James 1:19-27 NIV

One day 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. I noticed how the reflection bled out into the water, but the farther away from the reflection, the darker the water got. This reminded 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.

Be intentional about spending time with Christ. Ask Him to show you when and where He is calling you to reflect His image to others.

Dear God, thank You for Your warm light. May my words and actions reflect You as I go about my day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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2 Corinthians 3:12-18 NIV — Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Why did Moses put a veil over his face? Take a moment to read about it in Exodus 34:29-35 NIV.

Moses covered his face after spending time with God because his face was radiant. Examine your response to the time you spend with God. How does your face look after you have spent time with God? Are others able to tell you have been in the presence of God? Are you radiant? What are you reflecting? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your holy presence. Thank You for meeting me, moment to moment, guiding my steps, and always loving me. May my face show Your radiance. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:20-21‬ ‭MSG‬ — 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.

Some Sundays when we have communion our praise team sings the song New Wine. The lyrics remind me of our call to be a vessel for God. I like the Message version of today’s scripture when thinking about being a vessel for God.

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? As we finish our week focusing on ministry I encourage you to 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.

New Wine by Hillsong Worship.

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to Your call on my life. May I be a willing vessel to present Your gifts to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV — I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

This week you have been encouraged to examine your mission and ministry. On this Thankful Thursday, show appreciation for others who have influenced your ministry. Who has joined with you, encouraged you, or supported you in your mission to spread the word of God? Reach out to those who have shaped your walk by their ministry. Use today to intentionally be thankful and share your appreciation with others.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending others to shape my ministry for You. Help me to show my appreciation today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Psalm 91 NKJV

One Sunday in 2021, 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 came 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.

Let’s pray. Dear God, reveal to me a “secret” mission I can carry out today to minister to others. May my words and actions show others Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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