Shoshana's Garden

Simple is always good. Today’s verse is just that… Psalm 113:3 From sunrise until sunset Adonai’s name is to be praised. (CJB) Give HIM PRAISE ALL the time. From the time you wake up until your eyes close. The more we can praise Him, the more our eyes are off the focus on things around us. We won’t worry or think about the issues that plague us. Praising Him helps us focus vertically instead of horizontally. This verse says from sunrise… as I go to bed tonight I believe my ne

Peace. We all long for it. It is something so many people would like to find. John 14:27 “What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened. (CJB) Jesus makes it clear that HE brings peace. What does it mean when He says, “I don’t give the way the world gives?” The world desires peace externally. The world wants no wars. The world wants no conflict. The world wants everyone to “l

Love. It’s a word that is thrown around so easily today. We don’t always know how to love each other. So this verse gives us a clue… I Peter 4:8 More than anything, keep loving each other actively; because love covers many sins. (CJB) The word “actively” is interesting. What does it mean to love each other “actively?” Personally, I believe that it means we must THINK about what we do. We must remember that those around us all have situations. We must be proactive to respond t

Today is Father’s Day and so I chose to find a verse about fathers. Psalm 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, Adonai has compassion on those who fear him. (CJB) As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. (ESV) Claim the FACT that you have a FATHER who loves YOU. Look UP. HE is your Redeemer. I had a great father growing up. He loved me. He took care of my needs. So many people today do not have a fathe

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (NIV) For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” (ESV) For I have satisfied the weary and filled the needs of all in distress.” (CJB) (it is verse 24 in this translation) Shabbat has arrived again. This verse, in different translations, brings REST to my soul because it clearly state that HE will: SATISFY my soul REFRESH the weary REPLENISH every languishing soul FILL the needs of ALL in di

Life happens. It happened to Job. I think most of us know his story. We know some of his reaction, but this particular verse brings clarity to how he really trusted God. Job 19:25 “But I know that my Redeemer lives, that in the end he will rise on the dust; (CJB) I knew the first line as a hymn we sung often in church growing up. What I did not realize as I was singing it was, this line is in the OLD TESTAMENT! The person who said this was someone who did not even know his “M

The book of Psalms always brings a meditative spirit to me. There are so many words that David wrote that bring hope and comfort. Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, Adonai, consider my inmost thoughts. Listen to my cry for help, my king and my God, for I pray to you. Adonai, in the morning you will hear my voice; in the morning I lay my needs before you and wait expectantly. (CJB) This is a Psalm that was sung because it says it was done, “on wind instrument.” One can imagine

A special verse filled with more promises! I love how the Word is filled with so many gems of Truth. Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches and the wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments! How unsearchable are his ways! (CJB) The Passion Translation says it this way (with lots of passion…) Who could ever wrap their minds around the riches of God, the depth of his wisdom, and the marvel of his perfect knowledge? Who could ever explain the wonder of his d

Today is a NEW day. A day filled with NEW things. Sometimes that means returning… 2 Chronicles 30:9b …he will not turn his face away from you if you return to him.” (CJB) Reflecting on happenings around us and spending time with friends the other day, the word, "return" kept coming up. Sometimes in order for something new we must, “return.” The children of Israel were once again disobedient. They had walked away from God’s heart and intentions. I love all of verse 9, but the