“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Transformation Tips Tuesday and it is All Saints Day. Click here and spend a few moments reading about All Saints Day in the United Methodist Church. What are the traditions of your faith? Do some research this morning on All Saints Day and celebrate the saints in your life who have helped to transform your faith journey and now surround you. Meditate on today’s scripture and resolve to keep your eyes on Jesus as your faith journey continues. Lastly, read The Message version of the same scripture and be transformed by the words of inspiration.

“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

This morning praise God for the pioneers who blazed the way, the great cloud of witnesses, that surrounds us. Feel them cheering us on. Now go forth, keeping your eyes on Christ!

“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”” Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Tuesday, November 1st is All Saints Day. However, we had All Saints Celebration at our church yesterday. On All Saints day we recognize the saints who have passed away during the year. Sadly, we lost 9 members of our church family this past year. As we recognized the lives of these precious individuals I reflected on my time on earth and the importance of making the most of every moment.

On this Mindset Monday let’s meditate on today’s scripture which features the Great Commission. Jesus calls us to spread the Good News and make disciples. How are you doing with your calling?

Last week Julie reminded us that God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. Although we may feel unworthy, God will equip us with all we need to fulfill the Great Commission. We simply must remember to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

As you pray about God’s calling on your life, Click here to listen to “The Commission” by Cain. As this song was sung during worship yesterday, God reminded me of the importance and value of each moment. This Mindset Monday allow the words of the song and your reflection on the saints that have gone before you to shape your resolve to share the Good News and make disciples.

“But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Let’s call today Sacred Sunday and let’s examine what sacred means. Mirriam-Webster defines sacred as; 1) dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity 2) entitled to reverence or respect 3) of or relating to religion 4) highly valued and important.

Depending on our background, today’s photos are some examples of what we may consider sacred; the cross, marriage and the United States flag. Today I challenge you to consider the sacredness of scripture.

Scripture meets all the definitions of the word sacred. Scripture is our way to learn, grow, and spread the message of God. Scripture is our window into the beginning of our Christian heritage. Scripture gives us stories of hope to guide our steps.

This Sacred Sunday, intently listen to the scripture shared in worship. Allow God to breath love, hope, and understanding into you as you listen. Allow the scripture to set the tone for your day and guide your week. Thank Your Creator for scripture and acknowledge it’s sacredness.

In closing, take some time to meditate on the scripture shared above. Ponder the ways God has guided you over the years with Scripture. Or perhaps you are new to the Christian faith. How has scripture opened your eyes to the love of Christ? Allow God to use the scripture you read or hear today to mold and shape you into a vessel of the Holy Spirit.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you ever feel like Satan is on your back?

Click here to see how I had to be reminded this week to not let Satan steal my joy.

“Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I’ll let loose with your praise.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51‬:‭7‬-‭15‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Some weeks we may feel bogged down in the burdens of the days. We may feel down and hopeless thinking of all we have to face. However, if we know Jesus Christ as our savior, we know we have hope! Instead of drowning in our circumstances, we can fly high this Friday knowing our future is in the hands of Jesus Christ. Jesus died for our transgressions to save us. This “Fly High Friday “, let’s allow God to blow fresh wind in our sails so we can fly high like the bird in today’s picture. Let’s allow the breath of Jesus to lift us and guide our path. Let’s glide on the promises of God.

Photos by Ray White

“Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I’ll let loose with your praise.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51‬:‭7‬-‭15‬ ‭MSG‬‬

One Water Walking Wednesday in July, I shared the picture of the life preserver on the left. In that post, I encouraged you to throw unbelievers a life preserver by sharing the Good News with them. Click here to read that post. 

Have you seized an opportunity to share Christ with others? If so, how did it go? Did they immediately grab hold of the life preserver or did they meet you with resistance and tear the life preserver to shreds?

The picture on the right is the same life preserver after Hurricane Ian. The wind and surge beat against it and tore it to shreds. Life brings turmoil and we are met with resistance, but we can’t give up. Today’s highlighted scripture reminds us of our call. “Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home.” 

Notice the sentence that appears just before it: “Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!”

Have you tried to share Jesus with others and you feel beaten down? This Water Walking Wednesday I encourage you to not give up. Keep sharing Jesus. Keep loving like Christ. Be persistent! Ask God to “put a fresh wind” in your sails and to show you your next step to walk on water.