Let’s take a moment today to really read this verse from Isaiah 61:10 NIV and write it on our hearts. Not only rejoice but to believe it over ourselves and celebrate it.
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Look at this beautiful Easter Cross. Now think about how God sees us. We are beautiful inside and out, clothed in salvation. On this Thankful Thursday we can find joy in knowing who’s we are. Delight means a high degree of gratification. Let us not forget to show God our gratification as His children. What will you thank God for today?
On this Water Walking Wednesday we can walk with great Joy and Pride. We are so blessed to have the heritage of Christ Jesus. Carrying the statues of God, I envision His law written on our hearts. How do we carry them? I like to think of the word abide, to remain stable and fixed in God and His word.
“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.” Psalms 119:111 NIV
Summertime can be a relaxing time, yet busy, and fun. We can spend time near the water, family cookouts, and many cherished memories. I encourage us not to get too relaxed that we forget to carry God’s word, worship Him, and find Joy in His statutes. Summertime is also a time to relish in His God’s beautiful creation. The next time you sit by the water or see a beautiful sunset, remember your heritage and the joy found when we abide in God. Let’s not forget to Walk on Water!
One of my favorite summertime smells is fresh cut grass. As I ran on Saturday, I passed by a lawn that was being mowed. The fresh cut grass that had blown out into the street caught my attention about the same time I could smell the wonderful aroma. Just like blades of grass being cut, anxiety can cut us down. It can can transform us for good or bad. If we lean into God with our fresh cut places, His consolation can transform us and Bring us great joy.
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Ps 94:19 NIV
When anxiety is overwhelming, remember that God is greater. Remember that He lives within our hearts. He wants to transform us and console us. He wants us to experience joy in the journey. Last week Deborah encouraged us to reflect on our word of the year. In my word of the year, I also included a prayer. May we all experience God’s peace as we say these words.
God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen
Click here to worship with Ellie Holcomb and I will carry you.
Let’s make a declaration on this Mindset Monday, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps 118:24 NLT. No matter what today or the week ahead holds, we can live for today.
Everyday everyone is fighting battles we probably know nothing about. In this beautiful song by Shane & Shane, we are reminded that God has already won the ultimate battle on the cross. The lyrics sing, “I’m fighting a battle that you’ve already won. No matter what comes my way, I will overcome. I don’t know what your doing, but I know what you’ve done”.
How can we find joy in today? By living for today. By rejoicing that God has won this very day for each of us.
Click here to worship with “You’ve Already Won” by Shane and Shane
It is the end of the week. We have made it to Spiritual Sunday. Or should I say we are starting a fresh week with spiritual renewal? Either way in Philippians 4:4 NIV we are instructed to rejoice; “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” If you continue to read the next few verses, this passage is actually about anxiousness. Today we have the joy of resting in our Heavenly Fathers presence. Whether we are in His house of worship or worshiping from home, we can rest here.
For me and my family we are coming to an end of all the graduation celebrations. We have been on the mountain top rejoicing the last few weeks. Now as my mind quickly shifts to college plans for our two children it would be easy to get anxious. I came across this song called “Lift Our Gaze”, where the lyrics sing;
We lift our voice, we lift our praise to the one who’s seen the end of days. We lift our hands, we lift our gaze to the one who sees us face to face.
In this picture I took after our last High School Soccer game, it is easy to lift our gaze to the beautiful sky. By lifting our gaze it takes our attention off the the empty bleachers and the end of a journey. I find joy in this photo because it isn’t the end, rather the beautiful beginning of something new.
As we go about our week, let’s not forget to lift our gaze. Let’s look for ways to find joy and not let anxiousness rob us from receiving God’s beautiful blessings. Click here to worship with Kingdom Culture Worship. Let’s Lift Our Gaze.
We will Finish Friday with a beautiful picture from Ray White. This picture reminds me of the hope and promise of each new day. The full, bright, beautiful sun shines on us each day. God has set in motion the exactness of the sunrise and the sunset. Although some days may be rainy or stormy, underneath it all, the sun is still rising and setting on time. Always.
Today is the last day of the 2021-2022 school year. Yesterday we celebrated our coworkers who are retiring after many years in education. I would be willing to say that the last two years were the hardest in their career. The last two years have been unlike any in the history of education. Yet, each day the sun rose and set and each day educators put in the work to do their best to serve students. This scripture from Galatians reminds us to keep going when things are tough.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
While many are ending this school year knowing their next school year will be different, we know that the sun will still rise and set. Better than that is knowing that through it all, Jesus Christ is by our side to guide, support, and strengthen us for the journey.
Today I encourage you to ponder the extreme circumstances education has undergone in the last few years. Give praise to God for all the hard work and dedication of educators and take a moment to express gratitude to an educator for finishing strong for students.
Draw strength and courage from this beautiful picture and be reminded of the promise that no matter the circumstances, the sun will still rise and set because Our Heavenly Creator has set it all in motion. Also remember the promise that God will never leave or forsake you. NEVER!
Water Walkers 