“Rejoice always,”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV
Click here to see today’s See You Saturday video.
Nov20
#seeyousaturday #inthemoment #waterwalkinggirls
Author Archives: deborahard
Nov18
#faithfulfriday #loveandprovision #waterwalkinggirls
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Matthew 6:26 NIV
As we begin this Faithful Friday, I want to praise God for always providing! Julie and I have been blogging for 7 years and God continuously shows us provision by always inspiring us to write. When we first began this journey, I would spend every morning for a week writing or praying about what to write. God has now taught me to rely on Him day-to-day. We have gotten into the routine of writing each morning and scheduling the post for the following day. Therefore, on Monday we write for Tuesday, on Tuesday we write for Wednesday, and so on. However, this week God told me to wait on Him. All day Saturday I prayed about what to write for Sunday’s post but the inspiration never came. I went to bed praying God would give me His message but I wasn’t worried. As always, when I awoke Sunday morning, God laid on my heart His message for the day. And so each day this week my writing followed this same pattern. The writings this week may have posted a little later, but I trust the word of God was right on time for someone each day.
So it was with this cool picture Ray White captured one day while in line at a store. When Ray sent the picture on Thursday I had been praying about what to post on Friday and it was like the picture was manna from Heaven. I immediately imagined how safe and loved the kitten must have felt. I wondered if the kitten had been rescued by this person or was the person simply giving the kitten a special treat. Either way, I knew God had nudged Ray to send the picture at that moment, Ray had listened, and as a result I was blessed by God’s provision.
I pray that you will take away two points from today;
1) God loves you immeasurably! Have faith that God will always provide what you need at just the right time. Trust that God wants you to feel safe and loved like the kitten in the picture.
2) God will use you to be His vessel if you will allow Him. Stay focused and in tune to nudging from the Holy Spirit and obey. When you get the urge to call, text or write someone, do it. You may not understand how or why but you may be the messenger of God’s love. Have faith that God will use you. Trust and obey!
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Nov17
#thankfulthursday #gratitude #waterwalkinggirls
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
GRATITUDES
1. Kind & thoughtful words in the card I received yesterday from a friend
2. A few moments to slow down, eat lunch and talk with friends at work
3. Harvest Festival today at school-first time in three years
4. Sweet smell of my candle burning
5. Quiet, devotion time
The above list is my gratitude list from today. I spend a few minutes each morning reflecting and listing 5 simple things for which I am grateful. I began this practice many years ago at a time when I was allowing stress to make me sick. Who would have thought that such a simple task could help me so much. Taking the time to look for small gratitudes has allowed me to be more in tune to blessings as my day proceeds. It also affords me new perspectives.
Today’s scripture directs us to give thanks in all circumstances. Being in the habit of listing small, specific gratitudes has given me a new perspective on how to give thanks in all circumstances. No matter how difficult my struggles or challenges, I have learned there is also always something for which I can be thankful.
This Thankful Thursday I encourage you to slow down for a few moments and list 5 gratitudes. Don’t list the obvious like family, friends, job, etc. Instead, intentionally look for smaller, more unique blessings from yesterday or today. I trust that in practicing gratitude today, your mood will be lifted, your perspective may change, and you will be more in tune with the blessings of today.
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Nov16
#wideopeneyeswednesday #fillupwithlight #waterwalkinggirls
““Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!”
Matthew 6:22-23 MSG
This picture of my dog Abby was taken Monday evening. I chuckle every time I look at it. She had followed me around all evening and was ready for me to sit down so she could lay on my lap. As you can see, she was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. Since the picture was taken I have been pondering how sometimes we also walk around with our eyes squinted in life. Therefore let’s call today Wide Open Eyes Wednesday.
Do you sometimes find yourself rushing through life, from one task to the other, not really paying attention to all that’s around you? Are you in tune to the wonder and beauty of each moment? Are your eyes squinted as you focus on accomplishment each item in your to do list?
Today be intentional to keep your eyes wide open. As you approach each task, look around at the “wonder and belief” around you. Take deep breath’s throughout the day and soak in the light of life all around. Don’t “pull the blinds on your windows.” Instead, keep your eyes wide open and allow your body to be filled up with His light!
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Nov15
#testifytuesday #tellyourstory #waterwalkinggirls
“The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:38-39 NIV
Today’s featured photo, taken by Ray White, is an enigma. Ray found this object washed up on the beach shore. What exactly is it? Where has it been? What has it been through to bring it to this place? I bet if it could talk, it would have a story to tell!
Sunday in his sermon, our pastor Charles Wilbanks, reminded us that when we go through difficulties we have the opportunity to testify to others. Let’s call today Testify Tuesday. Today’s scripture is an example of just that. The demon possessed man had lived a life of torture and exile until the day he had a face-to-face encounter with Christ and was healed. Jesus told him “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” Jesus commanded him to testify to others.
Likewise, Julie shared with us last week the difficult journey she has been traveling the last 3 years with her health. All the while she was walking those difficult steps, Jesus was walking beside her, giving her strength, guidance and direction. Julie is using this area of trouble to testify of God’s love, grace, and mercy.
What about you? What season of difficulty have you had to walk? What area of your life has been challenging? How has God shown off in your journey?
Like the unknown object in today’s photo, you have a story to tell. Spend time today praying about how God has prepared you to be a vessel of His message. Then go out and testify and “tell how much God has done for you.”
Click here to listen to “My Testimony” by Elevation Worship.
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Nov14
#mindsetmonday #workforthelord #waterwalkinggirls
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”. Colossians 3:23 NIV
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Today’s picture inspires me to ponder the hard work necessary to accomplish a goal. Today’s picture represents lots of planning and attention. Do you have a goal you are working towards? Are you focused on God as you work? Are you committed to the hard work ahead?
This Mindset Monday, allow today’s scripture to guide your focus. Making a plan and focusing your attention is half the battle. Spend some time this morning prioritizing your steps and focusing your attention. Then step into your Monday with the mindset needed to win the day!
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Nov13
#spiritualsunday #godofallmydays #waterwalkinggirls
“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.” Psalm 139:13-16 MSG
Today is one of those days that the temperature is predicted to fall as the day progresses. Today is one of those days that reminds me of the changing of seasons and the passage of time. Today is also Spiritual Sunday and as I think of time ticking on, I am reminded of God’s steady presence in my life.
Days like today put me in a mood of reflection. I encourage you to do the same as you worship today. How have you felt God’s presence over time? When did God show off? What situations did God use to strengthen your relationship with Him?
Click here and listen to “God of All My Days” by Casting Crowns. Allow the lyrics to guide your thoughts this Spiritual Sunday and may you be reminded of the ever present God in your life.
