“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Testimony Tuesday we can learn a lot from Habakkuk, one of the twelve minor Prophets. Do you feel like you don’t have a testimony to share because you don’t see the joy in your present surroundings? Do you feel like you need to wait for perfection? Looking over the horizon of this picture we see no end. We know there is a beautiful beach and a pier but we can’t see that there might be provision up ahead. The same must have been true for Habakkuk.

For Habakkuk, even when life seemed hopeless, he rejoiced in God. It would be easy to fall into spiritual famine but this is when we need to maintain a posture of prayer. Like Habakkuk, we can choose joy. Even though we can’t see beyond the horizon, we can trust in God. Even though there are no buds on the trees, God’s will is perfect. When I think of God as my provider, I think of “Jehovah Jireh,” the Lord will provide. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Jireh, Lord My Provider, I will rejoice in you. Thank you for the trees even if they have no buds. Forgive me when I focus on my present surroundings and celebrate with me when I share in your glory. Today is the day you have made, I choose joy in your perfect will. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen

“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Welcome to Mindset Monday. Take a moment to notice Ray’s photo of the sky wheel. It is different from yesterday because it is moving. Take a moment to read our key verse from Psalms. I shared the New Living Translation because I liked the idea of having “renewed cheer.” If you read the New International Version, God brings us joy, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Have you ever had doubts? Have you ever had anxiety?

Consolation is the comfort we receive from the Holy Spirit. We read in Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” What is your mindset today? Last week Deborah shared with us to be mission-minded, to allow our minds to be transformed, to be bold, to be thankful, and to have endurance, perseverance, and patience through it all.

When life feels like you can’t get off the moving sky wheel, turn to the Holy Spirit for comfort and peace. When I think of God being my comforter, I think of “Jehovah Shalom,” the Lord is peace. If you missed Deborah’s live on “Mindset”, I encourage you to go back and listen. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Shalom, Lord my peace, I sit at your feet for comfort. Fill me with joy and renew my cheer so that I can have a mindset set on heavenly realms. Forgive me when I doubt and celebrate with me when I persevere with bold faith. Today is the day you have made, I choose to trust in the power of your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank you for joining us on Strength Sunday. This week we will be focusing on joy. Take a moment to enjoy this beautiful photo of the Myrtle Beach Sky Wheel. What does joy mean? As a noun, it is the feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Joy is derived from the word rejoice. I will be transparent in that joy is something I struggle with. I am also afraid of heights and have no desire to ever ride this sky wheel. Like joy, getting on the sky wheel is a choice. Let’s read how the people in the book of Nehemiah found joy.

In Nehemiah, we read about the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile. Chapter 8 is Ezra’s reading of God’s law to His people and the celebration of the “Feast of the Tabernacles”. This feast is basically a seven-day celebration honoring the forty years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness. You can read more about this in Leviticus 23:33-44. What does the “joy of the Lord is your strength” mean? Think about how tired the people must have been after the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This feast was meant to be sacred and celebrated, not just for one day but for seven. Think about the strength that was gained through rest and fellowship. In Nehemiah 8:17 NIV we get our answers; “The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.”

Sunday is just one day out of seven that we receive rest and fellowship but it should be sacred and celebrated with great joy all seven days. Every day celebrated is a victory. It gives me joy to think of our Lord as “Jehovah Nissi,” the Lord is our banner. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Nissi, Lord my banner, I am a victorious mighty warrior. Thank you for your redeeming love and living word to guide me through destruction, restoration, and celebration. Open my heart, eyes, and ears to feel, see, and hear the joy that only you can provide. Forgive me when I fall short and celebrate with me when I get back up. Today is the day you have made. I choose to seek the sacredness of celebrated joy for it is the source of my strength. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday video.

“Do you see what this means — all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running — and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

I do not like crossing paths with spiders, however I do find spiders interesting. I am amazed by the process spiders use to make webs. Click here to read an article from “Smithsonian Magazine” about spiders. You will read that making a web requires patience, perseverance, and endurance.

This Finish Friday I encourage you to instill within yourself a mindset that is determined to finish the race set before you. Like a spider building a web, finishing your race requires patience, perseverance, and endurance.

You will meet obstacles and you will struggle. As today’s scripture reminds us, you must “keep your eyes on Jesus.” When you feel weak or need encouragement, turn to scripture and study how Jesus persevered and endured all the obstacles He faced. Hold on to His examples and know that whatever you face, He is walking beside you.

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ— the Message — have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives — words, actions, whatever — be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭MSG‬

Do you have a mindset of thankfulness? Are you able to find something to be thankful for in all situations? Do you give thanks, even when the storm clouds roll in? 

On this Thankful Thursday let’s remember our ultimate praise and give thanks. 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are saved through the blood of Christ and not by our own works. Praise God! Below is a list of ways you can cultivate thankfulness:

1. Begin each morning with God. If you are unable to commit to a morning devotion time, be intentional about talking with God as you prepare for your day. Thank God for the day ahead and ask God to open your eyes to the many blessings of the day.
2. Write in a gratitude journal. List at least 5 things you are thankful for every day and praise God for them.
3. Listen to praise music while you are working around the house or in the car.
4. Be aware of answered prayers and share with others how God has answered your prayers.
5. Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open for God’s blessings all day!

If you and I work daily to cultivate thankfulness, we will grow a mindset of thankfulness. Then, when the storm clouds of life are on the horizon, we will be equipped to “give thanks in all circumstances” as we are charged in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV

Have you ever bungee jumped? Have you ever had blind faith, let go, and trusted? Today’s scripture encourages us to do just that. Read The Message version of the same scripture.

“God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Did you notice the word power is replaced by bold? Being bold requires the power of the Holy Spirit. Bold is defined as confident and courageous.

Today is Water-Walking Wednesday. Have you walked on water? Have you stepped out of your boat of comfort and taken a chance at trusting God? Are you being “bold with His gifts”?

Having a water-walking mindset is like bungee jumping. A water-walking mindset requires you to have blind faith, let go, and trust God. What is God calling you to do with your gifts? Where has He called you to go? What is your mindset? Are you ready to jump? Let’s be bold and walk on water!