“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about continually having praise on our lips. In order to have praise on our lips, we must mirror that praise in our hearts. Transformation is an inward process. Even though those around us may hear or see a transformation, it first starts in the unseen. 

In our key verse, we are taught where to pray. We are instructed to go behind closed doors, in the unseen. He also teaches us how to pray through the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 NIV. Below I have created the Lord’s prayer in my own words. What version of the Bible do you read the most? For me, it is the New International Version or The Message. I encourage you to take a moment to read these verses from Matthew in several different versions. Really let the words soak in. Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Blessed be Your name, Sacred, the Great I Am. Let Your kingdom reign. Transform me in Your image so that I may submit to Your lead and not my own will. You are the Bread of Life, may I rely on Your strength and not my own abilities. Help me to live unoffended and choose to love my offenders, through Your grace. May Your spirit of truth keep me on the narrow path. And when worldly things overtake me, may Your redeeming love deliver me. I acknowledge all the power and glory be Yours for all eternity. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about prayer being our first line of defense. What better way to put prayer first than to continually praise God. Were you able to make a prayerful declaration? Has it helped change your mindset for this Monday? Mind over matter is using our willpower to overcome. In similar thinking, if we continually offer a sacrifice of praise, we can overcome the mind. I love the image of “the fruit of lips” in our key verse. Like the berries on the tree pictured here by Ray, when rooted in God, we can have His sweet word on our lips.

One of my favorite forms of prayer is called Lectio Divina which is a dialogue with God through scripture. We may not always know what to think, say, or pray but thankfully we can turn to God’s living word to find the words we need. These words are sharper than a two-edged sword that can cut through Satan’s ploys. I have shared with you a prayer using God’s word. I encourage you to use this example to create your own prayer using scriptures.

Father, Thank You for Your living water that quenches my thirst spiritually and never runs dry (John 4:14). Help me stand firm upon Your word so when trials arise I will stand tall (Matthew 7:25). May I live without fear for the future knowing You have redeemed me, You call me by name, I am Yours (Isaiah 43:1). As I hear Your call may I step out in faith into the waves (Matthew 14:29). When I obey Your commands, I experience Your peace like a river, Your holiness crashes over me like the waves (Isaiah 48:18). May I continually offer a sacrifice of praise on my lips (Hebrews 13:15). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As a follow-up to Deborah’s week on self-examination, I want us to focus on our prayer life this week. I love this quote from Oswald Chambers: “We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense.” How often do you make prayer a last resort? Is prayer your first line of defense? It is easy to make prayer a last resort when the enemy is constantly trying to derail us. Listening to Satan’s lies can be like going through the Inversion Tunnel pictured here by Ray. Thankfully we walk rooted with a God who fearfully and wonderfully made us. He desires a relationship where we devote ourselves to prayer. In our key verse He tells us to be watchful and thankful.

How do we make prayer our first line of defense? I feel as though once we get in the habit of turning to God before turning to our people and things, it will become a daily practice. Author and Pastor Mark Batterson says we can make and break habits in 30 days. I encourage us to start by making a declaration. According to the dictionary, a declaration is a formal or explicit statement or announcement. You can use my example or you can create your own. This doesn’t have to be a public announcement but rather a private conversation between you and God.

My Declaration: I can choose my thoughts! I don’t have to accept Satan’s lies! I have victory in Jesus! Fear is a liar! Christ is in me! I am enough! I praise my God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Claiming victory today in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

Now it’s your turn. Let us join together this week in making prayer our first line of defense.

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Are you spreading the Good News? Are you ready to tell others about Christ?

Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday video with an idea for sharing Christ with others.

Click here to read about ways to make an elevator speech.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV (English Standard Version)

As we end this week of self-examination, I encourage you to reflect on how you are being transformed to be more like Christ. After all, shouldn’t becoming Christ-like be our ultimate goal? Shouldn’t our lives be transformed by Christ’s presence?

What habits and routines do you have in place to help you grow more like Christ? Below are some ideas on how to grow spiritually and be transformed:

• Pray/ask God for guidance and direction.
• Read and study the Bible to learn about the life of Christ and His teachings.
• Participate in an accountability group, Sunday School class, or Bible study group.
• Do for others and seek opportunities to care for and serve others.
• Spread the Good News and be ready and willing to tell others about Jesus.

Our world is full of busyness and distractions. Our world pulls us away from Christ. Today I encourage you to put into place daily habits and routines that will draw you closer to Christ. Be intentional with your plan and be transformed.

Let’s pray Psalm 51:10-13:

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

Today’s featured photo, by Ray White, shows various groups of people walking on a foggy shore. Although the people are only a few feet apart from one another, each person is walking towards an unclear future with unique life experiences and perspectives, as well as individual hardships and obstacles to overcome. 

Today’s featured scripture, written by Paul the Apostle, reminds us to value others. Valuing others means realizing that each person in life reacts and responds to life’s circumstances based on past experiences, perspectives, and circumstances. What is difficult for you may not be difficult for me.  My perspective does not lessen your perspective and vice versa. God loves me, God loves you, and God loves every other person on Earth. God’s grace is offered to every person, no matter how they differ from me or you.

This week I have challenged you to examine your coachability, your words, and your actions.  Today I encourage you to examine your heart. Christ teaches us to value others above ourselves. How do you view others who are different from you? How do you interact with others who have a different experience or perspective than you? Are your words and actions a reflection of Christ in your heart?

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for loving me. Help me to reflect Christ in my interactions with others. May I value others above myself, even when my perspectives and experiences differ from theirs. Guide my thoughts as I strive to be more like Your son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.” 2 Timothy 2:16-17

This week as I have talked about being coachable, I have also discussed being changed by God’s teachings. Today let’s examine our “chatter.” Read below The Message version of 2 Timothy 2:16-17.

“Stay clear of pious talk, that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they’re not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul.”

Recently, my son overheard a Christian talking about him to another Christian in a public place.  The discussion came across as judgemental and pious. Plainly speaking, the discussion was gossip. As a result, I have become very aware of my walk, reflecting my talk. I have been convicted of times that I share “prayer concerns” with others in a manner that is actually glorified gossip. 

Today, examine yourself. Do your words glorify God? Are the words you use also reflected in the actions you display? Does your walk match your talk? Are you displaying Christ to others or are you like today’s featured picture, abstract and vague? 

Let’s pray: Dear God, Make me aware of the power of my words and actions. Forgive me for times when my words or actions have not been Christ-like. May my walk match my talk and may I reflect Your presence in my life in all that I say and do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.