This past Tuesday our twins played their last first soccer game as High School Seniors. It was a joyful night for them as players and us as spectators. From the time they started playing at 4 years old, this verse has always come to mind; “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” Psalm 96:12 NIV
On this Thankful Thursday whatever our fields may be, whether it is a job or volunteering or taking care of loved ones, may we all be jubilant. What does Jubilant mean? Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph. The word joy is very similar in that it means a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. When I looked up the difference I found that Jubilant is joy without end. Think about that; joy without end! A life with Jesus isn’t promised to be easy but we do have the blessing of experiencing His joy without end.
On this Thankful Thursday I pray we all experience His Joy without end!!
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of lent. Those that are participating will be fasting from today through Holy Thursday, April 14th. Before Jesus began His ministry, he fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and nights (Matt 4:1-11). Lent is a time we can draw closer to Him through our own fasting and suffering. In Matt 4:4 NIV When being tempted by Satan; “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’””
Although you don’t need to practice Lent to be a Water Walker, I wanted to share with you my experience and how it has helped me grow closer to God. There is an urban legend, that if you walk closely behind your Rabbi that you will be covered in the dust from their sandals. I think about the Sandy beach. No matter what I do, I am covered in sand when I return home. There is sand in my hair and in between my toes. As a Water Walker and a Disciple of Jesus, I want to be covered in dust because I am following Jesus so closely.
I will be fasting fried foods. Fried chicken, french fries, and chips are 3 of my weaknesses. Sundays are a time of celebration and a break from the fast.
Will you be participating in the fast? You are welcome to comment what you will be fasting.
As I have shared in the past, I consider Phil 1:6 NIV my life verse; “ Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” When I think if the word Transformation, I think if this verse. Paul uses the word “began”, meaning the work is not finished.
Our Transformation can be dramatic or a subtle change over a lifetime. Opposite of that would be reverting or withering. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, I encourage us all to keep moving and working towards God’s perfect will for our lives. Even if the subtle change is unseen at this moment, keep going. The following verses tie in with Paul’s words:
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalms 138:8 NLT
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
As Walt Disney said; “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths”.
On this Mindset Monday, do you have any barcadas that are hindering you or any hesitation that is keeping you from walking through an open door. In Revelation 3:7-8 NIV we read about how God can open and close doors.
““To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
I look at this fence along the dunes that has fallen down and think about how God opens doors in unexpected ways. In Ephesians 3:20 NIV God is in the unexpected.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
What is your mindset today? Are you ready to walk through? Or are you stuck standing still in your expectations? God is bigger!
Deep Red roses can be a symbol of love and grief. On this earth we are guaranteed to experience both. In Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV Paul gives us two instructions; 1. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. 2. Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
It isn’t always easy to follow God’s example and be a fragrant offering when life stinks. Spiritual Sunday is a time of renewal and to regain our strength as we walk into God’s arms. It’s a time of humility, surrender and sacrifice as we come to His altar where his unconditional love and grace covers our sins and lifts up our burdens.
In this song, My Prayer for You by Alisa Turner she is speaking to those that have prayed a thousand prayers with no answers, loosing hope, and who are tired and weary. Her prayer is that God will help those to see that God is still greater, courage to believe He is still able, and feel the peace of God through trials.
Will you allow God to be your helper on this Spiritual Sunday?
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Will you allow God to be your shelter on this Spiritual Sunday?
“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalms 27:5 NIV
Yesterday a coworker and myself reflected on the time the world shutdown in March 2020. I encourage you to take a moment to look back on that time with me now. What memories stand out to you, other than us all scrambling to find toilet paper? My first thoughts of the time were overall pleasant. All four of my family members were home, we spent a lot of time outside, we did puzzles and played games together. As I think on the time even longer, then I remember the anxiety I had from worrying about the unknown. I remember the frustration I had from feeling helpless and the disappointment from cancelled activities. Looking back, I also realize how I spent too much time worrying instead of living in the moment.
How about you? What memories stick out when you reflect on that time? Did you spend time anxious and worried? Were you truly living in the moment?
““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34 NIV
I know I have shared this song before but to begin this Finish Friday please take a moment to listen to Keep Me In the Moment by Jeremy Camp. Especially pay attention to the last line in the chorus, “I don’t want to miss what you have for me.”
As we Finish Friday, may each of us truly live in the moment of today. Let’s be intentional to not spend time worrying over so many things out of our control. Let’s focus on the blessings of today so we don’t miss what our Creator has for us in this moment.
Look at the newly opened tub of butter. The ripples seem to be perfectly placed. In fact, it looked so perfect that I hesitated to stick the knife in it and mess up the illusion of perfection.
We all know that few things in life are perfect. However, many of us strive to present a picture of perfection to the outside world. Facebook and Instagram are filled with illusions of perfection. As Christians we know there was only one who achieved perfection. Jesus Christ.
“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” Romans 3:21-31 NIV
On this Thankful Thursday spend some time thanking God for our perfect sacrifice. Today I thank God for grace, mercy and love. I thank God that despite my imperfections I am justified by my faith in Jesus Christ.
