The weather is changing with cooler nights and breezy no humid days! It’s time to do my happy dance. Fall weather is also the time to make soups. A creamy asparagus and squash soup is on my mind so I can load up on some nutrition and antioxidants.

Benefits of Asparagus & Squash Soup

Asparagus helps fight the big buzz word INFLMATION, it’s rich in anthocyanins that reduce this pesky irritant to our cells. It also protects the lining of our blood vessels, and our joints. Asparagus protects liver cells from toxic substances too. (1) It’s also carrying some significant anti-cancer properties! (2) I’ll take all the protection I can get in this battle for life in our environment of pesticides, fertilizers, irritants, pollutants, colorings, flavorings, and preservatives.

All the more reason to avoid the canned and boxed soup mixes and make your own. We are harvesting potatoes and a few summer squash this week too. So, I came up with a no dairy, simply creamy asparagus and squash soup from our garden to you. The best part is, it can be ready in 30 minutes.

You’ll have over 40% of your RDA of B6, natural folate, and Vitamin K1, over 20% of your vitamin C, E, and B1, while getting a good start to over 15% of RDA for magnesium, selenium, and calcium. Therefore, I hope you enjoy it alongside your cool fall weather this week!

Devotion/ Spiritual Food

I am forever impressed with God’s goodness and provision for us in the garden! Every time I look at the amazing benefits of what He placed in food I think about His mighty love and thoughtfulness. He also provided a way for us spiritually in the presence of his son, Jesus. He says,

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 6:63-64 ESV

The metaphor in John chapter six that Jesus is describing to his disciples is the one of himself being the bread and body coming down from heaven. He will offer himself as a living sacrifice for all mankind. Of course, they are not partaking physically of his flesh, but understanding and internalizing the concepts of believing He is fully God and fully man. It was hard for the people of Jesus’ day and in ours. I pray all doubt is erased as we are encouraged by the amazing proof of His love through the properties of food. Moreover, the evidence of Him in creation and through His Son, Jesus.

Click here for more recipe ideas:

References:

1. Effects of Asparagus officinalis extracts on liver cell toxicity and ethanol metabolism – PubMed (nih.gov)
   Kim BY, Cui ZG, Lee SR, Kim SJ, Kang HK, Lee YK, Park DB. Effects of Asparagus officinalis extracts on liver cell toxicity and ethanol metabolism. J Food Sci. 2009 Sep;74(7):H204-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01263.x. PMID: 19895471.
2. Antiproliferative effects of extracts from Salvia officinalis L. and Saliva miltiorrhiza Bunge on hepatocellular carcinoma cells – PubMed (nih.gov)
   Jiang Y, Zhang L, Rupasinghe HP. Antiproliferative effects of extracts from Salvia officinalis L. and Saliva miltiorrhiza Bunge on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Jan;85:57-67. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.11.113. Epub 2016 Dec 5. PMID: 27930987.

Exodus Week Four

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be your mouth and teach you what you shall speak?

Exodus 4:11-12

Exodus Chapter 4

Today’s reading for our text is Exodus chapter 4, we will see God’s patience with Moses and the signs he is to preform. Moses is still in the presence of God before the burning bush. Please take a moment to read this chapter before it is discussed in the post below.

Last week we learned about covenant and how Abraham’s descendants would never be able to fulfill their end of this powerful agreement between God and man. The penalty of which eventually falls on God in flesh, Jesus.

However, this week we see the loving patience of God giving signs to Moses as proof He will be by his side as he presents the plan to the elders of Israel with his brother Aaron. Moses’ response in verse one is classic of us as we hesitate to present truth to the skeptical, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, “The Lord did not appear to you.”

God Will Teach Him to Speak

The Lord is such a masterful teacher, isn’t he? He says to Moses what is that in your hand?  Moses replies the obvious, it is a staff. He is commanded to throw it on the ground as it becomes a serpent. We learn in the teaching time, that the snake represents “Wadjet” the snake God and protector of Pharaoh. God is showing He has power over the natural order and all other false gods.

