As you sit with God, take a moment to light a fragrant candle. Take a few good deep breaths. Now as you read John 12:3 NIV your senses can start to imagine this fragrant perfume: “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” Mary boldly used this expensive perfume as a fragrant offering to God. When a Disciple questioned the use of such an expensive perfume Jesus spoke in verses 7-8: “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

How can we worship God through our sense of smell? By being a Mary who desires to sit at God’s feet with fragrant offerings. By being a Water Walker who walks in love so that others will know the aroma of Christ. By worshiping God with the valuable gift of the heart as we read in 1 Peter 3:4 HCSB: “Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes.” Remember that God created us for relationships. The posture of our hearts is a beautiful aroma to Him. Now let’s pray.

Dear God, Thank you for choosing me to have a relationship with you. Forgive me when I get caught up in what others may think. I desire to worship you with a sweet and gentle heart. in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As you have devotion today imagine yourself sitting at the table with Jesus. Imagine the fellowship shared between Jesus and His Disciples at the Living Last Supper. In our key verse, Jesus used bread as a metaphor for His body. The breaking and eating of bread symbolizes His broken body on the cross and our brokenness today.

The verses following in Matthew 26:27-28 we read about the cup; “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus used a cup of wine as a metaphor for His blood. The drinking of wine symbolizes the blood He had shed on the cross and the washing of our sins.

How do we worship God with our taste? Notice in both the breaking of bread and drinking from the cup, Jesus starts off with, giving thanks. Today we give thanks before our meals. How often do we rush through and minimize this prayer? How often do we forget or skip over it? The next time you pray over a meal I encourage you to be intentional with your time with God.

We should all desire to taste and experience the bread of life with joy. In the New Living Translation of Psalm 34:8 we read; “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” In reality, sometimes our worship is weary. His table is here for us to find peace, comfort, and strength as we read in Matthew 11:28 NIV: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Take a moment to worship God with “The Table” by Chris Tomlin. Now let’s pray.

Dear God, Thank you for providing your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Forgive me for times when I have forgotten to give thanks. I desire to sit at your table today to worship you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“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.