This past Friday found me in a hospital waiting room as my husband, Clark, underwent surgery. As I waited, I was at peace as I knew many people we love were praying for us. I spent the beginning of my wait time reading my daily devotions and writing in my gratitude journal. The scripture that day from the Upper Room devotion book was Psalm 16:1-11. The scripture was a great reminder to me of God’s love, presence, and guidance. On this Spiritual Sunday I encourage you to also read Psalm 16:1-11 and reflect on God’s love, presence and guidance in your life. In what ways do you feel God’s love? When and where do you feel God’s presence? Where is God leading you today? Let’s use today to sit at the feet of our Maker and revel in the blessings of the day.

What does your day hold? Do you have everything mapped out? Or do you not have clear vision of all that may unfold? In reality, none of us really know what today will hold. Today we may face obstacles. We may be surprised and find ourselves in a patch of woods with tall trees all around. On this Finish Friday, let’s not lose sight of who is leading us. Let’s trust God to reveal our path as we travel through the thicket. With the help of Christ, let’s persevere.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Almost every work day morning I am blessed with watching the sunrise on my drive to work. As the seasons pass I am in various parts of my drive when the sun makes its appearance. Today’s scripture reminds me that I am called to praise God all day, not just during my morning devotion time. As I studied this morning I found that Psalm 111, 112, and 113 begin with “Praise the Lord.”

On this Thankful Thursday, begin your day by reading one of the above Psalms of thanksgiving. May the words of praise remain on the tips of our tongue today, may we look today through a lens of thanksgiving, and may we praise God throughout our day.

Last Sunday, as we arrived for worship, our church family was greeted by the words of Psalm 91 written on the sidewalk leading to the sanctuary. What a beautiful surprise! Although no one has come forward as the person who took such time and patience to write out the scripture, I am in awe of the courage it took to undertake this task. This person didn’t choose to write a short scripture, but one that included 16 verses. I wonder how this person would have responded if someone happened to come to the church as he/she was writing? Was he/she nervous while writing or confident in his/her purpose? Was this act a mission or ministry carried out with deliberate purpose? One thing is certain. The person who took such time did so for no attention or self glory.

Now examine your daily walk. Do you have a mission or ministry that you do quietly or without others knowing? It could be leaving encouraging notes or messages. Perhaps you randomly pay the order for the people behind you in the drive-thru. Maybe when you go to Aldi you leave the quarter in the cart so the next person doesn’t have to put in a quarter to borrow the cart.

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage you to step out of your boat on a mission to “secretly” show the love of Christ. Sometimes it’s hard for us to do secret acts because we will likely not see how the act is received. However choose your mission prayerfully and allow God to do the rest.

As you pray about what your secret mission will be, take some time to read the entire chapter of Psalm 91 that was so beautifully written on our church sidewalk.

Sunday, during communion, our praise team sang “New Wine” by Hillsong Worship. The lyrics reminded me of our call to be a vessel for God. I like the Message version of the following scripture.

“In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:20-21‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Are you a vessel that God can use? Are you open to the crushing and pressing that may be occurring to make new wine from you? My Transformation Tip this Tuesday is that you take some time to really listen to the lyrics of this song and allow God to mold you into “the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift.” Ask God to help you surrender to the call placed on your life. Today may each of us be open vessels ready to serve the new wine God is making out of us.

https://youtu.be/QbJaM_EneMw

Yesterday I was able to enjoy the sun’s reflection on water and revel at the beauty. As I basked in the warm glow, I observed how bright the reflection of the sun was compared to the rest of the water. Notice how the reflection bleeds out into the water, but the further away from the reflection, the darker the water gets. This reminds me to examine my own reflection. The more time I spend in prayer and devotion, the brighter I shine for Christ. Likewise, the farther I move away from Christ, the less I reflect His light in my words and actions. Read James 1:22-25 below and then spend some time examining yourself.

Do you spend time “hearing” God’s word? Do you hear the word and then fail to follow through in your words and actions? Are you reflecting the love of Christ?

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:22-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Below is a link to an older praise song, “Shine Jesus Shine.” Prayerfully listen to the songs as you examine your own reflection.

https://youtu.be/0RAJhTEWi8E

Max and Abby take resting seriously. In fact, Abby follows me around waiting for me to finally sit down so she can lay on my lap and rest. Most days, when I get home from work, I am on the go nonstop preparing supper, cleaning up from supper and then preparing for the next day. However, on Sundays I try to make time for rest. The picture above was actually taken last Sunday.

Rest is important. The definition even says the purpose of rest is to refresh oneself and recover strength. The Bible tells us that even God rested.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Spiritual Sunday. I encourage you to keep this Sabbath holy by spending time in worship. While you worship, rest in the presence of your Maker. Then after your time of worship, be still and cease work. Allow time for yourself to relax, refresh yourself, and recover strength. Rest. God said so.