“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How good are you at swimming? Are you confident enough in your swimming to save another swimmer? As a Christian, I would like to challenge you to be a lifeguard.

Today is Waterwalking Wednesday and lately, Julie and I have encouraged you to be a missionary and spread the Good News. Today, I would like for you to realize that as a Christian you hold the life preserver that could save another life. Sharing the Good News is a way to save someone who is drowning in the turmoil and chaos of our world.

A lifeguard is always on the lookout for anyone that may be in danger. A lifeguard is always ready to jump in and save another life. As Christians we are called to do just that. You and I should have our eyes open and ready to share the love of Christ at any moment.

If you have friends or family who are unbelievers, don’t give up. Keep praying, keep sharing, and keep living your life in such a way that others will see Christ in your life. One day, someone around you may be feeling the tug of the undertow of life pulling them under. At just the right moment you will throw the life preserver and share Christ in a way that surrounds them like never before. So for now, build your Spiritual muscles by reading Scripture, spending time in devotion, and praying for God to nudge you for the right moment to throw His life preserver. Being an expert swimmer is not necessary to be a Kingdom Lifeguard.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:22-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Can’t you hear this picture? The sound of water running over rocks is usually a comforting sound to us. Imagine how rough the rocks in this stream may have been originally. However, after years of water pouring across them the rocks have been shaped and are now smooth around the edges. The rocks have been transformed.

This Transformation Tips Tuesday I want you to think of the difficult situations in your life as a form of running water. Reflect on ways you have changed over the years. How have you been refined? Are you becoming smooth around the edges? Have you allowed God to use the circumstances of your life to transform you? Close your eyes and allow the sound of the running water comfort you as you are being shaped by God.

““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A light bearer can be fancy and ornate or simple and practical. The examples in the pictures today were displayed at Brookgreen Gardens and range from an intricate metal lantern to a used water bottle. All of the light bearers pictured are beautiful, no matter whether the light is shining through in a complex or simple manner. All of them are still shining light!

On this Mindset Monday let’s each set a goal to be a light bearer for Christ this week. Let’s throw off all hindrances that cause us to feel there is a certain way we should share the light of Christ! Each of us has the same light even if the way we shine is different. God has gifted some with the ability to use fancy words while others may have a more simple but practical and direct way to share the Good News. The message may be displayed differently but it is the same message no matter how it is shared; “God loves you!”

Click here to listen to a different version of “This Little Light of Mine”. Then choose this Mindset Monday to set your mind on being a light for Christ wherever you go and whatever you do. Sometimes you may share in a detailed and intricate manner while other times you may shine as simple as a mason jar. Just shine!

“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

Last Sunday was Youth Sunday at our church. During the service, the praise team performed to the song “Good God Almighty”. I had the pleasure of not only seeing the youth, but also seeing this one year old join in on the praise as seen in today’s photo. What a blessing!!

On this Spiritual Sunday, I encourage you to examine your praise and worship.

Do you praise as freely as this precious one year old? Do you put your whole heart and enthusiasm into worship? Are you only in worship services out of habit and routine? When songs are sung and when you join in reciting prayers or readings, do you really hear the words?

Today, make your Spiritual Sunday truly spiritual. Go into worship wholeheartedly. Give God all glory and praise. Put your whole heart into it like a one year old!

Click here to begin your praise and worship by listening to the song the youth performed last week.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Click here for See You Saturday as we talk about shining God’s light! Please help us spread God’s word by subscribing to our Youtube page!!

Here are two songs to remind us that are surrounded by God and He is our defense!

Surrounded by Michael W. Smith

My Defense by Vertical Worship

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Although it is good to plan, make goals, and dream about the future, it is also important to live in the moment. Recently on social media, I saw a post about living in “one-day” times. This could look like, one day when my kids are out of diapers or one day when I pay off my mortgage. The problem is one day gets here and we have already moved on to another one day thought like, one day when I retire.

On this Future Friday, I encourage us to re-center our thoughts on Christ and find our one-day moments today. The gifts God has for us includes plans to prosper and hope for the future. They also include the blessing of living in today’s “present” moment. Let me remind you of my mantra for 2022; Live For Today!

As the sun rises and sets on yet another day, let’s make sure to count the present blessings! I encourage you to watch and listen to the song Wonderful Life by Matthew West. It will put things in perspective.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever thought about what must go on in heavenly realms? What spiritual forces are being fought on our behalf? Every day I pray and ask for God’s hedge of protection over me and my family. At any given moment I can reflect on the day, week, month, or year and see how the goodness of God follow us.

I am so thankful for God and all His angels working all around us. And as I look at this image from Ray White, I think about how God surrounds us both on the mountain top and in the valley. Just like Jesus was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, God is with us to rescue us. “He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”” Daniel‬ ‭3:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Click here to worship with CeCe Winans and the Goodness of God. On this Thankful Thursday, make sure to thank God for His full armor. Let’s Pray!

Heavenly Father, Help us to stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around our waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, lets take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Help us to take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. In the name of Jesus Amen. (Ephesians‬ ‭6:14-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬)