“Do you see what this means — all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running — and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

I do not like crossing paths with spiders, however I do find spiders interesting. I am amazed by the process spiders use to make webs. Click here to read an article from “Smithsonian Magazine” about spiders. You will read that making a web requires patience, perseverance, and endurance.

This Finish Friday I encourage you to instill within yourself a mindset that is determined to finish the race set before you. Like a spider building a web, finishing your race requires patience, perseverance, and endurance.

You will meet obstacles and you will struggle. As today’s scripture reminds us, you must “keep your eyes on Jesus.” When you feel weak or need encouragement, turn to scripture and study how Jesus persevered and endured all the obstacles He faced. Hold on to His examples and know that whatever you face, He is walking beside you.

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ— the Message — have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives — words, actions, whatever — be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭MSG‬

Do you have a mindset of thankfulness? Are you able to find something to be thankful for in all situations? Do you give thanks, even when the storm clouds roll in? 

On this Thankful Thursday let’s remember our ultimate praise and give thanks. 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are saved through the blood of Christ and not by our own works. Praise God! Below is a list of ways you can cultivate thankfulness:

1. Begin each morning with God. If you are unable to commit to a morning devotion time, be intentional about talking with God as you prepare for your day. Thank God for the day ahead and ask God to open your eyes to the many blessings of the day.
2. Write in a gratitude journal. List at least 5 things you are thankful for every day and praise God for them.
3. Listen to praise music while you are working around the house or in the car.
4. Be aware of answered prayers and share with others how God has answered your prayers.
5. Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open for God’s blessings all day!

If you and I work daily to cultivate thankfulness, we will grow a mindset of thankfulness. Then, when the storm clouds of life are on the horizon, we will be equipped to “give thanks in all circumstances” as we are charged in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV

Have you ever bungee jumped? Have you ever had blind faith, let go, and trusted? Today’s scripture encourages us to do just that. Read The Message version of the same scripture.

“God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Did you notice the word power is replaced by bold? Being bold requires the power of the Holy Spirit. Bold is defined as confident and courageous.

Today is Water-Walking Wednesday. Have you walked on water? Have you stepped out of your boat of comfort and taken a chance at trusting God? Are you being “bold with His gifts”?

Having a water-walking mindset is like bungee jumping. A water-walking mindset requires you to have blind faith, let go, and trust God. What is God calling you to do with your gifts? Where has He called you to go? What is your mindset? Are you ready to jump? Let’s be bold and walk on water!

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Transformation means a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. Today’s featured photo is definitely an example of transformation. Last Friday Julie shared another picture taken at the same time, of the same thing, that looks a little different than this picture. Can you tell what is pictured? Are you intrigued?

You and I should have similar transformations due to the presence of Jesus in our lives. Every area of our lives should be a reflection of Christ. Others should be so intrigued by our transformations that they want to seek the Christ who has affected our lives so dramatically. Do you have a transformation mindset?

If you are not new to Christianity you may be thinking you have already been transformed and there is nothing left to change. I beg to differ. I believe each of us falls short in one area or another. Each of us has an area of our lives that Jesus can transform. On this Transformation Tuesday I encourage you to spend some time examining all the areas of your life. Ask God to reveal to you an area that you need to dramatically change with His help. Look for any area that you are conforming to the world instead of God’s will. Read Scripture and pray for guidance and direction as you move toward transformation. Let us be so transformed that others are intrigued.

As for today’s picture, did you figure out what it is? Ray took this picture one morning when he was warming his wife’s car. It is heavy frost on the windshield. What a different perspective of a beautiful transformation! Now let’s go leave people wondering about our own beautiful transformation!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

After His resurrection, Jesus spoke the above words, known as The Great Commission, to His disciples. He has also charged you and I with the Great Commission.

On this Mission-Minded Monday, I ask you to examine ways that you are mission-minded. Are you intentional about your daily interactions with others? Do you seek opportunities to be a witness for Christ? Do you consciously plan ways for you to “go and make disciples”?

Today I encourage you to not only reflect but make a plan. Brainstorm a list of ways you can initiate or participate in the mission field. While you and I may not feel called to become a formal missionaries, we are still called to participate in growing the Kingdom of God.

After you have brainstormed, choose one idea on your list and act on it. Set a goal and a timeline for when you will accomplish your mission.

As we go about this Mission-Minded Monday let’s be like the birds in today’s photo by Ray White. Just as they pepper the sky and cover a lot of territory, may you and I infiltrate our environment with the love of Jesus Christ and grow the Kingdom of God. I leave you with a question I once heard minister Rick Warren ask, “How many people will be in heaven because of you?”

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week I will be writing about mindset. Merriam-Webster defines mindset as “a mental attitude or inclination.” What is your mindset? How is your mindset influenced? How does your mindset affect your actions and attitudes? 

As I share some Biblical truths about mindset I encourage you to examine your mindset and ask God to lay on your heart any ways He is leading you to grow. 

Today is Spirit-Filled Sunday. Jesus spoke the words of today’s scripture to His disciples in the Upper Room as they were sharing the Last Supper. He knew what was ahead and wanted to prepare them for a time when He would not be with them physically. You and I also have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and comfort us. The Holy Spirit works in and through us.

This Spirit Filled Sunday, I encourage you to be very present as you worship. Be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Heed the leading of the Holy Spirit and allow the peace of the Spirit to fall afresh on you. As you prepare for worship this morning Click here to listen to Fall Afresh” by Jeremy Riddle. This version is long, so allow it to play as you are getting dressed or as you drive to your place of worship. Go into worship with an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Allow your mind to be governed by the Holy Spirit and cling to life and peace.

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week I will be writing about mindset. Merriam-Webster defines mindset as “a mental attitude or inclination.” What is your mindset? How is your mindset influenced? How does your mindset affect your actions and attitudes?

As I share some Biblical truths about mindset I encourage you to examine your mindset and ask God to lay on your heart any ways He is leading you to grow.

Today is Spirit-Filled Sunday. Jesus spoke the words of today’s scripture to His disciples in the Upper Room as they were sharing the Last Supper. He knew what was ahead and wanted to prepare them for a time when He would not be with them physically. You and I also have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and comfort us. The Holy Spirit works in and through us.

This Spirit Filled Sunday, I encourage you to be very present as you worship. Be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Heed the leading of the Holy Spirit and allow the peace of the Spirit to fall afresh on you. As you prepare for worship this morning Click here to listen to Fall Afresh” by Jeremy Riddle. This version is long, so allow it to play as you are getting dressed or as you drive to your place of worship. Go into worship with an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Allow your mind to be governed by the Holy Spirit and cling to life and peace.

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