God proceeds to show Moses His power over diseases as he places his hand in and out of his robe; normal to leprous, to normal again. Lastly, God tells Moses to take some water from the life-supporting Nile River and pour it on the ground as it becomes blood. Proof to Moses and Israel God is in control of life and death.  

Poor Moses, he tries to wiggle out of this commitment three different times in this chapter alone. His next objection is that he is not eloquent of speech. God assures him, “Who made the mouth?  It is not I? He promises to be Moses’ mouth and teach him what he will speak. (vs. 11-12).   Finally, Moses just says, “’Oh my Lord, please send someone else.”

Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses. I wonder if the bush, at this point, shoots a billow of fire above as the Lord convinces Moses he is the chosen deliverer. Aaron, his brother, is on his way to be his mouthpiece. Therefore, Moses is convinced and asks Jethro’s permission to take his family and leave for Egypt because all those seeking his life are dead.  We get a glimpse of how difficult this plan will be as God warns him about the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart. Keep in mind, Pharaoh’s heart is already hard because he thinks he is a god.

The Risk of Not Taking God Seriously

The historical account takes a sudden turn in verses 24-26 at a lodging place along the way back to Egypt. The Lord met Moses and sought to put him to death (vs. 24). We understand from last week’s study Moses was born in a Hebrew home, nursed there until he was weaned, then sent to Pharaoh’s daughter to be raised in the palace. Although he understood he was a Hebrew, when he became a father in his forties in the land of Midian, he failed to adhere to the covenant of circumcision ascribed to his people (See Genesis 17:1-14).

We do not know if Zipporah was for it or against it at the time of her son’s birth. Nor do we see circumcision as a custom her priestly father practiced with his own family. All we see is that Zipporah, took a knife to her son’s foreskin to save the life of her husband. The inference here is understood, she did not do it happily.

God’s command to circumcise every male on the eighth day as a sign of the everlasting covenant in the flesh of his offspring is to be obeyed! However, when not obeyed, they shall be cut off from his people for breaking the covenant (Gen. 17:14).  We see the seriousness for Moses, and us for that matter, of obeying God’s commands. When he calls us to follow Him and carry out his plans, it’s time to listen.

Reunited and Ready to Deliver

As Moses’ life is spared, and Aaron arrives to meet him at the mountain of God. They leave to gather all the elders of Israel to speak the words that the Lord spoke to Moses. “And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshipped (Exodus 4:31).

The beauty of trusting God is stepping forward in what he calls us to do, despite our lack of eloquence, or ability. When we submit to Him, He will teach us what we are to speak. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness and patience in our hesitancy and doubt. May we overcome the fear and trepidation in such a volatile culture and speak the truth as we remember your signs of wonder and glory through Moses, and later Jesus. 

Get your workbook for our Exodus Study, God of Deliverance by Jen Wilkin at Lifeway.com/deliverance.

A Prince Becomes a Fugitive

The passage of scripture for this week’s study is Exodus 2:11-3:22.

I pray our hearts and minds are open to what God wants to show us this week as He establishes a leader for Israel. To begin with, we see an adopted son show a particular affiliation with the people of his birth. Although Moses grew up in the house of Pharaoh, he knows he’s a Hebrew.

He comes to the defense of a Hebrew slave being beaten by an Egyptian.  However, his efforts are rejected, and he flees the country. The corresponding next we read alongside Exodus this week is Stephan’s account of Moses’ history in Acts 7:17-36. Please take a moment to relish the extra details he offers.

Meanwhile, Moses camps out by a well in a land far away and meets his future wife, Zipporah. We learn from Acts that he is around 40 when he arrives, and he stays there to shepherd Jethro’s flocks for around forty years. The text says,

After a long time, the king of Egypt died, and the Israelites groaned because of their difficult labor, and they cried out; and their cry for help ascended to God because of their difficult labor.

A Covenant Perfected

The God of Deliverance heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Wilkin has us look up definitions throughout her studies. I love to do this because it takes me down a delightful rabbit trail and into a deeper understanding of God and His word!

