“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A few weeks ago while returning to my friend’s house after an evening walk, we happened upon the insect in the picture. I am not an entomologist so I am not sure of the correct name for this insect. In my opinion it’s a huge grasshopper and I usually try to avoid them. However, I was stopped in my tracks at the sight and had to snap this picture. As I look closely at the image, I am intrigued by the details God has given to such a creature. Isn’t God amazing?

Often in life, we rush from one task to another and we lose our focus on God. When we lose our focus we also lose our perspective. Today’s verses reminds us to stay focused. Now read The Message version of the same verses.

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23-27‬ ‭MSG‬‬

On this Focus Friday morning, let’s slow down and check our gaze. Are we looking straight ahead? Are we looking for God’s guidance and blessings as we travel throughout our day or are we focused on “sideshow distractions?” Today let’s keep our eyes straight ahead and when we do find ourselves distracted, may each of us look for signs of God. After all, God made grasshoppers and painted them with beautiful hues. Think of how much more careful attention to detail God had when he created you and I!

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I wonder what this person is thinking. I wonder if this person is pondering or reflecting about situations that only involves self or more focused on others. Where would your thoughts carry you if you were on this beach scene?

On this Thoughtful Thursday, let’s focus on the Golden Rule. Let’s reflect on our daily routines and ponder ways we can treat others the ways we like to be treated. Let’s be intentionally thoughtful in the ways we speak and treat others.

Are there areas in your daily life where you may not be following the “Golden Rule? Are there people that you need to treat more like you want to be treated? Allow God to guide your thoughts and actions today as you strive to act and react more like Christ.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday I shared this same scripture and talked about the cloud of witnesses that surrounds us. Today, I want to focus on “the sin that so easily entangles us.”

We all sin. We are human so it is inevitable. If you are like me you have that one thing that is always an area of failure. Although I know better and God convicts me over and over, I still trip and fall. Today’s photo captured by Ray White is an example of how humans have to have warnings and lessons repeated over and over.

How about you? Do you have that one issue that you always revert back to and fall into the trap of sin? Do you have sin that entangles you?

On this Water Walking Wednesday, my prayer for you and I is that we step out of the boat and lay that sin down once and for all. May we let go and let God have that one area of our life that we keep holding on to or picking back up. May we heed the warning signs that are flashing before us once and for all.

Click here and listen to Lauren Daigle‘s song titled “Once and For All.” May God give you and me the strength and courage to lay that one area down, once and for all.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Notice the various cloud formations in the two pictures above. The pictures were captured about the same time but one view was straight in front of me while the other view was to my left. I was intrigued by the various formations so I did some research. Did you know that the temperature of the air around the clouds affects their shape. Click here to read some more detailed facts about cloud formations.

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday I encourage you to reflect on your environment and how it affects you. Who and what do you choose to surround you? Do you rely on a cloud of witnesses to guide, direct, and shape you? Then ponder how you are included in a cloud of witnesses and are an influence on others. You have been given the opportunity to help transform those around you. How are you using your opportunity? Are you being a Christian influence?

Click here and listen to this old but goodie song from Mark Shultz called “Cloud of Witnesses”. Allow the words of today’s scripture and song to be a reminder that we are shaped by the cloud of witnesses that surrounds us and we are included in that cloud to influence others. May each of us realize the magnitude of this charge and may it transform our words and actions.

““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

WOW! What an amazing image captured by Ray White. Look at the beautiful and perfect reflection of the bird. It is an exact mirror image.

This Mindset Monday I encourage you to examine your image. Are you reflecting your Savior to those around you? Do they see Christ in you? Are you a perfect mirror image of Jesus?

Spend some time pondering what others see when they look at you in the various places of your life-church, home, work, grocery store? Do they see Christ in your reflection. The Beatitudes are a beautiful guide for our Christian walk.

Click here and listen to “Let Them See You”. Prayerfully consider what image you are portraying and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in ways you can be more like Christ.

“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Are you shouting for joy on this Spiritual Sunday? This morning are you singing praise to your Savior who has delivered you? What brings you joy in your daily walk?

I love the beach. The waves crashing on the shoreline are music that soothes my soul and calms my spirit. In fact, my husband and I sleep to the sound of the ocean on our sound machine. Today’s photo by Ray White is a visual reminder of the place that brings me such peace. The ocean brings me such joy that at the beginning of the summer I set a goal for myself to be on the shore at least once a week. That intentional joy seeking activity proved to be a weekly rejuvenation that blessed me over and over.

Is there an activity that brings joy to you? Set a goal to do that activity this week. Be intentional about your time to ensure you can fit in your joy-filled activity. When you can find moments of joy, all those moments compound to build joyous momentum that will carry you through the difficult times of struggle you may face.

As you close your devotion time, listen to CeCe Winans sing “I’ve Got Joy.” Click here to worship and praise God. Then make your plan for intentional joy in your schedule. Guess where I am going today after church!

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Click here and join me for See You Saturday as we talk about pursuing peace!

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at the goal. ~ Martin Luther King Jr.