‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Give us today our daily bread.

Sunday I encouraged you to worship with Thank You by Katy Nichole. Take a moment to thank God through her lyrics, “Thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for Your kindness. Thank You for all the things You do, Jesus, thank You. Thank You for the blessings. Thank You for a million little things. Thank You for the ways that You come through, Jesus, thank You.”

I was recently blessed to see and hear Katy Nichole sing at the 2024 Winter Jam concert. I found myself crying as I sang along. Back on February 1st, I had my one-year exam following my hysterectomy for the Human Papillomavirus and cervical pre-cancer. The doctor was confident that my pap smear test would come back good and I would finally be done with this four-and-a-half-year journey. At the time of the concert, it had been three weeks with no results. As worry started to sink in, I thanked Him for all the ways He had come through for me over the years.

Are you in a waiting season? Are you focusing on the wait or all the million little things God does for you in the waiting? I decided that while I waited, I would look into what I needed to start making sourdough bread. I figured watching the dough rise would take my mind off the wait. I also wanted it to be a symbol every week to thank God for His daily bread. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, give us this day, our daily bread. Thank You for Your son Jesus that walked this world so that I am not alone through the trials of life. Help me to focus on You and not the wait. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Take some time today to meditate on the following scriptures.

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV — This, then, is how you should pray: “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. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.‬‬”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.y

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭35‬-‭41‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Join us for See You Saturday as we talk about Oceans! For this season of your life, what would stepping out of the boat look like for you? What is your Goliath? We would love to hear from you!

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To conclude this week let’s enjoy a funny story together from jokes.edigg.com titled “Walking On Water.” Enjoy!

An avid duck hunter was in the market for a new bird dog. His search ended when he found a dog that could actually walk on water to retrieve a duck. Shocked by his find, he was sure none of his friends would ever believe him. He decided to try to break the news to a friend of his, a pessimist by nature, and invited him to hunt with him and his new dog.     
As they waited by the shore, a flock of ducks flew by. They fired, and a duck fell. The dog responded and jumped into the water. The dog, however, did not sink but instead walked across the water to retrieve the bird, never getting more than his paws wet.
The friend saw everything but did not say a single word.
On the drive home the hunter asked his friend, “Did you notice anything unusual about my new dog?”
“I sure did,” responded his friend. “He can’t swim.”

Psalm 188:24 ESV — This is the day that the Lord has made;   let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Some days the ocean is calm and smooth as glass. Some days all is well, life is smooth sailing, and nothing eventful happens. On these calm, smooth days it should be easy for us to “rejoice and be glad.” However, we often float through these seemingly bland days and fail to stop and praise God for the tranquility. We also fail to realize that when our life is calm others may be experiencing turbulent waters. Praise God on this Thankful Thursday for smooth waters and pray for others who may be experiencing stormy seas. If you are currently experiencing rough waters, praise God for His presence and keep your eyes fixed on Him who can calm the storm. 

Let’s pray. Dear Father, thank You for Your presence and for calm waters. Hold tight to those who are in rough waters today and may each of them feel Your mighty presence as You calm the storm as only You can. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 14:22-33 NIV —  Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Today’s featured scripture is the basis of the name of our blog. Water Walkers was born out of the desire to trust God to take us outside of our comfortable boat, take risks, and walk on water for His glory. As I reflect on the years since Julie and I first stepped out of our boat, I see times that we were so focused on Jesus that it seemed we were walking on a smooth, glassy, vast, ocean. Other times the water has been choppy, trying, and unpredictable causing us to desire to return to our boat of safety. However, God has always been walking with us, with His steady, strong arm guiding and directing our steps. As long as we trust, believe, and have faith in the fact that God is Omnipresent (all-present), Omnipotent (all-powerful), Omnibevolent (all-loving), and Omniscient (all-knowing), water walking should be easy. We hope you all will continue stepping out of your boat and joining us daily as we all walk on water for God, no matter whether the water is smooth or turbulent.

Let’s pray. Dear Holy Father, thank You for being Omnipresent, Ominopent, Omnibevolent, and Omniscient. May I always keep my eyes on You and trust that no matter the water conditions around me, I can walk on water with You by my side and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.