So, according to ancient Hebrew sources, the covenant was an agreement that worked like a Suzerain/Vassal treaty. The lesser/weaker vassal pledges fidelity to the more powerful Suzerain. The vassal shows his loyalty through giving part of his crops and lending his services, while the Suzerain offers his protection. The ancient Hebrews established this covenant with the sacrifice of animals and dividing them into halves. The two parties walked together between the divided animals to seal the treaty. If the parties failed in their part of the agreement, the understanding was, what was done to the animals would happen to them.

Now, take another rabbit trail with me to Genesis chapter 15. Please read the entire chapter—-I promise it will be worth your time!  God, Himself, makes the covenant with Abram! But, in this covenant, Abram is asleep; only God, in the form of the smoking fire pot and flaming torch, appears between the divided animals. Therefore, the price of not meeting the demands of the covenant fall on God. The beauty of a better covenant is fulfilled when the Word became flesh and dwelt among men in the form of Jesus!

The Promise is for Us Too!

Yes, my sweet friend, God hears, he remembers, and he has delivered a way. Not only for oppressed Israel but for you and me. We have no way of meeting the requirements of righteousness in our flesh. However, all we must do is place our faith in Jesus, and his righteous blood covers us. He walked through that covenant long ago as Abram slept. He also perfected it years later when he took the wrath of God upon himself for all eternity. Praise and glory to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray you have a wonderful week studying our Mighty God of Deliverance! Please don’t forget, it is in your workbook and personal time with God that you grow spiritually. Look for the link in Week 1 to get your book, written by Jen Wilkin and offered through Lifeway. God bless you!

You can find more encouragement for your week with Bold Faith!

My small ladies group is beginning the study of “Exodus: God of Deliverance” by Jen Wilkin. It is a solid study, and if you want to participate, you can. There is an affordable deal by Lifeway to purchase a book and video rental for only $24.99—considering the cost of studies these days, you can’t beat that offer!

Jen’s method of study is straightforward and comprehensive too. I like that “God of Deliverance” focuses on the attributes of God and how I can draw closer to Him through his word.

Exodus 1-2:10 is our passage to read and study this week.

As the first week of our Exodus study, “God of Deliverance” begins, we see the names of the twelve tribes. Jacob’s sons who left Canaan during the famine to live in Goshen. They are shepherds under the rule of their brother Joseph, second only to Pharaoh, in Egypt. However, Joseph’s heroic acts of saving Egypt has long been forgotten, by the new king of Egypt.

An interesting turn of events leads Pharaoh to deal harshly with the Israelites. He is threatened by their large numbers and chooses to work them harshly. The scripture says, “mercilessly”. God sees and he hears their groaning. So, he begins His intervention.

Surprisingly, as Wilkin points out, God’s plan to free Israel begins with five women deliverers. Let that sink in a moment. God’s plan for redemption is seen through the heart of a mother, a sister, an unbelieving King’s daughter, and women who devote their lives to delivering babies.

God’s Plan

Throughout the text we see God is fulfilling the promise of Israel’s fruitfulness as they continue multiplying. Despite their oppression, they keep producing babies. The threat of their numbers and their proximity to the border makes Pharaoh uneasy, so he commands the deaths of all the newborn boys.

The girls are no threat.

Infanticide is a common practice throughout history and continues today. The bottom line behind this evil atrocity is a lack of value for human life.

As Christians, standing for the life of the innocent is something we are all called to do. It is also something Shiphrah, and Puah, the midwives, take seriously before God Almighty.

I am keeping in mind, God’s plan for Israel’s spiritual redemption is greater than their physical redemption at this point, but I still mourn the loss of so many innocent children…then and now.

In reading Exodus 1-2:10 this week we’ll see the repeated language of fruitfulness as spoken in Gen 1:28, 9:1, 17:2, 6, 22:17, 26:4, 28:14, 35:11, 48:4.

As Jen Wilkin always points out in her studies, “What aspect of God’s character has this week’s passage of Exodus shown you more clearly?

Enjoy your 1st week of study time, as God’s word accomplishes its purpose!

