““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A light bearer can be fancy and ornate or simple and practical. The examples in the pictures today were displayed at Brookgreen Gardens and range from an intricate metal lantern to a used water bottle. All of the light bearers pictured are beautiful, no matter whether the light is shining through in a complex or simple manner. All of them are still shining light!

On this Mindset Monday let’s each set a goal to be a light bearer for Christ this week. Let’s throw off all hindrances that cause us to feel there is a certain way we should share the light of Christ! Each of us has the same light even if the way we shine is different. God has gifted some with the ability to use fancy words while others may have a more simple but practical and direct way to share the Good News. The message may be displayed differently but it is the same message no matter how it is shared; “God loves you!”

Click here to listen to a different version of “This Little Light of Mine”. Then choose this Mindset Monday to set your mind on being a light for Christ wherever you go and whatever you do. Sometimes you may share in a detailed and intricate manner while other times you may shine as simple as a mason jar. Just shine!

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭150:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Last Sunday was Youth Sunday at our church. During the service, the praise team performed to the song “Good God Almighty”. I had the pleasure of not only seeing the youth, but also seeing this one year old join in on the praise as seen in today’s photo. What a blessing!!

On this Spiritual Sunday, I encourage you to examine your praise and worship.

Do you praise as freely as this precious one year old? Do you put your whole heart and enthusiasm into worship? Are you only in worship services out of habit and routine? When songs are sung and when you join in reciting prayers or readings, do you really hear the words?

Today, make your Spiritual Sunday truly spiritual. Go into worship wholeheartedly. Give God all glory and praise. Put your whole heart into it like a one year old!

Click here to begin your praise and worship by listening to the song the youth performed last week.

What a cool photo taken by Ray White. If you have the chance, ask him how he was able to have this point of view.

This Finish Friday let’s spend some time reflecting.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Where are you headed today? What goal are you pressing towards? Are you straining toward your goal to win the prize? What is the prize? How is God using you in your race?

As you approach this Finish Friday, ponder your earthly goals but also remember your Heavenly goal. Be reminded of your ultimate prize and let that goal influence your race today.

Meet my Yorkshire Terrier, Abby. This picture is an example of how Abby eagerly greets me when I walk into the room. She is just as happy to see me if I have just returned from the bathroom or from a day at work. Abby loves me. She takes delight in me.

Guess what! God feels the same about you! No matter if you are talking with Your Maker moment by moment through breath prayers, or if you have strayed and are returning from a period away from Him, God still takes delight in you! As a result, let us give praise and thanksgiving.

On this Thankful Thursday read all of Psalm 149 and Click here to have a time of praise and worship. Allow the words of the song remind you of God’s great love for you and may the words of the scripture guide your Thankful Thursday. Every time you are greeted by an excited pet May you be reminded that God feels the same excitement about you! God takes delight in you!

One morning last week it began to rain just as I turned into our neighborhood. It has become second nature for me to push the button on the remote to open our garage as I pull into our driveway. However that morning, I lifted words of thanksgiving for the garage to shelter me from the rain. My thoughts drifted to the memory of our last house where the garage was too small to park my SUV and I had to run inside from the rain. I became keenly aware that not everyone has the same opportunity to be sheltered from the rain as I do.

That is also true when thinking about God as our Ultimate Shelter. Not everyone has had the same introduction to God and sadly so many do not know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

What does that have to do with you and I? Everything! While we cannot really share our carports or garages with others to be protected from rain, we can share the Good News with those who do not know our Savior. We are called to be missionaries, sharing the love of Christ with all who cross our path.

On this Water Walking Wednesday, spend some time intentionally brainstorming ways to share the Good News. How can you be a witness in your words and actions? Where is your mission field? What can you do to offer the Ultimate Shelter from the rain to someone who is getting drenched by a downpour? Are you willing to share the shelter?

While walking on the beach last week I was overwhelmed with a sense of awe as I studied the way the ocean water had molded the sand. The indentions and lines are beautiful. What a marvelous creation! Then I was struck with conviction. I want to be like the beach scape! I want to be moldable, moveable, flexible, and adaptable. I want to be shaped by the hand of God. I want to become more like Christ!

How about you? Do you desire the same? What does it mean as a Christian to be moldable? How can we be flexible, movable, and adaptable?

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, take some time to study the word of God. Read Matthew 16:24 and James 4. God gives us direction on how we can become more like Christ. We must surrender and submit to God daily. We must be intentional and mindful. We must be willing to allow the waves of Christ to shape and mold us just as the ocean forms the sand.

Let’s be like the sand today. Let’s listen for the waves God sends to push us, move us, and shape us into a marvelous creation.