Psalms 32:8 NIV — I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

As I reminded you Sunday, my word of the year is “relish” and my mantra is, “Forever is composed of nows.” I shared with you yesterday that I write down my word and mantra every day. I do that to keep them on the forefront of my mind, but I also realize writing it everyday can become routine and not a mindful act if I am not careful. As I reevaluate this practice today, I realize I have got to mindfully write them out or it is for naught. Today as I write them out I will be present in the moment so I can carry the words through all the moments of my day and be impacted by the words. 

For the last two days I have asked you to reflect and reset your resolve you had set at the beginning of 2023. Today, reevaluate your priorities. Were your resolutions, word of the year and/or mantra realistic? Did God guide you as you chose them? Have you allowed God to guide you since you chose them? Since we are halfway through the year, do you need to change your choices? This is our opportunity at a re-do or take-two towards our goals for 2023. Let’s make the most of the next 25 weeks.

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me reevaluate my choices from 2023. Show me my downfalls and guide me in my approach for the next 25 weeks. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

Philippians 4:13 The Message — I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

We are more than halfway through 2023. Were you able to spend some time yesterday recalling your thoughts from the beginning of this year? Did you have New Year’s resolutions? Did you choose a word of the year and/or mantra? Have you stuck to those resolutions? Has your word of the year been in the forefront of your mind?

Most of us lose our resolve from the first weeks of the year as time passes. Let’s not get stuck being down on ourselves if we are not where we wanted to be at this time of year. Instead, let’s reset our mindset and renew our resolve. What steps can you take to make the most of the rest of 2023? What habits can you instate to ensure your resolution/word/mantra stays in the forefront of your mind? One practice I have is to write my word and mantra every morning as I finish listing my 5 gratitudes for the day. Do you have another practice? We would love to hear from you. If you are reading on Facebook or Instagram, please comment below. If you receive the blog via email, you may email us at: waterwalkers29@gmail.com

Let’s pray. Dear God, Renew a right spirit within me. Reset my mindset and strengthen my resolve. 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.

The year 2023 is more than half over. In fact, New Year’s Eve is exactly 25 weeks from today. Let’s use this week together to reflect and refocus. Spend a few moments today reading my post from 12/20/2022 when I shared with you my word for 2023. As you read, recall what thoughts you were having at the end of 2022 and the beginning weeks of 2023. Be reminded of your earlier resolve and ask God for guidance for today. Each day, each hour, each moment is a gift from God. Let’s reflect on the first half of the year and make the most of the second half of the year.

December 22, 2022 Blog Post

Let’s pray. Dear God, Remind me today of the words You laid on my heart at the beginning of this year. Strengthen my resolve as we spend time this week reflecting. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ —- Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
‭‭

Watch today’s See You Saturday video as we wind up our week together and we wish you a happy Fourth of July.

Psalms 127:3 NIV — Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

As our VBS ended last week, the leader declared that all the volunteers had been planting seeds all week. What a beautiful reminder. The pulse of VBS is determined by the volunteers who so freely give to the children who participate. We are all called to plant and fertilize seeds. VBS is an opportunity to be a farmer for Christ. Take a moment to read Matthew 13:1-9 NIV.

Do you volunteer your time, talents, or money to help with Vacation Bible School?  What other ways are you farming for Christ and planting seeds? Is this an area you need to cultivate and grow? Ask God to guide you and yield to His direction. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank you for VBS volunteers who so freely plant seeds. Guide me as I strive to be a farmer for Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Jesus said in Matthew 19:14 NIV — Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

This week as I reminisce about Vacation Bible School, I recall snack time. When I was a kid I recall having cookies and Kool-Aid for refreshments. In 2023 the food usually consists of a full meal. No matter what food is served, God has always extended blessings through food.

Take a few moments to read Exodus 16:1-36 NKJV. 

This was one of our Bible stories last week at VBS. As I heard the story I was reminded of God’s endless provision. Often, we are like the Israelites. We need God’s help; He provides; and we grumble about the way He answers our prayers. Today I encourage you to reflect on all the ways God is providing for you. Whether His blessings are cookies and Kool-Aid or a full meal, all of His provisions are manna raining down from heaven. Take time today to thank God for His endless blessings. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, forgive me for times I am ungrateful and grumble. Thank You for Your endless provisions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 54:13 NIV — All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.

Usually the volunteers in charge of Bible story time at Vacation Bible School are creative actors/actresses who relay the Bible story and convey a valuable lesson to the children. The wonderful words they use leave an imprint on the lives of those who hear them. Have you ever helped with Bible story time at Vacation Bible School? If not, have you had the opportunity to listen to the Bible story time? Spend some time recalling your experiences with Bible stories in VBS or even in Sunday School. How have those experiences impacted your faith journey? How did the lessons you learned at VBS shape you? Today I encourage you to ponder the ways your Christian walk is affected by Bible stories today? When you hear stories in your Sunday School class or in worship, is your faith spurred on? Do you listen as if you were a child and allow your life to be transformed and your faith to be renewed?

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for my memories of VBS Bible story time and the wonderful words shared with me. Open my ears, heart, and mind to the stories I hear today and may I continue to grow and renew my faith. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.