Do you ever let your mind get in the way of what God can do? For me it can be a stumbling block to limit God. Notice in Eph 3:20 NIV, God isn’t just capable of immeasurably more in our circumstances, He is also immeasurably more within you and I; 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,”

In the song “Didn’t I walk on Water”, some of the lyrics sing; Didn’t I walk on the water and I calme the raging sea. I spoke to the wind, it hushed and I gave you peace. Didn’t I run to your rescue, didn’t I hear you when you called
I walked right beside you just so you wouldn’t fall. Didn’t I leave all of heaven just to die for your sins. Searched until I found you and Id do it all again.

Like in this picture, we can make a puddle of water into a raging sea. Good news, God is in our hearts and our minds. He can bring peace to our minds. We just have to call His name. On this Water Walking Wednesday let’s remember this song and know that God can do immeasurably more in both the puddles and the raging seas.

Click Here and let’s worship with the Dunaways!

Yesterday I encouraged us to be intentional with the stumbling blocks that could hold us back from listening, loving, and following Jesus. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday a stumbling block for me is only leaning into God when times are tough or when at a cross road. If you look at this picture there is an arrow pointing to the Half-Marathon and an arrow pointing to the Marathon. This particular day I had to go right. It was hard but I leaned into God for strength and put my trust in Him. If I had the choice to go left, would I have leaned into and trusted God the same? Unfortunately probably not because it would have been an easier road.

Is our stumbling block, only putting trust in God when we are afraid? “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psa‬ ‭56:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God tells us He will be with us wherever we go. This means both to the left or right, easier path or harder path; “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.””
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage us to remove the blocks by leaning into God for strength and trusting Him at all times. I pray everyone has an easy road to travel this week! Let’s not forget to praise Him along the way.

Yesterday our the church’s bulletin there was a quote; “The first duty of love is to listen” – Paul Tillich. Then in the sermon, Pastor Charles said; “to follow, we must first listen”. God really had my attention, especially after last week on Transformation Tips Tuesday, Deborah talked about listening. If you missed that post, you can click here to read.

As I sit and ponder those words this morning, I think about what are my stumbling blocks that may hold me back from loving, listening, and following. Just before Jesus’s instruction in Matthew‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭NIV, Peter was arguing with Jesus about the prediction of His death. Jesus went as far in verse 23 to tell Peter he was a stumbling block.

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”‬‬

On this Mindset Monday, let’s be intentional with our Christian walk throughout the week. This picture is a reminder that we must daily take up our cross. The blocks we move today, may be the same blocks we move tomorrow. It is ok because it is the daily act of taking up our cross, listening, loving, and following our Jesus that expresses our love.

Happy Mothers Day to all our Mamas. If your not a mama, you may be a daughter or son. You may be an aunt or uncle. Either way on this Spiritual Sunday, let’s honor all the beautiful women in our lives. In God’s eyes, the beauty comes from within; “Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.” 1 Pet‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Why are Sunday mornings the hardest? It seems like that is when all the fights happen. Why does the clock seem different on Sunday mornings? We can be on time Monday – Saturday, but Sundays we can barely make it out the door. These are memories I have as a child and as a parent. It seems to be true in most households. Let’s not get stuck on the moments we yelled too loud or said words we can’t take back. Yet rather look back on the legacy that was left and the legacy carried on. It is the quiet, gentle moments of God’s love shining through the madness that will be cherished and remembered.

On this Spiritual Sunday Click here and listen to Leave a Legacy by Alita. Remember we don’t have to be a mother to pass on a legacy. We are all children of God and it takes a village to raise our children.

Click Here to join me in See You Saturday!

FYI, if you watch the video you will know what the laundry is all about in this picture 👇

Last Friday Deborah shared a picture of her succulent that she received from a church Senior tea. Today I wanted to share a picture of my succulent that I received the same day. I repotted mine not long after I got it. Mine too has started to bud flowers. Even being planted in different conditions we can grow and flourish. No matter where or how we are planted, we serve the same God. In Heb 13:8 NIV; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

On this Finish Friday know that the God today is the same God of Jacob, Moses, Mary, and David. He is our Rock of all Ages. In Deu 32:4 NIV; “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” May be all go about our day with Godly confidence knowing we have a faithful God who’s works are perfect.

Click Here to worship with the song Same God by Elevation Worship, featuring Jonsal Barrientes

Last night in the middle of my run, I felt led to stop and pray at our church’s outdoor altar. I had been running and praying. I was struggling with my thoughts and the idea of surrendering them to God’s will. Earlier in the day I read the verse from 1 John 5:14 NIV; “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Then when the song Battle Belongs played I knew the only way to battle is to surrender. Here are the lyrics:

So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who will fight my battles for me. No longer having an earthly Father to run to, I am thankful to have a God who is for me! In Romans 8:31 NIV “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

It is hard to stop, pray, and wait. Many times we take this verse from Psalm 46:10 NIV out of context; He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” I encourage you to read all of Psalm 46. Did you know it was written during battle. How can we be still in the middle of a battle? It is surrendering to God in prayer and supplication. Let God do the heavy lifting.

On this Thankful Thursday I am also thankful God is my fortress. In Psalms‬ ‭46:11‬ ‭NIV; “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” There is never a need that we can’t run to God and turn over in prayer. Click Here to worship with Phil Wickham.