“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Welcome to Mindset Monday. Take a moment to notice Ray’s photo of the sky wheel. It is different from yesterday because it is moving. Take a moment to read our key verse from Psalms. I shared the New Living Translation because I liked the idea of having “renewed cheer.” If you read the New International Version, God brings us joy, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Have you ever had doubts? Have you ever had anxiety?

Consolation is the comfort we receive from the Holy Spirit. We read in Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV, “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.” What is your mindset today? Last week Deborah shared with us to be mission-minded, to allow our minds to be transformed, to be bold, to be thankful, and to have endurance, perseverance, and patience through it all.

When life feels like you can’t get off the moving sky wheel, turn to the Holy Spirit for comfort and peace. When I think of God being my comforter, I think of “Jehovah Shalom,” the Lord is peace. If you missed Deborah’s live on “Mindset”, I encourage you to go back and listen. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Shalom, Lord my peace, I sit at your feet for comfort. Fill me with joy and renew my cheer so that I can have a mindset set on heavenly realms. Forgive me when I doubt and celebrate with me when I persevere with bold faith. Today is the day you have made, I choose to trust in the power of your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank you for joining us on Strength Sunday. This week we will be focusing on joy. Take a moment to enjoy this beautiful photo of the Myrtle Beach Sky Wheel. What does joy mean? As a noun, it is the feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Joy is derived from the word rejoice. I will be transparent in that joy is something I struggle with. I am also afraid of heights and have no desire to ever ride this sky wheel. Like joy, getting on the sky wheel is a choice. Let’s read how the people in the book of Nehemiah found joy.

In Nehemiah, we read about the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile. Chapter 8 is Ezra’s reading of God’s law to His people and the celebration of the “Feast of the Tabernacles”. This feast is basically a seven-day celebration honoring the forty years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness. You can read more about this in Leviticus 23:33-44. What does the “joy of the Lord is your strength” mean? Think about how tired the people must have been after the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This feast was meant to be sacred and celebrated, not just for one day but for seven. Think about the strength that was gained through rest and fellowship. In Nehemiah 8:17 NIV we get our answers; “The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.”

Sunday is just one day out of seven that we receive rest and fellowship but it should be sacred and celebrated with great joy all seven days. Every day celebrated is a victory. It gives me joy to think of our Lord as “Jehovah Nissi,” the Lord is our banner. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Nissi, Lord my banner, I am a victorious mighty warrior. Thank you for your redeeming love and living word to guide me through destruction, restoration, and celebration. Open my heart, eyes, and ears to feel, see, and hear the joy that only you can provide. Forgive me when I fall short and celebrate with me when I get back up. Today is the day you have made. I choose to seek the sacredness of celebrated joy for it is the source of my strength. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Join me for “See You Saturday” as I talk about these dirty dishes you see here in my sink.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalms‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage you to really listen to the words in the song “You’re Not Done” by Leeland and Charity Gayle.

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday I talked about cultivating our own truth like Abram and Sarai did when making their own plans to have a son. The good news, even though their plan wasn’t God’s plan He was still faithful in His promise to Abraham. Can you imagine being told at the age of 100 that your wife is going to bear a son? Can you imagine birthing a baby at the age of 90 to a son you had been promised 25 years earlier?

The biblical definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1 NIV, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Martin Luther King Jr. Also defines faith in his speech at the New York Cities Park-Sheraton Hotel in 1962, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” Our faith is like this photo by Ray White because we don’t know God’s big-picture plans until they happen. We might think it looks like something different and there will be times we mess up along the way. Like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Rehab we need to keep the faith and prayerfully take the next step.

I urge you to read all of Hebrews 11 which is known as the “Faith Hall of Fame. And in case you missed “True God Thursday’s” post, I encourage you to go back and read it.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For the first time, I am reading the Bible in a year through the Run for God Club. As a result, I have been reading the Old Testament. I am reminded of a world that lived before Jesus’s birth, death, and resurrection. I have been reminded of the same sin that tempted Eve tempts us today. In particular, the story of Abraham and Sarah has been speaking to me. Their story begins in Genesis, Chapter 12 when they were known as Abram and Sarai. They both wanted a son and were willing to cultivate their own truth versus waiting on God’s promise. Let’s recap!

In Genesis 15:4 NIV we read how God promised Abram a son; “Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”

In Genesis 16:2 NIV we read how Sarai came up with her own plan for a son, “so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” Genesis‬ ‭16‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In Genesis 17:16 NIV we read how God continued to be faithful even when Abraham and Sarah cultivated their own truth, “I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

What truth are you believing today? In a world of full of sin it is easy to cultivate our own truth. Thankfully we are blessed by living on this side of the cross. We are blessed with the way, the truth, and the life through our Savior, Christ Jesus. Good news, even when we fall outside the will of God, His saving grace loves us unconditionally.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

At a 1957 speech in Montgomery, Alabama Martin Luther King Jr. spoke the words, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” This quote reminds me of our key verse from the Apostle Matthew. I think it is easy for us to forget that what we do for the least of these we are doing for God.

I am calling today, “What Wednesday?” Maybe your what is to pray for someone or pick up groceries for someone in need. Possibly you’re volunteering at Helping Hands or delivering food to a recovery center. The picture above from Ray White was taken in little old Georgetown, South Carolina. Our town tends to be referred to as “between Myrtle Beach and Charleston.” I am sure in comparison there might seem little to do. In reality, there is so much that can be done.

In Colossians 3:23 NIV we read, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” As you reflect on your “what,” I encourage you to listen and watch the music video, “Do Something” by Matthew West. Whatever you do, serve with your whole heart.

 ^“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Something about a new calendar year inspires us to look forward and make resolutions for the upcoming 12 months, just as the end of a year often causes reflection. At the beginning of a new year we can make proclamations and promises to get more exercise, eat better, kick bad habits, maybe finally read that classic book that has sat on the shelf for 20 years.

Each year Deborah and Julie select a word and a mantra of the year, and so do I. This year my word is “prayer” and my mantra is “God is always with me.” I resolve to pray more often each day and offer thanks. God has promised he will never leave my side!

In our busy lives it is easy to say prayers before bedtime or in a time of need. But that isn’t what Paul directed. “Pray continually.” While we will fall short of continuous prayer we can have a prayerful attitude at all times. Such an attitude acknowledges our dependence on God. We can pray frequent short prayers. We can establish times each day when we stop whatever we are doing and pray, giving sincere thanks to God, even in difficult times, because He has provided a path to eternal life through His son, Jesus Christ. I will rejoice, because “God is always with me.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV reads, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Did you choose a word for 2023? Do you have a mantra or quote that you want to shape your days? It’s not too late. We would love to hear from you about what God has laid on your heart.

~ Ray White