More Bible Study Plans Here

When I’m stuck in my house and want a pizza I have to see what is available for ingredients. Today there is a package of Adel’s Chicken Apple Sausage and mozzarella in the fridge. There is also can of tomatoes, some onions, and kale from the garden. Good enough! Dave and I will have a Chicken & Kale lover’s Pizza in no time.

I did a little investing towards the flour for this pizza. You, of course, use what is available to you. But I’m totally into grinding my own whole grain kernels and milling freshly grained wheat! Using this method, there is no fortified processing or enrichment necessary. What God put in the grain is still in tact and ready to nourish this body. Plus it is not bleached and sitting on a shelf becoming rancid.

Check out Sue Brecker’s site on how to begin milling your own wheat.

Benefits

100 grams of soft white kernel (whole grain) wheat is quite nutritious too! It provides a good sources of zinc, potassium, manganese, thiamin, niacin, and folate. Check out the nutrition facts here. Put this whole wheat together with some nitrate and nitrite free sausage, top with some fresh kale and onions, and yum this Chicken & Kale Lover’s Pizza becomes an easy delicious and nutritious pizza.

Devotion

The beauty of nutrition in the food we eat is the plan of provision for our sustenance. Where there is evidence of a physical plan, there is also a spiritual plan. The earth opens to bear its fruits of nourishment and Isaiah reminds us the heavens open to provide spiritual renewal.

“Shower, O heavens, from above,

    and let the clouds rain down righteousness;

let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;

    let the earth cause them both to sprout;

    I the Lord have created it.

Isaiah 45:7-9 ESV – I form light and create darkness; I – Bible Gateway

I pray you enjoy the richness of the Lord in the land of the living today and every day. If you ever need prayer just let me know!

Here are some more ideas from my kitchen to yours!

A tuna and red pepper melt with dill is a quick easy dinner loaded with vitamin C, omega 3, and antioxidants. Since, I’m always looking for an easy meal after work, the quick preparation of this dish is a plus too!

Benefits

When I read an article about antioxidants I find comfort in knowing God preplanned its use long before I came along. Therefore if the article names flavonoids, anthocyanins, and saponins to help with inflammation I’m impressed.

However, when I look further into the research, and see dill showing a 70% free radical scavenging capacity and a 63% chance of chelating to heavy metals, I’m blown away! (1). Since I am exposed to heavy metals every single day, it makes sense to eat some fresh herbs that bind to them and move them out of my system.

Moreover, with this dish you’ll get plenty of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, fiber, a little calcium and good dose of essential fatty acids. The tuna alone will equip you with omega 3 (433mg), niacin (102%) , B12 (77%), and selenium (177% of your daily value). (2)

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me, indeed!

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?  I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,  I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 116 ESV – I Love the LORD – I love the LORD, – Bible Gateway

So, enjoy this simple and nutrition packed meal for an easy and satisfying dinner! Also, while you’re here check out some other recipes, because what God puts in the garden is good!

References:

1. (PDF) Antioxidant Potential of Different Dill (Anethum Graveolens L.) Leaf Extracts (researchgate.net)
2. Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, drained solids Nutrition Facts & Calories (self.com)

Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Sauté is a quick and delicious week night meal that is ten times better than anything in a box! This recipe comes to you from my kitchen as I wondered what to do with a few garden sweet potatoes. Harvest time is always a fun time to play with new ideas and… my food. So for this dish, all you need is some fresh sweet potatoes, ground beef, herbs, and root veggies and you are ready to go.

Benefits

Sweet potatoes provide a decent amount of fiber (6.5 grams) for gut health. It also has the antioxidant (anthocyanin) for a neuroprotective role and decreasing neuroinflammatory markers; which is good news for aging brains(1). They also contain a good amount of manganese, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. Plus, they are yummy in this ground beef and sweet potato sauté. Just add some chili powder, fresh oregano, onions and celery.

Pair this dish with a side of steamed broccoli and you have a well balanced and EASY supper! What God puts in the garden is so good!

