Last weekend I had the pleasure of going to Kiawah for a short get-away with some college friends. As I was leaving the island, I snapped this picture from my car window. Just as I did, I realized there was a parking area on the side of the road that I could have stopped for a few minutes and gotten a better picture, but instead of stopping I hurried on my way. I let my desire to stay on track with my schedule keep me from what could have been a beautiful and inspiring stop along my journey. Needless to say, the picture I took is not so good with the edge of the car and a road sign in it. This has made me think about the story of Martha and Mary in Luke.

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:38-42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How often are we like Martha? How many inspiring opportunities pass us by because we make “staying on schedule” our priority?

On this Spiritual Sunday let’s be like Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus. Let us soak in all He has to teach us and allow the words of Christ to saturate us. Let’s stop on the road side and take the better pictures!

There are several of us doing a health challenge so that we can kick off 2022 as a healthier version of ourselves. Not so much a diet but a lifestyle change. It is teaching us to eat fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water, not to eat after 8:00pm, get our bodies moving for 30-45 minutes a day, read scripture, do good deeds, and encourage one another. Sounds easy enough, right? How often do we sin? Our answer should be daily, if not minute by minute. We are reminded in 1 Cor 6:19-20 NIV that our bodies are temples for God; 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

How do we keep forgetting the simplicity of these two verses? In this song Resurrender by Hillsong, some of the lyrics sing; “If your calling, we’re coming. We’re not walking, we’re running. God we need resurrender”.

That’s it! We must daily, if not minute by minute keep resurrendering ourselves over to God. On this finish Friday, let’s make a commitment to finish the week strong. Let’s not wait till Monday because every day we are to be a temple for God. We should be as excited as my jump shot photo to strive after what God desires of us; to be temples for His glory.

If you are physically able, I encourage you to get a jump shot photo or a regular photo of yourself. Then post your photo on social or share it with a family and or friend. Include this devotion and type the message; “Today I am resurrendering my body to Christ Jesus so that I can be a temple for His glory”.

Deborah and I were wowed this week when we received the message from WordPress that we had reached 10,000 views. We are so thankful to all our faithful followers. Although the look and format has changed over the years, our passion has been to expand borders and shine God’s light to everyone around the world.

Of course we give God all the glory and thanks; “With all my heart and passion I will thank you, my God! I will give glory to your name, always and forever!” Psa 86:12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

On this Thankful Thursday I encourage you to pick a journey you have been through and may still be going through. Go back to the very beginning when it was just a dream or a thought. Then connect all the dots where God was faithful. Look at the highs and lows. Look at the joys and regrets. Look for God in every turn and give Him thanks! Show God the passion you have by giving Him glory and celebrating those milestones.

A prayer from the beginning has been to enlarge our territory; “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” 1 Chr 4:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Along with the USA and many other countries like, Ireland, Ecuador, and Bangladesh have been faithful readers of God’s word. Let’s continue to shine God’s light by sharing our faith! We encourage you to keep inviting friends and family to follow our Water Walkers blog.

Yesterday I experienced something that I have been mentally praying and preparing for over the last three months. There is something different when praying on the battleground for yourself verses praying on the battleground for others. The scripture verse that was presented to me in a morning devotion came from Joshua 1:9 NIV; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

In this song, Wherever You Lead by Kristene Dimarco, our Christian walk really doesn’t promise us comfort or beautiful beach fronts. Sometimes the direction is swampy like the marsh and clouded with muddy waters. In these lyrics I am reminded that I want to follow God the second I hear him call me no matter what circumstance surrounds me;

Wherever You go
Wherever You lead
That’s where I’ll go
That’s where I’ll be
The moment You call
The second You speak
That’s when I’ll go
Step out and believe

I am reminded of the Disciples, committing to follow Jesus, wherever He goes; “As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”” Luke‬ ‭9:57‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Look at this photo by Ray White. You see, there isn’t a clear path. On this Water Walking Wednesday what will you choose the second you hear God speak? Will you be like a disciple? A courageous follower? Or will you be afraid and discouraged? God is waiting patiently for us to put our complete trust in Him. We can respond by Living for Today, taking one step of faith at a time.

I enjoy reading different translations of scripture. This past week I was introduced to TPT, “The Passion Translation”. When I read this verse from Proverbs 4:25 TPT, I understood it with a new mindset; “Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.”

I have been meditating on “fixed purpose”. What do you think that means? The translation I commonly use is NIV, “New International Versión” and it translates as; “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” Fixed is defined as, not fluctuating or varying. While purpose is defined as, the reason for which something is done or created.

If we look at this photo by Ray White, we known this must be a bush or a tree. God created it with a purpose, just like he created each of us for a purpose. Through God’s word we gain wisdom. It is our guide to maneuvering through Life. No matter what task is at hand, it is already fixed in place by are omnipotent God. He chose you for this task. God knows and understands there will be distractions. Will you go confidently today with the mindset that God chose you for a fixed purpose?