We have made it to Thankful Thursday! “Hallelujah! O my soul, praise God! All my life long I’ll praise God, singing songs to my God as long as I live.” Psalm‬ ‭146:1-2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

According to the Dictionary Hallelujah means; God be praised (uttered in worship or as an expression of rejoicing). According to the Wikipedia it means; an interjection used as an expression of gratitude and adoration.

I love “uttered in worship”. Our uttered sound is music to God’s ears. I have a new favorite worship song that I wanted to share, Hallelujah by Brandon Lake. The chorus sings;

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah

I love the simplicity here, yet the magnitude of this word. “Nothing else fit for a king” but a Hallelujah! When I saw this tree last week, I saw a strong wooden cross. I was reminded that “God’s in charge—always. Zion’s God is God for good! Hallelujah!” Psalm‬ ‭146:10‬ ‭msg. The battle at the cross has already been won for us.

On this Thankful Thursday will you join me in singing a Hallelujah! Let’s show God our gratitude and adoration!

As a Disciple and Water Walker, our greatest example is Christ Jesus. We have all been called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To do good work. In these verses Jesus’s work was healing a blind man; “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”” John‬ ‭9:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

Although we can’t heal people like Jesus, we do have the gift of the Holy Spirit for prayer and guidance. The Holy Spirit nudges us to do good works. I am sure at times those good works get pushed off to do another day. On this Water Walking Wednesday, I am feeling convicted by these verses. Jesus said as long as there is day light we must do His works. I also believe in balance and good works doesn’t mean busyness. Not every assignment is ours to walk with.

On this Water Walking Wednesday, do you have a nudge to do good works? Have you put that nudge into action or have you put it off? I encourage us all today to be intentional with our nudges gifted by the Holy Spirit. They truly are a gift because often we get more out of service than being served.

Now that Spring is here, we are starting to see some flowers bloom. We are also experiencing the pollination which is an essential part of plant reproduction. It acts as a fertilizer to the flowers. Just like flowers need sun, water, and pollen, we need God’s word to help us grow. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, let’s think of God’s word as an essential part of our growth; “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” 1 Peter‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If we look previously in 1 Peter 1:24-25, We read about how God’s word is eternal; “For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.”
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Will you crave God’s word? Will you consider it part of your daily diet?

Click here for more on Pollination.

What does the week ahead look like for you? Maybe you have a long to do list. Maybe your calendar is full of appointments. Maybe not much is planned. Either way looking at a full week can be exhausting. If we put all are tasks on one page we can be overwhelmed. Good news, each day has been given it’s own date with twenty-four hours. We can take it one day, one hour at a time.

Looking at this photo I see strong sea shells that have been shaped overtime by the ocean. We too are strong and overtime been shaped by our faith. We can stand taller and stronger knowing the God of all peace is in control. I also see a pair of sunglasses. Those glasses can change our perception of the sun. We have the choice to put them on or take them off. Perception is a choice.

What will you choose this week? To take on the stress of the week? Or to take on each day, one day at a time? Either way, I pray each of us will choose to walk in God’s peace and relying on His strength with each new day.

“God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.” Psalm‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Yesterday I had the opportunity to run with a friend down by the river. There was wind, incline, and uneven terrain along the way. Being in good company and seeing God’s beauty, the destination was worth the effort. The stillness of the river reminds me of being still with God; “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” Psalms‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The message version instructs us to step out of traffic; “Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.””

On this Spiritual Sunday and throughout our week, I encourage us all to take hold of opportunities to step out of the traffic. Remember to marvel at God’s beauty and to find joy in the journey. Go in confidence, knowing who God is and exalt Him above all else.

For those of you grieving and may be struggling to see the beauty and joy at this time, I encourage you to listen to River of Time by The Judds.

Click the link below and watch today’s “See You Saturday” video.

“See You Saturday”

Today is Finish Friday. How are you ending your work week? Are you praising God?

I like the song “Good God Almighty” by Crowder. Click the song title to listen. The lyrics remind me that no matter what, I should be praising God.

One of the lines says, “Like the sun in the morning, I know You’re gonna be there everyday. So what on earth could make me be afraid?”

The chorus declares, “Good God Almighty, I hope You’ll find me praising Your Name no matter what comes!”

This is how I want to finish this Friday. Let’s greet today with a thankful heart and see each task through the lens of thankfulness. Begin an attitude of gratitude by reading all of Psalm 150 below. Then walk into this Finish Friday with praise to the Father on your lips.

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭150:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