Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Luke 17:11-19 NIV — Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

God blesses us in so many ways every day. Not only do we have big things to be thankful for such as family, friends, jobs, health, etc., but we also have moment-to-moment blessings. We often overlook these blessings because we are so caught up in our busy schedules. However when we are not present and intentional about looking for blessings we zoom on through life without giving thanks to God just like the nine lepers. This week I am sharing with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling. Today I share my practice of keeping a gratitude journal.

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. The one leper showed his gratitude by coming back, throwing himself at Jesus’ feet and praising Jesus. Years ago I chose a small notebook to be my gratitude journal and wrote down five gratitudes at the end of the day as I would wind down. Over the years I have changed and now write my gratitudes each morning as I end my devotion time with God. I write my gratitudes in addition to my thoughts and prayer journaling. The time of day you choose to write down your gratitudes is not important. Write them down on a piece of paper or in the notes on your phone. However I must warn you, creating the habit of this daily practice will change your perspective and your attitude. Before you know it people may accuse you of having an “attitude of gratitude.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, guide and direct me as I write down my thoughts with You. May the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV — Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; It will certainly come and will not delay.”

In today’s featured scripture, God tells Habakkuk to write down the revelation. This week I am sharing with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling.

My first journal was strictly a prayer journal. I wrote letters to God that spelled out my joys and prayer concerns. It was a lot like a diary to God. Over the years my journaling has consisted of bulleted or lists of prayer items, scriptures that have spoken to me at the time, or revelations I have experienced. Yesterday I shared that whatever format you choose for your journal that it all be kept together somehow. Just as Habakkuk wrote down the “revelation,” so it could be read later,  you will want to be able to go back to your journal to reflect on answered prayers. When I go back to my journal and reflect on past prayers, I like to use a different colored pen than I had used to make notes about the answered prayers. Reading and reflecting on my journals gives me the opportunity to see the hand of God and His works.

What has been your experience with journaling? Perhaps you have some pointers to share with us. We would love to hear from you through social media or email: waterwalkers29@gmail.com

Let’s pray. Dear God, guide and direct me as I write down my thoughts with You. May the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

This week I am sharing with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling. Every day is not perfect in my journaling journey, but perhaps God will highlight something that sparks inspiration for you. As we prepare for the week ahead prayerfully listen to God Is In This Story by Katy Nichole and Big Daddy Weave.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

I pray that this week you have been able to reflect with God on your Christian living. In doing so, has God shown you areas that He wants you to strengthen or improve? No one, exceptJesus, has ever lived a perfect life. We all have faults and fall short. However, God calls us to constantly examine our walk, ask for His help, and prayerfully strive to improve. Others are watching and making judgments about what it means to be a Christian. May each of us reflect Christ and when we don’t may we surrender our faults, repent, and try again. Reflect, remorse, repent, refine, repeat.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Psalms 16:11 NIV — You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand.

This week we have been examining our words and actions as Christians. On Wednesday, I reminded you that none of us are without faults. Enjoy a laugh by reading the below funny stories that remind us about our Christian living. Our daily living is a reflection of our fruit.

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A cheating painting contractor had been skimping by thinning his paint excessively. Nevertheless, he landed a big job painting a church. He was almost done when a major storm blew up. It washed all the paint off.

Amid the thunder and lightning, there came a loud voice…
“REPAINT,” it boomed. “REPAINT, AND THIN NO MORE!”

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A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally … I assumed you had stolen the car.”

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

In Matthew 5:14-16 MSG Jesus instructs us — “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Are you familiar with the word “influencer”? The word is used in the social media realm. An influencer is someone who has many followers (10,000 or more), is an authority on a certain subject, and often has an endorsement from a particular product or brand. In other words it is like an individual that is an advertiser. The more I think about it, I realize every one of us in the Christian community is called to be a Christian influencer! We should be a Christianity advertisement. Each of us is called to live our lives in such a way that others will learn from our words and actions what it means to be a Christian. Each day God places in our path people we are influencing. We have a choice in what we impress upon them and in what ways we influence them. Christian living is a day-in and day-out calling. Christian living is learning every day, growing from what is learned, and then showing others by example. Christian living is being an Influencer!

So now I ask you to examine yourself. First of all, think about who you influence. Who is in your close circle that you influence daily? Who do you come into contact with randomly that you may influence? Next, think about your daily Christian living. Is there an area or areas that perhaps are not good examples of Christian living that you may need to ask God to help you change? Listen to how God speaks to you and be open to His suggestions. Lastly, who has influenced you and your Christian walk? Take time to thank those who have been Christian influencers for you.

Go about your day being intentional with what you say and do. Be an example of Christian living to those who come into contact with you. Advertise for Christ by being a Christian influencer!

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for all the Christian influencers in my life. Mold me and make me into the Christian influencer You would have me be. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Philippians 4:9 NIV — Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

In yesterday’s featured scripture, Philippians 4:8, Paul instructed us on what to think about. In today’s scripture he challenges us to follow his example. In other words he was leading by example. Isn’t that what you and I are called to do as Christians? Others should see Christ in our words and actions. We are called to put into practice all we have learned and heard about being a Christian. 

Examine your words and actions today. When others hear that you are a Christian they will be watching to learn what being a Christian means. How does a Christian act and react in times of struggle, temptation, or disappointment? How are others seeing Christ in you when you fail? Do you let them see when you are remorseful and repent? After all, only Christ is without failures and sin. Those watching need to learn the full picture of Christian living. How are you reflecting Christian living for others to see?

Let’s pray. Dear God, forgive me when I do not reflect You in my words and actions. May I be aware of how I am showing others what it means to be a Christian. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion