“that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am calling today Transformation Tips Tuesday as we have titled our Tuesdays before. However, as I was praying about today’s post it occurred to me that every day Julie, Ray, and I share with you our prayer is that in some way your lives will be transformed by His words/photos through us. Likewise, we are transformed through the process and by your words of encouragement.

Today’s photo is of eggs. With the rise in the cost lately, eggs have become a luxury item. Today some Christians celebrate Shrove Tuesday which involves eggs and indulgences. Julie and I are United Methodist and our local church, Herbert Memorial UMC usually has a pancake supper. While this may not be your tradition, perhaps learning about it would give you some insight and understanding into the traditions of others. Click here to read an explanation of Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Tuesday.

Do you celebrate Shrove Tuesday? Do you have any traditions leading up to Lent? Do you celebrate Lent? Tomorrow’s post will explain more about Lent. For now, may God transform each of us as we begin this season of reflection and transformation.

Dear Heavenly Father, May my eyes be open and my heart be willing to look and receive Your message for ways You want me to be transformed. May my ears hear Your word and may I respond accordingly. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Let’s kick our week off with Mindset Monday as we move toward the season of Lent. Lent is a time of inward reflection. We will explain more about Lent in the next few days. For now, I encourage you to examine the spiritual disciplines that you currently practice. Click here to read more about various spiritual disciplines. After reading, do you feel a nudge to change your approach to something you currently practice or are you feeling a nudge to begin a new practice? Is God asking you to lead in a communal spiritual discipline? Today, let’s go to the cross with open minds and yielding hearts as God leads us toward the season of Lent.

Dear God, Open my eyes to any spiritual discipline you would have me put into practice to draw me closer to you. Give me the strength, courage, and resolve to move in the way you would have me. May all that I say and do be a reflection of Your presence in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Sabbath Sunday. A Sabbath is a day of worship and/or rest. Do you observe a Sabbath? Is this a new word to you? Click here to read an article by the United Methodist church that better defines Sabbath.

Sabbath is an opportunity to rest in the arms of Jesus. I have found that observing the Sabbath is a necessary practice for me. Without worship and resting in Christ, I burn out and crash.

I encourage you to set aside a Sabbath. Spend time worshipping God and resting in Christ. Allow your batteries to be recharged and your focus to be reset.

“You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that ‘he’s a fiercely jealous lover.’ And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that ‘God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.’ So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭10‬ ‭MSG‬‬

All week the topic has been revival. What has God spoken to you about? What has God told you to turn away from? Are you listening to His nudge?

Today is Forgiveness Friday. If you have not already confessed to the sin God has spoken to you about, I urge you to listen and obey today. What is that “thing” that continually looms over you? Ask God for the forgiveness only He can give. Read the words of today’s scripture again. Allow the Holy Spirit to pour over you and lead you to a posture of humility. Feel God leading you toward your revival. “Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you will get on your feet.” James 5:9-10 MSG

Let us go to God in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, open my eyes, ears, and heart to understand your word for me today. Forgive me of my sins. May I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit wash over me as your forgiveness washes me white as snow. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to be revived! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All week I have written about revival based on the Biblical definition. This Thankful Thursday let’s give thanks for revival. I would like for us to focus on the root of the word revival. Revive means to restore. Restore means to give back. With those words in mind, where do you turn when you need to be restored? How do you recharge when your busy schedule runs you ragged and the troubles of the world have left you feeling depleted?

I refer to today’s featured scripture as my life verse. This verse keeps me focused and reminds me to lean on the strength of God instead of my own strength. Do you have a scripture that keeps you focused? Do you have a favorite verse that renews you and reminds you of the love of God? Start today focusing on scripture that renews and strengthens. Click here for a list of renewing scriptures. Spend some time giving thanks to God for renewed strength. Click here to listen to “My Revival” by Lauren Daigle which is based on Isaiah 40:31. Let us go to God in prayer.

Dear God, Thank you for your renewing strength. Thank you for your endless love, grace, and mercy. Thank you for being my revival. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’”Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Wake Up Wednesday and God is calling us to “rise from the dead.” The book of Ephesians in the Bible is a record of letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus. In chapters 4 and 5 Paul gives instructions on Christian living. If you are able today, read Ephesians 4:17-5:20. How is God speaking to you through His word today? In what area of your life are you feeling His conviction? In what area is God calling you to revival? Remember that the Biblical definition of revival is renewal or awakening. In what area do you need to wake up?

Dear Heavenly Father, shine a light on the dark areas of my life that You would have me bring to light. May I wake up from the dead and allow the light of Christ to shine through me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.