Marinating

"May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD."

Psalm 104:34

One of the simplest ways to add flavor to food, usually meat, is to marinate it. The food becomes a sponge, soaking up the sauce. Most marinades soften or tenderize food so it will absorb the flavors of the sauce. Marinades prepare food for grilling. When heat is added, the marinade imparts new character to the food and more intense flavor.

If we're in too big of a rush to take time to marinate meat for the grill, we may be disappointed with the outcome; the meat may be tough or dry. The quality of the marinade will also affect the flavor of the meat, so cooks have to choose carefully.

Some people marinate in all the "sauces" of pop culture and then wonder why they're disappointed with the outcome. Worldly marinades don't allow godly flavor to come through in our lives. We must be intentional and proactive about the marinade we choose for our minds and hearts.

Do you marinate in the Word of God? Are you like a sponge, soaking up the truth of Scripture? As we meditate (think about and ponder) on the Word, it comforts, instructs, and guides us. But it also makes our hearts tender to the work of the Holy Spirit. God softens our stubbornness and pride so we can yield to His will. Meditating on and memorizing God's Word enables us to store up truth for future needs.

Just as the marinade prepares food for grilling, when the heat of tough circumstances is turned up in our lives, we will likely exhibit the sweet character of Christ when we've spent time "absorbing" the Word of God. We become the kind of people others love to be around, talk with, learn from, and follow.

So, what will you marinate in today? 

Meditate on the Word of God. As you read the following verses, understand that meditation is not a quick glance at scriptures, but rather, a contemplative gaze.

Joshua 1:8
Psalm 77:11-12

Psalm 119:15, 97, 148

Lord, let me soak up the truth of Your Word today! Amen.

Amazing Love

"Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds."

Psalm 36:5

God loves you. The Creator of the Universe cares about you, and His love is unconditional and limitless. You can never make Him tired of you; He will never abandon you. You are utterly and completely loved, no matter what, forever and ever. 

Isn't that amazing?

Trust

Tune In


"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us. " Romans 5:5

Is  your spiritual antenna tuned in to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the communicator of the trinity: our helper, comforter, and instructor. Through Him, God pours love and hope into us. Like radio waves broadcasting invisibly through the atmosphere, the Holy Spirit communicates to believers. We must, however, make the effort to tune
in our receivers to His frequency, and then choose to obey His guidance -
 even when it's inconvenient.

Knowing Which Way to Go

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21

We pray about a lot of things - things we need, things we want, safety for our families, traveling mercies, strength in times of grief. Very often, we pray for guidance. We need to know God's will about a big decision, how to solve a problem, how to deal with it is a place of safety. When we live outside of God's will, we forfeit His protection.

We all want to be in the center of God's will. That's why we shouldn't pursue a career, move to another place, or make any major life change without knowing that it is the will of God. The way we find out is to regularly ask God to show us what His will is and then ask Him to lead us in it. When you ask Him to speak to your heart, He will do that. He will give you peace about a certain thing and lack of peace about others. What joy to have peace that as we confidently set foot in a certain direction, God is leading us on that particular path. We can be confident that whatever happens along the way, we don't have to worry because we are right where God wants us to be.

But all too often we don't hear that voice behind us. We hear the voices clamoring around us instead; we hear our own internal concerns and issues; we're in a hurry, and so we just forge ahead on the path and hope that everything will work out in the end. 

When Isaiah gave this promise of God's guidance, it was in the midst of a description of people turning their hearts back to God. He had just prophesied to them about God's compassion in waiting for them to get their priorities in line. When they established right priorities, when their hearts were drawn in the right direction, God's voice would guide them.

As you seek guidance, listen for God's voice. It will be there. Take a quiet moments to wait on Him and give Him time to respond.

Lord, speak to me about Your will for my life so that I can always walk in it. Your will is a place of safety and protection for me, and I need to know I am headed in the right direction. Help me to hear Your voice speaking to my heart telling me what to do, especially with regard to the decisions I need to make each day of my life. In Your Name, Amen.

