“My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves”. 1 John 3:18-20

I love this time of year, to reflect and make changes. Today I share my word and mantra with you for 2023. My word is “love” and my mantra is, “your grace is my armor.”

A song that God laid on my heart and inspired my word, verse, and mantra is by singer Tom Mottershead; Greater Than Our Hearts. Within the title of the song is the scripture referenced, 1 John 3:20. It was the message version in verses 18-20 that spoke to me. Words like, “real love”, “self-criticism”, and “greater” leaped from the text. That real love is practiced through God’s love and grace for us. In the lyrics he sings, “your grace is my armor.” God’s grace covers us from head to toe, including the self-criticism that sometimes pierces through. It is so encouraging to know that God’s love is greater than ourselves.

I have been praying over the word love for several weeks. I was worried that it wouldn’t challenge me. I decided to add goals that I could journal and evaluate throughout the year. They are similar to the goals I strive for with Run for God which encourages us to grow spiritually, physically, and mentally closer to God.

Spiritually: Love God first! “Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22‬:‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Physically: Love my body because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Honor it with self-care and preventative medicine. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mentally: His grace is my armor. Shut down debilitating self-criticism. “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you chosen a word and mantra for 2023? I encourage you to share with Water Walkers.

““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Happy New Year!! Let’s celebrate the three Rs.

Recall: In the last week of the year I sat and made a list of answered prayers. It has been a challenging year full of both expected and unexpected changes. Have you looked back through 2022 and recalled all of God’s answered prayers? Remember “not yet” or “no” are answers. Have you thanked God? If not, take a moment; “I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!” Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Reset: In our key verse from Isaiah I would like to point out that we should forget the former things. This includes how God answered our prayers. We tend to get stuck on the “how” but God doesn’t always answer our prayers in the same way. As we read in verse 19, God is doing a new thing. What are you praying for in 2023? Maybe you need a reset from 2022 to start fresh. Perhaps you had some wrong turns, a lot of “not yet” or “no” answers. Maybe you held on to some regret. It is ok because God doesn’t hold onto our yesterdays so neither should we; “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Restart: Where should we start on this first day of the new year? It is a time to set goals and make resolutions. Those often fade away as the months go on. At Water Walkers we like to select a word and mantra for the year. Let’s remember today and the remaining 364 days to “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

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12‬:‭46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Happy Christmas Eve! Tonight I had the joy of attending our Candlelight service at Herbert Memorial UMC. Each Sunday we light an advent candle symbolizing: hope, peace, joy, and love. Tonight we lit the Christ candle because Jesus is the light of the world.

CLICK HERE for See You Saturday.

““I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1‬:‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mary, the mother of Jesus shows us what true servanthood looks like. An unlikely person, selflessly, willing, and humbly devoted. She accepts the Lord’s assignment by desiring His word to be fulfilled. As a verb fulfilled means to carry out or bring to realization as a prophecy or promise. According to Merriam Webster fulfilled is happiness and satisfaction.

Do you feel fulfilled this Christmas? Today is the 357th day of the year. Have you selflessly and willingly accepted the Lord’s assignment for your life? Have you been devoted to seeking, following, and serving Him? As we await Jesus’s birthday, let’s spend this last week immersed in His presence. Let’s try not to get distracted by the worldly view of Christmas. I love this particular image of the nativity with Mary kneeling next to Jesus with her hands folded in prayer. Let’s join her in prayer.

Lord, thank you for your faithful promises. Thank you for choosing me as your child and your disciple. I desire to be immersed in your presence so that I can feel fulfilled with the happiness and satisfaction that only you can offer. Help me not to get distracted by worldly views, but rather find joy in your presence and love with those around me. In the name of Jesus Amen

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Is there someone missing from your Christmas table this year? Maybe the loss of a loved one or a family member serving in the military, or a prodigal child. Thankfully we have a precious gift that is lasting with us all year. He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Immanuel-God with us. Even when we see life in black and white, God is mightier than our darkest days.

This photo is of me, my mom, and my sister at S.N.O.B restaurant in Charleston, SC. This is somewhere we have been with our Dad. This year we made a new memory. Although Dad didn’t have a place setting with us, we have the peace of God knowing that he is with our Immanuel who is with us always. On this Thankful Thursday, let’s live for today and be thankful for the one who holds our tomorrows.

If you are missing someone today, the Christmas song for you is Wonderful by Cain.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage you to listen and watch this video; What God Wants For Christmas? By Darius Tucker. The answers include peace on earth, no more empty seats in church, every Bible with no dust, the devil giving up, and more loving one another. He also asks the question, what if we believe in Him like He believes in us? If you read our key verse from Hebrews, you will see that in order to please God, we must believe. He even rewards those that earnestly seek Him.

This picture below is a prayer coloring page from a sweet Christian friend I have never met. We were untied together through a devotion I wrote for the Upper Room. She has been there for me through my Dad’s cancer journey and now my HPV journey. She went to God in prayer believing that I would be healed. She prayed for peace, health, and strength. Thank God it was His will for me to be healed.

I leave you with Mark 11:24 NIV to meditate on. Give God his Christmas wish. Go to Him in prayer, believing that nothing is to big for Him. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you consider yourself a trailblazer for Christ Jesus? When I hear that term, I think of tracking through the mountains. In Matthew 3:3 John the Baptist was being a trailblazer. He was preparing the way for Jesus. We have talked a lot about words, verses, and mantras for the year. Have you selected a word, verse, or mantra for 2023? Whether you have selected one or not, I want us to meditate on 1 John 2:6 NIV; “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Jesus was the ultimate trailblazer. His life models who we should be today. When selecting a word, verse, or mantra, it should help us to grow in our faith and to live as Jesus did. As we celebrate Jesus’s life this week, think about the milestones of His life. Think about how we celebrate birthdays and milestones today. When in the different stages; infant, toddler, child, teenager, or young adult, we track and celebrate lots of milestones. Ever notice how we often stop at a certain age? I don’t know about you, but I am in my forties and I can’t wait to see what milestones Jesus will be celebrating with me next.

The mantra I leave with you today is, “Be the Change”. Now let’s go trailblaze for Christ Jesus.