Today is Finish Friday! How are you finishing up this work week? Are you going to drag through your day or are you going to follow the advice of Kate Spade and “leave a little sparkle wherever you go”? Sometimes it’s hard by Friday to still be shining but we know as Christians we do not need to rely on our own strength.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalms 73:26 NIV
Today when your sparkle is running low, think of this beautiful sunrise captured by Ray White and remember:
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 KJV
Then put a smile on your face and sparkle on!
P.S. Men can scatter sparkle too! Just shine the light of Christ!
I love manger scenes. Pictured are just a few of mine. I even have one that I leave out all year. After all, a manger scene is a visual reminder of the love of God.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NIV
As a little girl, the first scripture I memorized was John 3:16. It is the crux of the Christian faith. However, for years I don’t think I ever really read the verses following John 3:16.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” John 3:16-21 NIV
Bottom line…Jesus Christ was sent to the world to save us from our sins. Believe in Jesus and have eternal life. Often we get stuck in our sins and forget the hope of Christ. On this Thankful Thursday let us remember our belief in the Son of God. Thankful Thursday is all about showing thankfulness through action. Let’s show our thankfulness by embracing Christ’s sacrificial love and not stew in our sins. We are never to far from the love of God. Today, find a way to reach out to an unbeliever. Share a scripture or share a song with them. Do a kind deed and leave a message of hope for them. Be the hands and feet of Christ.
“‘Tis the season to be jolly, FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!”
Who just sang that in their head as they read? My real question for you today is who believes that in their heart? Does this season fill you with joy? Or are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious or sad?
The season of Christmas conjures up various feelings in us. Depending on our background experiences or current circumstances, each of us may be feeling less than joyful. Today is Water walking Wednesday. Being a water walker often means doing the opposite of how you feel because of your faith in Jesus Christ. Today I challenge you to be joyful, despite your background experiences or current circumstances. Today I encourage you to put yourself in Mary’s shoes for a moment. Read Luke 1:26-38 when the angel visited Mary. Consider the social ramifications of her situation. Imagine all the feelings she may have been feeling. Yet, Mary chose joy. Her joy was found in her faith, not in her circumstances.
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”” Luke 1:46-55 NIV
Today I challenge you to walk on water and choose joy. Despite your current circumstances , may you choose joy that is found in your faith. If you are feeling less than joyful, may you walk on water and choose joy anyway!
***Note: I realize the holiday season can be less than joyful for those who have lost loved ones. Join our Pastor Charles Wilbanks on December 13th at 6:00 for “Facing the holidays-managing expectations-facing the challenges.” This will be a program about grief and the holidays.
In 2018 my word of the year was hospitality. I set goals for ways I wanted to grow in my hospitality and I learned that hospitality means more than simply inviting friends over for dinner. I also learned that just like this picture, hospitality is not a perfect process. Take some time today to read 1 Peter 4:1-11.
In this scripture Peter offers a Christian definition of hospitality;
“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 4:9-11 NIV
Is this the way you view hospitality? Are you serving others with your God given gifts?
On this Transformation Tip Tuesday I encourage you to not only examine your hospitality actions but also prayerfully consider choosing a word of the year for 2022. What is your vision for 2022? How is God leading you? I am still praying about my word, but I am confident that God will give me discernment about the word that will shape my growth in 2022.
Today I encourage you to read all of Psalms 139. I feel sure you have read parts of it before. The underlying message of it is that God is always with us and God knows everything there is to know about us.
On this Mindset Monday, let’s take comfort in the knowledge that no matter what we face in this week ahead, we have a loving God who will be with us, guide us and direct us. You and I just need to trust and obey.
Just as the branch in the picture must stay attached to the tree to stay alive, you and I must stay connected to Jesus Christ. What are ways that you stay connected to our Savior? You may read your Bible daily, pray, or participate in Bible study.
Today is Spiritual Sunday. Today is our Sabbath. Today we have to opportunity to worship with fellow believers and stay connect to our vine so that we may “bear fruit.” Will you take the time to worship God either in person or online? Will you be intentional and use your worship time to connect with Christ?
Whew! What a week! Have any of you had a particularly busy week? I have! This picture, by Ray White, is a visual image of how I have felt. What emotions does this picture represent for you?
As you walk into this Finish Friday, remember to not let all the busy turmoil around knock you down or carry you out to sea. Instead, focus on the call God has placed on your life. You have a purpose that God prepared in advance for you. Pray about that “good work” and ask God to guide and direct your next steps. Don’t let the waves crashing around you change your focus or deter you. You and God have got this together!