Assurance

"The LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."

Proverbs 3:26

Life is risky. With these risks come adventure, fulfillment - and uncertainty. Are you starting a career and overwhelmed with all you must learn? Are you a new mother, wondering how you'll raise this tiny person who awakens you in the night? Although you enjoy your independence, do you wonder whether you'll ever find a mate? Are you facing big decisions now that your husband is gone? Whatever your challenge, give your doubt to God. He'll never leave you. Never.

Dear Lord, You know my desire to love others, serve, and make wise choices. Hear this prayer for your guidance, help and strength. I will lean back and take a deep breath and listen to what you have to say to me. I know I am loved by you more than I'll ever know. Thank You! In Your Name, Amen.

Freedom

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."

Psalm 119:32

Suppose there were no traffic laws. Going out for a drive would be a dangerous endeavor. Drivers would have to fight their way down the road. Traffic would be a snarled mess. Following rules can sound like the opposite of freedom. But without rules, community turns into chaos. Following God's commands protects us from harm and helps us love God and others well. It frees us to travel the road of life unencumbered by fear, uncertainty, or insecurity.

Dear Lord, help me to follow Your commands, even when they don't make sense to me. I know that they do to You. In Your Name, Amen.

Goooooooood Mornnnnnnnnninnngg!!

HOPE
"The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope."
Psalm 34:18

It's easy to lose heart when your focus is on difficulties that persist day after day. That's why reconnecting with God every morning is so important. Time together reminds you that an all-knowing and all-powerful God is in your corner, ready and able to help. It helps you sift the trivial from the eternal. And it restores hope to its rightful place in your life, where it can shine a light on God's goodness and faithfulness to you. 

I have found a great way to start the day. When I am driving to work, I put this song on in my car, crank up the volume and sing it out (I do sound really good in my car-all alone of course). I just love the beat and the words. I think it adds an extra skip to my day. I wanted to share it with you. Give it a try.... you'll find your foot might just start tapping along.

Wings

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Have you ever seen a butterfly crawling on its belly with caterpillars? Or trying desperately to hang on to its cocoon as it takes to the skies? Of course not - it spreads its wings and flies far away from its old life, discovering new and wonderful things it never knew existed. New life in Christ is full of discoveries and wonders, but you can't get there if you're still clutching the old life. It's time to let go, sister.

Dear Lord, I know my age, looks or circumstances don't matter. You have a future for me. With You my best days are yet to come - better than I can think or even imagine. I am excited to see where you would have me fly Lord. So, let's fly!! In Your Name, Amen.

Determination

"As for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

2 Chronicles 15:7

What is it that's threatening to make you lose your resolve and give up? Maybe it's exhaustion or discouragement. It might be niggling questions like, "Is this worth it? Is anyone going to notice?" The Bible promises over and over again that your determination will be rewarded. God sees even if no one else does. He understands the process and the difficulty. He will be waiting at the finish line, and your efforts in this life will be well worth it.

Dear Lord, I don't always know how and when, and sometimes life can mislead me into thinking my hope is lost. But if I am determined to hold on, the fog will eventually clear and my course will become clear. I know You are counting on me to stay the course and never give up. With Your help, I know I can do it. In Your Name, Amen.

Be Glad!

"Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always)."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 AMP

The movie Pollyanna captured the hearts of young girls in the early 1960's. With her innocent charm and infectious spirit, young Pollyanna Whittier confronted the bitter attitudes in her aunt Polly's town by always seeking the best in life. I remember how Pollyanna inspired people to stop complaining and embrace a more positive outlook. They were inspired by Pollyanna's ability to see the upside of everyone and everything. 

In the movie, Pollyanna tells Reverend Ford, "There are eight hundred happy texts. Did you know that?

When the preacher said he didn't know, Pollyanna replied, "Yes, well, there are. And do you know, my father said that if God took the trouble to tell us eight hundred times to be glad and rejoice, He must have wanted us to do it."

Pollyanna's father, a missionary, taught her the Glad Game before he died. The goal of the game was to look for the blessing in every circumstance - the silver lining in every cloud. 

"You see," Pollyanna said, "when you're hunting for the glad things, you sort of forget the other kind."

People sometimes ridicule a Pollyanna attitude, describing the choice to be happy as wearing "rose-colored glasses." Sure, we're not supposed to be naive as Christians - we need to be realists - but shouldn't Christians be glad? Through the Word of God, we view life through the Father's lens and understand that we have forgiveness, security, peace, life, and joy in Christ.

It's like going to the optometrist. When the doctor tests your eyes, he puts in various lenses and then asks, "Can you see better now - or with this?" But the Word of God is a superior lens.

So, can you see better with your lens or God's?

The apostle Paul tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, not because of the situation, necessarily, but because God is going to work in us and through our circumstances if we yield to His control and respond in the power of the Holy Spirit.

What is your struggle today? Can you be thankful and glad for God's presence and love? Go ahead, put on those God-colored glasses. 

Dear Lord, I rejoice in You, Lord, for You make my heart glad. Amen.

Look up these verses for some extra smiles, and say "Thank You, Lord!"

Psalm 5:11

Psalm 16:11

Psalm 118:24

Psalm 126:3

PS want to text a friend today's Bible Verse? Here it is in a fun "text" way

B gld-hrtd cntnuly. 

Slathered in SPF

"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word."Psalm 119:114


These days, the word shield evokes images of glistening sunbathers dotting beaches and carefree children slathered in sunscreen. Like the psalmist's metal shield, sunscreen deflects dangerous rays, preventing them from penetrating vulnerable skin - higher SPF for more protection. When we are immersed in God's Word, we erect a shield that deflects Satan's attempts to penetrate our weak flesh. Internalizing more of God's Word creates a higher SPF: Scripture Protection Factor. Are you well-coated?


Do you have a SPF? I will share one of my many SPF's that I try to remember daily.


[Jesus said,] "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow." Matthew 6:34 MSG

Protection

"The Lord your God will lead you and protect you on every side." Isaiah 52:12


We all have fears - fear of harm, fear of losing a child, fear of being alone, fear of failure. When your fears rise up and threaten to overcome you. When you feel sick in the pit of your stomach and your heart aches with anxiety - remember this. God is with you, every day, every hour, every moment. Focus on Him, really focus, and you will see that your fears are nothing more than speculation that is swept away in His presence. 


Dear Lord, I know I have no reason to fear, for You are always with me. You will not fail me. In some cases You will warn me ahead of time, in others You  may remove me from a dangerous situation. And then there are times when You will hold my hand as You walk with me. You are my God! Thank You for your protection in my life, I know I don't thank You enough. In Your Name, Amen.

Forever Joy

"We don't look at the troubles we can see now. . . For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:18


A painter's first brush strokes look like random blobs - no discernable shape, substance, or clue as to what the completed painting will be. But in time, the skilled artist brings order to perceived chaos. Initial confusion is forgotten in joyful admiration of the finished masterpiece.


We often can't see past the blobs of trouble in our life canvases. We must trust that the Artist has a masterpiece underway. And there will be great joy in its completion.

Laugh a Rainbow

"When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth." Genesis 9:16


Ever feel like a cloud is hanging over your head? Sometimes the cloud darkens to the color of bruises, and we're deluged with cold rain that seems to have no end. When you're in the midst of one of life's thunderstorms, tape this saying to your mirror: Cry a river, laugh a rainbow . The  rainbow , the symbol of hope that God gave Noah after the flood, reminds us even today that every storm will eventually pass.  

Whatever Comes Next

"You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you."
Job 22:28

The word success originally meant simply "the thing that comes next." Over the years, we've added to that meaning the sense that success has to be the thing we wanted to happen, the outcome for which we hoped.

But God does not necessarily define success the way we do. Whatever comes next, no matter what, His grace transforms it, using circumstances to create the light we need to travel still further on our road to heaven.