How often do we wait to move forward until we can see the nail scared hands ourselves? Do we need to see the evidence God is moving before we take the next step? For Doubting Thomas he needed to see Jesus; “So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”” John 20:25 NIV
On this Water Walking Wednesday let’s not wait till we see the evidence. We can make the choice to speak, My Lord and my God with confidence. We can step forward knowing His nail scared hands are always working on our behalf. If we mess up, the same nail scared hands will be there to pick us up.
Let’s pray!
Father, you are my Lord and my God. Thank you for always being patient with me, even when I insist on seeing the evidence. I ask for the strength and confidence to walk on water today. May your Holy Spirit be my guide in every step I take and every word I speak. In the name of Jesus Amen.
God has all we need, if we would only serve him and always turn to him to get fed. In Psalm 81:16 NIV King David tells us we will be rewarded for our service by being fed; “But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.””
In the song Honey in the Rock by Brooke Ligertwood and Brandon Lake, there are some important lyrics tucked in the middle. Freedom whеre the Spirit is. Bounty in the wildеrness. You will always satisfy. Even in our times spent in the wilderness, the Holy Spirit is always there to satisfy. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, remember to keep praying because God is moving and to keep praising because God is proving. The Transformation process that happens when we do can be as simple and sweet as honey from the rock.
The book of Habakkuk is the eighth book of the twelve minor prophets. It is a dialogue between Yahweh and the prophet. Habakkuk was writing this book long before Jesus was born. He knew the darkness that lived in the world and struggled to trust God, yet he was able to grow in faith. In Hab 1:5 NIV we read; “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Hab 1:5 NIV
Look at this peace Lilly. Do you see what I see behind all the big leaves? This big leafy plant creates a beautiful Lilly over time. On this Mindset Monday let’s make the choice to look for the good and turn to God in everything we do and say. We have an opportunity to be utterly amazed when we do. Darkness can turn to light. Strife can turn to peace. There isn’t anything that can’t be redeemed.
On this Spiritual Sunday do you have the courage to carry on? Time is a thief when it comes to making memories, yet it can also feel like a thousand years. In this photo, the bird appears to be traveling at the speed of light. Good news, it is not for us to worry about the how and when. God is always on the way and always here to carrying us on. The best news, He is not slow in keeping his promises; “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
May we all take courage today. My prayer is that we can all go to our places of worship and surrender the areas in our life that feel to heavy to carry. May we all experience the Joy of our redemption and the joy found in God’s faithful promises.
Click Here to watch See you Saturday with Deborah as she talks about Blooming in the Desert. She reads the message version of Isaiah 35:3-4; “Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!””
Good Friday is a somber day as I sit and think about all that Jesus endured. Take a moment to think about Jesus’s mother Mary as she stood at the cross; “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:25 NIV. I am sure if you are a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, sister, brother, or friend, you have watched a child suffer in some way. Whether physical or emotional pain, it is not easy to endure. I still can’t fathom what Mary went through the day of crucifixion and the days to follow. I can only hope that knowing Jesus suffered for everyone’s salvation got her through the pain.
It is a somber day because we are in the lineage of Jesus. We are His chosen people. We are His sons and daughters, witnessing our Heavenly Father suffer. When I read 1 Peter 2:4-9 NIV, I am so thankful that Jesus chose you and I; “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Although it is a somber day, I can find the bright side looking at this beautiful image by Ray White. I can see Jesus bringing us from dark to light. I can see the unconditional love poured out for you and I. As a child and parent I can see that God is smiling. God must have been so proud of Jesus that day.
“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” Psa 118:24 NIV
Today is not only Thankful Thursday but it is also Maundy Thursday. Today Jesus and His Disciples gathered together at the last supper. I can only imagine how weary Jesus is at this point. We know after his evening spent with the Disciples, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to retreat and pray.
For us today we have this beautiful image of retreating through hope in Isaiah 40:31 NIV; “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” There is nothing like the word of God to renew our spirits when we are physically and mentally tired.
When the sun goes down, think about Jesus in the Garden. I encourage us all to find a quiet place to retreat in prayer tonight. May the hope of Jesus renew our spirits.
If you don’t have a Maundy Thursday service to attend and your in the area, you can join us at Herbert Memorial United Methodist Church at 6:00pm tonight. It is located at 84 Forest Avenue in Georgetown SC.