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest

Proverbs 6 ESV – Practical Warnings – My son, if you – Bible Gateway

For more recipes look in the garden

References:

The Anti-Neuroinflammatory Role of Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites for the Prevention and Treatment of Brain Disorders – PubMed (nih.gov)

Henriques JF, Serra D, Dinis TCP, Almeida LM. The Anti-Neuroinflammatory Role of Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites for the Prevention and Treatment of Brain Disorders. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 17;21(22):8653. doi: 10.3390/ijms21228653. PMID: 33212797; PMCID: PMC7696928.

You may not think eggs and sauerkraut with fresh herbs sound good in the morning, but you may be surprised! This delicious combination will provide a wonderful amount of protein, choline, lutein and zeaxanthin. Essential elements that are present for our brain and heart function. Although, eggs are not promoted as being heart healthy, new research is finding little to no association to eggs and heart health (1). Does this mean you can eat all the eggs you want?

Well, if you’re avoiding processed man-made food like doughnuts, chips, processed cookies in a package, sugar-laden cereals, sodas, teas, and the like…the answer is yes! Therefore, if you are eating God’s provision in the garden and partaking of fresh greens, homemade bread, lean beef/chicken/fish you’re most likely safe to eat at least one a day.

So, enjoy your eggs and kraut with fresh herbs! It will provide a delicious microbiome-immune-boosting meal to start your day and break your nightly fast!

What God puts on the land and in the sea is good!

Here is what you’ll need.

Eggs and Kraut with Fresh Herbs

2 or 3 Farm Fresh Eggs

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons chia seeds

2 Tablespoons sauerkraut

1 Teaspoon fresh chopped parsley

1 Teaspoon fresh chopped dill or oregano

Heat the olive oil in a warm skillet (not too hot, keep your oil from damage by keeping it at 3 and no higher). Add the eggs, then the chia seeds. Cook until done to your preference. Season as desired (I love onion powder!) Once, on the plate add your kraut and fresh herbs

Click the links below for more brain boosting ideas!

References:

Effect of a high-egg diet on cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes: the Diabetes and Egg (DIABEGG) Study—randomized weight-loss and follow-up phase | The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

Nicholas R Fuller, Amanda Sainsbury, Ian D Caterson, Gareth Denyer, Mackenzie Fong, James Gerofi, Chloris Leung, Namson S Lau, Kathryn H Williams, Andrzej S Januszewski, Alicia J Jenkins, Tania P Markovic, Effect of a high-egg diet on cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes: the Diabetes and Egg (DIABEGG) Study—randomized weight-loss and follow-up phase, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 107, Issue 6, June 2018, Pages 921–931, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy048

Filling my mind with God’s word in the morning feeds my soul and boosts my mood, it can yours too! The love of God comes to us through his word and assures us we can rely on His provision. Whether by land or sea, He continually supplies a fresh word or catch to sustain us body and soul! I am using some salmon from last night’s supper to create a mood boosting breakfast tortilla with veggies and fresh dill to accomplish part of that task today!

Salmon provides a good amount of essential omega3 fish oil in its natural form to help fight inflammation, lubricate blood vessels, and ease the hormone balance necessary for calming emotions. One study, found it helping elderly patients with mild to moderate depression.

The way I look at it is, if God created fish and Jesus lovingly prepared it for his disciples after his death, burial, and resurrection; it is beneficial for you and me too! My heart just melts when I think of him preparing breakfast for them after a long night of night of unsuccessful fishing because they are still mourning his recent death. It definitely fills my soul this morning…

Come, Have Breakfast

 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”  He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.  When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”

John 21 ESV – Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples – Bible Gateway

Breakfast Salmon Tortilla

• 3 ounces leftover Salmon
• 1 Fresh whole grain tortilla shell
• 2 Teaspoons of chopped red pepper
• 1 Half chopped avocado
• 2 Teaspoons of Fresh Dill
• 1 Cup of Salad Greens
• 3 Teaspoons Plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast (optional)
• Onion Powder, salt or pepper to taste

Heat the tortilla 10-12 seconds in the microwave to just heat, the salmon heat about 20 seconds, place the yogurt on the shell, cover with salad greens, the salmon, dill, avocado, and fresh red pepper, season it to your taste and enjoy!

