“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms‬ ‭46:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The vast Ocean never ceases to amaze me. It is the home to some amazing creatures. The tide knows when to rise and fall. It can be so calm, yet also cause so much destruction. If you live in the Southeast, you know that Hurricane Ian has devastated parts of Florida. This verse in Psalms is comforting, knowing that God is ever-present in our times of trouble.

I encourage you to read the entire 46th chapter. In verse 10 He says; “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” No matter what is going on in the world around us, we can be still and know that He is God.

On this Finish Friday, Ian is strengthening again and still causing destruction as it moves towards South Carolina. As we sit and wait during a storm, we can sit in our safe places and find comfort and peace in God. Isn’t that true too for our storms of life? Whatever you are going through today, I pray that you can find strength in God. I pray that you can sit in His presence to receive comfort and peace.

Will you join me in prayer for all those in the path of Hurricaine Ian? May we all stay safe!

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever seen or heard of an American Bautyberry plant? This is another picture from our trip to the Botanical Gardens in Clemson, SC. I was so intrigued by it’s beauty. God never ceases to amaze me with all His creation. Through him, all things were made!!!

On this Thankful Thursday, I encourage us to see God’s beauty and be thankful for all things. Just like this plant’s beauty caught my eye, we should truly see God’s beauty anew every day. Take a quick inventory of your surroundings. What catches your eye? What amazes you? Let’s flood the heavens with our praises!!

“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts‬ ‭17:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Coasting is to move easily without using power. In this photo, there is what appears to be a big ship on the horizon. Not sure if it is coasting or using its engine for power. A ship is also known as a sailing vessel. As God’s offspring, we are His vessel. In Him live and move and have our being. I challenge us all to self-evaluate with this question on Water Walking Wednesday; are you coasting through your days? Or are you seeking God and allowing His power to move you?

Yesterday I encouraged us to seek God through prayerful thought for both the big and ordinary things. If you read verses 26-27 in Acts 17, we were made to seek; “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

I speak from experience that it is easy to coast through our days. I especially find this true in busy seasons when we are in survival mode. Friends, this is ok! Remember it’s fine, your fine, everything is fine. There are also seasons where God wants to refresh us. He desires us to seek Him so that He can put a fresh wind behind our sails. I encourage us all today to seek and not coast.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭NIV

Do you seek God first or rush into something without giving it prayerful thought? For me I would say it’s easier to to seek God first over the big things. The little or ordinary sometimes get rushed through without prayerful thought.

Look at this image by Ray White. The bird appears to be flying faster than the shutter on the camera. Yesturday I wrote about being mindful in our Christian walk. Today I want us to be mindful of seeking God first in prayerful thought. Our prayerful thoughts can be simple breath prayers. They can be on our knees surrender prayers. Join me today in seeking God first through The Lord’s prayer, found in Matthew‬ ‭6:9-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. “ Amen
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“Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.” Numbers‬ ‭15:40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Last weekend we had the joy of visiting our son, Trevor at Clemson. On one of the days there, we went to the Botanical Gardens. I never knew that succulents could grow through the dirt in rock. This beautiful rock wall pictured here had many beautifully, thriving succulents. Not surprised in that succulents are a very easy plant to take care of. As long as you are mindful to water them when the soil gets dry, they will grow and multiply.

How about our daily Christian walk? Are we mindful to nuture our faith so that we can grow and multiply? Are we mindful of following the commandments so that we can be consecrated to God? Do we listen or ignore the nudges from the Holy Spirit?

My sister sent me a quote this past week from Oswald Chambers; “Never disregard a conviction that the Holy Spirit brings to you. If it is important enough for the Spirit of God to bring it to your mind, it is the very thing He is detecting on you. You were looking for some big thing to give up, while God is telling you of some tiny thing must go.”

I am calling today “Mindful Monday”. Let’s give God our full attention so that we are conscious of every moment. I encourage you to listen to the song, Let My Life be Worship by Jenn Johnson.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It’s fine, I’m fine…. Everything is fine.

