‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV – Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”‬‬

Today’s key verse is about Zechariah hearing the news that his wife Elizabeth, who previously could not conceive, is bearing a child. This is not just any child, but John the Baptist. Notice Zechariah was gripped with fear at the sight of the angel. I would call this a healthy fear. Hearing God’s message through a Sunday worship service can often bring on a healthy fear. 

God doesn’t usually call us to play it safe. God wants to see our Sunday behaviors carried through our week. We tend to say “Yes Lord” on Sunday because we have a holy, healthy fear that the Holy Spirit gives us. When Monday comes we tend to slip back into our own earthly fears and behaviors. Will you allow the holy, healthy fear you feel today get you out of your boat on Monday?

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Sunday behaviors that can get me moving in holy fear. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit to get me out of my boat. Equip me to say “Yes Lord” as I go about my week. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Join me for See You Saturday as I talk about staying in the moment or thinking long!

Psalm 34:8 NIV – Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.

Do you celebrate the little things? My friend recently gifted me with a Florida Mango. This sweet, juicy fruit was very refreshing on a hot summer day. God tells us to taste and see that He is good. 

Not only did the mango taste delicious, but it also looked good with its bright yellow-orange color. When we see through God, we can feast on His goodness. As we all go about our day I encourage us to celebrate the little things.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You that I can feast on Your goodness. Thank You for Your sweet blessings that refresh my soul. Help me to celebrate the little things. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Romans 12:10 NIV – Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Have you ever had a friend to step in at just the right moment? I envision God working behind the scenes to give us friendly intuition. “God Winks” can be both on the giving and receiving end. Whether it is a walk with a friend or a dinner gathering to celebrate or just catching up, God gives us what we need.

If you have ever had a furry friend, you know their unconditional love is a lot like Agape love, which I shared earlier in the year. Any time I am sad or stressed, my dog is a wonderful comforter. On this Thankful Thursday, who are you thankful for? Who can you love and honor above yourself today? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for the friendships in my life. Thank You for friendly intuition and God winks. Show me who I can love and honor above myself today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 Peter 4:8-9 NIV – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Do you offer love and hospitality to others? Sunday our Pastor gave a sermon on God’s Kingdom. He said that we can’t focus on the King and not the Kingdom. In reading today’s key verse, we read one example of how to focus on God’s Kingdom.

Last weekend we had the joy of hosting our new neighbors for dinner. It was a wonderful opportunity to focus on God’s Kingdom through human connection and hospitality. On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage you to think of ways you can focus on God’s Kingdom.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your example to love each other deeply. Guide me as I share Your love and help me not to grumble. Equip me to be hospitable. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Romans 15:7 NIV – Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Do you include others or do you tend to exclude? According to the dictionary, include is to comprise or contain as part of a whole. In reading today’s key verse, how does including others bring praise to God? 

God has accepted us and made us whole. He has included us from creation to relationship. By including others we are putting action into acceptance. We are making something whole. We are bringing praise to God by offering the same acceptance that He has offered you and me.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for accepting me. Thank You for including me and making me whole. Help me to offer the same acceptance to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 Corinthians 16: 14 NIV – Do everything in love.

Do you ever stop to evaluate your motives? In our key verse, we are instructed to do everything in love. Bad motives can’t achieve well in the end (A bad motive can’t achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble. – Proverbs 17:20 MSG). Good motives may not always be perceived as intended. We can’t control a lot in our lives but we can control our inputs and the motives behind them.

What does a bad motive look like? What does a good motive look like? I think all of us could come up with different responses. I encourage us all as we go about our day to evaluate our whys. May we always keep our “Y” with Yahweh in mind, which is another name for Lord or Jehovah (“I am Yahweh” Exodus ‭6‬:2‬ Legacy Standard Bible).

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for giving me the gift of ambition. I desire for all my motives to come from love. Help me to always keep my “Y” with Yahweh in mind. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.