The pictures today are from a shelf in my kitchen that I transform each holiday. Decorating for the different seasons and changing out the decor is exciting and enjoyable to me. However, I can’t say I always approach transformation in myself with the same enthusiasm. How about you? Are you eager to change? Do you look forward to transforming?
I am currently in the process of trying to change habits. Transforming decor is much easier than transforming habits. I have had a new “aha” moment and realize not only do I need to alter my visible habits, but I also need to allow God to change my mind. In case you aren’t aware, changing the mind is not so simple. The mind has a mind of its own lol. I am learning transforming the mind requires focusing on My Savior and things above instead of on myself. So today’s transformation tip for you and I is the following prayer:
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 NIV
As we go throughout our day and feel the tug to change, may we be unwavering in our resolve to transform.
Yesterday I met a friend at 8 Oaks to walk while her son had ball practice. As I drove towards the park, I was overwhelmed with unexpected emotions. For a moment I wanted to burst into tears as I recalled all the memories our family made over the many years of my children playing ball at the facility. However, I quickly recalled a quote I heard a few years ago: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” (Side note: this quote has been contributed to Dr. Seuss but upon further investigation it seems it was first said by Ludwig Jacobowski.)
Back to the quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV
Remembering this quote and scripture completely changed the attitude I had when thinking about the memories of 8 Oaks. Instead of sadness, I began to have an attitude of gratitude.
This practice is called “flipping the script.” If you Google the phrase you will find there is a book and cult following on flipping the script but I became familiar with it from Mark Batterson. In his book, “Win the Day”, Battersonsays the #1 habit to instill to win the day is to flip the script and change your thoughts.
Today is Mindset Monday. Is there an area in your life that you need to flip the script? I encourage you to allow Jesus Christ to help you with your script. Allow Your Savior to guide and direct your thoughts. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6.
As you begin Mindset Monday:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
As we go about our day, may each of us allow our thoughts to be led by Christ. Ours minds can take us in many directions, but may we flip the script to His script for each of us!
Meet my Yorkshire Terrier Abby. She likes to dig through trash cans. Most every morning when I go in the bathroom to get ready for my day, she sneaks around to the trash can and rummages through the trash looking for a “treasure”. Most every morning I ask her, “Have you been digging in the trash?” That’s when she acts just as a child would and she turns her head to avoid eye contact because she knows I am going to fuss at her. She knows she was in the wrong.
Abby reminds me of myself and maybe you can also relate. I have that one area that I constantly battle and keep falling into the trap of sin. I know it’s wrong, yet I still allow the lure of the trash to entice me for momentary, earthly pleasure from what is really trash treasure. I fall into a vicious cycle.
Praise God for a new day and new mercies. Praise God for redemption through Jesus Christ. Praise God for love and grace.
Today is Spiritual Sunday. Today I will go to church to worship. Today I will go to the foot of the cross, repent, and die to my sin.
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” Romans 6:6-7 NIV
How about you? Do you have that one sin that has enslaved you? Do you have that one treasure you have been seeking in the trash? Today, I pray that you also will go to the foot of the cross, repent, and die to that enslaving sin. May you and I feel God’s love and mercy as we are covered by our Redeemer.
Please take some time to day to listen to this testimony from Big Daddy Weave and the story behind the song Redeemed.
As we begin this Finish Friday that is leading us to Valentine’s Day, let’s be intentional about doing “everything in love.”
1 Corinthians was written to the Corinthians by Paul. In chapter 16 Paul is encouraging the Corinthians in their faith journey. Read these two versions of the same verses.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 MSG
What are ways that you “do everything in love” or “love without stopping”? Do you give sacrificially to your family and friends? Have you shown love through your actions? Today I want to encourage you to also examine your attitude. Greet others with a positive attitude. Tackle each task today with a loving attitude. Being intentional with your attitude will invariably affect your actions. Before you know it, others will notice and wonder why you have a loving approach. As a result, they will “know we are Christians by our love.”
Listen to this version of the song By Our Love by King and Country as you prayerfully consider how you will show love this Finish Friday. Let us love without stopping!
Imagine walking along evergreen trees and suddenly a pop of red leaves dangles among the green foliage. What a beautiful and unexpected surprise. Last night, I had something similar happen to me.
After a long and rather nonstop day, I decided to make a quick stop in a store I had not been in for a while. After making a purchase I went to another area of the store to browse. As I entered back into the aisle I was face to face with a friend I have not seen in a long while. We talked together and caught up with one another for a few minutes. As I left the store I thanked God for the unexpected blessing of seeing her after so long. She was a pop of color among the foliage of my day.
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” James 1:16-18 NIV
On this Thankful Thursday I encourage you to be on the lookout for all the “good and perfect gifts from above.” Be open to the Holy Spirit’s nudging you to do something you may not have originally planned. You never know what blessing or pop of color may be at the end of the aisle! In fact, you may be the unexpected blessing for someone else!
On a recent walk near my house I was intrigued by the scenery. In this picture I see both life and death. The picture seems to capture both winter and summer. It reminded me that at any given moment I should be ready to share the love of God in my words and actions. I may think I should wait until the field is prepped and the temperature is right for growing, but this scripture says otherwise. I should always “be prepared to preach the word of God.” Read the surrounding verses written by Paul to Timothy.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:1-8 NIV
On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage you to ponder your willingness and readiness to share your witness for Jesus Christ. Have you thought about what you will say or do if the opportunity arises for you to share, even if the season is different than you thought? Just looking at this picture it appears you could walk among 2 different seasons within a few moments. Pre-plan your response. Be ready with the words you will use to be a living testament to Your Savior Jesus Christ. Be prepared!
Are you being intentional with being alert? Are you on the look out for the devil? This Transformation Tip Tuesday I encourage you to examine your daily/weekly practices and develop your own plan to prevent being devoured by the devil. The Bible warns us:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
The Bible also tells us how to be ready for the schemes of the devil:
“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9 NIV
We must “stand firm in faith.” How do you prepare yourself to stand firm in faith? Some ideas are;
* daily devotion and prayer time
*reading and memorizing scripture
*journaling prayers and insights
*weekly worship
*listening to Christian music
*being intentional about who/what you read, watch, listen to
What are some practices you have for “being alert” and prepared for the devil lurking? How do you guard yourself? Today be aware of how you start your day. Do you have room to grow in this area? What new practice will you be intentional about to stand firm in faith?
