Finding God in the Garden

March 30, 2017

When springtime rolls around, it’s hard for me not to write about my favorite season. Visions of pink and blue hydrangeas, white gardenias, yellow daylilies, coral heuchera, and purple petunias dance in my head. Every year I save up for colorful replacements or new varieties.

There are some things about this time of year, however, that can destroy its beauty–if I let it.

You guessed it: weeds. You can tell by this picture in my backyard garden that some flowers are blooming. But most of those green shoots covering the ground and invading the good plants? Weeds! Unfortunately, just like most of the plants in my gardens, those weeds are perennial.

The sun may eventually kill the shallow ones, though my garden is mostly shady. And mulch will cover up some of the green invaders. But only for a while. Others will soon take their place. If I let them grow wild and don’t pull them out as soon as they pop up, they will soon choke out the beauty and the fragrance of my garden.

Finding God in the Garden

That’s true of my spiritual garden as well. Think about these areas of life and the power of weeds left untended: Read more

One Place You Will Always Belong

October 6, 2016

“My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23

Everyone wants–and needs–a place to belong. We all like to fit in.

Too many try too hard–and in all the wrong places.

But you already have a place in God the Father’s heart.

There, you will always find acceptance as His child.

There, you’ll have access to all the rooms.

There, you’ll find fellowship with Him daily.

If you’ve said yes to His invitation, to follow Jesus with all your heart, you are a part of the family of God!

Where else can you find a safe refuge and a place to be yourself?

Where else can you rest your cares and worries?

Where else can you enjoy a life of purpose and joy?

Jesus paid the price with His own death so you could have forgiveness, acceptance, and unconditional love.

There’s one place you’ll always belong.

You’re always at home in the Father’s heart.

-Rebecca Barlow Jordan

It’s Your Turn

What about you? Have you found that place you will always belong? Are you at home in the Father’s heart? If not, why not trust Him today? Share your comments below. Your words might encourage someone today!

* I’ll announce the winner of our Guideposts Mornings with Jesus Daily Bible next week. Stay tuned for more book/drawing giveaways in the future. Thanks to all of you who entered and left comments!

Our Policy

You won’t be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you leave a comment. Feel free to email this Christian blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it below or on my Facebook networked blog. And you can now also follow me on Pinterest.

If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And I’d love for you to sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of my website page/sidebar if you’ve not already done so. That way, I can drop this encouraging blog into your e-mail box weekly, as well as notify you occasionally of any new updates, new books, specials, contests or book giveaways.

Now when you sign up, you will automatically receive a download of “20 Day-votional Truths To Live By,” some of my original quotes to inspire you. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

A Bedtime Prayer to God

September 8, 2016

From sunrise to sunset, let the Lord’s name be praised! Psalm 113:3 CEB

Begin and End the Day with God

Ending the day with God is just as important as when you begin. Another day is ending, and maybe you’re you looking for a way to give your dreams to God, forgive the wrongs of the day, or ask the Spirit to speak to you in your sleep. If you’re unsure what to say as you face another night alone or a challenging tomorrow, you might like to pray along with this bedtime prayer and make Him the Lord of your nights!

 

Thanks for Your Faithfulness

Heavenly Father, my day is drawing to an end, and I’m ready to turn in. But before I do, I have to thank you for your faithfulness today. It’s always a good day, even when things may not go the way I plan, or when the world seems in chaos, because you are in control.

 

Thanks for Your Unseen Presence

For all the times when I was aware of your help today, all the times when your unseen presence seemed so near, thank you, God. But for all the ways you worked behind the scenes, unknown to me, moments when heaven-sent angels moved on my behalf in ways I’ll never know, thank you for those also, Lord.

 

Thanks for Your Love and Forgiveness

Forgive me for any foolish actions on my part today or things I did without first asking your blessing or wisdom. Those are moments I’d rather forget, but I’m so grateful for your forgiveness when I ask. I never want to go to bed without clearing the air between us, Lord. Our friendship means too much, and your holiness deserves that. Thank you for loving me just as I am. Your love compels me to give you my all and fills my heart with praise for the relationship we share because of Jesus.

You can read the rest of this prayer where it first appeared on crosswalk.

Today’s blog is a another in my series on Prayer. And if you’d also like to read a prayer to help you start the day, you can find one I wrote on crosswalk as well.  Read more

One Thing You Can Do to Heal Your Country

June 30, 2016

Everyone has an opinion today on what their country needs and what it will take to help heal it–especially when division occurs or election time rolls around. There are many things you can do to help, but none are more important than the one I’ll tell you about today. If you really love your country, here is the most important thing you can do to help heal it: Read more

What God’s Love Does for Us

June 23, 2016

The power of God’s love is unchangeable, unstoppable, and indescribable. Some may use another attribute for God, but the truth lies in His Word–and in His character.

What God’s Love Does for Us

 

The best way I can describe what God’s love does for us is to share what He says in His Word. Here are only a few of those: Read more

Bible Promise for Today: Enduring Love

April 5, 2016

Is there such a thing as enduring love–the kind that lasts forever? In a world filled with break-ups and break downs, who can count on real love anymore? Read more

Palm Sunday

March 19, 2016

This story–Jesus’ story–never grows old. He is still what Easter is all about. I’ve begun a tradition each year of posting this short Easter meditation about Palm Sunday that I wrote several years ago and wanted to share it with you again. I pray it blesses and encourages you as you begin this Easter season of celebration.

Palm Sunday

by

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

They did not see Him coming. Not Him. They saw a hope re-kindled, an end to their injustice, an easier path to follow.

They waved their palm offerings, laid down their finest clothes, but they saw only a temporary king, not a Suffering Servant. Read more

A Prayer for Our Leaders and Our Country

February 16, 2016

Does our vote really matter? Can we–or prayer–help turn the tide of our nation? How do we pray for our country and its leaders, current and future? And for whom do we vote?  Read more

A Valentine Prayer Letter to My Spouse

February 10, 2016

Candy, Flowers, Perfume—these Valentine’s Day gifts still make up the largest portion of the Valentine commercial industry. And there’s nothing wrong with those. But what if you and your spouse could give each other a special gift this Valentine’s Day–one that would last all year?

Do you pray for your spouse? What better time than Valentine’s Day to let your spouse know that you are praying for him/her and what you are praying. It could be one of the best Valentine gifts you could ever offer. Make your prayer letter personal, but here are some suggestions of how you might pray for your husband or for your wife: Read more

What Kind of Women Is God Waiting For?

January 19, 2016

*© 2009 Rebecca Barlow Jordan, Day-votions® for Women (Zondervan)

God is waiting for women whose hearts are sold out to Him. Will you be one of those women? Read more

Next Page »