“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16 NIV
What a beautiful photo captured by Ray White. Look at the intricate details in this mushroom. Once again I turned to Google to research what kind of mushroom this may be and I was overwhelmed with how many different types of mushrooms exist. Wow! God’s creation is amazing! How can anyone look at such a creation and not believe in God?
This week I have encouraged you to look back and reflect. On this Wow Wednesday, I want you to look back and identify some of the amazing things God has created in your life. Was it miraculous meetings, divine interruptions, or perhaps heavenly interactions with others? How has God wowed you over the years? Jot down some of your reflections and allow your list to be a reminder of God’s goodness and mercy. Look for God’s fingerprints on your life today and be amazed at the work of our Creator.
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV
Yesterday our scripture referred to mustard seed faith. On this Teachable Tuesday I want to share with you how mustard taught me humility. Mirriam-Webster defines teachable as;
1. a) capable of being taught
b) apt and willing to learn
2. Favorable to teaching
When I Googled scripture about being teachable, the above scripture was the first one referenced. I interpret that to mean, being teachable also means being humble.
Many, many years ago when I was a student at Columbia College, I took a speech class. One day I had a speech to give and I felt very confident about what I had written. I had worked hard to research, gather information and arrange it for my presentation. The morning of the speech was a warm, spring day so I was eager to wear a new, stylish outfit that consisted of matching shorts and shirt. One might say I was full of pride as I gazed in the mirror at my stylish outfit, perfectly placed hair and well crafted speech in hand. I headed to the cafeteria for lunch prior to my class. Immediately following lunch I headed to my class. When it was my turn to present, I did a great job of delivering my speech, if I do say so myself. As I left class I had a pep in my step, almost walking on air, so proud of the job I’d done. Only a few moments later, my bubble was busted. Once in the broad daylight, I glanced down at my predominately white shirt to see a large, yellow, mustard stain right in the middle of it. I was upset that my new shirt had a mustard stain and more importantly I began to deflate as I realized I had just stood in front of my class with mustard on me. Initially, I felt horrified and humiliated. However, the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to laugh. What a funny way for God to bring me back to earth and teach me humility.
Over the years I have told that story several times as an example of learning humility. However, today, as I reflect on the story, I realize I would never have learned that lesson on humility if I had not been teachable.
Think about yourself. Are you teachable? Are you eager to learn from mishaps and mistakes? Do you view failure as good data to help you learn? What lessons have you learned over the years?
As you start your day, ask God to help you have a teachable spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct your thoughts as you listen and learn throughout your day. Whatever you do, watch out for mustard!
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”” Matthew 17:20 NIV
Yesterday I encouraged you to look back and reflect while still looking ahead. On this Move Mountains Monday I want to throw a twist in that idea and encourage you to look back, reflect, and use what God has done in the past to strengthen your faith for the road ahead. How has God shown off in your life? What miracles have you witnessed from the hand of God? Use those faith building experiences to be a catalyst for your faith in God’s ability to move the mountains ahead of you. Believe and trust that your God is bigger than any giant or obstacle you face. As it says in the song by Chris Mcclarney, let’s “speak to the mountains” in our path and tell them “it’s time to move.” Click here to listen to the song and gain strength in the promise that our God is bigger, better, stronger, greater than any mountain we face.
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care”. Psalms 95:1-7 NIV
This photo was taken one morning on my way to work. As I drove, I was thinking about the day ahead and various tasks on my to do list. That particular morning I was enjoying the various stages of the sunrise as I often do on my ride to work. However this morning was different. When I turned toward school my eyes were drawn to look in the mirror on the side of my car. My breath was taken as I saw what beauty was behind me and I was struck with the idea of how valuable it is to look back and reflect while still moving forward.
Today is Sunday. Thursday was Thanksgiving and yesterday was my 50th birthday. So today I am reflecting while still looking ahead. Today I am looking back at this year and how my word for the year has affected me. My word for 2022 has been “simple” and my mantra has been “be a light.” I am also looking ahead at what word God has laid on my heart for 2023. I imagine you did reflect on Thanksgiving Day and counted your many blessings. Did you have a word for 2022? How did that word affect your actions? Have you begun to look ahead at 2023? Has God laid a word on your heart?
As we worship this Sunday morning, may each of us do as we are directed in the above scripture; “come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel down before the Lord our Maker.” Psalms 95:6
As we worship may each of us reflect while still keeping our eyes on the road ahead. We mustn’t get too distracted by the beauty that lies behind us. Let’s admire it, thank our Maker for it, and continue to move forward with the knowledge of lessons learned. Let’s allow this time of reflection to encourage our steps forward with Christ as our guide and may we each become more like Christ as we march onward with time.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 NIV
As we begin this Faithful Friday, I want to praise God for always providing! Julie and I have been blogging for 7 years and God continuously shows us provision by always inspiring us to write. When we first began this journey, I would spend every morning for a week writing or praying about what to write. God has now taught me to rely on Him day-to-day. We have gotten into the routine of writing each morning and scheduling the post for the following day. Therefore, on Monday we write for Tuesday, on Tuesday we write for Wednesday, and so on. However, this week God told me to wait on Him. All day Saturday I prayed about what to write for Sunday’s post but the inspiration never came. I went to bed praying God would give me His message but I wasn’t worried. As always, when I awoke Sunday morning, God laid on my heart His message for the day. And so each day this week my writing followed this same pattern. The writings this week may have posted a little later, but I trust the word of God was right on time for someone each day.
So it was with this cool picture Ray White captured one day while in line at a store. When Ray sent the picture on Thursday I had been praying about what to post on Friday and it was like the picture was manna from Heaven. I immediately imagined how safe and loved the kitten must have felt. I wondered if the kitten had been rescued by this person or was the person simply giving the kitten a special treat. Either way, I knew God had nudged Ray to send the picture at that moment, Ray had listened, and as a result I was blessed by God’s provision.
I pray that you will take away two points from today;
1) God loves you immeasurably! Have faith that God will always provide what you need at just the right time. Trust that God wants you to feel safe and loved like the kitten in the picture.
2) God will use you to be His vessel if you will allow Him. Stay focused and in tune to nudging from the Holy Spirit and obey. When you get the urge to call, text or write someone, do it. You may not understand how or why but you may be the messenger of God’s love. Have faith that God will use you. Trust and obey!
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
GRATITUDES
1. Kind & thoughtful words in the card I received yesterday from a friend
2. A few moments to slow down, eat lunch and talk with friends at work
3. Harvest Festival today at school-first time in three years
4. Sweet smell of my candle burning
5. Quiet, devotion time
The above list is my gratitude list from today. I spend a few minutes each morning reflecting and listing 5 simple things for which I am grateful. I began this practice many years ago at a time when I was allowing stress to make me sick. Who would have thought that such a simple task could help me so much. Taking the time to look for small gratitudes has allowed me to be more in tune to blessings as my day proceeds. It also affords me new perspectives.
Today’s scripture directs us to give thanks in all circumstances. Being in the habit of listing small, specific gratitudes has given me a new perspective on how to give thanks in all circumstances. No matter how difficult my struggles or challenges, I have learned there is also always something for which I can be thankful.
This Thankful Thursday I encourage you to slow down for a few moments and list 5 gratitudes. Don’t list the obvious like family, friends, job, etc. Instead, intentionally look for smaller, more unique blessings from yesterday or today. I trust that in practicing gratitude today, your mood will be lifted, your perspective may change, and you will be more in tune with the blessings of today.
