Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
Morning Glory

By Jenni Poling

July 5th, 2026

“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8

There are several varieties of morning glories to be found in Illinois, and they are prolific because they thrive in poor soil and bright light. Among my favorites are the ivy-leaved morning glory, whose bloom is a beautiful sky-blue color, and the bigroot morning glory, whose easily-recognized flower is large and white with a burgundy-colored throat. Other colors include violet, white, and vivid red. I have yet to see any of the red ones—but they’re on my “bucket list.”

From the name morning glory, one can correctly assume that it’s a morning-blooming flower, and most blooms fade by eleven o’clock. This blooming habit is common to many varieties of wildflowers, so if you truly want to see what’s blooming in your neighborhood, get out there early!



The object lesson is clear: In the spiritual realm, if you want to find a beautiful message from God, don’t delay! Start your day by seeking Him. In this way, you will find beautiful revelations of truth and strength for your day—and you’ll have all day to meditate on it.

There are other hidden benefits to this interesting plant. The bigroot morning glory (also known as the wild sweet potato) has an edible tuber. Having sampled many wild foods in the past, I was tempted to try this wild edible until I discovered that the taproot-like tuber can be four inches in diameter, weigh more than 60 pounds, and be buried several feet underground! The white star variety also produces edible tubers, but it is not common. Some may be surprised to learn that the cultivated sweet potato is in the morning glory family. In fact, the sweet potato is used widely in many different cuisines worldwide, from South America to the West Indies and even the Far East.

Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients, including carotenes and vitamins C and B6. In the southern states, the traditional way to serve sweet potato is mashed and topped with brown sugar, cinnamon, and marshmallows. (we won’t even talk about sweet potato pie!) But my new favorite way to prepare a sweet potato is the Maori way: roasted and served with sweet chili sauce and sour cream (I like to use a non-dairy version).

Like most things in God’s Creation, there are many more things we can learn—if we “dig a little deeper.” When we take the time to study the things of God a little more intentionally, we find fresh revelations about Him. And we’re sure to find sweet nuggets of truth as we heed the instruction found in Psalm 34:8: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”

Today's #photo: the stunning yellow of spring mountain #wildflowers: https://wp.me/p2ccTX-2Sd #nature #canada #NotAI #photography
(Click/tap the link or picture to see the entire VERTICAL scene.)

The Bibles Sabbath # 4
Please, share these lessons with your family, friends, and Facebook groups. To enhance the Kingdom of GOD.

How Celebrating the Sabbath Can Strengthen Your Family Relationships

What Day do You Go to Church? The Hope Channel Helped This Couple Find the Right Day

Did you know that keeping the Sabbath can help make your family stronger?

After all, it’s a time set aside by God to enjoy all that He created—from the air we breathe to the people we come in contact with each day.

By stepping away from work, school, and all the other obligations and stressors of the week, we can enter into rest and communion with God. This allows us to better connect with those around us as well.

Let’s look at exactly how Sabbath can provide the focused, quality time to build up your relationships with those you love.

Review: Why was the Sabbath created?

How is the Sabbath beneficial to families?

What did families in the Bible do to grow spiritually?

Ideas for celebrating the Sabbath with our families (and friends)

First, let’s look back at why the Sabbath was created and how it’s perfect for uniting families as they focus on God.

WHY WAS THE SABBATH CREATED?

The Sabbath was created as a gift on the seventh day of Creation (Genesis 2:1-3). God had our well-being in mind during the first creation week. He knew how much we’d need time set apart to refresh our weary hearts and remember how much He loves us.

He also knew the importance of taking a moment to revel in the goodness of His creation. And in the beautiful relationships that are part of it.

The word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word shabbat, which means to stop or pause for the purpose of rest.

At the first shabbat, right after creating the world, God stopped His work and rested on the seventh day, enjoying what He just made, as an example to us.

After a long day’s work, we’re worn out. We need physical rest from our labor. The blessing of the Sabbath restores us physically, spiritually, and emotionally:

We are able to physically rest on the Sabbath

We are able to reconnect with God by reading His word and being in His presence

Through these things, we are able to strengthen our family relationships and help fulfill one another’s emotional needs.

So let’s look more closely at exactly how the Sabbath helps us enrich our relationships, especially with our families.

HOW IS THE SABBATH BENEFICIAL TO FAMILIES?

True rest is more beneficial than we might realize. Taking time to hit pause allows us time to focus on what is truly important in life.

During the week, we tend to forget to prioritize our relationships as we get caught up in deadlines, work projects, home projects, etc.

The Sabbath helps us realign our priorities.

God knew that prearranged, set-aside time is highly beneficial for keeping relational bonds strong. Relationships need nurture. Or they can wither over time.

So it’s no surprise that families who spend more time together are stronger and happier.

In fact, time and proximity alone can be enough to spark new friendships. Consistently being in the presence of someone helps us bond in ways we aren’t even aware of, or can’t always put into words.

And each Sabbath, this can happen regularly between us and God, and between us and our loved ones.

To help us understand what this looks like, let’s see what we can find in Scripture.

WHAT DID FAMILIES IN THE BIBLE DO TO GROW SPIRITUALLY?

It’s God’s design for families to worship and pray together. We see in the book of Deuteronomy that prayer, worship, and knowledge in the Lord were encouraged to be part of an everyday regimen:

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV)

For God’s people, faith is a part of their everyday lives. Parents are to teach their children the Scriptures and the commandments of God, including the Sabbath.

Writing to Timothy, Paul says:

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14, 15 (ESV)

Timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him to be a faithful follower of Christ. What a wonderful legacy to pass down to future generations.

We can learn so much from the faithful people in the Bible. We can also use the example of Jesus to learn ways to keep the Sabbath as a family.

In the Bible, Jesus:

Rested by communing with God and others (Matthew 27:58-60)

Healed the sick (Mark 3:1; John 5:2; John 9; Luke 13)

Taught people about the love of God (Matthew 12:19; Mark 1:21; Mark 6:2)

Spent quality time with/shared meals with loved ones (Matthew 12; Luke 14:1)

We can use these activities as starting points for other ideas. Participating in things that align with Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath can restore our family relationships and bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.

IDEAS TO CELEBRATE SABBATH WITH YOUR FAMILY

Keeping the Sabbath is really about spending your time focusing on those things in life that really matter. Try planning activities on the Sabbath that can bring you closer to God and your family.

Creating family traditions for the Sabbath can help make the day something to enjoy and look forward to. It can also create stronger bonds between us and God.

Some of these traditions can revolve around:

Preparing for the Sabbath

Beginning the Sabbath

Enjoying Sabbath meals

Spending quality time with God, each other, and fellow believers

Let’s explore each of these in detail to help us find ways to strengthen our families.

#1 Preparing for the Sabbath

Sabbath preparation will help you:

Anticipate the Sabbath and feel more rested

Bond through working together on shared tasks

First of all, observing the Sabbath is so much easier when you don’t have to worry about things like:

What you will all eat

If the house is clean

If you have the things on hand you’ll need for the weekend

Preparing your home for the Sabbath is the first step in making sure you’re able to truly rest. It’s easy to still feel stressed if your environment is still messy or full of half-done projects.

Secondly, participating in preparation activities is a great way to spend quality time together. Doing cooperative tasks ensures that everyone plays a part in making Sabbath special.

Here are some ways you can work together to prepare before Sabbath day so that it can be as restful as possible:

Cleaning the house

Filling the gas tanks in your vehicles

Grocery shopping

Planning your Sabbath menu

Preparing food ahead of time

Choosing what you’ll wear to church

Shopping for items you need for the weekend

Switch things up each week, too, if you feel like that might help. For example, one week, the children of the household can plan the menu and help with grocery shopping, and on another week they can help with preparing the house.

Or, each week your family can decide on a certain part of the house to add some Sabbath decoration to, like Sabbath candles, a framed Bible verse, a special table setting, or a reminder of God’s creation, like a bouquet of wildflowers that you picked together.

These are just some examples of how Sabbath preparation can involve all members of the family. When we work together, we nourish our relationships and look forward to the restfulness of the end result: the Sabbath.

When it comes to your family, you know each other best. You might come up with all kinds of things you’ll look forward to doing (or not doing!) each week as you prepare for Sabbath.

#2 Beginning the Sabbath

Each member can play a part in greeting the Sabbath each Friday evening and making it special.

For some ideas on how to do that, a few Jewish traditions for Sabbath observance can give us a fun starting point with a biblical basis.

Since the Sabbath begins at sundown, some people light “Sabbath candles,” and a member of the family chooses a passage to read from the Bible.

You can make this specific to your family by letting each member share their favorite Bible verse or singing a praise song together.

Also, instead of greeting people with a “hello” like every other day of the week, try greeting each other with “Happy Sabbath!”

