Five years ago our Waterwalkers blog began. Five years ago, Julie and I mustered up enough courage to step out of our boats and walk on water. God has blessed us immeasurably in our obedience and will do the same for you. In what area of your life is God calling you to step out in faith? Is God asking you to leave your comfort zone and stretch? Today listen to this older song by Casting Crowns, “The Voice of Truth.” Listen and be open to hear God’s individual message for you. Listen to God’s voice calling you. God has work that only you can do. Listen, trust and take that first step.
In today’s scripture Peter encourages us in our spiritual growth. Are you making “every effort to add to your faith?” How does that look in your life? Are you growing? Today’s picture is of one of my tomato plants. In order for it to grow and produce fruit I must be sure I nurture it with enough sun, water and nutrient rich soil every day. Today’s transformation tip is to nurture your spiritual growth. Create or sustain a daily habit/routine of reading God’s word, meditating and praying. Perhaps journal your prayers or make notes of inspiration or encouragement God reveals to you. A daily devotion routine will nurture your spiritual growth and “add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
Today is Mindset Monday. How will you start your week? What will you focus on? This familiar Bible verse instructs us to “set our minds on things above.” Now read the Message version of this scripture:
“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” Colossians 3:1-2 MSG Where are you looking today? Listen to this song, “Look Up Child” by Lauren Daigle and allow God to set your mindset for this week.
Today is #spiritualsunday. Just as in the picture, we cannot see what is ahead on our individual journey. However, by spending time in the presence of the Lord we may know better what lies ahead on our path and will be filled with joy to spread along the way. Today as you worship, revel in the presence of God. Use your time of worship to renew your joy as we begin a new week on our path.
How can I live a Christ-centered life? How can I create a Christ-centered home? This morning I have prayed and prayed for inspiration for what words to share with you and I do not have any profound words for you. In all my study and prayer this week I think it all boils down to what or who do I use as my standard of measure? Who do I look to for guidance and direction? Do I look to my family? Do I look to my friends? Do I look to my co-workers?
CHRIST-CENTERED
Instead of a longer post today, I would like to share some scriptures that I want to encourage you to look up and read. Spend some time meditating and praying. And I want to re-share a song that I shared recently because I feel it encompasses what it means to be Christ-centered. Allow your Savior to be the center of your focus as you begin your day. Remember who you are and remember whose you are.
Today didn’t start as I planned. I found it hard to get out of bed. I seemed to move slowly in getting ready for the day which meant I was running late for work. When I sat down to write for you I struggled to get my thoughts together. In fact, what I did write is not even what I am now sharing with you. Since I was feeling so unsettled in my spirit I decided it was best to not share what I had written and to wait until I was feeling more at peace. Then I walked into the kitchen and found two sinks full of dirty dishes put there after I went to bed last night. Needless to say, this was fuel for the bad attitude I already had. As I poured my coffee I started questioning where I went wrong in my parenting. Have I allowed my children to think I am the live in maid and will clean up all their messes? Everywhere I looked caused me to feel grumpier and grumpier. I left the house feeling a sense of failure and defeat. On my drive to school I prayed and listened to the Christian radio station and this is what I heard God saying to me.
God reminded me that I was letting Satan distract me and to steal my joy. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
God reminded me that I must look forward, not get stuck in my bad attitude, and trust God to help me. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
God reminded me thru the song, “Maybe It’s Ok” that it’s ok if I’m not ok. It’s ok for me to sometimes feel broken so I will know what it feels like to be whole. https://youtu.be/XPZ9p00gOUU
God reminded me thru the song “Little More Like Jesus” that what I want more that anything is to be more like Jesus and less like me. https://youtu.be/DOOVx9lBMOs
In 1 John 2:6 ESV we are told “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” What does it mean to “abide in him”? Abide means to remain, continue, stay. Here is what I want you to hear today friend. ALL of us have daily struggles. ALL of us have times of weakness when we let Satan cause chaos and turmoil. ALL of us have times when we feel stagnant and stale. The way we get out of those times is by putting one foot in front of the other. We must keep fighting the good fight. We must remain, continue, and stay with Christ. Some days you are going to feel lost but keep doing those things that grow you spiritually. Continue reading the Bible. Continue talking to God. Continue to move forward. God loves you and me with such an overwhelming love. God will always love you and me. God hasn’t given up. Let’s not give up either. “Keep moving forward!”
Please spend some time listening to the words of the above songs and meditating on the above scriptures. Allow God to speak to you and give you peace.
Focus (noun): the center of interest or activity One year. Tomorrow marks one year since the last day of school for the 2019-2020 year. One year since our world was turned upside down. One year of becoming all too familiar with words and phrases we could have never imagined would become part of our daily vocabulary; quarantine, social distancing, pandemic. One year of “new normals”. One year of our focus constantly changing and being challenged. Today let’s take a moment to ponder our focus journey over the last year, but let’s not stay in the past for long. Remember when we were focused on scoring a pack of toilet paper or paper towels? Remember when the daily COVID-19 press conference seemed like our lifeline to the reality that was upon us? Remember the rollercoaster of emotions? Remember the mourning we experienced in so many different levels? All of those things have altered our focus over the last year. Now that we have reflected, let’s “keep moving forward” as Walt Disney said. I pray that through this all your true focus was our Savior Jesus Christ. Through it all, He was the one unchanging part of our lives. However, if you have moved away from Him, let’s look ahead and re-focus. Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.” Today examine your focus. Where are you gazing? Which way are your feet going? Is your focus on God, God’s love and God’s will? Are you “living in the moment” and enjoying the gifts God has given you today? Or are you still focused on the hurts of the last year and allowing all that was lost to occupy all your focus and time? For me, last night was filled with much hope. Last night renewed my focus. Last night I had the blessing of watching my son play baseball. Tomorrow will be one year since he had been able to play the game he loves so much with his high school teammates. Last night was filled with much hope. Although it was different, I was able to see many I haven’t seen in so long, I was able to sit in the school stadium watching baseball, and I was able to hug my parents without the worry of them getting sick. I know our “normals” will continue to be new, but may we all be able to stay focused on the blessings within each moment that God gifts us. May we all “look straight ahead and fix our gaze before us.” P.S. Always have extra toilet paper for “just in case” emergencies. LOL
