Spiritual Sunday is a time we can get centered in Christ Jesus. Some of us go to church, some of us worship from home. Either way, it is how we get refocused for our week ahead. I love going to the beach. My favorite spot is south Pawleys Island where the Creek and the Ocean meet. On the Creek you have a quiet stillness you don’t get from the Ocean. Either way, you have the sand on your toes. We live in a world where heaven and earth meet. We are all subject to the sin of this world. Thankfully we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us. Imagine if we could feel the sand on our toes every time we were in step with the Spirit. As we go to our places of worship, may we all feel the sand on our toes. Let’s get refocused so that we can keep in step with the Spirit throughout our week.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 NIV
How can I live a Christ-centered life? How can I create a Christ-centered home? This morning I have prayed and prayed for inspiration for what words to share with you and I do not have any profound words for you. In all my study and prayer this week I think it all boils down to what or who do I use as my standard of measure? Who do I look to for guidance and direction? Do I look to my family? Do I look to my friends? Do I look to my co-workers?
CHRIST-CENTERED
Instead of a longer post today, I would like to share some scriptures that I want to encourage you to look up and read. Spend some time meditating and praying. And I want to re-share a song that I shared recently because I feel it encompasses what it means to be Christ-centered. Allow your Savior to be the center of your focus as you begin your day. Remember who you are and remember whose you are.
We have been working on creating a backyard bird sanctuary. First, we hung several blue bird houses along our fence. Next, we put out a bird feeder. Last we hung a bird bath. We quickly gained a family of blue birds. After a busy day we can sit back there and find peace. A place we can get back to a simpler life.
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary sanctuary can mean the following:
· Holy or sacred place
· Building or room for religious worship
· A place that provides safety or protection
· A wildlife sanctuary
· Protection from a difficult situation that is provided by a safe place
From Psalm 32:7 NIV sanctuary can mean the following:
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance”
A place to find rest and strength from God’s love. Some of the lyrics sing; “When waters rise around me, you are my sanctuary”.
From this picture of our mommy and daddy blue birds we can be reminded of how God protects us and takes care of us. This simpler life is an example to slow down. To find joy and gratitude in the tiny details.
Where is your sanctuary? Where do you run to first when you need to rest in God’s presence? If you cannot answer this question, I encourage you to create a space. I would love to read about your sanctuary in comments.
Jesus was given a written title for His charge against him before he hung on the cross for our sins. In Matthew 27:37 NIV it was “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”. In Mark 15:26 NIV it was “The King of the Jews”. In Luke 23:38 NIV it was “This is the King of the Jews”. In John 19:19 NIV it was “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. His title was on trial that day.
Jesus could have easily come down from the cross to prove it all. He was mocked to do so in Matthew 27:42 NIV; “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.” In order for us to testify and truly believe His title, the scripture had to be fulfilled. In John 19:35 NIV, the soldier that pierced his side after death testified to His title; “The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.”
Our sins were nailed to the cross that day. Once we have asked Jesus to live in our hearts and forgive us of our sins, it is our job to declare and share our new titles. In Romans 10:9 NIV; “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” What titles do we share? We are children of God, chosen, loved, blessed, adopted, forgiven, redeemed, strong, and accepted. How often do we sacrifice our titles because of indiscipline, pride, and hate. We let our sins come down from the cross instead of keeping them nailed below our title. We must daily nail our sins to the cross. In doing so we can find our Easter hallelujah.
I encourage you to not only listen to but watch the video to this song, “An Easter Hallelujah” https://youtu.be/k6PKpywdaLM
Today didn’t start as I planned. I found it hard to get out of bed. I seemed to move slowly in getting ready for the day which meant I was running late for work. When I sat down to write for you I struggled to get my thoughts together. In fact, what I did write is not even what I am now sharing with you. Since I was feeling so unsettled in my spirit I decided it was best to not share what I had written and to wait until I was feeling more at peace. Then I walked into the kitchen and found two sinks full of dirty dishes put there after I went to bed last night. Needless to say, this was fuel for the bad attitude I already had. As I poured my coffee I started questioning where I went wrong in my parenting. Have I allowed my children to think I am the live in maid and will clean up all their messes? Everywhere I looked caused me to feel grumpier and grumpier. I left the house feeling a sense of failure and defeat. On my drive to school I prayed and listened to the Christian radio station and this is what I heard God saying to me.
