Isaiah 60:1 NIV — Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
In a 24 hour period the sun rises and the sun sets. Each day we see this repeated again and again. Are you living on repeat? Are you just going through the motions to check another day off the calendar?
Our days can become so monotonous if we allow them to. The good news: God has called us for so much more. We are God’s remnant and He has so many glorious plans for each of us. I encourage us all to get off repeat mode so that we can arise and shine through each new day.
I encourage you to listen to the song, Arise & Shine by New Wine. We are the remnant that will not be shaken but rather, standing firm.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for another sunrise and sunset. I am thankful for the blessings that each new day holds. I seek to shine Your light today. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.
Psalms 119:105 NIV — Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
We can choose to see the light of the moon or the darkness of night. We can be open to seeing God’s word light our path or we can be focused on worldly views which may cause us to stumble.
Is there a scripture that God has laid on your heart to help guide you?
A scripture that has been close to Deborah and I over the years is Isaiah 43:19 NIV — See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Don’t miss out on seeing what God is doing today! Will you perceive it?
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your word that lights my path. Help me to keep my eyes, ears, heart and mind open for what you are doing today. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Philippians 4:13 NIV — I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
A staircase can be used for both ascending and descending. Moving downward tends to be less daunting. Through our mindset we can perceive the week ahead with an “I can” or “I can’t” attitude. What will you choose?
The Bible says we can do ALL THINGS with God’s strength. Just like this staircase has a hand railing, God is holding our hand every step of the way. When in doubt this week, whisper “all things.” I encourage us all to write it on a Post-it note and place it somewhere that can be seen throughout our day.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for equipping me to do all things through You oh Lord, who gives me strength. Help me to have an “I can” attitude today. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Through rest and reset, we reclaim a proper perspective on our lives. Hopefully, we all found time this past weekend to rest so that we can reset for the week ahead.
When I see a basketball hoop, I see a challenge. We can choose to let our challenges get the best of us or we can choose to reclaim that perspective and take on our challenges with God’s help.
Let’s open our eyes to the blessings God has for us instead of focusing on our challenges.
Let’s position ourselves for the blessing. Dribble the ball and shoot for the best! To dribble is to take the ball forward.
Will you move forward in what God has in store for you today? Take some time today to move forward in meditation.
Psalms 34:8 MSG — Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see — how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.
Matthew 6:22 NIV — The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
Philippians 4:13 NIV — I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Psalms 119:105 NIV — Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV — Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Proverbs 4:25 TPT — Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.
This camera at church is recording firsthand what it sees. What lenses or filters are you seeing life through?
Matthew 6:22 NIV — The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
On Sunday we see the cross. Do we carry the image of the cross with us throughout the week? It is easy to get distracted, worried, or discontented when looking through worldly lenses.
Let’s remember to keep the cross – which is full of love, grace, and kindness – in the forefront of our minds.
Take a moment to worship with Sound Mind by Bryan and Katie Torwalt.
Psalms 16:11 NIV — You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand.
This week we have been examining our words and actions as Christians. On Wednesday, I reminded you that none of us are without faults. Enjoy a laugh by reading the below funny stories that remind us about our Christian living.
A cheating painting contractor had been skimping by thinning his paint excessively. Nevertheless, he landed a big job painting a church. He was almost done when a major storm blew up. It washed all the paint off.
Amid the thunder and lightning, there came a loud voice… “REPAINT,” it boomed. “REPAINT, AND THIN NO MORE!”
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A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.
He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday-School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally … I assumed you had stolen the car.”
