In Psalm 143:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ we read David’s prayer to be rescued from his enemies. Verse 8 really speaks to me; “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”‬

I am a planner. I like to map out my days and my weeks. Ultimately God’s plans will prevail; “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Pr‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬. It’s when things don’t go as planned that we cry out to God.

Look at this picture and envision what the builders are planning. I imagine this will become a house on stilts. There are contractors and builders working together, trusting each other with their plans. In the end will be a beautiful masterpiece. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday will we surrender and entrust God with our plans and our lives? Will we have trust and faith like David? I say we because often I am writing to myself.

Anyone struggling with this, ask God today for a renewal. May His unfailing love wash over any anxious thoughts. May our hearts and minds be transformed.

Happy Valentines Day! Last Friday Deborah finished the week strong with an encouraging world to do everything in love. On this Mindset Monday, I want to encourage us all to do everything with grace. We tend to put a lot of expectations and unnecessary pressure on our relationships, whether it is a spouse, child, parent, friend, or co-worker.

In this Message version of Psalm 145: 8-9, God does everyone soaked through with grace “God is all mercy and grace— not quick to anger, is rich in love. God is good to one and all; everything he does is soaked through with grace.” We could allow the world to influence our mindset towards people, situations, or even ourselves that are in need of grace or we could allow God’s word to soak through. Will you be quick to anger today? Or will you be rich in love?

Can you imagine standing with John as the Angel showed him the Garden of Eden. These earthly images of the Juney Wank Falls, I am sure cannot compare. In revelation 22:1 NIV we read; “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb”
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Reading this verse, seeing and hearing these images brings me joy and hope. The vastness of God cannot be contained. His love isn’t finite, it has no limits and no bounds. Although this song, Garden by Kari Job isn’t necessarily about the Garden of Eden, it is a song of hope. We can parral it with the promises God gives us. One of the lyrics sings; “You will stop at nothing to heal my broken soul”.

This world will often leave us broken. Thankfully God keeps running after us. On this Spiritual Sunday sit at the throne of God. Bask in His beauty. Imagine yourself standing their with John at the Garden of Eden. Breathe in hope, joy, and love. Let’s be open to hear what God has for us today through His word and song. I pray we will all feel a renewing to start are week refreshed by God’s living water.

Here is The Story of the Garden song. I always love to know the meaning behind a song.

As we begin this Finish Friday that is leading us to Valentine’s Day, let’s be intentional about doing “everything in love.”

1 Corinthians was written to the Corinthians by Paul. In chapter 16 Paul is encouraging the Corinthians in their faith journey. Read these two versions of the same verses.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭MSG‬‬

What are ways that you “do everything in love” or “love without stopping”? Do you give sacrificially to your family and friends? Have you shown love through your actions? Today I want to encourage you to also examine your attitude. Greet others with a positive attitude. Tackle each task today with a loving attitude. Being intentional with your attitude will invariably affect your actions. Before you know it, others will notice and wonder why you have a loving approach. As a result, they will “know we are Christians by our love.”

Listen to this version of the song By Our Love by King and Country as you prayerfully consider how you will show love this Finish Friday. Let us love without stopping!

Imagine walking along evergreen trees and suddenly a pop of red leaves dangles among the green foliage. What a beautiful and unexpected surprise. Last night, I had something similar happen to me.

After a long and rather nonstop day, I decided to make a quick stop in a store I had not been in for a while. After making a purchase I went to another area of the store to browse. As I entered back into the aisle I was face to face with a friend I have not seen in a long while. We talked together and caught up with one another for a few minutes. As I left the store I thanked God for the unexpected blessing of seeing her after so long. She was a pop of color among the foliage of my day.

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Thankful Thursday I encourage you to be on the lookout for all the “good and perfect gifts from above.” Be open to the Holy Spirit’s nudging you to do something you may not have originally planned. You never know what blessing or pop of color may be at the end of the aisle! In fact, you may be the unexpected blessing for someone else!

On a recent walk near my house I was intrigued by the scenery. In this picture I see both life and death. The picture seems to capture both winter and summer. It reminded me that at any given moment I should be ready to share the love of God in my words and actions. I may think I should wait until the field is prepped and the temperature is right for growing, but this scripture says otherwise. I should always “be prepared to preach the word of God.” Read the surrounding verses written by Paul to Timothy.

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:1-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage you to ponder your willingness and readiness to share your witness for Jesus Christ. Have you thought about what you will say or do if the opportunity arises for you to share, even if the season is different than you thought? Just looking at this picture it appears you could walk among 2 different seasons within a few moments. Pre-plan your response. Be ready with the words you will use to be a living testament to Your Savior Jesus Christ. Be prepared!

Are you being intentional with being alert? Are you on the look out for the devil? This Transformation Tip Tuesday I encourage you to examine your daily/weekly practices and develop your own plan to prevent being devoured by the devil. The Bible warns us:

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Bible also tells us how to be ready for the schemes of the devil:

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We must “stand firm in faith.” How do you prepare yourself to stand firm in faith? Some ideas are;

* daily devotion and prayer time

*reading and memorizing scripture

*journaling prayers and insights

*weekly worship

*listening to Christian music

*being intentional about who/what you read, watch, listen to

What are some practices you have for “being alert” and prepared for the devil lurking? How do you guard yourself? Today be aware of how you start your day. Do you have room to grow in this area? What new practice will you be intentional about to stand firm in faith?