Author: Vanessa Taylor

“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. “Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], For the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of… Continue reading Stay Steadfast

“All who are oppressed may come to Yahweh as a high shelter in the time of trouble, a perfect hiding place. For everyone who knows your wonderful name keeps putting their trust in you. They can count on you for help no matter what. O Lord, you will never, no never, neglect those who come… Continue reading True Trust

And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually… Continue reading Pure + Blameless

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.  Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then… Continue reading Revealing Love

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to… Continue reading The Minor Role

”And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and this [faith] was credited to him [by God] as righteousness and as conformity to His will,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone [that is, by acts of… Continue reading By Faith, I will

”Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through the things God has made. So humans are without excuse.“ ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭CEB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/37/rom.1.20.CEB REFLECTION  Earlier today I paused in a pretty park – a haven in a hectic city – to… Continue reading Glorious Generosity

“Who is this one? She arises out of her desert, clinging to her beloved. When I awakened you under the apple tree, as you were feasting upon me, I awakened your innermost being with the travail of birth as you longed for more of me. Fasten me upon your heart as a seal of fire… Continue reading Lit Love

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV) REFLECTION  This passage reminds me to find my joy and… Continue reading Purposeful Perseverance

Love bears all things [regardless of what comes]…(1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP) REFLECTION  While prayerfully pondering this verse, I was prompted to dive deeper and prayerfully explore commentaries about it, and I found the following excerpt from bibleref.com which resonated and rings true:  “Love bears all things. Love doesn’t say, “this far and no further.” Love is… Continue reading Love Bears All Things