Rise

Lord...may those who love You rise like the sun at full strength. 

Judges 5:3

Wings of the Wind

O Lord, my God....

You are dressed in a robe of light.

You stretch out the starry curtains of the heavens;

You lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.

You make the clouds your chariot;

You ride upon the wings of the wind.

Psalm 104:1-3

FLIPPING

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may discern the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Most of us know about flipping a house. In case you don't know what flipping is, a person buys a house at a low price, renovates it - the walls, carpets, fixtures, appliances, landscape - all of it, until it doesn't even look like the same house anymore. Then, the house is sold for a profit because it is so valuable.

Have you ever thought of flipping your thoughts -- taking old broken down thoughts to God's Word and renewing them for eternal value?

Think about it - what are your first thoughts of the day…during the day….before you go to bed at night? Do they sound something like this:

- Another day...I dread even getting out of bed.
FLIP TO: Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

- How can I possibly live another day in this house with these people?
FLIP TO: Do everything with love. I Corinthians 16:13 Read I Cor. 13, also.

- How can I go to that job one more day?
FLIP TO: …be strong and immovable…always work enthusiastically for the Lord for you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58

- I don't like the reality of getting older.
FLIP TO: The righteous flourish like palm trees…they grow strong…. Even in old age they will still produce fruit, and remain vital and green. Psalm 92:12-14

How can I possibly care for my children/elderly parents and maintain my sanity?
FLIP TO: I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these, you do it to Me.
Matthew 25:40

How can I afford to live?
FLIP TO: …your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8 Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Too often we just repeat the same thoughts again and again, going around in circles, never really going to God for the renewal of our thoughts and the solutions to our questions and pleas and problems.

As we flip our thoughts and have them renewed by God's words to us, He will clearly direct our thoughts so we can live in His peace.

Heavenly Father, please help me be more aware of my thoughts. Please lead me to Your words about each situation I find challenging, puzzling, hurtful or even good. Please help me listen to Your words for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God's Welcome

You welcome those who cheerfully do good, who follow godly ways.

Isaiah 64:5

Day after Day

The heavens tell of the glory of God.

The skies display His marvelous craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak,

night after night they make Him known.

They speak without a sound or a word

their voice is silent in the skies

yet their message has gone out to all the earth

and their words to all the world.

Psalm 19:1-4

His Love

                                   For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;

                                         Your faithfulness extends to the clouds.                                                         

 Psalm 57:10

HEROES

The godly people in the land are my true heroes. I take pleasure in them. Psalm 16:3

A hero is defined by Webster as a person admired for his or her great qualities - a person of great strength and courage.

Who are your heroes? Look around, they are all around us - the godly people who "serve (God) regularly, doing what needed to be done each day." I Chronicles 16:37

Heroes all:
The worker who faithfully shows up and does his or her job day after day
to the glory of God.
The student preparing for the tasks God gives now and in the future.
The grandparents who surround their grandchildren with prayer.
The medical missionary team which faithfully serves in a village in Africa
although there has not been a convert in 30 years.
Those battling cancer and other illnesses, bringing glory to God at times
of intense weakness.
A husband and wife team who go into an assisted living home to share
scriptural teaching and music.
A pastor who shepherds his flock faithfully.
A woman who worked in the grocery store deli, graduating to bagger as
she reached her 80s, enjoying the ministry God gave her.
A husband who loves his wife and a wife who respects her husband.

There are godly heroes everywhere. May we join together in saying:

May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honor our God. Psalm 20:5

Heavenly Father - please open my eyes to the godly heroes around me. Help me cheer them on. Please help me to be a hero, too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.