Saturday, March 19, 2022 – Things to Be Grateful for Today – 

The best way to be change your mindset is to focus on being grateful. Gratitude is a wonderful thing and finding things to be grateful for despite whatever circumstances that is dragging you down, can help change your demeanor. 

As we move through life, we learn the importance of certain things in life and the need to intentionally be grateful. Being grateful leads to a great filled life. If you are needing to put some gratitude into your day, here are a few things to get you started! 

Clean water – Not everywhere in the world has the clean water that we have

Pets – These furry animals are so therapeutic! 

Family – The good and the bad

Love – Even when you are lonely, remember that there is God that loves you

Internet – If you are reading this, the internet is life changing itself (Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad) 

Friends – Without my friends, I don’t know who I would be

Life – Whether it is your own or a loved one, life is short and so precious

Weather – Rain washes the earth and sun brings life. Be thankful and grateful for the weather, whatever it is, including snow! 

Jesus – Because of Him we are forgiven

What are you grateful for? Are there some things your grateful for that are missing on this list? Leave us a comment! 

Embrace the little things and big and be thankful for each! 

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things – Robert Brault 

Sometimes a new outlook with a different perspective, a grateful heart and a prayer can sure help! 

Friday, March 18, 2022 – Ways To Be A Good Mentor

Have you had a good mentor in your life? Are you a mentor? 

Who is a mentor? While you may not think that you are a mentor, let me challenge you on this. Are you a teacher, a parents, a leader, a boss, a business owner? The list goes on and on, but the opportunity for mentorship is plenty. 

I’ve had some mentors throughout my life and I have also been a mentor. 
One of the times that I had a mentor was during my Eagle Scout project. I had to select one person that would be my project mentor, to overlook the progress with me and answer any questions that I may have had during the process. They has been there and done that, and they were always generous in sharing their wisdom with me and providing guidance on any issues I was having. 
Upon earning the Eagle Scout Rank, I decided it was time to return the favor and mentor a few of the younger Scouts, not only to earn their Eagle Scout Rank, but also get into the Boy Scouts of America to begin with. 

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17

Ways to be a good mentor: 

Show up – 
Sometimes it is as simple as showing up. Sounds simple, right? Well it is. Whether it is scheduled or just whenever you can connect – sometimes just showing up in someone’s life is sometimes all it takes to make a difference. 

Ears or Mouth? – 
One day during my Eagle project I was having a rough day, and my mentor came in and said “Do you want me to be ears or a mouth?” Simply meaning do you want me to say what I think or do you need someone to listen to you? 

Open Ears and Open Heart – 
Listen with open ears and open heart. While it may be easy to jump in and say something – just takes notes. Sometimes hard words need to be said, but watch your timing. 

Ask Questions – 
It can start with a simple “how are you”? Questions can also crack open some areas of deeper conversation or simply help someone know that you are present. 

Storytelling, Not Reprimanding – 
It is so easy to tell someone what they are doing wrong. Let’s flip the script. If you have experienced a situation that someone has gone through- tell your story. Explain how you addressed the situation and what you went through to get there. The art of story is a beautiful thing. It helps people know that they are not alone in having gone through something. 

Don’t worry, I am not telling you to go volunteer to be a mentor, but if you can and that is your heart – do it! If you have the opportunity to be a mentor to someone, do it! The rewards are not just for those who are being mentored, you will benefit as well! 

Thursday, March 17, 2022 – Inspirational Bible Quotes

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. Psalm 138:3

Let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and Holy. Ephesians 4:23-4

Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Joy comes in the morning Psalm 30:5

God is within her she will not fail Psalm 46:5

By his words we are healed Isaiah 53:5

You are God’s masterpiece Ephesians 2:10

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 – Finding Your Faith and Owning It

The world of Christianity is wide and vast. While God has given us a map, the bible, finding your faith with that map looks different for every person. Regardless of how we follow Christianity – it is personal, unique, and something that changes and grows. 

Christ Made Us Unique: 
Christ made each of us different- so of course, or relationship with him is unique. 

Finding Your Faith: 
Finding your faith can be hard. For me, I found my faith when I became involved with Mountain Ministries in March of 2020. Prior to that, it had been several years since I went to church. It was not because I did not want to, I didn’t find a church where I felt like I fit in. 

I don’t want to overcomplicate the subjects of finding your faith and owning it, but I do feel like people who are lost or are searching like I was, need to know that their feelings are normal. 

Your Relationship With Christ: 
In my child years, I was first introduced to the idea of a relationship with Christ – I have to admit – I was at a loss. God isn’t my actual father? How am I supposed to have a relationship with God as my father? It was very confusing to me. 
Over the years, and now it makes sense. 

What if we think about our relationship with Christ like any relationship? Think to when you met your best friend. Yes, some people instantly click, but most people’s relationships require a process. There is that getting to know you period, the awkward exchanges, the misunderstandings, miscommunications, and so on. On the flip side there is that relationship that develops out of the good and bad. 

Good relationships Take Time: 
Just like a relationship with a friend or spouse, don’t expect an instant relationship with Christ and your faith. It is a process that evolves and like a good friend or good marriage – the longer you are committed to each other the better the relationship becomes 

Each relationship in your life – including the one with Christ is unique. Those relationships each require time, grace, patience, and commitment to growing. 

