Ecclesiastes 3:11a NIV — He has made everything beautiful in its time. 

Godwink #1

Julie and I recorded for the week and I told the story about Preston saying everything can’t be easy or we wouldn’t work hard for things. The next morning my devotion started with this quote from Shauna Niequiest — I believe that suffering is part of the narrative, and that nothing really good gets built when everything is easy. I believe that loss and emptiness and confusion often give way to new fullness and wisdom.

Godsink #2

A mutual friend shared a meme from Facebook — You don’t “have to” do anything. You “get to.” A lot of people woke up today and won’t get the opportunity. Gratitude. Change your perspective.

Later the same day the Daily Positive email from Jon Gordon was a Godwink — Today is a great day to focus on what we GET TO do instead of what we HAVE TO do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.

These two Godwinks occurred a couple days apart. I may have missed them if I was simply hurrying through my day and not open to God’s winks in my direction. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes, ears, heart, and mind to notice and receive the winks You show me today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 41-10 NIV — So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Squire Rushnell, author, inspirational speaker, and former television executive, defines a Godwink in the following ways:

1. An event seemingly coincidental, but coming from divine origin. Always a sign of hope.
2. Another word for answered prayer.

Are you familiar with Godwinks? Is this a word in your vocabulary? I have never been one to believe in coincidence so when our Sunday School class read When God Winks by Rushnell I immediately added Godwinks into my vocabulary. Over the years I have realized for me to recognize happenings as Godwinks, I must walk closely with the Holy Spirit and be in tune to what goes on around me. We often get caught up in our busy schedules and are not looking and listening to our surroundings. I will share some Godwink examples from my life and I encourage you to reflect on ways God has winked at you.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for winking at me. May my eyes and ears be open to recognize Your winks. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway 

@godwinkguy

Let’s start our week together by reading and meditating on the scriptures that will be featured in this week’s blog posts. 

Isaiah 41-10 NIV — 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.

Ecclesiastes 3:11a NIV — He has made everything beautiful in its time.

John 4:48 NIV — Unless you people see signs and wonders, Jesus told him, you will never believe.

Mark 5:25-34 NIV

@biblegateway 

@godwinkguy 

Spend some time today listening to Never Lost by Elevation Worship and reflect on times God has sent a Godwink your way. 

Genesis‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.

Join us for See You Saturday as we wrap up our week with Julie sharing on Psalm 139. Very appropriate that Julie experienced a God with the book “Life Unstuck” by Pat Layton, as Deborah will be sharing on God winks next week!

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‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

My Word of the Year is “seek.” It has been a joy to seek God and what He has for me. Just as we seek God, He is watching over us. He knows our hearts, He knows our anxious thoughts. He knows if there is anything that is not Godly and loves us enough to lead us all the days of our lives.

We can seek God up to the Heavens, we can seek Him in our depths, we can seek Him when we rise on the wings of the dawn, and we can seek Him on the far side of the sea. When we wake tomorrow, He will still be seeking us and knowing our every thought. 

Let’s finish out our week once again worshiping with Where Can I Go by Ellie Holcomb.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for searching me, knowing me, and still loving me. I surrender every anxious thought. I desire to seek You and Your will for me today. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Our daughter, Kendal is in her fourth semester of the ADN Nursing program at HGTC. This semester she is blessed to learn about labor and delivery, postpartum, and pediatrics. She is so excited to see new life come into the world. It takes a special person to be a nurse. Not only is there so much to learn, know, and understand, it takes strength and compassion. God makes us fearfully and wonderfully to do great things.

You were once in your mothers womb. God made you in that secret place. He formed you, He gave you an identity in Christ Jesus for all eternity. You are unique. You are loved. You were made to do great things. Take a moment to do a self-check. Ask God to remind you who you are. Like in the song You Say by Lauren Daigle, believe what God says about you. Once you complete your self-check, make a gratitude list.

• Thank You, for I am loved
• Thank You, for I am strong
• Thank You, for I am held
• Thank You, for I am Yours
• Thank You for every failure and victory

Let’s pray. Dear God, I am taking all I have. I am leaving it at Your feet. You have every failure. You have every victory. Thank You for creating me, giving me an identity in You, and loving me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.