Today I am starting my day with Bible reading, prayer and devotion (and also coffee). My morning time with God is my favorite time of the day. During this time God gives me the strength, courage and insights I need to face the day ahead. It is also a time to guard my heart against the evil schemes of the devil. This Mindset Monday I encourage you to read the entire passage about the armor of God to prepare yourself for your day. Be bold in your prayers and ask God to surround you with all you will need today to “stand against the devil’s schemes.”

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.6.10-18.NIV

Last week was a humdinger of a week for me. How about you? It was one of those weeks that left me physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Whether you are a college student, in the workforce (either working from home or in the workplace) or retired, I am sure you have had weeks that leave you feeling drained. What can we do when we feel depleted? Turn to the Holy Spirit. On this Spiritual Sunday, let’s all rest and be renewed. Let’s call on the Holy Spirit to fill us with the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we worship today, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to “Fall Afresh” as in this song by Jeremy Riddle.

https://youtu.be/617qQdMv5z8

Friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.

As we begin this Finish Friday, I encourage you to think about your circle or circles of friends. Who is helping you keep warm? Who is making you stronger? Last night I had the pleasure of having dinner with and then seeing the play “Steel Magnolias” with dear friends. As I sat side by side with friends I consider family, I praised God for the blessing of our friendship. Although I am tired this morning from our late night, I am strengthened from the blessing and grateful to recognize how quick things can change.

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:13-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today as you finish this week, consider your friends who strengthen you and give thanks. Be sure to tell them and show them how valuable their friendship is to you. If they fall down, pick them up and keep them warm!

Today is Thankful Thursdayand I am thankful for God winks. Although it has been an emotionally difficult week, for the last two days God has surprised me with God winks, just when I needed them, to remind me of His love for me. The first God wink came Tuesday while I was walking, praying and listening to music. I usually listen to Contemporary Christian music but this particular evening I was listening to older music. As I was praying about all the sadness that has touched our lives this week, the song “Smile” by Nat King Cole came on. As I listened to the words, I too had to smile. The lyrics begin with, “Smile, though your heart is aching. Smile, even though it’s breaking. When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by. If you smile through your fear and sorrows, smile and maybe tomorrow, you see the sun shining through for you.”

The next God wink came yesterday while driving home with Briley. Our hearts were again heavy and the song “Smile” by Sidewalk Prophets came on. The lyrics hit me like a brick wall as I knew God wanted me to hear this reminder of His love. One of the lines in the song especially struck a cord with me, “There’s always a reason to always choose joy.” Julie often reminds us to choose joy on our journey and this week I have had to dig deep to remember to smile even when I am hurting. God spoke to me directly through these songs and for that I am so thankful. On this thankful Thursday I encourage you to open your eyes and ears and be willing to receive any God winks sent your way. Just like this piece of a rainbow in the picture, your God wink may appear in the faintest hues out of the blue or like a brick wall in the lyrics of a song. Just be open and be thankful. God loves us and reminds us in the simplest ways. Listen to the songs God sent my way this week and may you too find a reason to smile.

“Smile” by Nat King Cole https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXuB6md9zPk

“Smile” by Sidewalk Prophets https://youtu.be/mjurY5mR2hs

The bloom on this tree caught my eye as I passed it. I had to stop and take a picture because I was intrigued by the beautiful contrast in colors which makes it unique. However, as I drew close to the bloom, I noticed it didn’t have much scent if any at all. As I study today’s scripture I am challenged.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus was a “fragrant offering” on our behalf. Am I the same for Him? Do I omit the smell of love and sacrifice in the name of Jesus? Am I looking the part like the beautiful flower, but not omitting a fragrance of love? How about you? Today let’s all strive to grow and be more like Jesus. Listen to the song “Less Like Me” by Zach Williams as you pray about being a more fragrant offering for Christ.

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples to comfort and give them hope as He prepared them for His death. Read the passages that followed those words.

““Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.””
‭‭John‬ ‭14:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus encouraged His disciples to find comfort in the promise of eternal life in heaven. Do you believe this promise? Do you believe in Jesus Christ? That’s all that is required. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

This Transformation Tip Tuesday I encourage you to read all of John 14. Jesus goes on to promise the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today when you feel discouraged, overwhelmed or burdened, turn your eyes toward Heaven. Lean on Jesus and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Go back to the basics of being a Christian. Believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior.

To close out your time of devotion, listen to Lauren Daigle’s version of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

Yesterday God reminded me that when I am struggling with sadness and grief that I need to focus on the goodness of God. God showers us with blessings even in the midst of our struggles. As you start your week this Mindset Monday I encourage you to spend some time thanking God for your blessings. Thank God for mercy and grace. Thank God for every “good and perfect gift”. Allow this song, “The Goodness of God” to guide your praise and worship.