Owning Your Faith:
What does owning your faith look like? It’s not wavering when the question arises. It’s understanding, accepting, and giving grace. Owning your faith is standing up for what you believe and not shying away from those beliefs when encountering friends, family, and others that don’t believe the same as you. 

Thank God for Grace! 

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – Grace

What is Grace? Grace is defined as the Free and unmerited favor of God. God loves us despite our sins, because of grace. Grace is the most important concept in Christianity. 

When we say that Christ loves unconditionally – that is because of grace. Despite our sins, no matter what – God gives us grace. The love of God to those who don’t deserve His love – the peace of God gives to the restless – all are examples of grace.

 What is Accepting Grace? 

Not yelling at the guy who just cut you off. 

Rather than getting mad at your kid for not doing the dishes, you give them a pass

When your husband doesn’t remember a significant event, not exploding

Remaining calm when live gives you a storm

As important as is it to show grace, it is just as, if not more important to learn to accept grace. Accepting grace is knowing that God loves you despite your sins. 

Monday, March 14, 2022 – Christian Affirmations

Let’s pause the chaos and negativity and focus on some good with these Christian Affirmations for a Good Day! 

I am a child of God. John 1:12
All who receive Christ, through faith, become children of God. There are spiritual honors given to all believers, simply on the basis of being part of that family. Becoming a child of God does not simply result in privileges, but spiritual power. 

I will Give grace, even when grace is not given to me. Ephesians 2:8-9 

Whenever I am in need of help, I’ll turn to God in prayer. Psalm 18:6 

I trust that God will guide me through today. John 10:3

God is my refuge. Psalm 62:8

I will use kind words with others. Proverbs 16:24

I will be a light in darkness Matthew 5:15-16

There is no fear because God strengthens me. Isaiah 41:10

God will meet all my needs. Philippians 4:19

Go into this week with an open heart. Be aware of your surrounding and identify how you can show unexpected love. 

March 9, 2022 – Lent for Kids

How do you do Lent for Kids? Today we will be talking about it! 

Lent should be introduced to kids in a way to better understand what this holy season is about. Below are some ideas on ways to celebrate Lent with Kids!

Intentional Prayer: 

One of the things that we discussed early on in lent was praying. This is a simple practice that you can do with your children. Rather than reciting the same blessing at dinner or night prayer – ask your kids who your family should pray for and then pray for those people. 

Encourage Your Kids to Ask Questions: 

Probing with questions often leads kids to ask more questions. I don’t know about your kids, but any child I am around have NO problem the asking questions thing! Thank goodness for Google! 

Do a family devotional:

If you need some ideas for this please reach out to us via email admin@mountain-ministries.com

Celebrate Meat-free Days:

Abstinence from meat one day a week is universal act of penitence. Pick a day, as a child we did the Catholic tradition of no meat on Fridays. Rather than forcing kids to give something up for 40 days, doing meat-free days once a week allows you to participate in a Lent abstinence activity 

March 8, 2022 – Speaking like a Christian

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame to tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not be so – James 3:7-10

Speaking is one of the most important things people do. With words we promise, inform, direct, comfort, persuade, and correct. Without words, expressing love and hate is practically impossible. Through speech we display our love, show our desires, picture our hopes, and voice our worries. Through words, people hear that which we believe is most important. 

Some ways of talking come easy. Condemning, tearing down, accusing, and criticizing – these are natural. It is natural for us to know what is right and how people fail. It is natural to point out flaws. It is natural to remind people they have flaws, that they sin, and that they are sinners. 

The gospel is unnatural, contrary to our normal ways of speaking. In this life people expect justice. Evil deserves to be punished, but through the gospel we forgive sinners. This is unnatural. The gospel is a word of mercy. It is hope to those without hope. It is life to those who deserve death. It is a foolish message about Jesus dying on a cross for the sins of others so that sinners could be counted as righteous in God’s sight through faith alone. 

The gospel gives eternal life to the unworthy. The gospel declares that god justifies the wicked, that he turns rebels into children. murders, rapists, and adulterers – will be in heaven because Christ died for them. This is mercy. 

Speaking the gospel is a uniquely Christian way of talking. Speaking the gospel is at the core of what it means to be a Christian: 

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all these put on love

Monday, March 7, 2022: We will be talking about healing.

Healing is a hard thing to process but it is necessary. I know so many people, including myself that want God to just heal themselves or someone in their lives. 
“Why did God do this?” Or “Why isn’t God healing him/her?” This subject is a difficult one and I wish I had the right answer for you. 

Below are some healing scriptures to use when meditating or praying. 

Isaiah 41:10
Don’t panic. I am with you. There’s no need to fear for I am your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady and keep a firm grip on you. 

Psalms 147:3
He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. 

Isaiah 33:2 
Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. 

Exodus 15:26 
That’s the place where God set up rules and procedures; that where he started testing them. God said, “If you listen, listen obediently to how God tells you to live in his presence, obeying his commandments and keeping all his laws, then I won’t strike you with all the diseases that I inflicted on the Egyptians; I am god your healer. 

Jeremiah 17:14 
God pickup the pieces. Put me back together again. You are my praise. 

Mark 5:34
Jesus said to her, “Daughter you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plaque.” 

James 5:15
Believing prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven – healed inside and out

Day 4 of Lent – Saturday, March 5, 2022

Today we will look at 7 bible verses for the Lent Season. 

Joel 2:12-14
“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing — grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God. 

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Mark 1:13
And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:20
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.