An Unexpected Bloom
Sarah Freymuth
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a...
“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 145:8 (ESV)
God, You will save me. You are faithful even when the enemy has set out traps in secret to snare me and pull me off of Your best path. Satan will often take what is good and twist it into a hidden snare. Help me see these kinds of traps, recognizing what seem like good things that actually have the enemy’s plans behind them. If I pursue good desires in the wrong way or in the wrong timing, without staying in step with You, the enemy will trap me. Forgive me for the times I’ve allowed this to happen. The enemy’s plans are to steal, kill, and destroy, but Lord, give me a keen awareness of the enemy’s schemes and the strength to resist his traps (John 10:10). Give me a pure desire for only Your best. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping …” Mark 4:37-38 (NLT)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind …” Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33 (CSB)
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2 (NIV)
Dear Jesus, I believe You see things I cannot see. So give me the courage to press into You even when I’m struggling to believe good can come from a situation I’m facing. I know You are always doing more behind the scenes, and I trust You with all my heart. Today, help me see all the beauty You’ve placed in my life even in unexpected and unlikely places. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a...
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 (NIV)
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9b (CSB)