Has God called you to step out of your safe boat and walk on water? Have you left your comfort zone and now can’t see what’s just around the bend? God is asking you to trust and obey. God is growing your faith.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Do you have assurance right now about what you do not see ahead? On this Water walking Wednesday, I encourage you to read all of Hebrews 11 where many examples of Bible legends of faith are highlighted. Then listen to this song by Hillsong United and draw strength knowing God is growing your faith when you step out and walk.
Look at this beautiful picture captured by Ray White. While it appears these trees are about the same age judging by their size, it is also clear that each has endured its own storms of life. Each appears to be at different stages of “healthiness”. At any given season of my life, I could identify with one of the trees. Sometimes I may feel as healthy as the tree on the left or as battered as the tree on the right. I may even feel all those stages in one day! How about you?
Difficult times are part of the seasons of life. As a Christian, how do we handle the hard seasons? We must transform our perspective by looking through the lens of scripture. The following scriptures are just a few examples of strength and hope for hard times.
“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
“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
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
Start your day by listening to this song and allow God to transform your thoughts by giving you strength and courage for difficult times. May we each feel God’s presence as we step out the door this morning and move through our day. Transformation, change, different; all are hard, but sometimes necessary. Know that whatever we face today, God is with us and will guide our thoughts and steps if we allow.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to participate in Laity Sunday at church. One of the blessings of standing in the pulpit area of our church, is the perspective of this cross and stained glass window that adorns the front of the building.
Another blessing was hearing other laity in our church deliver a message about ways to serve. One of the speakers reminded us of the definition of laity. One definition of laity is: distinct from the clergy. The second definition is: ordinary people. That is you and I! Ordinary people, called to serve and called to “go and make disciples” Matthew 28:19.
As I was standing in the pulpit looking at the stained glass window, I saw a bird fly up and perch on the cross. I was reminded that God’s thoughts are higher than ours. God sees the big picture. God knows all that is ahead of us. When we feel the nudge and answer the call to serve, God will be with us along the way, providing us guidance, support, and a place to perch.
This Mindset Monday I encourage you to sit still and listen for ways God is calling you to serve others this week. Be ready to step out and trust God to lead you along the way.
Good Sunday morning! Outside the air is crisp and inside my cinnamon scented candle is burning. I have made my coffee and am sitting with my cup of coffee in one hand and devotion book in the other. This is the way I love to start my mornings. How do you start your morning? Do you “seek God” with devotion time in the morning, at lunchtime, or the evenings? Today we have the opportunity to seek God through worship. Will you attend worship in person? Will you watch your church’s worship service via live stream? What other ways will you intentionally seek the kingdom of God?
Pay attention to the verse directly after Matthew 6:33:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
Seeking God first helps us learn to not worry. Seeking God first guides and directs our day. Seeking God first helps us manage and deal with all we face in the day. Today, let’s all seek the kingdom of God first through worship.
P.S. I snapped the above picture one day last week on my way to work. The sky was so beautiful that I had to pull over and capture the beauty. God shows off all the time. Keep your eyes open today as you seek the kingdom of God.
Today’s 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 rescued from our week. If I could type an emoji, it would be the brunette raising her hand!
What wakes up your soul in the morning? For me it is coffee. The older I get, the stronger and darker I like it. These are some mugs my Dad collected for me during his travels. My sign “Life happens, coffee helps” was a gift from Deborah. whether it is coffee with devotion time, coffee with friends, or a late night cup of coffee with my husband, it is liquid soul therapy for me.
On this Finish Friday, I pray that our souls will be awakened to finish the week strong and sing God’s praises!! God is good!
I have been convicted recently for not carrying my paper Bible to church. I have relied on my phones Bible App to look up scripture. The chances of me having enough cell service at church to pull up a verse are slim. I say I am going to start bringing my paper Bible and then another week passes by.
I am thankful for God’s word to light my path. Every morning I love looking up the verse of the day on my Bible App but there is just something about reading through a paper Bible. On this Thankful Thursday I ask the questions, do you use God’s word to light your path? Whether it is through an App or on paper, do you show God gratitude by reading His word?
I know Deborah lights a candle during her devotion time. We joke about lighting the candle in Sunday School class to stop our weekly chatter and begin our lesson. This morning as I read the verse from Psalm 119:105, I burned a candle to honor God and show gratitude of His word; “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalms 119:105 NIV.
Sometimes when the journey seems long or the past seems muddled we can get discouraged. Deborah and I both like to journal our devotions, prayers, and sermon messages. We like to journal dreams, gratitudes, and answered prayers. When we journal, we can look back and remember. We can connect the dots to God’s faithfulness.
On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage us all to make a daily habit to journal. If you already journal, take a moment to look back and reflect. Part of being a Water Walker is is remembering the power that is running through our veins. Take a member to listen to the lyrics of this song; Remember by Bryan and Katie Torwalt
