Today I am thankful for hope. When my day is gloomy and I feel overwhelmed, I don’t have to be consumed with worry. I can kneel at the cross of Jesus Christ and look up to Him for strength and courage. I am thankful for the symbol of the cross as a reminder of my Savior. I am thankful I walk under the protection of His love, grace and mercy.
Today let’s start our rainy, gloomy day, by looking up to the cross. Let’s look up and give thanks. Let’s look up and have hope and courage. This song by Lauren Daigle can guide our gaze.
When I am parallel with the cross I am reminded of a scene from the movie “The Shack.” The main character, Mark Phillips, who is mourning the loss of his daughter, is seen rowing a small boat in the middle of a body of water. The boat, which represents Mark’s sorrows, begins to sink. Mark’s grief and regrets are consuming him. Jesus calls to Mark and tells him to focus on Him. Slowly Jesus helps Mark change his focus and together they walk across the lake. Since seeing that movie, I visualize Jesus walking beside me, as I “walk on water.”
This Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage you to think of Jesus beside you. He wants to be your friend and partner as you walk through life. What are you feeling, knowing He is beside you? What do you two talk about as you walk side by side?
Some days I have big tasks ahead of me that seem insurmountable. Some days the giant in front of me is towering overhead. On these days, I must remind myself of the cross behind me as I meet these challenges.
““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.”” John 16:33 NIV
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has already conquered the world. No matter what we face, Jesus is not only ahead of us, but He is behind us. Jesus is following us as we meet each giant. Jesus is whispering words of strength and courage in our ear.
On this Transformation Tip Tuesday, as you face obstacles, stay focused on Christ ahead of you and then remember to take a glance behind you at the cross of Jesus Christ following your steps and giving you courage to keep going.
A couple weeks ago, I chose to walk laps around the church while my daughter Briley was inside practicing with the praise team. As I circled the church, I was cognizant of the various angles I had of the cross. I began to ponder and pray about what each angle represented to me.
This angle, directly in front of me, is the angle I usually think of when referring to the cross. The phrase, “the world behind me, the cross before me,” came to mind. This phrase comes from the song “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.” This Mindset Monday I encourage you to do two things to start your work week:
1) Google the history of the song “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.”
2) Spend some time remembering and reflecting on why you “decided to follow Jesus.” Did you grow up going to church? Did someone tell you about Jesus? What is your faith story? Why do you look to the cross before you?
We would love to hear your story! Please feel free to share in the comments below.
On this Spiritual Sunday let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. Jesus is the “pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Jesus was crucified on a cross for you and I. Jesus is our example and guide.
This week I will use these same images to explore various angles of the cross. Join me as I share my thoughts on what the cross means to me, and you can also examine your thoughts/feelings about the cross.
On this Spiritual Sunday, draw near to the cross and allow Jesus to speak to your heart. Let’s each ask God to help fix our eyes on Jesus as we begin our week together. The song below by for King and Country can help us get started.
Wow! What a busy and fast paced week! Life seems to always be one busy schedule after another. As you look out the window in your life, does it seem like everything is moving so fast. Just like the colors bleeding together in this beautiful photo from Ray White, we sometimes jump from one task to another and everything runs together. Slow down this Finish Friday. Before you jump from one task to another, take a deep breath and wait on God to clarify and guide your next task. Instead of the colors of your day running together, look out your window and see each individual color and it’s beauty.
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalms 27:13-14 NIV
To you this may just be a sign but it means much more to me. This sign represents a service that has become invaluable to me. From the beginning, the Walmart grocery pickup became a convenience for me as a busy parent. However, during the pandemic, this service has become a blessing. While the service sometimes has some issues, I try to remember to be flexible and offer grace. After all, the workers are providing a service for me and for that I am so thankful. Lately, I have been intentional about telling the workers how thankful I am for their service and that they are appreciated.
On this Thankful Thursday, let’s intentionally thank someone who is serving us in some capacity. Let’s also examine ourselves and our service. Read this excerpt from 1 Peter.
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV
What gifts are you using? How are you serving others? Let’s give thanks to God for the gifts we are blessed with and show our love for others though our service.
