Can you “hear” the picture? Can you imagine the sound of the waves crashing on the sand? While the ocean often has a peaceful and calming affect on us, it isn’t quiet.

The lyrics of the song “So Will I” by Hillsong United recently reminded me that we are not meant to be quiet in our praise to God.

“If the stars were made to worship, so will I. If the mountains bow in reverence, so will I. If the oceans roar Your greatness, so will I.”

I have realized that when I am in my normal routines and usual daily grind, I am more comfortable with vocalizing praise to God. However, when I am pushed outside of my comfort zone and around people I may not know very well, I am not as automatic or vocal with praising God.

On this Water Walking Wednesday, let’s be intentional about stepping out of the comfort of our boats and be deliberate about praising God. Let’s not hold back. Let’s roar like the ocean!

To get you started I encourage you to read all of Psalm 145. This chapter is all about David praising God. Next, listen to the song “So Will I” by Clicking here . Lastly, make a gratitude list of at least 5 things you are grateful for today. Name specific and unique to you blessings. After your time of devotion, prayer, and reflection, start your day ready to roar your praise to God!

Steven Covey said, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” I recently read that quote and was blown away. The quote stepped on my toes and caused me to do a self examination. Today I encourage you to do the same.

Are you a good listener? Do you really listen to others? Do you really listen to God? Read the following scriptures as you examine your own listening habits.

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I look at the tree in the picture I imagine the branches surrounding me with safety. I imagine sitting under the tree and sharing with a friend. Today, find you a safe place to sit and listen. Be still and quiet. Instead of pouring out your heart to God, wait and listen. What do you hear? At first you may hear traffic but if you stay there long enough your ears will tune in to the nature around you. Be quiet for even longer and I am sure you will hear God speaking into the circumstances of your life. Just listen!

As you greet this Mindset Monday, how does your week ahead look? Is everything clear or are some things out of focus and uncertain? Are there parts of your week ahead that you are anxious about or worried to face?

As the morning sun reflects and blinds our vision, so does worry. If we focus so much on our feelings of anxiousness about an unknown future, we will lose our focus on the overwhelming love of God. God loves us abundantly and unconditionally. God loves us despite our transgressions. God loves us!

Yesterday at church, during our Contemporary service, we sang the song “God Really Loves Us” by Crowder. I am not sure that I had heard it before but yesterday I really “heard” it. God spoke to me through the reassuring words:

“I’ve got a friend closer than a brother. There is no judgement. Oh how He loves me. I’ve got a friend and He is my strength. He is my portion. With me in the valley. With me in the fire. With me in the storm. Let all my life testify.”

Click here to listen to the song. Allow God’s love to pour over you and readjust your vision for the week ahead. Let the warmth of God’s love be your focus.

Today is Spiritual Sunday. How was your week? Were you successful in your plans? Or are you feeling like a failure because you weren’t able to accomplish all that you had planned? Did things not go as you wanted?

As I prayed about my post for today, God laid the song “The God Who Stays” by Matthew West on my heart. The first few lines of the song are:

“If I were you I would have given up on me by now. I would have labeled me a lost cause. ‘Cause I feel just like a lost cause.”

Sometimes I feel like a failure when life is overwhelming and I am not able to accomplish all the “stuff” I feel like I should get done. If I allow Satan to guide my thoughts I can spiral into a space of self-directed negativity. However, God assures me that, unlike the person in today’s photo, I am not alone on this journey. God is here to guide, direct, and walk by my side.

Then I watched Julie’s “See You Saturday” video and she underscored all that God was telling me. Wow! Go God!

At some time during your Sabbath today , I encourage you to watch the videos below and allow God to give you strength, courage, and direction for your week ahead. Allow God to give you the comfort, peace and rest to walk into next week assured of the Almighty’s presence no matter what!

Click here to watch Julie’s “See You Saturday” video.

Click here to learn about the story behind the song “The God Who Stays” by Matthew West.

Click here to hear the song and watch the video for “The God Who Stays”.

Click Here to join me in See You Saturday!

FYI, if you watch the video you will know what the laundry is all about in this picture 👇

Last Friday Deborah shared a picture of her succulent that she received from a church Senior tea. Today I wanted to share a picture of my succulent that I received the same day. I repotted mine not long after I got it. Mine too has started to bud flowers. Even being planted in different conditions we can grow and flourish. No matter where or how we are planted, we serve the same God. In Heb 13:8 NIV; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

On this Finish Friday know that the God today is the same God of Jacob, Moses, Mary, and David. He is our Rock of all Ages. In Deu 32:4 NIV; “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” May be all go about our day with Godly confidence knowing we have a faithful God who’s works are perfect.

Click Here to worship with the song Same God by Elevation Worship, featuring Jonsal Barrientes

Last night in the middle of my run, I felt led to stop and pray at our church’s outdoor altar. I had been running and praying. I was struggling with my thoughts and the idea of surrendering them to God’s will. Earlier in the day I read the verse from 1 John 5:14 NIV; “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Then when the song Battle Belongs played I knew the only way to battle is to surrender. Here are the lyrics:

So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who will fight my battles for me. No longer having an earthly Father to run to, I am thankful to have a God who is for me! In Romans 8:31 NIV “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

It is hard to stop, pray, and wait. Many times we take this verse from Psalm 46:10 NIV out of context; He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” I encourage you to read all of Psalm 46. Did you know it was written during battle. How can we be still in the middle of a battle? It is surrendering to God in prayer and supplication. Let God do the heavy lifting.

On this Thankful Thursday I am also thankful God is my fortress. In Psalms‬ ‭46:11‬ ‭NIV; “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” There is never a need that we can’t run to God and turn over in prayer. Click Here to worship with Phil Wickham.