1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV — So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Today, let’s spend some time thinking and setting goals so we will have God-driven, positive results at the end of 2023. Take a moment now to read this article Ten Steps to setting God-Ordained Goals which is an excerpt from The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.

I encourage you to spend time today in prayer and planning. If you don’t have the time to commit to it today, then plan a time for goal setting soon. Take some time alone to sit with God and set goals for the remainder of the year. Keep in mind Proverbs 16:3 — Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Let’s pray. Dear God, I commit to You the remainder of 2023. Lay upon my heart Your goals for me and I will give You all the glory for the results we accomplish together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Matthew 14:29-30 NIV — Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

As you have reflected, resolved, and reevaluated the first half of 2023, have you discovered that perhaps you have lost your focus on Christ? Have you been focusing on the wind around you instead of the eyes of Christ?

Take some time to imagine being in the boat with Peter when Jesus called him out onto the water. Peter took a bold step out of the boat and onto the water. As long as he was focused on Christ, he was able to walk on water. However, he began to sink the moment he focused on the wind instead of Jesus. Today, let’s refocus our attention. We have spent enough time looking back at the first half of 2023. Now let’s move forward. Let’s step out of the boat with laser-like focus on Christ. Focused on Him we can move forward in the remainder of 2023 with renewed strength and courage.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your presence in my life. Help me to refocus my attention and move out of my boat toward Your path for me the rest of 2023. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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.
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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.