Matthew 6:33 NIV — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The Last 90 Days Challenge includes waking up an hour earlier each day to take time for yourself. Rachel Hollis encourages using the extra time in the morning to do something that is just for you.

Years ago I adopted this and I established the habit of getting up earlier than everyone else. My time in the morning is my favorite time of day. My mornings by myself  include reading devotions and scripture, prayer, writing for our Water Walkers blog, and of course drinking coffee.

How could you use that hour to yourself?  Are you willing to make the commitment to get up an hour earlier? Perhaps you already get up early. How can you restructure your time to include time to seek God first?

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to prioritize waking up early to seek You. Show me ways to structure my time to include activities that are just for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 MSG — You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Do you like to exercise? How often do you workout? As part of the Last 90 Days Challenge, Rachel Hollis encourages us to move at least 30 minutes a day. She doesn’t specify how, but instead teaches us that even jumping on a trampoline with your children or turning up the music and dancing are ways to incorporate movement into your day. How can you think outside of the box and incorporate movement into your day?

In today’s featured scripture, Paul encourages us to “run to win” in our spiritual lives. What do you do to run spiritually? How are you training for your heavenly finish line?

Find ways today to get up and move physically and spiritually.

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to get up and move. Show me ways to incorporate movement into my day and to run spiritually towards my heavenly finish line. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Colossians 3:2 NIV — Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Starting today we begin the last 90 days of the year. How is 2023 going for you? Are you finishing the year strong? Often we start the year with a list of goals and intentions but quickly lose resolve. Rachel Hollis, author and motivational speaker, chooses to look at the last 90 days of the year as a time to reflect, refocus, and reset in order to end the year the best way possible. In her Last 90 Days Challenge, Hollis suggests habits to help the last of the year be successful. She calls these habits “5 to Thrive.” This week we will explore her ideas in hopes we can all finish the last 90 days of 2023 strongly. As we worship this Shine Sunday, let’s begin to reflect, refocus, and reset.

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to Your presence today. Help me to begin the process of reflecting, refocusing, and resetting as I approach the last 90 days of 2023. May reflecting Your light be my primary goal. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

James‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬ —- Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday video as we close out our week on change and seasons. Check out @urbanbrewcoffeehouse if you would like to try the pumpkin spice coffee or dirty chai tea latte that we are drinking.
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Psalms 1:1-3 NIV — Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.

After winter comes spring. Spring is always such a joyous season for me. The temperatures begin to rise and new growth abounds. As I shared yesterday, winter is necessary for spring to occur. Plants must have a season of dormancy in order to spring with new growth. Likewise, you and I have our own winter times so we are able to grow. As today’s featured scripture states, we must meditate on the law of the Lord, day and night, so we may yield fruit and not wither. 

What season are you currently in; summer, fall, winter, or spring? How is God speaking to you in this season? Are you listening and learning as you walk through this season? Take time today to be like a tree planted by a stream of water. Sit still, be quiet, and listen so you will be able to yield fruit for God.

Let’s pray. Thank You God for spring. As I sit at Your feet today, speak to me so I can be Your vessel by yielding fruit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 51:10 NIV — Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I do not like being cold. Therefore, winter is not my favorite season. Although it is rare in South Carolina, in some areas, winter brings snow and ice. When I think of winter I think of dark and dismal times. Often I gripe and complain about the weather in winter. Even though I do not enjoy winter, I realize it is a necessary season. Take a moment to click here and read this student friendly article entitled “Why Do We Need Winter?”

The article states that many plants benefit from winter because of the opportunity to be dormant and store up energy for new growth. Take a moment to reflect. Have you ever experienced a winter in the journey of your spiritual life? Has there ever been a season of dormancy for you? Did that dormant season result in new growth? I think our growth after a dormant season is dependent on our attitude and response to our personal winters. What will be your response to the next winter you experience? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for winter. Create in me a new heart so that I may respond with openness to growth during my personal winters. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

James 1:17 NIV — Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Saturday will be the first day of fall 2023. Is fall your favorite season? What comes to mind when you think of fall? In South Carolina fall means having slightly cooler temperatures, leaves beginning to turn colors, and the appearance of yellow butterflies. Click here to read an article about what a yellow butterfly symbolizes in various cultures.

While I love the weather change – the vibrant colors of the changing leaves, and the sighting of yellow butterflies fluttering around – at the same time all of those signal for me a flash of sadness. Fall reminds me of the end of my favorite season of summer. Fall also symbolizes a time years ago when my family suffered the loss of the matriarch of our family, my grandmother, who we called Mother. Exactly a week from her funeral, my Uncle Buddy passed away. Both Mother and Uncle Buddy had been living with my family so their deaths greatly impacted each of us. For years, fall brought on a time of sadness for me. However, as I mentioned, now the sadness is just for a flash. Now, as fall approaches, I use the flash of sadness to be a catalyst for a time of thanksgiving. Fall reminds me of the blessings of having Mother and Uncle Buddy in my life and for that I am most thankful. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for fall. As summer leaves and fall begins, I am reminded of all You have blessed me with and I am so thankful. When I see a yellow butterfly, may I be reminded to be an instrument of praise and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.