1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV — Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

In yesterday’s post I encouraged you to ponder what your days would be like without clocks. Today, let’s consider the possibility of freezing time. Have you experienced moments in life in which you wished you could make time stand still or freeze? Over the years there have been moments that have become ingrained in my memory. These times usually involve my family all being together and often it was not a huge adventure but simple times such as playing ball together in the yard, laughing together at a TV show, or sharing a meal together at the dining room table. I call these “great memory making times.” Have you experienced some of these times? While we can’t freeze time, we can relish these moments. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines relish as “to be pleased or gratified by: enjoy.” At this point in my life, relish is a word on which I am focusing. In fact, relish is my word of the year for 2023. This year, God has taught me the importance of living in the moment and taking in all the blessings He gives me. Today, I encourage you to live in the moment and be intentional about relishing your time.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for this moment. Help me to live in the moment and relish my time. Since I cannot freeze time, ingrain in my mind those special moments. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Psalm 90:12 NIV — Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

A few years ago I heard a radio announcer share a story about an island off the coast of Norway that has daylight for over two months at a time. The reporter stated that due to the long hours of daylight, and no night or darkness, the people of the town had started a petition to do away with clocks and time. I have later learned that this was a story made up for publicity and to entice people to visit Norway. Click here to read an article about this ploy for publicity.

Nevertheless, the idea of having no clocks made me think. My first thought was how nice it would be to not be tied to a schedule. We could all be footloose and fancy-free. We would be more apt to be present in each moment if we didn’t really have a way to plan ahead. It would be like being on vacation all the time. However, the more I thought about it the more I realized this would not be a good idea. How would we make doctor appointments, meet for lunch dates, or know when to watch our favorite tv show? We are instructed in the Bible about the importance of time. Today’s featured scripture reminds us that time is valuable. God wants us to realize the importance of using our time wisely while also not being too tied to our schedules. God wants us to live in the moment every day while still keeping an eye toward tomorrow. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for today. Guide my thoughts and actions today. Help me to realize the importance of planning but not be consumed by looking forward too much. Help me to enjoy this moment and make the most of my time. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Matthew 6:34 NIV — Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Do you spend a lot of time thinking about what is ahead in your day, week, month, or year? Are you a worrier? Are you consumed with thinking, planning or even worrying about your next steps?

This week we will focus on right now and living in the moment. As you worship today, be present in the present. Enjoy your time with God. Revel in the presence of your Creator as you worship and praise the gift of now.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gift of now. Help me to be present in this moment and revel in Your presence here with me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV —- Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.‬‬

Join us for a walk as we wind up our week focusing on the last 90 days of the year. What area is a struggle for you? Click here to watch our See You Saturday post.

1 Corinthians 2:19-20 NIV — Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

The last of Rachel Hollis’ “5 to Thrive” habits for the Last 90 Days Challenge is to eat food that blesses your body. She encourages giving up one food category a month that you know you shouldn’t be eating. What would that category be for you?

The Last 90 Days Challenge is a way to refocus our eating habits but we should also make healthy eating a habit as a way to take care of God’s temple, our body. Have you really taken the time to realize all the reasons you need to eat food that blesses your body? You and your body were bought at a price. Jesus Christ died for you and for me. For that, we should be eternally thankful and show our gratitude by taking care of the temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells. What food can you give up or eat today to bless your body?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die for me. Forgive me for not taking care of Your temple. Help me to eat food to bless my body. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV — Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

If you have read our Water Walkers blog for a while or if you know me personally, you know that writing down 5 gratitudes each day is a daily habit I adopted years ago. Rachel Hollis also encourages this practice in the Last 90 Days Challenge.

Being intentional about writing down gratitudes helps to focus my attention on all the positives in my life instead of the negatives. Looking for gratitudes helps me to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Writing down 5 different gratitudes each day is a way to teach me to “rejoice always.” I have learned to look for not only bigger blessings like my family, friends, and work, but also smaller blessings such as time to sit with my sweet pup on my lap while I drink my morning cup of coffee.

Have you tried to practice writing down 5 different gratitudes each day? If not, can you commit to this practice for the last 90 days of 2023? I assure you that this habit will change your focus and outlook on life. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes to all I have to be thankful for and refocus my attention. Guide my thoughts as I learn to “rejoice always” and “give thanks in all circumstances.” In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

John 4:13-14 NIV — Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Are you an avid water drinker? In her Last 90 Days plan, Rachel Hollis suggests we drink half our body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds then drink 100 ounces of water. Do you drink that much water? I don’t. I drink a fair amount of water, but I need to focus on being more intentional about drinking water. Click here to read “15 Benefits Of Drinking Water” from Medical News Today.

In John 4, Jesus talks with the woman at the well about the benefits of drinking the water only He can give. Do you drink the water Jesus gives daily? Do you join Him at the well and allow Him to quench your thirst? Today let’s focus on allowing Jesus’ water to quench our thirst as we also strive to drink ½ our body weight in water. By doing so we will be nourishing ourselves spiritually and physically.

Let’s pray. Dear God, give me Your water to quench my thirst and lead me to eternal life. Today, give me the capacity to fill up with Your water and the resolve to drink more water daily. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.