Let It Rain!

"Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone." (Zechariah 10:1)

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Acts 2:17-21)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

God's Word Shall Not Return to Him Void

The Spirit of The LORD is Life and Power

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light." 

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." 

(Genesis 1:1-3; Genesis 2:7; See Chapters 1 and 2 in their entirety for the creation story, and Ezekiel 37:1-14 about the valley of dry bones.)

"You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth." (Psalm 104:30)

"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." (Isaiah 11:1-2)

"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" ' "

"The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you." (Zechariah 4:6 & 9)

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8; see also Acts Chapter 2, Isaiah 61:1-3; and Romans Chapter 8)

"When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:13-14; see also John 14:15-21)

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Inspiration For Our Daily Christian Walk

Keep your eyes on Jesus, lest you sink. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, the anchor of our souls, our safe haven.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Matthew 14:22-33; James 1:2-6; Hebrews 6:17-20; Hebrews 12:1-3; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 46

Related Devotion: Walk on Water

The captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ, has wrought a great work in the earth, in bringing many sons to glory. O, praise His holy name!

He who was made perfect through sufferings, is perfecting a glorious church. His joy has become ours; let the redeemed declare His high praises!

By Him all things were created, both visible and invisible. The Lord, He is God; from age to age the same. His kingdom is forever. 

Rejoice in the LORD, our eternal hope and stay.

Psalm 100
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." 

Hebrews 1:8-12
But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions."

And: 

"You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail."

Hebrews 2:1
"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

Colossians 1:3-4
"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints."

(See Colossians Chapter 1 in its entirety: about walking worthy of the Lord, bringing forth fruit, increasing in the knowledge of God, continuing in the faith, grounded and steadfast, not moved away from the hope of the gospel.)

Hebrews 2:9-13
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praises to You."

And again: "I will put My trust in Him." 

And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me."

Hebrews 12:2-3
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." 

Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." 

Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Christmas Blessings: A Savior Who Is Christ The Lord

All glory, honor, praise and thanks to God, for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and King! That which was promised, has been fulfilled.

Christ was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary, the betrothed wife of Joseph of the house and lineage of David. 

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:7-14)

Rejoice in His unfailing love; proclaim the good news of His salvation, from day to day. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

The Lord who ascended on high, to the right hand of God, is transforming our lives from glory to glory, by His Spirit. He shall come again, to receive His church to Himself, and we shall see Him face to face.

The Lord be magnified, the Lord be glorified, the Lord be exalted, in heaven above and the earth beneath. Amen.

A Merry Christmas to you and yours;
abide in His love!

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

The King of Glory Wants to Come In

The King of glory is standing and knocking at the doors of our hearts, and wants to come in. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

Jesus, the Son of God, born in a manger, died for our sins, and resurrected for our justification, is our light and our salvation—Manifested to destroy the works of the devil and reconcile us to God. 

In Jesus our LORD, we walk in newness of life. Once blind, now we can see. Bless His holy name!

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16)

Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:9-10)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Season Greetings: Everlasting Joy and Peace

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

A Bible Reading For Today

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Wednesday Blessings: Circumcision

A Prayer

Thank You Lord God, for removing
the stony heart and for a new heart of flesh.
For putting Your Spirit within us; for inclining
our hearts to You, to walk in Your statues, to keep Your
commandments, and Your judgments, and do them.

In Your holy name, I pray. 

Amen and Amen. 

See Also:

 Sanctification

Trust in The LORD with all your heart.

The Lord God Almighty Is The Only God

The Lord God Almighty, who made the heavens and the earth, is the only God. There is none beside Him or ever shall be. Praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created. He owns the breath of every living creature and all mankind. 

"Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world? If He should set His heart on it, if He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to the dust." (Job 34:13-15)

Idols are worthless. They are a poor substitute and cannot deliver any. In God alone, we must trust and rely on. No one or anything is His equal. The Lord of hosts is His name; worship Him in the beauty of His holiness.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings:

Exodus Chapter 20; 1 Samuel Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 and Isaiah Chapter 2

Inspiration For Our Daily Christian Walk

Related Bible Devotion:

Keeper and Preserver of Our Souls

A Prayer For Today

My Faithful Father, Savior and Friend, 

My soul rejoices, in You, who bids me come to Your throne of grace. I exalt You in praise and worship. You are my God and there is no other. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; keep me on the straight and narrow way, by day and by night. In Your holy, righteous name, I pray with thanksgiving. 

Amen and Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Heartstrings: His Banner of Love

In the Garden and Under the Shade of His Love

If you’ve ever taken a walk in a beautiful garden, you are in no haste to leave. You slowly pace your steps, as you take time to gaze in wonderment and touch the flowers. You might occasionally stoop to move some twigs out of the way.

As we walk in the light of God’s Word, He reveals the glories of His garden—His perfect will for our lives is manifested, as we grow in the grace and the knowledge of Him, who atoned for our sins and brought us into His glorious kingdom.

In the garden, we find our calm repose away from the cares of life. We cast our doubts and fears aside and believe on His name. Being formed in us, His sweet fragrance is diffused to the glory of His name.

In His presence, we have peace and liberty. Come, walk with the Lord, in the shade of His love. Come and know His unspeakable joy. His desire is to have fellowship, as He did in the beginning, before the fall. If you have never experienced His grace and forgiveness, His arms are opened wide. Whosoever will may come.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16 & 17)

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11)

Inspirational Thought

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

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