We have had some beautiful evening sky’s this past week. I’ve been enjoying them from my porch. I was thinking that too bad these ugly power lines are in the picture. Then I thought about the ugly scars we carry and God’s Grace. He will make something beautiful out of them if we allow Him to use is us for His glory. In the song Scars by Mandisa she sings, “They teach me that my brokenness is something that you can use”. Each of us have access to the power of God when we allow him to use our brokenness. Let’s finish Friday strong knowing we have God’s power resting upon us.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭NIV‬

“Scars” by Mandisa; https://youtu.be/7Gvt__r9EU0

As difficult as it may be, I am thankful that my Heavenly Father cuts off the branches that don’t bear fruit and prunes the ones that do. As most of you know my word of the year for 2021 has been “refine” and my mantra has been to “be a fruit bearer”. Looking back on my WOY blog post, I can see areas in my life that God has been refining me. I’ve had to learn to give myself grace in the process. I can also see areas that I have been fruitful, specifically with my joy and peace. I can see areas I still need to work on, like self-control.

As you read these verses this morning, can you find something to be thankful for? “”I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John‬ ‭15:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To recap, her is my word of the year blog post; https://waterwalkers29.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/mywordfor2021-by-julie-wicker/

God gave each of us a special gift. Many times we discover those gifts though service in our homes, churches, work places, and communities. Do we share our gifts with others? Or do we hide them for fear, hate, or laziness? In the message version, Timothy writes we should “keep that ablaze”. In the NIV version, Timothy writes to “fan into the flame”. On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourages us all to evaluate how we are using our gifts. Maybe you don’t know your gifts. Maybe you need to bring them out of hiding. The Holy Spirit lives in each of us. We are all equipped with power, love, and self-discipline so we should have no excuses. Go and be a Water Walker today!

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Change means to make someone or something different; to alter or modify. We have all experienced change over the last year. A lot of it has been unwanted change. We don’t always get to understand why things happen the way they do. Charles Swindoll wrote; “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react”. God has Plans for each of us. The caterpillar pictured here will one day be a Tussock moth. We too are being transformed with each new change. My tip for us this Tuesday is to pause before we react. Take time to say a breath prayer. Let’s not let Satan win!! Keep the hope in knowing God has a plan.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage us all to listen to this song, “Not Today” by Hillsong; https://youtu.be/0F_nN1nyyqY

A staircase can be used for both ascending and descending. Moving downward tends to be less daunting. It is Mindset Monday, we can perceive the week ahead with an “I can” or “I can’t” attitude. What will you choose? The Bible says we can do ALL THINGS with God’s strength. Just like this staircase has a hand railing, God is holding our hand every step of the way. When in doubt this week, whisper “all things”. I encourage us all to write it on a post-it note and place it somewhere that can be seen throughout our day.

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Palm trees are known to have a strong root system. They are very elastic and can bend easily. Some spiritual attributes include, freedom, righteousness, reward, resurrection, and victory.

As we go to our places of worship today and throughout the week, let’s take in the word of God so that it can be planted in our hearts, souls, and minds. Think of spiritual Sunday as an opportunity to water and nurture our root system so that we may flourish. When our days don’t go as planned or trouble comes our way we can bend easily without breaking.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭92:12-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