Benefits

The benefits of this power packed fish tortilla include omega 3 and vitamin C. The whole grains and nutritional yeast provide B vitamins. Dill, on the other hand, has been studied in mice to restore aortic vessel wall function and reduce stiffening. Studies, like this offer glimmers of hope for those struggling with cardiovascular disease. Moreover, it is HARMLESS to take and adds wonderful flavor to food. So, enjoy a new breakfast tortillas and boost your brain power at the same time!

What’s in the garden is good!

References:

Dill Extract Induces Elastic Fiber Neosynthesis and Functional Improvement in the Ascending Aorta of Aged Mice with Reversal of Age-Dependent Cardiac Hypertrophy and Involvement of Lysyl Oxidase-Like-1 – PubMed (nih.gov)

Fhayli W, Boëté Q, Kihal N, Cenizo V, Sommer P, Boyle WA, Jacob MP, Faury G. Dill Extract Induces Elastic Fiber Neosynthesis and Functional Improvement in the Ascending Aorta of Aged Mice with Reversal of Age-Dependent Cardiac Hypertrophy and Involvement of Lysyl Oxidase-Like-1. Biomolecules. 2020 Jan 23;10(2):173. doi: 10.3390/biom10020173. PMID: 31979322; PMCID: PMC7072659.

I hope your week is going well and you are staying healthy spiritually and physically, despite the chaos of our day.  I don’t know about you, but for me, with so much unrest in the world, it is hard to stay focused on what is good and Holy!

However, that is exactly what we are called to do!

Therefore, I need some biblical ways to boost my mood! God’s word is more powerful than a double-edged sword to spiritually combat negative thinking and attacks from the evil one. Plus, His word never returns void or empty.

So, with that in mind, and following up with on the 10 Easy Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System post, I want to give myself and you 10 biblical ways to strengthen our mood; while also easing our mind, will, and emotions. Are you ready?

1. Praise God

When we fill our hearts with gratitude and praise God almighty for His unending, unshakable, enduring faithfulness we boost our mood. Negative thoughts are consumed by gratitude and evaporate from our thinking.

Romans 12:2 is an often-memorized verse in the bible to help us change our thinking.  It says:

Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The testing comes in the form of situations, people, or circumstances that rub us the wrong way. As soon as negative thoughts build from encounters with others or text messages start rolling in, we are conforming to the pattern of this world.

Rather than getting our moods down, we can boost it instead by saying, “God, I praise you for this person, this situation, and this opportunity to turn to YOU for comfort and peace! Although, I don’t know what you want to accomplish with this situation, I trust you and praise you as you lead me.

2. Pray Scripture

I love to do this over you and my family! The best time to do it is in my early morning reading of the bible. Scripture is something we can incorporate into our morning prayers for ourselves and others because we oftentimes think of people in need as we read. For instance, Paul, in Ephesians chapter six calls the believers to be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. He urges them to put on the whole armor of God that they may stand against the schemes of the devil.

My friend, there is no greater victory for the devil than when he steals your joy!

As he reads our faces and remembers our reactions, his tactics become more precise. We need our full
armor of protection on before we leave the house in the morning. Remember, he is the tempter, so if we are prone to gossip, we’ll get a juicy tidbit of information from someone who is always ready to fill our ear. Pray for her and remember:

1 Timothy 5:6 “She who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.”

Do you see how serious this is?

Likewise, if we are prone to anger or fear, we’ll be tempted with the same scenarios each day that stimulate those turbulent emotions! (See more under # 3)

3. Memorize a Combat Verse

This one is so easy and EFFECTIVE in the heat of the moment. My personal favorite memory verse from scripture to combat the evil of the enemy and my own negative thoughts is—–“Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ Jesus.” Look through scriptures for your personal favorite and use it as soon as those defeating thoughts creep into your mind.

This is especially helpful when fear, anger, and pride well up within at the sound familiar scenarios. If it is the news, turn if off! Gaslighting is a tactic of the devil and used by the media ALL THE TIME to pit one person’s view against another and stir up more hatred. Social media and search engines watch everything you browse, so they know how to add fuel to your own little fire.