#3 Enjoying Sabbath Meals

One of the best ways to bond with people is over food, right? So it would only make sense to make Sabbath meals a special time to enjoy together.

A special meal on Friday night and Saturday afternoon is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy your favorite things while you celebrate the Sabbath.

To make it even more special, you can make your own food traditions to become part of your Sabbath celebration.

Maybe Friday night you always serve soup with Jewish Challah bread.

Or perhaps you make your favorite homemade pizza. Or make fresh lemonade.

Of course, you don’t have to have the same kind of food each week for Sabbath. It’s really all about making the day meaningful for your family and spending time together. Match your traditions to what your family enjoys.

(But a word of caution: Be careful not to let the traditions become more important than the fellowship—or your health! If, over time, some things become stressful or tiresome to maintain, or if they just lose some of their original excitement, remember that the priority is restful, bonding, God-focused time. No need to put too much pressure on yourself or your family.)

#4 SPECIAL SABBATH ACTIVITIES

Setting aside special activities to reserve for Sabbath can help you spend time with God, serve others, and spend meaningful time with your family.

To start, ask your family what activities they think would be fun to do on Sabbath. (These could possibly become the Sabbath traditions or rituals you grow to enjoy and remember.) Even brainstorming these traditions together can be an activity in and of itself!

For instance: Perhaps your family would like to wake up early on Sabbath morning for breakfast together or for a nature walk.

Or, maybe you pre-make a delicious breakfast together the day before, so you can all sleep in!

Or maybe you decide to volunteer somewhere together, like a soup kitchen, a nursing home, a children’s home, a community service center, etc.

Get creative and work together to plan for making Sabbath special each week.

But always remember that Sabbath’s real blessing is about enjoying God’s creation and spending time with those He gave us in our families.

Sabbath does not have to become all about how creative of an activity can you come up with, or how many things you can do that are uniquely for the Sabbath, etc.

This special day is also made to restore our souls. Some weeks, you may not feel like doing anything!

And that might be just what you and your family need. Some Sabbaths can be celebrated by embracing shabbat, by stopping everything else and just relaxing together, enjoying one another’s company, thanking God for this opportunity.

92 SABBATH ACTIVITY IDEAS FAMILIES CAN DO TOGETHER

Enjoy Friday night worship with family and friends

Ask for prayer requests and pray together

Take a hike or spend time in nature

Play a Bible Trivia game

Visit a neighbor or church member.

Study the Bible together

Draw or illustrate Bible stories

Do crafts to illustrate Bible characters or stories

Play musical instruments together

Read a Sabbath book out loud

Listen to a Sabbath podcast

Listen to Your Story Hour stories on CD or online

Visit online sites to answer spiritual questions people have

Invite a less fortunate family over to visit

Learn new praise songs

Write a song

Use Bible-based conversation starters to connect with one another

Draw discussion topics from a hat and talk about them

Brings treats to your neighbor and fellowship together

Take food to a homeless shelter or volunteer to help

Visit a nursing home

Invite friends to the park for a campfire and songs

Hold a Bible story time in the park

Give a Bible study to a new believer

Write and share your personal testimony

Share Bible tracts with people in town

Visit widows or shut-ins who belong to your church

Create a Bible scene with felts

Play Bible charades

Look through old family photo albums

Color in a pretty nature-themed coloring book

Create “Top Ten” lists: Bible stories, sea animals, pets, etc.

Go on a nature scavenger hunt

Visit with relatives

Go on a walk

Dress in costume and do a Bible skit

Video chat with friends or family who live far away

Write letters to missionaries and pray for them

Go camping with your family or church group

Put a nature puzzle together

Do a topical Bible study

Study trees and learn how to identify them

Offer to babysit children for a single parent

Read the words to a hymn and discuss the meaning

Sing songs around the piano

Listen to Christian music

Have a special Sabbath box of toys and activities for the children

Do Bible crossword puzzles

Play a Bible board game

Pray outside together

Read miracle stories

Pray for the family you plan to visit next week

Quietly watch the sun as it sets on Saturday evening

Call someone who wasn’t at church and let them know they were missed

Share one thing you love about each other

Visit prison inmates or start a prison ministry

Visit an orphanage

Talk about what heaven might be like together

Study the Sabbath school lesson

Think of questions you’d like to ask Jesus

Take a cd copy of the sermon to someone who missed church

Have family worship outside

Write a letter to Jesus or color a picture for Jesus

Learn a memory verse

Invite someone to your home who can’t return the favor

Make a gratitude list

Pick someone up for church who doesn’t have a ride

Take church magazines or literature to a neighbor or friend who would appreciate them

