, as we submit ourselves to You. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Related Reading: 

Psalm 19

Romans 1:16-32

Evening Meditation

A Word of Hope & Encouragement From God To His People

Sign up for letters of hope and encouragement:

Righteousness and Praise

Words of Comfort

His Glory Fills the Earth!

Just a few days ago, the nation celebrated its Independence with festivities and fireworks. The latter lighting up the sky in a kaleidoscope of awesome color and design. The crowds cheered and everyone was filled with a sense of awe and wonder.

Our merciful God in heaven is about filling the earth with His glory and what a glory it is! It cannot be packaged or sold. He desires for His ways to be known on earth and His faithfulness to all generations. In the midst of our everyday existence, he wants to be ruler of our hearts. He wants us to settle our minds on Him and trust in His awesome name! - He is I AM. His glorious power is changing us from glory to glory and He is able to deliver.

Our God is an awesome God! His lightnings light up the world and causes the earth to bud and to flourish. "For as the earth brings forth its bud, and the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations." (Isaiah 61:11) 

God bless you and cause you to grow in the knowledge of Him. Knowing Him is eternal life.

Lord God, let Your kingdom come, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions