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

The Last 90 Days Challenge includes waking up an hour earlier each day to take time for yourself. Rachel Hollis encourages using the extra time in the morning to do something that is just for you.

Years ago I adopted this and I established the habit of getting up earlier than everyone else. My time in the morning is my favorite time of day. My mornings by myself  include reading devotions and scripture, prayer, writing for our Water Walkers blog, and of course drinking coffee.

How could you use that hour to yourself?  Are you willing to make the commitment to get up an hour earlier? Perhaps you already get up early. How can you restructure your time to include time to seek God first?

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to prioritize waking up early to seek You. Show me ways to structure my time to include activities that are just for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 MSG — You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Do you like to exercise? How often do you workout? As part of the Last 90 Days Challenge, Rachel Hollis encourages us to move at least 30 minutes a day. She doesn’t specify how, but instead teaches us that even jumping on a trampoline with your children or turning up the music and dancing are ways to incorporate movement into your day. How can you think outside of the box and incorporate movement into your day?

In today’s featured scripture, Paul encourages us to “run to win” in our spiritual lives. What do you do to run spiritually? How are you training for your heavenly finish line?

Find ways today to get up and move physically and spiritually.

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to get up and move. Show me ways to incorporate movement into my day and to run spiritually towards my heavenly finish line. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Colossians 3:2 NIV — Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Starting today we begin the last 90 days of the year. How is 2023 going for you? Are you finishing the year strong? Often we start the year with a list of goals and intentions but quickly lose resolve. Rachel Hollis, author and motivational speaker, chooses to look at the last 90 days of the year as a time to reflect, refocus, and reset in order to end the year the best way possible. In her Last 90 Days Challenge, Hollis suggests habits to help the last of the year be successful. She calls these habits “5 to Thrive.” This week we will explore her ideas in hopes we can all finish the last 90 days of 2023 strongly. As we worship this Shine Sunday, let’s begin to reflect, refocus, and reset.

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to Your presence today. Help me to begin the process of reflecting, refocusing, and resetting as I approach the last 90 days of 2023. May reflecting Your light be my primary goal. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.