When people ask how we are doing, we often respond with a short reply like, I am fine. Whether we are feeling joyful, sad, or overwhelmed, rarely do we reply in reflection of our true feelings. In honesty, there are days I would like a shirt that reads; It’s fine, I’m fine, everything is fine. Let me ask, how are you? I encourage you to respond by going to God in prayer, with a true reflection of your feelings.

I am changing today to “Suit up Sunday”. As we go to our places of worship, let’s suit up in God’s word. In the late middle ages, a suit of armor consisted of bronze, iron, or steel plates. I want us to see our reflection as a child of God suited up in full armor. We can start our week with an, “I’m ready” versus “I’m fine”.

I encourage you to get filled up with song, Who I Am by Ben Fuller. Some of the lyrics sing, “I’m a child of the most high God and the most high God’s for me.” Will you be ready for your week, knowing that the most high God is for you?

Click here to watch today’s “See You Saturday” video as I talk about God showing off! Like, subscribe, and share the video to help grow WaterWalkers.

Click here to listen to the song “Fighting For Me”.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians‬ ‭3:16-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let’s make today “Fill Up Friday” and instead of just making it through the day, let’s use it as a day to go to our source of strength and fill up so we can finish the week strong. The picture is a sign found on a gas pump. As you can read, it is not a usual pump, but a prepay pump. Apparently, the sign has been removed at some point and customers were unable to buy gas. I imagine that would be very frustrating.

Sometimes I find myself turning to the wrong sources to fill me up. When I turn to earthly glory, praise, or satisfaction to fill me up, I eventually become frustrated when it doesn’t last. What about you? What other sources do you turn to fill you up?

Today let’s turn to Jesus, our ultimate source, to fill up. After all, He has prepaid the ultimate price of love for you and I. May each of us fully acknowledge His sacrifice of love and allow the deep and wide love of Christ to fill us up to the “full measure of God,”

As you begin to fill up this morning, Click here to listen to “Fill My Cup Lord” by Andrew Ripp.

“This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you tremble at the presence of God? Are you in awe of the masterpieces God creates? Do you marvel at the daily miracles God performs?

Today is Thankful Thursday and I encourage you to be cognizant of God’s presence around you. Today’s picture was taken Monday evening. If you recall from Tuesday’s post, I had spent Monday being still and in prayer on the veranda of the hotel at the beach. I had a relaxing and God focused afternoon. Afterwards I headed out to Walmart to buy a few things and then to grab a bite to eat. As usual, I was on the go from one place to the other. As I got out at the restaurant I was stopped in my tracks when my eyes were drawn to the sky. I was in awe of the beauty and artistry before me. I immediately praised God and proceeded to take out my phone and capture today’s picture. As I reflected, I realized that so often I rush through life without an awareness of the beauty around me. Monday I was more in tune but I should always tremble at the feet of God. Read the Message version of today’s scripture.

“God’s Message: “Heaven’s my throne, earth is my footstool. What sort of house could you build for me? What holiday spot reserve for me? I made all this! I own all this!” God’s Decree. “But there is something I’m looking for: a person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:1-2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

God is looking for us to have a reverent response. God is looking for us to tremble with awe and thanksgiving.

On this Thankful Thursday let’s be aware and in awe. Let’s tremble at the glory and majesty of our Lord. Click here and listen to the song “Tremble” by Lauren Daigle. May the song play on repeat in our minds today as we freely give God praise and Glory at His presence around us.

“Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.””
‭‭John‬ ‭20:29‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Yesterday morning I left Myrtle Beach and headed to work on a path I wasn’t very familiar with, so I entered my destination into my gps for directions. As I traveled in the dark, I followed the voice of Siri as she directed my path. When I was nearly at work it occurred to me that I had complete trust that the gps would lead me the right direction. Wow! What blind faith and trust I had put in my cell phone. I began to feel convicted as I realized I don’t always put that much blind faith and trust in my Lord and Savior.

On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage you to examine your faith. Do you trust and obey blindly? Do you ask God for proof or answers before stepping out in faith? Walking on water requires faith, trust, and obedience. Examine yourself and your faith journey. Are you allowing God to lead you with no questions asked?