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.

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.