Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard

Proverbs 16:3 NIV — Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Last week Julie and I shared about the habit of exercise. This week we are sharing some of our food habits. A habit is a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior.

As with many of you, our family has often been on the go and busy. When my children were younger they were both active in extracurricular activities such as dance, baseball, softball, etc. My husband and I often found we had to divide and conquer in order to get everyone to the right place at the right time. Early on we often picked up fast food or went to a restaurant at the end of the activities. However, we quickly realized how unhealthy and expensive this habit was and that we needed a different plan. As a result, I began the habit of weekly meal planning.

Meal planning ensures that the meals we eat are healthier and cooking at home is less expensive than eating out. While this habit requires intentionality and effort, over the years I have learned how helpful it is to have a plan for the week. 

What is your habit for meal planning? Are you considering adopting the habit of meal planning? If so, approach the idea with a prayerful attitude and commit your plans to God. Then trust Him to guide and direct you in your planning. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, I commit to You my habit of meal planning. Guide and direct my thoughts and actions so that I may glorify You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Make sure to check out our recipe page, At The Table.

This week we are sharing some of our food habits. Take some time today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.

Proverbs 16:3 NIV — Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Romans 12:1-2 NIV — Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Jesus said, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV — Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

@biblegateway @youversion

We hope you will continue to join us daily to read and hear God’s word. You can subscribe to our daily blog at waterwalkers29.com.

This week we will share our thoughts on food habits. As we begin our week, listen to the song A Home Cooked Meal (Christian Country song) as ask God to open your heart to His message for you this week.

We hope you will continue to join us daily to read and hear God’s word. You can subscribe to our daily blog at waterwalkers29.com.

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Today’s key verse is a wonderful promise to lean into when needing strength. It is a popular verse when it comes to exercise. It is rarely thought of in context. The Apostle Paul wrote this while in prison. He had been flogged, tied up in chains, and living in a jail cell. In the surrounding verses Philippians 4:10-20, he shares with us on how to be content. 

Take time today to surrender your habits to God. Ask God if there are habits you need to change. We are now 24 days into the new year. There are still 341 days to change habits. As you find strength in God, be reminded that in all things, God knows what obstacles we are facing. A habit can take 21 days but for it to become a lifestyle, it can take at least 90 days. Keep moving forward! 

This week we shared our perspectives on healthy exercise habits. Next week we will look at healthy food habits.

Join me in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for trusting me to be a temple for Your Holy Spirit. I surrender my exercise habits over to You. I can do all things through You as I lean into Your strength. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

We hope you will continue to join us daily to read and hear God’s word. You can subscribe to our daily blog at waterwalkers29.com.

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

A new year is a great time to refocus on God and reset our habits. This week we will share our perspectives on healthy exercise habits.

When I began running at age 38, I realized that I could set running goals and still be a Jesus follower, wife, mother, employee, daughter, sister, and friend. By showing up for myself, I could show up for others. Author Rachel Hollis says, “It’s possible to pursue something for yourself while simultaneously showing up well for the people you love.”

In the beginning I would journal my runs to track my goals and see my progress. Running is a very humbling sport. No run, no day is ever the same. Although today’s key verse is about how God’s grace and kingdom are for everyone, it parallels running because everyone’s race is their own and there is no room for comparison.  

What is your favorite form of exercise? How are you caring for your body which is God’s temple?

Join me in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for trusting me to be a temple for Your Holy Spirit. Guide and direct my steps as I focus on growing closer to You through exercise. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

We hope you will continue to join us daily to read and hear God’s word. You can subscribe to our daily blog at waterwalkers29.com.

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Philippians 1:6 NIV — Being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

A new year is a great time to refocus on God and reset our habits. This week we will share our perspectives on healthy exercise habits.

I am sharing my story in hopes of influencing others to set a new goal. Running has become my therapy. I use it as a time to pray and to worship God through music and podcasts. I started my running journey in January of 2019 after my Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Before 2019 I had never been a runner. In fact, I used to hate running, so I give glory to God for this journey.

I started with a Run for God 12-week 5k Bible study challenge. The challenge starts you off in increments of walking and running until you can run or walk a 3.1-miles. The study teaches you to put God first with goals that help spiritually, physically, and mentally. There is a saying, “Your fitness is 100% mental. Your body won’t go where your mind doesn’t push it.” Once I was able to develop a habit of running, it became easier.

We can apply today’s key verse by having the mindset that God hasn’t given up on us so neither should we. Just keep trying one day at a time. Will you join me in refocusing and resetting healthy exercise habits? Let’s take one step at a time to create a healthy exercise habit.

Join me in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for not giving up on me. Guide and direct my steps as I focus on growing closer to You through exercise. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

The Run for God 12-week 5k Bible study challenge is now through Upward Running. For more information visit upwardrunning.com. 

We hope you will continue to join us daily to read and hear God’s word. You can subscribe to our daily blog at waterwalkers29.com.

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard

1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV —  Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 

A new year is a great time to refocus on God and reset our habits. This week we will share our perspectives on healthy exercise habits.

Yesterday I shared ways I have been successful with exercise in the past. My exercise of choice has always been walking. Sometimes I walk with a friend or family member and sometimes I walk alone. When I walk alone I also use the time for prayer. Last summer I was praying for some specific people and situations and decided to use walking as a symbol of circling those prayers. Each day I would walk around the loop where I live and pray as I walked. I focused on a different prayer each time I circled the loop. My intentional walking not only helped me focus my prayer life, but also helped me create a healthy habit. 

What is your favorite form of exercise? How are you caring for your body which is God’s temple?

Join me in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for trusting me to be a temple for Your Holy Spirit. Guide and direct my steps as I focus on growing closer to You through exercise. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

We hope you will continue to join us daily to read and hear God’s word. You can subscribe to our daily blog at waterwalkers29.com.