Steven Covey said, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” I recently read that quote and was blown away. The quote stepped on my toes and caused me to do a self examination. Today I encourage you to do the same.

Are you a good listener? Do you really listen to others? Do you really listen to God? Read the following scriptures as you examine your own listening habits.

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I look at the tree in the picture I imagine the branches surrounding me with safety. I imagine sitting under the tree and sharing with a friend. Today, find you a safe place to sit and listen. Be still and quiet. Instead of pouring out your heart to God, wait and listen. What do you hear? At first you may hear traffic but if you stay there long enough your ears will tune in to the nature around you. Be quiet for even longer and I am sure you will hear God speaking into the circumstances of your life. Just listen!

As you greet this Mindset Monday, how does your week ahead look? Is everything clear or are some things out of focus and uncertain? Are there parts of your week ahead that you are anxious about or worried to face?

As the morning sun reflects and blinds our vision, so does worry. If we focus so much on our feelings of anxiousness about an unknown future, we will lose our focus on the overwhelming love of God. God loves us abundantly and unconditionally. God loves us despite our transgressions. God loves us!

Yesterday at church, during our Contemporary service, we sang the song “God Really Loves Us” by Crowder. I am not sure that I had heard it before but yesterday I really “heard” it. God spoke to me through the reassuring words:

“I’ve got a friend closer than a brother. There is no judgement. Oh how He loves me. I’ve got a friend and He is my strength. He is my portion. With me in the valley. With me in the fire. With me in the storm. Let all my life testify.”

Click here to listen to the song. Allow God’s love to pour over you and readjust your vision for the week ahead. Let the warmth of God’s love be your focus.

Today is Spiritual Sunday. How was your week? Were you successful in your plans? Or are you feeling like a failure because you weren’t able to accomplish all that you had planned? Did things not go as you wanted?

As I prayed about my post for today, God laid the song “The God Who Stays” by Matthew West on my heart. The first few lines of the song are:

“If I were you I would have given up on me by now. I would have labeled me a lost cause. ‘Cause I feel just like a lost cause.”

Sometimes I feel like a failure when life is overwhelming and I am not able to accomplish all the “stuff” I feel like I should get done. If I allow Satan to guide my thoughts I can spiral into a space of self-directed negativity. However, God assures me that, unlike the person in today’s photo, I am not alone on this journey. God is here to guide, direct, and walk by my side.

Then I watched Julie’s “See You Saturday” video and she underscored all that God was telling me. Wow! Go God!

At some time during your Sabbath today , I encourage you to watch the videos below and allow God to give you strength, courage, and direction for your week ahead. Allow God to give you the comfort, peace and rest to walk into next week assured of the Almighty’s presence no matter what!

Click here to watch Julie’s “See You Saturday” video.

Click here to learn about the story behind the song “The God Who Stays” by Matthew West.

Click here to hear the song and watch the video for “The God Who Stays”.

Watch today’s “See You Saturday” video.

My front porch receives full, afternoon sun. Due to the constant, direct sunlight, no plant survives well on my porch except succulents. Contrary to the harsh conditions, succulents thrive in the parching heat. In fact, succulents are the perfect plants for me because I only have to provide minimum care for them. Imagine my surprise when this week I noticed the succulent pictured in full bloom! I had no idea succulents would produce a bloom. My ignorance about the plant came as unexpected joy.

Today is Finish Friday. Have you been undergoing a trial or tribulation that has placed you in harsh conditions? Has the parching heat seemed unbearable and suppressive? Don’t give up! Continue to lean into your Savior for shade and shelter. Draw strength from the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you greet this Finish Friday.

Take a moment to read Isaiah 35. In the You Version Bible app this chapter is titled, “Joy of the Redeemed.” Trust and believe that redemption is ahead and you too will burst into bloom. God has a way of causing blooms in deserts!

Do you know how very much you are loved by God? Have you thanked your Maker recently for such undeserving love? Take a moment now to read all of Psalm 139.

God knows everything there is to know about you. God knows all the intricacies and nuances that make you who you are, as well as all of your failures and faults. God loves you despite it all.

Look at the picture of the flower. Zoom in and look closely. Notice the various petals, the details of each petal, and how each petal looks similar to the other but still unique. Think about how awesome it is to know that just like each petal of this flower, you and I are similar yet unique. You and I have many intricate differences and God knows them all. You and I have problems and issues, yet God loves us so vastly despite it all. Hold on to this promise.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:17-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Thankful Thursday take time to thank God for fully knowing and loving you. Thank God for your uniqueness and differences. Praise God for loving you so wide and deep despite it all!

Listen to this song by Tauren Wells; “Fully Known” and give thanks to your Maker.

Today is Water Walking Wednesday. Water Walking requires you to throw off your grave clothes. What does that mean?

“When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.””
‭‭John‬ ‭11:43-44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Grave clothes are those things that keep us from stepping into the full light of Christ. Grave clothes keep us from fully receiving the grace and mercy our Savior offers us daily. Perhaps you feel trapped in a cycle of sin. Maybe you feel unseen or unheard by Jesus Christ. Nothing could be further from the truth. You are a child of God. You are loved, forgiven, and covered by the blood of Christ who died for your sins.

What is holding you back? What is hindering you from stepping out of your comfortable boat and walking on water? Take that first step as you throw off those grave clothes that are weighing heavy on you. Once you step out, you will feel the loving arms of God guiding your steps.

Listen to this song titled Grave Clothes as you gain the confidence you may need to make that first step. Then go walk on water!