“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Take a moment to examine this photo by Ray White. The bird appears to be taking off for flight. More than likely it was motivated to move by hearing or seeing. On this Mindset Monday are you motivated to take flight and follow God when He calls you? How can we worship God with our hearing? In our key verse, Jesus is speaking to us, telling us He is always at the door knocking. The question is, are we allowing Him to open the door to our hearts?

Jesus is our Good Shepherd. In His word, He refers to us as sheep. In John 10:27 NIV Jesus is speaking; “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” That sounds so simple, right? But it is easy to miss the knock at the door when surrounded by the white noise of the world. As we sit and worship with our Heavenly Father this week let’s turn off the white noise and tune into hearing His word. Take a moment to listen to “Spirit of the Living God” by Vertical Worship. Now let’s pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, My Good Shephard. Thank You for always knocking at the door of my heart. I desire to lean into you today and hear you speak. I ask that you move in and through me as I go about my day. Here I am to listen and obey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A friend asked me a question this week. From 1-10, ten being the highest, how much do you know God and how much does God know you? This is a number that should be between you and God because your relationship with Him is personal. This week I am going to encourage you to worship God with all five senses. The five senses include hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and seeing. How blessed we are to experience God in such a rich way that we can worship Him with our senses.

According to the Oxford Dictionary sensory means, “relating to sensation or the physical senses; transmitted or perceived by senses.” We know that Jesus talked to His followers in parables. Our key verse from Matthew is Jesus telling the Disciples how blessed they are to not need parables because they fully know Him. In this particular parable, Jesus refers to the senses of seeing and hearing. We hear and see Him today because of our intimate and personal relationship with Him.

Let’s use our words this week to sweeten our worship. In Psalm 119:103 NIV we are encouraged to use our taste; “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Now let’s go to God in prayer.

Dear God, Thank you for my senses of getting to hear and see you clearly. I desire to be intimately connected to you throughout my day. May the words from my mouth and meditation of my heart be like sweet honey on your lips. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“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

Join me for “See You Saturday” as I talk about finding Joy in our journey.

To those of you that have followed my HPV journey, Friday made twelve weeks since my hysterectomy. I am joyfully back to running. God is good! Thank you for your prayers and support!

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalms‬ ‭30‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you don’t have joy today, hold tight because according to our key verse, Joy will come. Whatever you need healing from, God’s favor is with you. In a bitter relationship? Anger won’t last long. Experienced a death? Over time those wounds will fade and memories will give light. Have a lost child? Prayer will keep you going. Notice today’s photo is a closer view of yesterday. Each day we heal we get closer to the joy God has for us.

I encourage you to listen to the song, “Joy In The Morning” by Tauren Wells and Elevation Worship. It is long but it reminds us that our story isn’t over. Sometimes more healing needs to take place and more work needs to be done. The good news, God’s favor lasts a lifetime. We are blessed to have a Jehovah Rapha who heals all wounds. We may not understand on this side of the cross but we can have joy that one day in heaven we will.

Jehovah Rapha, My Lord who heals me, cradle me as I sit at your feet. Thank you for a lifetime of favor. I surrender my wounds to be healed. Forgive me when I pick them back up tomorrow. Celebrate with me when I leave them with you. Today is the day you have made. I desire to heal in exchange for joy. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am calling today Thoughtful Thursday because of the thought that God puts into each and every day. From creation to the cross, each day He has made. The name El Shaddai which means Lord God Almighty comes from the story of Abraham and Sarah. I pray this blessing over each of us this very day as together we rejoice; “May the God of your father help you; may the Almighty bless you with the blessings of the heavens above, and blessings of the watery depths below, and blessings of the breasts and womb.” Genesis‬ ‭49‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What is on your mind today? Is there something that has not gone the way you envisioned? It’s ok because the Almighty God that made the sky is the same gentle spirit that knows our every thought. The song, “El Shaddai” by Amy Grant comes to mind. I encourage you to not only listen but to thoughtfully sing the words for God to hear. Let’s pray.

El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty, you are so thoughtful. Thank you for making today and considering every intricate detail. Forgive me when I miss seeing the blessing. Celebrate with me when I choose to be mindful and intentional. Today is the day that you have made. I will choose joy in the blessing of today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬

We made it to Worship Wednesday. Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo of the beach and pier. It is the same view as yesterday but today the sun is brightly shining. Notice our key verse from Prophet Zephaniah, one of the twelve minor prophets. We have switched roles because today isn’t necessarily about our joy but God’s joy over us.

Doesn’t this verse bring a smile to your face? They say it takes more facial muscles to frown than to smile. I pray that whatever stresses your day holds, you can smile for God today. He not only loves us but he takes delight in us. Can you envision God singing over you? When I think of the joy God has for us I think of “El Roi,” The God who sees me. Let’s pray.

El Roi, My Lord Who Sees Me, I receive your joyful songs. Thank you for taking delight in me. Forgive me when I don’t worship you. Celebrate with me when I shout for joy. Today is the day you have made, I pray that as I smile I will shine your joy on those I encounter. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Testimony Tuesday we can learn a lot from Habakkuk, one of the twelve minor Prophets. Do you feel like you don’t have a testimony to share because you don’t see the joy in your present surroundings? Do you feel like you need to wait for perfection? Looking over the horizon of this picture we see no end. We know there is a beautiful beach and a pier but we can’t see that there might be provision up ahead. The same must have been true for Habakkuk.

For Habakkuk, even when life seemed hopeless, he rejoiced in God. It would be easy to fall into spiritual famine but this is when we need to maintain a posture of prayer. Like Habakkuk, we can choose joy. Even though we can’t see beyond the horizon, we can trust in God. Even though there are no buds on the trees, God’s will is perfect. When I think of God as my provider, I think of “Jehovah Jireh,” the Lord will provide. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Jireh, Lord My Provider, I will rejoice in you. Thank you for the trees even if they have no buds. Forgive me when I focus on my present surroundings and celebrate with me when I share in your glory. Today is the day you have made, I choose joy in your perfect will. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen