Jesus said in John 16:33 NIV — I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

If you are close to me then you know that I LOVE DISNEY WORLD! Unlike many people who have been, I enjoy the hustle and bustle of theme park days. I enjoy the sights, smells, and food. I enjoy the beauty. However, mostly I enjoy the feeling of escape I have when in the Disney World bubble. When at Disney World I am able to take off and be lifted from the stresses and burdens of my usual, everyday life.

Do you have a vacation spot that is like that for you? Do you have a certain place that is a symbol of escape and get-away? While we may not be able to visit those spots today, we are able to allow our minds to spend some time in reflection. Let’s take a moment to escape the worries of today and remember the feeling of our favorite vacation spot. Let’s rest in the arms of Jesus and allow Him to handle the stresses and burdens of the day. He is willing and able. After all, He has overcome the world!

Let’s pray. Dear God, remind me today of Your almighty strength and power to handle my stresses and burdens. Help me let go and allow You to carry my load. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalms 51:12 NIV — Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

For several years when I was in elementary school I had the privilege of my parents owning a mountain house. The house had a stream running behind it. In fact, the same stream ran through Asbury Hills, the United Methodist Camp in Cleveland, South Carolina. The stream was always cold but refreshing. During the summer we would go to our mountain house for a week respite. Prior to our trip my mom would take my brother and I to the local library to check out our limit of 10 books. We also had the opportunity to pick a favorite snack to take with us. I always chose iced animal cookies or ginger snaps. Once there, we would enjoy playing in the stream, reading, taking naps, and falling asleep each night to the soothing sound of the stream. Even as a child, I realized this time away was a time of renewal. Each of us rested in our own way and came away from the two weeks feeling a sense of restoration.

Have you had a similar experience on a vacation? Has God used your time away to restore joy? Take some time today to recall that feeling of restoration and may each of us have a willing spirit.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for the times I have had away for restoration. Remind me of that feeling and may the memory restore my joy today! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Exodus 20:8 NIV — Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

This week I will share with you some thoughts about vacations. Merriam Webster defines vacation as a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation. As I share about some of my experiences I encourage you to recall your vacation experiences and make connections. Allow God to guide your thoughts and may each of us draw closer to Him through our time together. As you worship today on this Sacred Sunday, I encourage you to lean into God and ask His Holy Spirit to guide your mind on a quiet get-away from the busy schedule of your life. Take this quiet time to rest in His presence and be renewed. Let this be a day of re-creation.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for a sacred sabbath. Guide my thoughts and re-create my spirit of joy in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV —- For we live by faith, not by sight.

Today I am reusing Ray’s photo from my Friday post. As I have looked back at 2023 I have realized how out of focus I can get when I am caught up in my busy schedule. Watch today’s “See You Saturday” video as I talk about looking at the future through eyes of faith.

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV — Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

At the beginning of the week I reminded you that each day, each hour, each moment is a gift from God.I pray you have been able to take time this week to reflect, resolve, reevaluate, and refocus so you can have God-driven results when you arrive at the end of 2023. God is making a way for you and I to become more Christ-like. Let’s not waste the opportunity to reset, but instead do all we can to make Him proud.

Let’s pray. Dear Father, Thank You for doing new things and making a way. As I embark on the remainder of 2023 with Your guidance and help, may I make You proud of the steps I take. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV — So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Today, let’s spend some time thinking and setting goals so we will have God-driven, positive results at the end of 2023. Take a moment now to read this article Ten Steps to setting God-Ordained Goals which is an excerpt from The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.

I encourage you to spend time today in prayer and planning. If you don’t have the time to commit to it today, then plan a time for goal setting soon. Take some time alone to sit with God and set goals for the remainder of the year. Keep in mind Proverbs 16:3 — Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Let’s pray. Dear God, I commit to You the remainder of 2023. Lay upon my heart Your goals for me and I will give You all the glory for the results we accomplish together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Matthew 14:29-30 NIV — Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

As you have reflected, resolved, and reevaluated the first half of 2023, have you discovered that perhaps you have lost your focus on Christ? Have you been focusing on the wind around you instead of the eyes of Christ?

Take some time to imagine being in the boat with Peter when Jesus called him out onto the water. Peter took a bold step out of the boat and onto the water. As long as he was focused on Christ, he was able to walk on water. However, he began to sink the moment he focused on the wind instead of Jesus. Today, let’s refocus our attention. We have spent enough time looking back at the first half of 2023. Now let’s move forward. Let’s step out of the boat with laser-like focus on Christ. Focused on Him we can move forward in the remainder of 2023 with renewed strength and courage.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your presence in my life. Help me to refocus my attention and move out of my boat toward Your path for me the rest of 2023. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.