Hebrews 11:1 NIV — Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11 tells of person after person who stepped out and walked on water. The Bible doesn’t use the term water walking, but instead talks of faith. Each of the person’s named in this chapter accomplished great things. In fact, those listed are often referred to as members of the Bible Hall of Fame or the Hall of Faith.
One definition of faith is complete trust. Do you have complete trust in God? Imagine the Bible writers were interviewing you to be recognized as a member of the Hall of Faith. When have you exhibited great faith? How have you stepped out, walked on water, and shown that you have complete trust in Him?
Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunities You give me to be a water walker. Open my eyes to Your calling. Give me the strength and courage I need to step out of my boat of comfort and be a water walker. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Matthew 14:29 NIV — Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Today’s scripture is the basis of our blog. Years ago, Julie and I took a step out of our boats and walked on water. Each day, week, month, year, we have put one foot in front of the other and now it has been nearly 10 years. Some posts come naturally and easily, while others are a struggle and require true walking on water. Like Peter, if we take our eyes off of Jesus, we begin to sink. As we call out to our Savior, He comes to our rescue and walks alongside us to enable us to share His words of love, grace, mercy, and acceptance.
This week we will explain what water walking means to us and we pray you will examine what it means to you. Have you ever given it any thought when looking at your own life? How has God challenged you to be a water walker? How have you stepped out of your boat?
Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunities You give me to be a water walker. Open my eyes to Your calling. Give me the strength and courage I need to step out of my boat of comfort and be a water walker. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
This week we will explore the meaning of water walking. Begin your week by listening to Oceans by Hillsong Worship. Take a moment to brainstorm how you define water walking.
As we finish our week together about gratitude, may we all be focused on the many blessings God sends our way each day, moment to moment. May each of us have an attitude of gratitude.
Let’s pray. Dear God, may my words, actions, and attitude reflect You through an attitude of gratitude. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Psalm 97:11-12 MSG — Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil. So, God’s people, shout praise to God, Give thanks to our Holy God!
What a beautiful image! We have light-seeds and joy-seeds planted in us! For that we should be ever praising God! On this Thankful Thursday spend some time examining your thanksgiving and praise. Are you tending to and nurturing your light and joy seeds? Are you praising God?
Meet Abby. She is our 6 year old Yorkshire terrier who is full of energy and love. This picture was taken when I walked back in the house after being gone for only 15 minutes at most. Yet Abby was just as excited to see me as if I had been gone all day long. Abby is always thankful to see me just as God is always thankful to see you and me! I appreciate this reminder from Abby that we too are called to rejoice. Rejoice: feel or show great joy or delight.
Let’s all take a lesson from Abby. Let’s rejoice! Let’s display our thanksgiving with joy and delight!
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for always being excited to commune with me. May I always greet You with joy and thanksgiving! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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.”
Let’s revisit the featured scripture from yesterday. 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.
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. Now ponder how you show gratitude to God? Are you readily showing appreciation and returning kindness in His name? Do you throw yourself at the feet of Jesus in gratitude for the healing you receive? Again I encourage you to take a few moments out of your busy schedule to write down five things you are thankful for each day. You could do this at the beginning of the day, during your lunch break, or in the evening to wrap up your day. Years ago I chose a small notebook to be my gratitude journal and wrote down my 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. The time of day you choose to write them down 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, may my words, actions, and attitude reflect You through an attitude of gratitude. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
