1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV — The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Today I will continue to tell you what happened when I was forced to do without my cell phone for 2 days. Yesterday, I shared that the first day without my phone, I was lost without immediate access to the devotional emails I receive daily. So I just sat and started thinking of a plan of action. Guess what I heard. NOTHING. Quiet. Solitude. PEACE. And then I heard God’s voice. Of course it was not an audible, loud, deep voice. But it was a movement of the Holy Spirit telling me to be still and quiet. So I listened. During that still and quiet time, God revealed to me that this is exactly what I needed right then. 

Today, I encourage you to take some time to turn off all the noise and listen for God in the quiet. Just as God spoke to Elijah, He will speak to you in a gentle whisper if you are open to listening. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for reminding me to be still and quiet. Today, I will be quiet and listen to hear Your gentle whisper. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 119:105 NIV — Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Yesterday, I told you about a time I dropped my cell phone and the glass shattered. Today, I will share more of the story. 

I must confess that at the time of the phone shattering experience, I was a “devotion junkie.” I thrived on starting my day reading multiple devotionals from various sources. OK, I will confess. I read a minimum of 8 devotionals each morning. See, I was a junkie. 

As I told you yesterday, my husband took my shattered phone to be repaired. I was without my phone for 2 days and I was completely lost. The first morning without my phone, I followed my usual morning routine of getting my cup of coffee and getting comfy in my chair. From there, I was not sure what to do next. I didn’t have access to the apps and emails I use during my morning devotion. What would I do in its place? How would I hear from God that day? I initially felt paralyzed and once again lost. I was thrown for a loop. 

Have you ever had your routine interrupted and felt paralyzed? Have you ever felt lost? Where did you turn? 

Today, let’s stay grounded in Christ. When we have moments of feeling disconnected or lost, let’s turn to Jesus. Allow Jesus to lead you down your path today. Take a few moments to worship while you listen to “Come To Jesus” by Chris Rice.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Guide and direct me today. When I feel lost and disconnected, remind me to always come to Jesus for direction. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 46:1 NIV — God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Have you ever dropped your cell phone? I tend to accidentally drop my phone a lot. Most of the time the phone fares well and there are no consequences from it falling. However, a few years ago I dropped my phone and that time when it hit the floor the glass shattered. It was in such bad shape that when I tried to use it a glass chip stuck in my finger. Since my schedule was so jam packed, my husband offered to take my phone to be repaired. As a result, I was without my phone for 2 days. Two days without my phone was an eye-opening experience. By the end of the first day, I was almost in a state of panic. I had no idea how much I depended on my phone. I felt so out of touch and disconnected without it. I couldn’t readily pick up my phone to send a quick text, make a phone call or look up information. I felt completely lost.

Isn’t that sad. We have become so dependent on our cell phones, that without them, we are lost. Today, as you go to church or have worship time, I encourage you to put your cell phone away. If you wear a watch that is connected to your phone, take it off. For that hour or so of worship, force yourself to be detached from technology and be fully present in the moment. Look and listen for God’s presence and enjoy!

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, Thank You for being ever-present. Help me to disconnect from the world today and enjoy Your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3: 1-4 NIV – So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

Click here and join me for See You Staurday as we talk about Tribulations.

I encourage you to listen to the song; “Hallelujah For Every Broken Heart” by Crowder.

Let’s pray through 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬. Dear God, May You make our love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as Your love does for us. May You strengthen our hearts so that we will be blameless and holy in Your presence until the day of Your return. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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.”

Have you noticed every day this week there has been an action? Sunday we stepped into the Potter’s Hands. Monday we asked God to lift us out of our pit. Tuesday we turned North. Wednesday we asked God to awaken us. Thursday we had new thoughts. Today we rest with God. 

We never have to worry about receiving an invitation when it comes to our relationship with God. We don’t have to wonder, will we make the list? Will we get an invite? Our social status is nonexistent. There is always a place we can retreat with God. Are we accepting the invite to retreat with God? Are we choosing to follow God? Are we choosing rest? 

I encourage you to look over your calendar today and see if you can be honest with yourself. Over the past few weeks have you taken time to rest with God? Sometimes we are forced to rest because of sickness or a change in plans. I am talking about true and intentional rest. One of my favorite quotes by Mark Batterson is: 

“Change of PACE + change of PLACE = Change of PERSPECTIVE”. 

Notice today’s photo collage. Each photo represents a time when either Deborah, Ray, or I changed our pace and place. The opportunity to sit and rest with God just may be the rest our perspective needs. I hope we can all lean into God today and accept His invitation. Now I encourage you to look at next week’s schedule and carve out some time to rest with God.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your invitation to rest. As I look through my calendar, help me to find opportunities to change my place and pace to sit with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah‬ ‭55:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

It has been a while since I’ve asked this question. What scripture verse or verses are you thankful for? For me, the answer varies throughout different seasons in my life. Maybe it is one that has gotten you through a hard season. Maybe it is one that reminds you of a loved one or a place. Maybe it’s one that was read to you by a parent or taught at VBS. 

I am thankful for today’s key verses because they keep me surprised by God. Just when I think I’ve seen or experienced God’s best-laid plans, God has something better. So many times what I thought I wanted, God had something or someone better. Notice Ray’s photo of the clouds. Now imagine God’s ways being higher and bigger. Take a moment today to thank God for both answered and what you thought were unanswered prayers.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for answered prayers. Thank You for the yes, the no, and the not yet. Thank You for Your thoughts that are higher and bigger than mine. I want to stay curious and surprised by Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 57:8 NIV — Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

Today’s key verse is from when David was hiding out in the cave from Saul. God had rescued David and he was ready to sing to the heavens of God’s glory. We may not need to be rescued from the mouths of lions but maybe we feel we need to be rescued from our present circumstances. Ocean waves are caused by wind moving the surface of the water. The friction between the water and air molecules causes energy to be moved from the wind to the water. Are you staying above the waves, awakened by God? Or are you allowing the weariness that life can bring to pull you under? If we could just keep ourselves on the surface and not let weariness or waves of emotions like comparison, defeat, ungratefulness, or fear wash over us. 

We are Water Walkers. Our Heavenly Father desires to hold us on the surface. In Isaiah 43:2 NIV we read: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flame will not set you ablaze”. I love this image of God carrying us through life. God will find us and hold us both on the water and in the fire. Let’s pray.

Dear God, May my soul be awakened and I sing Your praises! I want to be a Water Walker and be held above the waves and through the fire. I ask that You carry me physically and mentally throughout my day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.