Write down your prayer requests and answers to prayers

Take your dog for a long walk or to the park

Take a meal to a shut-in or a family with a new baby

Turn off the lights on Friday night and use candles instead

Memorize Scripture songs

Visit a national forest

Invite someone to attend church with your family

Interview the oldest member of your church

Make handmade cards to send to someone who is sick

Make a shoebox diorama of your favorite Bible story

Spread a blanket in the grass and find pictures in the clouds

Have an “object lesson:” Each person picks an object and shares a lesson from the Bible using that object

Talk about how to honor and respect God’s house

Write a parable in your own words

Write a letter to a Bible character

Discuss the highlights of the pastor’s sermon over supper

Take a bike ride together

Plan a random act of kindness

Find gospel quotes to share on social media

Write in a family journal

Pick flowers and take them to a friend or neighbor

Talk about family values and what they mean to you

Write a thank you note to someone who was kind to you this week

Attend your local church

When you put in effort toward celebrating the Sabbath as a family, you can find yourselves blessed in countless ways. The Bible even tells us that God wants us to find the Sabbath “a delight” (Isaiah 58:13).

Today's #photo: #spring beauty on a cold prairie dawn: https://wp.me/p2ccTX-2Rt #wildflowers #NotAI #canada #nature #photography
(Click/tap the link or picture to see the entire VERTICAL scene.)

Popular Bible Quotations Day 104 April 14
From HNIV Rainbow SB
Isaiah 40:8 NAB Catholic Student Revised Edition 1986 The grass withers, the flower wilts, but the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8 NIV God's Justice Zondervan 2016 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."
Isaiah 40:8 ESV Lutheran SB Concordia Pub 2009 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8 ANT Holy Scriptures Tanakh New JPS 1985 Grass withers, flowers fade--But the word of our God is always fulfilled!"
Isaiah 40:8 NNKJV Foundation SB 2015 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8 Message Naypress 2004 The grass withers, the wildflowers fade, if GOD so much as puffs on them. Aren't these people just so much grass? True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God's Word stands firm and forever."

Psalms 103:8-19 (MSG)
God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said.
God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King!

THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
Roadside Reminders.

By Bobby Davis January 22nd, 2026

“Consider how the wild flowers grow.” Luke 12:27

There they were, again. The green of spring had faded into a hazy, golden summer morning, and as I drove to work, I was suddenly dazzled by their glorious, soft color. The early sun had coaxed them to burst open, and as I rounded each corner, they seemed to form a soft blue guardrail on my side of the highway.

I marveled at their bright petals, contrasted by the intense golden rays of the morning, and thought, Thank you, God. Thank you for this beautiful little plant.

Blessed with a curious mind, I couldn’t rest until I found out what those flowers were. I also kept wondering why I never saw them on my way home. I asked around at work, but no one knew what I was talking about—until I asked the right person. Jenni had spent many years working with the Pathfinder youth organization (a Christian version of the Scouts). “Oh, that’s chicory!” she exclaimed. “I love seeing them each morning on my way to work, too.”

What beauty God packs into every flower. Jesus said, “I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” He was talking of our propensity to vanity, of course, but this extraordinary little flower had even more lessons for me.​

Did you know that each blue chicory flower blooms for just a few hours? They open in the early morning sunlight, and close forever as soon as the sun rises high in the sky. So accurate was their timing, that the 18th century botanist, Carl Linnaeus, used them as a “floral clock,” noting they consistently opened at 5:00 a.m. and closed at 10:00 a.m. in his part of the world.

God designed chicory flowers to unfurl their delicate petals and follow the sun for just a few hours; and each day, countless new buds obediently follow their Creator’s wishes.​

I remember reading Matthew 6 in The Message, a Bible paraphrase, some years ago. It said, “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?” Think of the uncounted numbers of flowers that bloom every day that are only seen by the eyes of God!

What marvelous, lavish attention to detail—and the fact that these gorgeous chicory flowers thrive in the poorest soil at the edge of the road is not lost on me! How faithfully they fulfill the purpose given them by their Creator, as they preach their joyful sermon to each traveler blessed enough to notice them.

Lord, may I be content to blossom in my corner; and may my life bear witness to Your love, Your power, and Your way of life. May I do Your will always!

Mystical Gardens Tale

The Woman Who Tried to Teach God

There was a woman who prayed every single day. She kept careful lists in a small, worn notebook. Names of people who were hurting. Problems that needed fixing.
Situations that clearly required immediate attention.

Her prayers were long, sincere, and very organized. She watched. She waited. When nothing happened, she began not only telling God what was wrong — she also told Him exactly how to fix it.

She explained what He should change first, who should apologize, who should understand, who should suffer less, who should be corrected, and what outcome would finally make everything right.

And yet… Nothing seemed to happen. Days passed. Then weeks. Then months. People were still broken. Situations were still tangled. Her lists only grew longer.

“I have waited so long for you to do something. I have even given You my best advice,” she finally prayed one evening. “I can see what needs to be done. Why won’t You listen?”

Her heart grew heavy with disappointment.
One afternoon, tired of her own thoughts, she went for a walk and wandered into a quiet garden she had never noticed before. Wildflowers leaned toward stone paths, and sunlight filtered gently through the leaves. In the center stood an ancient tree — wide, rooted, and peaceful, as if it had watched centuries pass without hurry.

She went to the tree and sat beneath it. She was frustrated and tired. Not knowing anything else she could do, she leaned against the tree and sighed. She told the tree everything.

She spoke of unanswered prayers. Of frustration. Of how clearly she could see the solutions. Of how God simply refused to follow them. “I try so hard to help,” she whispered. “But He won’t listen.”

The tree was silent for a long moment. Then, in a voice as calm as falling leaves, it spoke. “God loves when you bring Him your worries,” the tree said. “He delights when you pray for others. He does not ask for instructions. He knows what is happening.”

The woman froze. The tree continued.

“He sees what you cannot see. He knows what you do not know. He understands every heart involved — not just the ones you are watching.”

“But I can see what needs done,” she protested softly.

“Yes, I believe you can see a need." said the tree. "But He sees all the needs.” The leaves rustled gently above her.

“Sometimes,” the tree said, “God does not change the situation right away because first He changes the people involved. And sometimes… He begins with you.”

The woman’s throat tightened.

“You cannot change God,” the tree continued kindly. “But you can learn to trust Him and listen to Him. And when you do, He will begin changing you in ways that will allow you to help others more gently, more wisely, and more lovingly.”

She felt warmer somehow. The tree finished softly: “Prayer is not about teaching God what to do. It is about learning how to walk with Him while He does it.”

The woman closed her notebook. For the first time, she didn’t add anything or make a new list. Instead, she whispered a different kind of prayer: “Father, teach me how to listen.”

The garden was pleased and quietly held her while she learned how to surrender her will and trust God to do what needs done. How to allow Him to do it in His way, in His time. She finally understood what the scriptures meant.

"Trust in the Lord with all of 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

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord." Isaiah 55:8

#MysticalGardens #ChristianFiction #christianfantasy #christianwriter #stacyfrantz

Whispers of Autumn

This evocative artwork captures the serene transition of seasons, portraying a landscape drenched in the warm hues of autumn. The foreground is alive with splashes of vibrant yellow, from wildflowers or foliage, symbolizing both the beauty and fragility of nature. These wildflowers draw the eye, contrasting beautifully against the backdrop of a dusky sky that hints at an impending change.

The large tree stands as a sentinel in the scene, its branches reaching outward, echoing the themes of resilience and solitude. The detailed texture of the leaves reflects the process of change, as the golden tones suggest a moment just before dusk, when the world is bathed in a soft, ethereal light. The landscape appears slightly hazy, invoking a sense of nostalgia and tranquility, reminiscent of a quiet evening where the hustle of life fades into the background.

The winding road in the middle ground symbolizes a journey or transition, reinforcing the theme of movement through time and nature. Overall, "Whispers of Autumn" invites viewers to reflect on the beauty of change and the inevitable passage of time, while also reminding us of nature’s resilience and quiet strength amidst shifting seasons.

Copyrights have been embedded in art work.

The product is available in both animated mp4 and fixed jpg format, delivered on a 2GB USB flash drive, commonly referred to as a thumb drive. It is intended for use in any project of your choosing, excluding resale purposes.

$25 plus shipping of $5.95 - total $30.95

Payment can be made through my PayPal account using most any credit card.

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What if we lived like wildflowers - rooted in faith, drinking in light, and spreading color wherever we grow?

Visit our website: www.toknowhiscreation.org

#ToKnowHisCreation #GodsLove #GodsPurpose #BloomBoldly #WildflowerWay #FaithLikeFlowers #EternalLife #EternityInHeaven #GodsCreation #SpreadingHisWord