“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

“The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Take a moment on this Moving Forward Monday to look at this photo by Ray White. He used a long exposure to get motion blur of the Skywheel and people walking on the street. In our key verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they are on the edge of the Promised Land. They had stayed long enough and it was time to move forward off that mountain. I imagine the Israelites felt like their path had been blurred after wandering for forty years.

How often do we get paralyzed with fear or confusion? We tend to battle our minds sometimes wondering if we heard God correctly or if we are equipped for the task. Or maybe the season or trial has been too tough for us to see the good that is ahead. In my running journey, a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at Spelman College in 1960 often gets me moving, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

In the song “Promised Land” by Toby Mac and Sheryl Crow, some of the lyrics sing, “I won’t give up on this race. Broken but I still have faith” and “Through all these seasons. I’m still believin’.” What mountain do you need to move from? What valley are you stuck in? Just remember that God has plans for all of us; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This Psalm of David was written while in the desert of Judah. Even in our desert places, we are satisfied when we earnestly seek God and choose to glorify Him. When praise is on our lips we can feel satisfied. A synonym to satisfy is quench which is exactly what our first response should be in those desert places, to quench our souls with praise on our lips.

In the worship song “Satisfied” by Chris Tomlin he talks about how the mountains that we ascend often leave us empty. Our focus tends to be on achievement but it is in the process where we should seek to find God’s goodness. We can count our blessings one by one within the day-to-day and be satisfied.

Will you join me in choosing to earnestly seek God first this week? Will you quench your soul through praise and worship? Will you count your blessings one by one? Let’s make prayer and worship our first response rather than our last resort.

“So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul—”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Click the link and join me for See You Saturday. We are all loved and redeemable!

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Check our Ray White on IG, @D.Ray.White

Apple Podcast: “Old Roots New Fruits” by Holly Furtick

Song “I Got You” by Zach Williams

Julie Wicker’s 2023 Word and Mantra

Deborah Ard’s 2023 Word and Mantra

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I have enjoyed talking about the different types of love this past week. Today I will highlight Phila Love which is considered friendship love. The words in the above photo that describe this love are fondness, organic, and affection. There is a quote that I love by Jess C. Scott, “Friends are the family you choose”. I truly believe that God organically puts all the right people in our lives just when we need them.

Paul writes in the verses above that as God’s chosen people we are to clothe ourselves in certain virtues. When I think of friendship, these same virtues come to mind: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. I am so that thankful to have a circle of Godly friends that love me and are patient with me.

Have you ever thought of Jesus as being your best friend? In the song “What a Friend” by Matt Maher, he sings about that friendship. Just like our earthly friends fill our cup, Jesus fills it so that it runs over.

Monday – Word and Mantra for 2023

Tuesday – Eros Love

Wednesday –Storge Love

Thursday – Agape Love

So far this week we have talked about Eros love and Storge love. Today I want to highlight Agape love. It is the highest form of love. Agape love involves faithfulness, commitment, and an act of the will. It is distinguished from the other types of love by its lofty moral nature and strong character.

Agape love is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

When I think of my word “love” for 2023, agape comes to mind. Paul illustrates this faithful, committed love well in our key verse. The word “always” really speaks to me. There is never a time when God doesn’t love us, even when we are lost.

We also read about this faithful, committed love in the parable of the lost sheep found in Luke. In the song, “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury the lyrics mimic that parable. He sings, “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights till I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine”. On this Thankful Thursday I encourage us to meditate on the parable below. Take a moment to reflect on all the times God has rescued us and persevered for us. Let’s rejoice with God through song and prayer.

“Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬

Monday – Word and Mantra for 2023

Tuesday – Eros Love

Wednesday –Storge Love