God reminded me that I was letting Satan distract me and to steal my joy. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
God reminded me that I must look forward, not get stuck in my bad attitude, and trust God to help me. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
God reminded me thru the song, “Maybe It’s Ok” that it’s ok if I’m not ok. It’s ok for me to sometimes feel broken so I will know what it feels like to be whole. https://youtu.be/XPZ9p00gOUU
God reminded me thru the song “Little More Like Jesus” that what I want more that anything is to be more like Jesus and less like me. https://youtu.be/DOOVx9lBMOs
In 1 John 2:6 ESV we are told “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” What does it mean to “abide in him”? Abide means to remain, continue, stay. Here is what I want you to hear today friend. ALL of us have daily struggles. ALL of us have times of weakness when we let Satan cause chaos and turmoil. ALL of us have times when we feel stagnant and stale. The way we get out of those times is by putting one foot in front of the other. We must keep fighting the good fight. We must remain, continue, and stay with Christ. Some days you are going to feel lost but keep doing those things that grow you spiritually. Continue reading the Bible. Continue talking to God. Continue to move forward. God loves you and me with such an overwhelming love. God will always love you and me. God hasn’t given up. Let’s not give up either. “Keep moving forward!”
Please spend some time listening to the words of the above songs and meditating on the above scriptures. Allow God to speak to you and give you peace.
We have all heard the saying, “Don’t cry over spilt milk”. Well some days that’s all it takes. This past Thursday morning I had a leaky milk carton that created a big mess. On a normal work day this would have been a catastrophic event but today working from home I am more relaxed. I couldn’t help but to laugh once I realized my mom’s puppy, Prince came to my rescue on cleanup duty. He couldn’t lick up the milk fast enough.
Just like Prince, isn’t it like God to rescue us. We don’t always see the rescue mission in the moment because we are too busy having our meltdowns. If you listen to this song, “Hold On To Me” by Lauren Daigle, you will uncover a lot of truths that many of us have let make a mess of our lives; https://youtu.be/R1EwKwayzLM
Are you someone you believe in? Have you let go? Are you tired of pretending? Is the weight of expectation too much? This song speaks to me on so many levels. Mainly because I put too much expectation on myself. From the 3/14/21 Steven Furtick Podcast called Surprise; “Don’t let your struggle keep you from accessing your strength”.
A biblical character I can relate with on a daily basis is Eve. Everyone knows that the fall of Eden happened because Eve ate the apple. Sometimes I feel as if my struggles are tattooed for everyone to see. We read in Gen 3:13 “Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”” In reality we must give ourselves grace because God forgives us daily. Maybe it’s like the Sunday School toothpaste lesson, where I can’t put my miss spoken words back in the tube. Maybe it’s making idols in my life instead of putting God first. The little daily sins are like the deceptive serpent. The good news, we don’t have to stay stuck in the past with Eve. Will you allow God to hold on to you even when you feel as if you have let go? Will you choose to cry or laugh over the spilt milk?
Focus (noun): the center of interest or activity One year. Tomorrow marks one year since the last day of school for the 2019-2020 year. One year since our world was turned upside down. One year of becoming all too familiar with words and phrases we could have never imagined would become part of our daily vocabulary; quarantine, social distancing, pandemic. One year of “new normals”. One year of our focus constantly changing and being challenged. Today let’s take a moment to ponder our focus journey over the last year, but let’s not stay in the past for long. Remember when we were focused on scoring a pack of toilet paper or paper towels? Remember when the daily COVID-19 press conference seemed like our lifeline to the reality that was upon us? Remember the rollercoaster of emotions? Remember the mourning we experienced in so many different levels? All of those things have altered our focus over the last year. Now that we have reflected, let’s “keep moving forward” as Walt Disney said. I pray that through this all your true focus was our Savior Jesus Christ. Through it all, He was the one unchanging part of our lives. However, if you have moved away from Him, let’s look ahead and re-focus. Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.” Today examine your focus. Where are you gazing? Which way are your feet going? Is your focus on God, God’s love and God’s will? Are you “living in the moment” and enjoying the gifts God has given you today? Or are you still focused on the hurts of the last year and allowing all that was lost to occupy all your focus and time? For me, last night was filled with much hope. Last night renewed my focus. Last night I had the blessing of watching my son play baseball. Tomorrow will be one year since he had been able to play the game he loves so much with his high school teammates. Last night was filled with much hope. Although it was different, I was able to see many I haven’t seen in so long, I was able to sit in the school stadium watching baseball, and I was able to hug my parents without the worry of them getting sick. I know our “normals” will continue to be new, but may we all be able to stay focused on the blessings within each moment that God gifts us. May we all “look straight ahead and fix our gaze before us.” P.S. Always have extra toilet paper for “just in case” emergencies. LOL
