“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”. Hebrews 12:28 ESV
Synonyms for grateful include thankful, appreciative, and indebted. All of those are words that we should easily express as Christians. However, we often are reluctant to offer praise and thanksgiving. Think about your daily prayer time and conversations you share with Jesus throughout the day. When sharing joys and prayer concerns at church, which are you more often to lift? How much of your prayer time is spent praising God compared to sharing a long list of requests? Both are vital components of prayer, but let’s make a conscience effort today to roll praise more freely from our lips.
Look through a lens of thankfulness. As you walk through your Thankful Thursday, make an intentional effort to whisper words of praise and thanksgiving to God. Allow reverence and awe to guide your thoughts. Let today’s photo by Ray White be a visual reminder and starting point. Praise God for the miracle that the sun came up today!
“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Genesis 6:22 NIV
The Bible is filled with examples of ordinary people stepping out in faith, trusting, and obeying God. Noah was technically the first account of someone with what others may call crazy faith. Noah didn’t question God. Instead, he did “everything just as God commanded him”. Imagine what others thought of Noah when he began building the huge ark nowhere near water. What about when he began loading animals on the boat? And then, “the floodgates of the heavens were opened.” Genesis 7:11.
On this Water Walking Wednesday, ask yourself if you are practicing “crazy faith?” Are you allowing God to lead you? Are you stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown where God can be your guidance and support?
Click here to listen to Colton Dixon explain the inspiration for his new song “Build A Boat.” Then Click here to listen to the song. May the words inspire you and I to exhibit crazy faith, step out, and build a boat!
““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:1-11 NIV
Tether: tie with a rope so as to restrict movement
Often the word tether carries negative connotations. At first thought, you may think it would not be a good thing to be tethered to something or someone. In today’s picture, captured by Ray White, the boats are tethered to the dock to keep them from being damaged. Without being tied, the boats could drift and float away. To what are you tethered? What ties up your attention? What keeps you from drifting off the path God has planned for you? Examine what directs your thoughts and guides your decisions?
Now I want you to think outside the box. This Transformation Tips Tuesday I want you to consider being tethered as not only positive but also as your goal.
I encourage you to imagine yourself tethered to Jesus Christ. Think of being so closely bound that you share every step, every moment, every breath with Your Savior. After all, isn’t that our ultimate goal?
Click here to listen to “Tethered” by Phil Wickham as you prayerfully consider habits and routines you can adopt or improve to strengthen your tether to the heart of Christ. A few possibilities include; setting aside a daily devotion time, journaling prayers, keeping a gratitude journal, or memorizing scripture. Choose one of these ideas and allow it to transform you into being even more like Christ.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Let’s begin our Mindset Monday by letting go of the grip we have on worry. Let’s open our closed fist hands one finger at a time and release all of the what if’s that consume our thoughts. Today, each time worry tries to creep in, let’s imagine this photo of the beach with a clear blue sky and trust. Let the words of the song “Everything” by Lauren Daigle remind us.
“Even the oceans push and pull at your command. So you can still my heart with your hand. You tell the seasons when it’s time for them to turn. So I will trust you when it hurts.”
No matter what troubles we face, God has us in the palm of His hand. Our Heavenly Father will guide and direct us if we will trust and obey. Today, let’s set the tone for our week by letting go of worry and embracing trust. Beginning our Mindset Monday with the right perspective will ensure our Monday isn’t a Manic Monday!
Click here to listen to “Everything” by Lauren Daigle. Allow the words to surround you as you let go of worry and embrace trust.
“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”” Mark 4:35-41 NIV
Study this beautiful picture captured by Ray White. Notice how calm the water appears. The surface seems as smooth as glass. As you go about your Spiritual Sunday I encourage you to keep this visual of the calm ocean in your mind. As you go about your day and the rest of your week, when the waves of life begin to churn, call out to Jesus to rebuke the storm. Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to say, “Quiet! Be still!”
As you begin your Spiritual Sunday I encourage you to Click here to listen to “Through It All” by Kristen DeMarco. Allow the words to cover you with strength and courage.
“The seas that are shaken and stirred can be calmed and broken for my regard.”
“Let go my soul and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know His name.”
“Through it all my eyes are on you.”
No matter what storm you find yourself in, keep your eyes on Jesus. Trust in His power and strength. Have faith in Him, so that in time, you can confidently say, “It is well with my soul!”
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV
Today I was inspired to share a Friendship Friday post. Recently I have had the opportunity to gather with various groups of friends and make memories of a lifetime. As I reflect on our time together, I give thanks for the blessings of Christian friends. I am also thankful that these special women are only a sampling of the friendships I have in my life.
The ladies in each of these pictures are women I know I can count on and call on at any given time. Each of them teach me what it means to be a true friend. I also realize each of them helps me grow as a Christian.
What does Christian friendship look like in your life? How do your friends sharpen you and help you grow? Have you been a true friend to them?
Spend some time this Friendship Friday assessing what kind of friend you are and ways you can be even better. What can you do to sharpen your friends? Today, take a few moments to thank your friends for sharpening you, and then brainstorm ways you can sharpen them.
