‭‭Psalms‬ 139‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.

Do you still have the holy, healthy fear from Sunday? In our key verse today, David tells us that there is nowhere we can go to get away from the Holy Spirit. It is up to us if we invite the Holy Spirit into our everyday lives. Often behaviors take time to change. What steps are you taking to move forward in God’s call for your life? We can allow our earthly fears to leave us in the boat or we can allow our healthy fears to propel us forward and step out in faith.

Often we feel that earthly fear when we allow Satan’s voice to become louder than God’s voice. We allow worldly behaviors to chain us down. Even when we don’t think God is speaking or moving, He is right beside us holding our hand. If our “No Lord” or “Not now Lord” becomes a normal behavior, God will move on to someone who will say: “Hear am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for nudging me to be the best version of myself. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me. Thank You for still loving me even when I allow Satan’s voice to be louder than Yours. Equip me today to step out of my boat in holy fear. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV – Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”‬‬

Today’s key verse is about Zechariah hearing the news that his wife Elizabeth, who previously could not conceive, is bearing a child. This is not just any child, but John the Baptist. Notice Zechariah was gripped with fear at the sight of the angel. I would call this a healthy fear. Hearing God’s message through a Sunday worship service can often bring on a healthy fear. 

God doesn’t usually call us to play it safe. God wants to see our Sunday behaviors carried through our week. We tend to say “Yes Lord” on Sunday because we have a holy, healthy fear that the Holy Spirit gives us. When Monday comes we tend to slip back into our own earthly fears and behaviors. Will you allow the holy, healthy fear you feel today get you out of your boat on Monday?

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Sunday behaviors that can get me moving in holy fear. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit to get me out of my boat. Equip me to say “Yes Lord” as I go about my week. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV — In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.‬‬

Watch today’s See You Saturday Video as I share with you about something you can do while on vacation to be a witness for Christ.

Psalms 46:10 — Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

I have enjoyed reliving some of my past vacations. Have you been able to walk down memory lane? Do you have a vacation planned for sometime in the near future? Perhaps time and money have restricted you to travel. You can still take a mini-vacation while remaining at home — a staycation. Take a moment to read this article titled Take a Mini-Vacation Every Day! A Few Staycation Ideas.

Did the article spur some ideas for your very own staycation? I encourage you to build in some prayer, devotion, and Bible reading whether on a vacation or staycation. The time away with God promises to be rejuvenating and renewing. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, I seek time away with You. Thank You for our times together and for rejuvenation in You. Guide my time so I am able to be renewed. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 5:16 NIV — In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

This week I have shared with you about various vacations I have had. As I have traveled down memory lane in my writing, I have also thought about the not so wonderful sights and smells I have seen in my travels — the ugly side of vacations. Today, reflect on previous vacation spots. Did you only see the beauty or were you also exposed to the unlovely? As we think about the less than desirable sights, let’s take time today to pray for those people caught up in negative circumstances. Pray for God’s light and love to be shone brightly through you. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, I lift up all those caught in undesirable circumstances. Open their eyes to Your love and light. Make me an instrument of Your grace and may my light shine brightly for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalms 8:1 NIV — Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. You have set your glory in the heavens.

If you have been able to watch my “See You Saturday” videos over the last several months you have learned that I have had the opportunity to travel to many places recently for my work. I have been to Orlando, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Denver. Each of the destinations brough new experiences and new insights. While the trips were mostly consumed by work, I was still able to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Today’s photo is a collage of some of the sights. Seeing all of the various land features always sparked a moment of praise and worship. As I was in awe of God’s creation, I thanked Him for the beauty of the Earth.

Have you had work-related vacations? Where did you go? What did you do? What did you see? How did God speak to you? Thank God for the opportunities to see new places and experience new things. Praise God for the beauty of His Earth.

Take a moment for praise and worship as you listen to the hymn For the Beauty of the Earth.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank you for the opportunity to see and experience new places. I give You my sacrifice of praise. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Jesus said in John 16:33 NIV — I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

If you are close to me then you know that I LOVE DISNEY WORLD! Unlike many people who have been, I enjoy the hustle and bustle of theme park days. I enjoy the sights, smells, and food. I enjoy the beauty. However, mostly I enjoy the feeling of escape I have when in the Disney World bubble. When at Disney World I am able to take off and be lifted from the stresses and burdens of my usual, everyday life.

Do you have a vacation spot that is like that for you? Do you have a certain place that is a symbol of escape and get-away? While we may not be able to visit those spots today, we are able to allow our minds to spend some time in reflection. Let’s take a moment to escape the worries of today and remember the feeling of our favorite vacation spot. Let’s rest in the arms of Jesus and allow Him to handle the stresses and burdens of the day. He is willing and able. After all, He has overcome the world!

Let’s pray. Dear God, remind me today of Your almighty strength and power to handle my stresses and burdens. Help me let go and allow You to carry my load. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.