Each Tuesday Julie and I give you tips on transformation. Now it’s your turn. What are your thoughts and tips? What do you do to transform and renew your mind? How are you offering yourself as a living sacrifice for God? Today I encourage you to read Romans 12 and then comment below some of the ways you ensure you are not conforming “to the pattern of this world.”
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”
Hebrews 10:24 NIV
I planted this knockout rose bush in an effort of keeping our Lab puppy from bothering the plants in our flower bed. Mistakenly, I thought the thorns would deter him. However, one day he proudly brought the entire bush in the house clasped in his mouth. I rescued the bush and immediately planted it in the flower pot above in hopes that the blooms would open and that the plant would survive. My husband was doubtful that the blooms would ever open, but as proof in the picture above, the rose has blossomed and is thriving in its current environment.
How about you? On this Mindset Monday take a moment to access yourself. Is your spiritual life thriving in your environment? Are you firmly rooted in Christ? If not, what do you need to do to ensure your roots are deep and strong enough to withstand any storms ahead? How is your Christ-centered mindset helping you start your week? I encourage you to start with thankfulness. Thankfulness for your biggest and smallest blessings will put life into perspective and focus your Christ-centered mindset. Being rooted in Christ, you too will thrive and bloom in the days ahead.
I love food! In fact, as a society, we love food more than we should. On this spiritual Sunday I am praying for the Holy Spirit to fill us with an endless hunger and thirst for righteousness. May we seek and desire God’s presence more than earthly food and drink. As you worship today, what hunger or thirst are you asking God to fill? Are you seeking God’s endless supply of food and drink or are you more focused on fleshly desires? Take some time today to read the entire Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. May God speak to each of us individually in ways we each need.
Look closely at the picture. I made a mess with glue. This wasn’t the first time I made a mess, nor will it be the last. I could have been discouraged and quit when the glue spilled, but instead I kept working and finished the project I was working on. Have you made mistakes this week? Have you stumbled? Take comfort in the promise that your Heavenly Father is holding your hand and will keep you from completely falling. Trust God and keep working hard. I like the words in the Message version of this scripture:
“Stalwart walks in step with God; his path blazed by God, he’s happy. If he stumbles, he’s not down for long; God has a grip on his hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24 MSG
If you stumble today imagine God’s grip on your hand, get back up, and finish this Friday strong.
P.S. I am not allowed to use glue at my house because I am notorious for making glue messes. 😂
I encourage you to read the context from which the pictured scripture comes 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. In this scripture generosity is encouraged. Today look around for those who have been gracious and generous and be thankful. Then look down the road of life and find opportunities for generosity. How can you show your thankfulness by being generous to others? Where can you share your gifts? On this Thankful Thursday I am looking down the road of life and thanking God for the beauty ahead. I look ahead with hope and faith trusting that God will continue to bring goodness and mercy. I too will seek ways to be generous in my thanksgiving. And may we all give glory to God for the indescribable gifts ahead.
Water walking Wednesday is an opportunity for you and I to refocus on what God has called us to do. Every day we must commit to seek “more of Him and less of me“ so that we can have the courage to step out in faith and walk on water. Today I encourage you to listen to this song, “Set A Fire” by Jesus Culture. The same words repeat over and over, “Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain that I can’t control. I want more of You God, I want more of You God,” Let’s make this the song of our day. May each of us let the words replay as we meet obstacles today and May God give us the strength and courage to step out and walk toward the water.
The school where I work is undergoing a transformation this summer. In order for the floors to be replaced in the classrooms and offices everything had to be packed up and all of the furniture had to be moved out. Then the old flooring must be removed prior to new flooring being installed. All of this is hard work. However the result will be worth all the work. Do you have some hard work you need to do this Transformation Tip Tuesday? Examine any areas of your life that may need transformation. Choose one area to focus on today. Start the process of packing up and moving anything that needs to be moved out before the new can be moved in. Read the scripture for today and replace the words to personalize it. Then roll up your sleeves and get to work!
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on me; establish the work of my hands for me— yes, establish the work of my hands.”
Psalms 90:17
