“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week we are meditating on the fruits of the spirit. Today we will focus on patience. I have learned a lot about patience in the last three weeks as I have been patiently recovering from surgery. It is not a quick process. Anyone recovering does not need to be a warrior and try to push the limits. Rather having self-control, knowing the limitations, and allowing the process to run it’s course.

It is easy in our instant mentality to force the next step versus waiting patiently for the next step to happen in its own time. We are often quick to heal, to speak, or to make a decision. As a result, we may lose our patience or even our tempers; “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today I encourage us all to seek God with every step we take, every word we speak, and every decision we make. Allow God to transform us from the instant mentality to thinking, speaking, and acting in God’s time. His ways are always pure and patient. And when we’re sitting in a valley, we have God to patiently make the climb with us.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week we are meditating on the fruits of the spirit. Today we will focus on kindness. Shopping, especially around the holidays can bring out the worst in people. Just like there are many shopping carts here, there are so many different personality types. God loves all of them. Maybe you have a sandpaper person at work, at church, or in the community. This is someone who rubs us the wrong way. Or maybe they are polishing us to be better.

I am calling today Manage Monday. Not only can we manage our agendas and to-do lists, but we can also ask God to help us manage our emotions, thoughts, and words. We can polish ourselves and others with kindness. While practicing kindness, let’s do it for the right reasons; “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

I encourage us all to remind ourselves to always stay Humble and Kind as we worship with Tim Mcgraw. An older song but always a good one to remember.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23 NIV

This week I want us to meditate on the fruits of the spirit. As we await the birth of our Lord and savior, let’s check the posture our hearts and minds. Today we will focus on our peace. Do you have peace in your hearts and minds?

You may be anxious and anticipating the busyness of the coming weeks. Or Maybe grief is crippling you in joining others for celebrations. Or maybe there is a family situation that needs mending. Or maybe you have peace and you’re meant to be a shining light to those in need. Whatever our posture we can go to God with anything; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One week before my surgery I had the pleasure of enjoying a peaceful run along some beautiful cotton fields like this one pictured below. Cotton is a fiber that grows around the seed of a cotton plant. Beautiful white cotton fields look so peaceful prior to harvest. Let’s plant God’s word in our hearts today so that His peace can be like an interwoven fiber in our minds.

“neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In this photo by Ray White, we can envision that even through the hills and valleys, nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Click here and join me for See You Saturday!

I encourage you to worship with, Oceans by Hillsong united

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today many of you will be taking advantage of great black Friday sales with just five Fridays till Christmas. Today some of you may be putting up and decorating a Christmas tree with just thirty days until Jesus’s birth. In this verse from Luke, the Angel is telling the shepherds of Jesus’s birth. He is bringing news that will cause great joy.

Evergreen trees keep their leaves all year long. They are a symbol of new life, hope, and eternal life. On this faith-filled Friday, I hope we can remember that Jesus is the true source of our everlasting joy. As we go about our day and the coming weeks, let’s look for the simple and ordinary things to remind us of the reason for the season. I encourage us all to worship with Thanks Giver by Crowder. Some of the lyrics sing, “You make joy out of simple and ordinary things. You fill life up with stories I’d never think to dream”. Will you allow God to fill your days with new faith-filled stories?

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

This verse from Psalms encourages us to taste and see the goodness of God. He desires us to be happy, full of His goodness and lacking nothing. What better day to cling to this verse than a day like today? We should all be able to find simple gratitude. In the above image from Ray we can see God’s beauty as He paints the sky. In the picture below we can taste the goodness that God provides for us.

My wonderful work family gifted me this beautiful fruit tray. Chocolate-covered fruit is a favorite of mine. In case your wondering, the turkey was a delicious chocolate-covered pineapple. Just like the detail in the fruit, God cares about every detail of our lives. In church on Sunday we sang; Amazing Love. I encourage you to listen to this version by Chris Tomlin. How can it be that God cares so much for you and me? How can we give back to God for His wonderful blessings? By extending His love and grace to others. By sharing His word and faithfulness. By taking delight in our days.

We pray everyone has a Happy and safe Thanksgiving from Water Walkers! Deborah, Ray, and I are so thankful for your continued support. God bless and may we all take delight in our day!

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalms 130‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sometimes Water Walking means waiting. When we can’t see a clear path or hear from God, we may just need to dig deeper in His word. In the meantime, God wants to hear every detail from us. He desires our whole being to be in His presence. This includes specific prayer along with our concerns, desires, and joys. Just like we enter into an earthly marriage and our partner becomes our best friend, God desires to be our bridegroom.

Let’s choose today to make prayer a priority!

Lord, Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for the hope that only you can offer. You know the desires of my heart and you also know what tomorrow holds. I pray for your favor and perfect will to be done. Give me the eyes to see the way and the heart to hear your word. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

As hard as it is, I encourage us to worship with, Not My Will by Stephanie Haavik