If it is not the chaos in the world, it may be our spouse, family, or neighbors who stimulate unwanted or anxious emotions. We can pray for a soft heart towards them and to respect their stance on an issue without judgment.

James 1:19-20   God please let me be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1 ESV – Greeting – James, a servant of God and – Bible Gateway

Therefore, confessing the behavior you and I are most likely to fall under and finding a scripture to pray ahead of time over this pattern will help us boost our mood; even under full blown attacks!

4. Laugh

—Look around us for fun and join or listen in on the activity. Yesterday we played kick ball with three of our grandsons. The middle one can’t stand to get out, so when he knows he’s caught between the person with the ball and the next base, he runs everywhere but toward the next base—-it’s hilarious! For you, it may be listening to your favorite Dry Bar comedian (they are clean and fun), watching puppies romp, or a funny movie.

5. Listen to Good Music

I love praise music and contemporary Christian songs that are upbeat and make me want to dance! You may like the old hymns, eighties, sixties, classical, or even bluegrass; wonderful! God created our love of music to lift our moods, express our gratitude and even express our sadness. It’s one way to work through our emotions.

6. Walk

Taking a walk does so many good things, it gets us out into the sun (see #7). Also, exercise as many of you know releases endorphins, known as the happy hormones in our brain. It’s true, so take advantage of something free and wonderful to just notice life, appreciate the breeze on your face, or the wonder of nature!

However, biblically speaking, walking with God means walking in His ways and in obedience to Him. There is no better way to boost our moods than when we are in step with God.

Ephesians 4:1-3—” I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Psalm 84:11  For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

7. Sunlight

Genesis 1:16 “God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.”

God provided the sun for our benefit! Not only to give us light and warmth, but to make plants grow and feed us. It rules the day. Just think of its power over the earth.

Moreover, taking that walk or sitting in the sun 20-30 minutes will bring a bright light into dark thinking. Soaking up the sun gives us the wonderful vitamin D synthesis I talked about last week. Not only does it build our immune system, it boosts our mood!

Studies show a release of serotonin (the mood boosting hormone) at highest levels during summer sun exposure. (1)  

8. Socialize

I know, if you’re an introvert like me, you must internally process emotions privately and in your own time; that is fine for the first day or so of your mood change. You can pray, and agonize with God and to God about all the stuff you’re dealing with. However, after the first day, find we need to find our trusted person or persons with whom to gather. The comfort, presence, and encouragement of other believers will biblically lift our mood!

Hebrews 10: 24-26  —And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not  neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more   as you see the Day drawing near.

9. Omega 3’s.

These amazing ESSENTIAL oils are found best in tuna, salmon, sardines, and halibut, so try to eat them at least twice a week in this “preformed” way. If you don’t like fish, and want a different source, try chia seeds, hemp seed hearts, ground flax seeds or flax seed oil which can be added easily to salads. Your body must do a little more work to transfer it to the long chain fatty acid it needs, but still, it’s better than nothing.  I mentioned the fish first because it contains the necessary EPA that has been proven in studies to help with reducing anxiety, depression, and boost our mood!

Although I cannot find a scripture that says fish boosts your mood, I do know Jesus ate, prepared, and served A LOT of fish. He called fisherman to serve Him, fed the five thousand spiritually starving people with it, and it was the breakfast he shared with his disciples after his death, burial and resurrection (John 21).

10. Serve Someone Else

Getting out of the house and doing something for someone else is an amazing biblical mood booster! When we are self-focused our mood is down or if overburdened with the care of a loved one, we may feel we are serving enough. But I ask you to just start small; this can be sending a card with a thoughtful note, or even simple text message. If you are particularly energetic, mow your neighbor’s lawn, or help someone load their car at the grocery store. God gives us PLENTY of opportunities to serve others; even if it is just a prayer.

1 Peter 4:9-10 “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 

I hope these 10 Ways to Biblically Boost Your Mood Help you this week!

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12480364/ Lambert GW, Reid C, Kaye DM, Jennings GL, Esler MD. Effect of sunlight and season on serotonin turnover in the brain. Lancet. 2002 Dec 7;360(9348):1840-2. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11737-5. PMID: 12480