‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.‬

Sunday I encouraged you to find soul rest. Monday I encouraged you to keep going. Today I encourage you to Trust in God and not get discouraged.

Let’s pick a word to focus on today. When we start to feel discouraged, sad, or worried may this verse transform our feelings to bring us joy, and to place our trust in God so that we can experience His perfect peace and hope.

Hope: A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Joy: A feeling of great pleasure.

Peace: Freedom from disturbance; tranquility.

Trust: Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

What word or words will you choose to focus on today?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in full surrender. I trust You and want to experience Your hope, joy, and peace. Help me not to get discouraged. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Sunday I encouraged you to make time for soul rest. Today I am telling you not to give up. God has a purpose for the journey. God will bless long obedience. Joshua is the perfect example of long obedience in the same direction when marching around Jericho for seven days. 

I encourage you to meditate on ‭‭Joshua‬ 6. In particular focus on Joshua ‭6‬:‭3‬-‭4‬‭ NIV — March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

‭‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

This road of life we are traveling changes with the different seasons. In Mark 6:31, the Disciples were so busy they didn’t have time to eat. You may be in the trenches with little ones. You may be working endless hours. You may be caring for the elderly. You may be running after grandchildren. You may be in sorrow. No matter where we all are in our journey, we must remember to have moments where we go away with God through stillness, prayer, and devotion so that we can find soul rest.

On this Spiritual Sunday, I pray we can go to our places of worship and get renewed for the week ahead. Will you take time each day to find a quiet place? I pray we all experience His peace today and throughout our week.

Let’s worship!

I’m Desperate For You by Red Rock Worship

Let’s finish this week spent on reflection by reading a devotion from Our Daily Bread titled Reflecting the Light of the Son. As you read, allow God to shape your thoughts, words, and actions so that you too will be reflecting the light of the Son.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, may I be a “joyful light of hope and peace”. May I “look more and more like Jesus every day.” In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@ourdailybread 

Colossians 3:10 ESV — Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

How can we become more like the image of God? Read Colossians 3:12-17 ESV for guidance on ways to grow more in His image. 

One way to begin is to practice gratitude. As we have shared before, Julie and I each have a gratitude journal that we record daily gratitudes. This habit has proven to be a game changer in my attitude and focus. Focusing on the blessings in each day helps create a spirit of thankfulness. Take a moment now to look around and thank God for the blessings around you. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for all the blessings of today. Create in me a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness and as a result may I reflect You in my words and actions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion 

James 1:19-27 NIV

One day I was able to enjoy the sun’s reflection on water and revel at the beauty. As I basked in the warm glow, I observed how bright the reflection of the sun was compared to the rest of the water. I noticed how the reflection bled out into the water, but the farther away from the reflection, the darker the water got. This reminded me to examine my own reflection. The more time I spend in prayer and devotion, the brighter I shine for Christ. Likewise, the farther I move away from Christ, the less I reflect His light in my words and actions.

Be intentional about spending time with Christ. Ask Him to show you when and where He is calling you to reflect His image to others.

Dear God, thank You for Your warm light. May my words and actions reflect You as I go about my day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion