“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”” Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Including today, there are only nine Fridays till Christmas. If you are like me, you’re already watching the Christmas Hallmark movies. Today I am excited to share a new Christmas song with you. Oh What King by Katy Nichole. Some of the lyrics sing; “Whom am I that you would choose me (Mary), just a lowly girl from a simple family. Who am I that the Ángels speak my name, called to be the mother of the one who comes to serve”.

If you read my post from Wednesday I talked about how God chooses each of us to be His Disciple regardless of our sin. Can you imagine being Mary and being chosen to carry the savior of the world? Imagine how she felt when just a simple girl was approached by an Angel and called by name; “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” (Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

On this Finish Friday, let’s finish the week with confidence because God has chosen each of us. He chose you for your spouse, your children, your friends, your church, your job, your community, and more. Stand tall knowing whose you are.

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”” Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am calling today Trust Thursday. Even Jesus had a moment in the Garden of Gethsemane when he was broken before God and having to put His trust in the plan. If you take a moment to look at this picture, what do you see? There are many broken sea shells that have washed ashore after a big storm. Do you feel broken and washed up today?

Thankfully we live on this side of the cross and we know that God brought good from Jesus’s death and resurrection. Our brokenness was mended on the cross with Jesus that day. Our job is to put our trust in God, even when we feel broken and washed up. We can sit in anguish or we can kneel in prayer. Let’s take a moment to visualize ourselves in the garden with Jesus. Whatever is going on in our lives, we can thank and trust God because He will bring good out of every story. Let’s pray!

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your son, Jesus Christ whose blood was shed for me. Thank you for daily mending my brokenness. If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. In the name of Jesus Amen.

“This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When I read these verses and surrounding verses from Paul, I am energized in my faith. I am convicted to ask myself the questions; am I making the most of every opportunity? Or am I letting sin get in the way? Last Wednesday Deborah asked the question; have you seized an opportunity to share Christ with others? I would like to expand on that. I know for myself, I sometimes let my sin get in the way from sharing Christ. I think, who am I to share when I have sinned?

Our Choir Director sang a song Sunday called, Just as I am. In that song the broken are mended, the wounded are healed, the desperate are rescued, the empty are filled, and the guilty are pardoned. God called each of us to be a disciple no matter our sin and where we are in our Christian walk. By being transparent with our sins, we can help the lost to see that we are all in need of a savior. How will you make the most of every opportunity today?

Take a moment to worship and be inspired! I have included a version of Sunday’s song, just as I am. I have also included a song that has helped me to be a disciple and share Christ with others.

Just As I Am (I am Broken) by Travis Cottrell

I Can’t Believe by Elevation Worship

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Doesn’t this picture by Ray White fill you with hope for tomorrow? I chose this picture because of the beautiful reflection. As we move through the last quarter of 2022, I wanted to reflect on my word, prayer, scripture, and mantra. I hope to get us all reflecting on the words we have selected. Have you been taking the time to reflect on it throughout the year? Or maybe you’ve never chosen one. It is never too late to start.

My word has been Serenity which means the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. I pulled this from Serenity Prayer; God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. My scripture verse is listed above, from Romans 15:13. My mantra has been; Live for Today. You can read my 2022 Word of the Year blog post by clicking the link.

2022 has been a challenging year for me and my family. I will say that I have reflected a lot on my selection through each trial. It has given me the comfort, peace, and hope that I needed. Have I thought about my word for 2023 yet? No, but will plan to start praying, thinking, and planning soon. I hope you will join Deborah and I this year in selecting a word and/or mantra for 2023!

Feel free to share with us how your word and/or mantra has been going for 2022.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am calling today Movement Monday which all starts with our mindset. Would you be motivated to get moving if every day you were reminded how our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit? I love to move, whether it is through running, walking, pilates, or riding my bike. Most days I look forward to movement because it is my mental therapy. We all have days we need a little motivation, including me.

In this beautiful picture by Ray White, we can be reminded that God made us for a purpose, just like He made the light and the ocean. one purpose is to be a vessel for God. Two weeks ago I talked about winning the day with God by choosing joy over anxiety. We have been talking a lot in our Sunday school class about winning the day. What does winning the day look like for you? For me it is being able to get active for at least 10 minutes every day.

I challenge us all this week to make at least 10 minutes of movement our daily goal. Remember, it starts with a mindset. Let’s get moving together for God! If you are confined to a chair or bed, get your upper body moving by raising your arms and worshiping. I encourage you all to share with us. Tell us how you got moving for God this Monday and throughout your week.

“so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭32‬ ‭New International Version (NIV‬‬)

We have made it back to Spiritual Sunday. Wasn’t it refreshing to read Deborah’s daily take away on Psalm 51: 7-15. My prayer today is that we will all be refreshed through God’s word, worship, and human connection. There is something about joining in the company of others to worship in God’s house. There are several instances where the word refreshed, refreshes, and refreshing are used in the Bible. Along with our key verse for today, I have a included few more for us to read.

“he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭3‬ ‭New International Version (NIV)‬‬

“They are filled from the abundance of Your house; You let them drink from Your refreshing stream,”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭36‬:‭8‬ ‭Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB‬‬)

“The king’s wrath terrifies like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is as [refreshing and nourishing as] dew on the grass.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬ ‭Complete Amplified Bible (AMP)

Isn’t this picture by Ray White a great image to connect with these verses? It really brings the Bible to life as we envision walking with God along a peaceful stream of water on a crisp Fall day.

How do we carry this refreshed feeling throughout our busy weeks? By walking, talking, listening, and feeling God. I encourage you to really listen to the words of this song, Walk With You by Michael Bethany. When God pursues us, our response should always be just like these lyrics; “I want to walk with you. I want to talk with you. I want to hear you speaking. I want to feel you breathing”. I pray that this devotion today leaves you feeling refreshed to start a new week as you walk with God.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Join us for See You Saturday as I talk about the Ripple Effect!

Below is my painting project that I mention in my video.