“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts‬ ‭17:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Coasting is to move easily without using power. In this photo, there is what appears to be a big ship on the horizon. Not sure if it is coasting or using its engine for power. A ship is also known as a sailing vessel. As God’s offspring, we are His vessel. In Him live and move and have our being. I challenge us all to self-evaluate with this question on Water Walking Wednesday; are you coasting through your days? Or are you seeking God and allowing His power to move you?

Yesterday I encouraged us to seek God through prayerful thought for both the big and ordinary things. If you read verses 26-27 in Acts 17, we were made to seek; “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

I speak from experience that it is easy to coast through our days. I especially find this true in busy seasons when we are in survival mode. Friends, this is ok! Remember it’s fine, your fine, everything is fine. There are also seasons where God wants to refresh us. He desires us to seek Him so that He can put a fresh wind behind our sails. I encourage us all today to seek and not coast.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭NIV

Do you seek God first or rush into something without giving it prayerful thought? For me I would say it’s easier to to seek God first over the big things. The little or ordinary sometimes get rushed through without prayerful thought.

Look at this image by Ray White. The bird appears to be flying faster than the shutter on the camera. Yesturday I wrote about being mindful in our Christian walk. Today I want us to be mindful of seeking God first in prayerful thought. Our prayerful thoughts can be simple breath prayers. They can be on our knees surrender prayers. Join me today in seeking God first through The Lord’s prayer, found in Matthew‬ ‭6:9-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. “ Amen
‭‭

“Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.” Numbers‬ ‭15:40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Last weekend we had the joy of visiting our son, Trevor at Clemson. On one of the days there, we went to the Botanical Gardens. I never knew that succulents could grow through the dirt in rock. This beautiful rock wall pictured here had many beautifully, thriving succulents. Not surprised in that succulents are a very easy plant to take care of. As long as you are mindful to water them when the soil gets dry, they will grow and multiply.

How about our daily Christian walk? Are we mindful to nuture our faith so that we can grow and multiply? Are we mindful of following the commandments so that we can be consecrated to God? Do we listen or ignore the nudges from the Holy Spirit?

My sister sent me a quote this past week from Oswald Chambers; “Never disregard a conviction that the Holy Spirit brings to you. If it is important enough for the Spirit of God to bring it to your mind, it is the very thing He is detecting on you. You were looking for some big thing to give up, while God is telling you of some tiny thing must go.”

I am calling today “Mindful Monday”. Let’s give God our full attention so that we are conscious of every moment. I encourage you to listen to the song, Let My Life be Worship by Jenn Johnson.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It’s fine, I’m fine…. Everything is fine.

When people ask how we are doing, we often respond with a short reply like, I am fine. Whether we are feeling joyful, sad, or overwhelmed, rarely do we reply in reflection of our true feelings. In honesty, there are days I would like a shirt that reads; It’s fine, I’m fine, everything is fine. Let me ask, how are you? I encourage you to respond by going to God in prayer, with a true reflection of your feelings.

I am changing today to “Suit up Sunday”. As we go to our places of worship, let’s suit up in God’s word. In the late middle ages, a suit of armor consisted of bronze, iron, or steel plates. I want us to see our reflection as a child of God suited up in full armor. We can start our week with an, “I’m ready” versus “I’m fine”.

I encourage you to get filled up with song, Who I Am by Ben Fuller. Some of the lyrics sing, “I’m a child of the most high God and the most high God’s for me.” Will you be ready for your week, knowing that the most high God is for you?

“Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1‬ ‭The Passion Translation

Click here and join me as I talk about breath prayers.

I encourage you to read the guest post devotional by Jennifer Tucker on Ann Voskamp’s website; Annvoskamp.com

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Such a simple yet powerful verse. Have you ever stopped to think how big God’s love is? Not only did He sacrifice His only son but He did it for the entire world. Like this beautifully vibrant bird, God’s love is unique and beautiful for each of us.

Do you feel like you have fallen short this week? Whether it is with housework, raising children, or the daunting to-do list, remember how big God’s love is. We can put our complete trust in the Savior of the world. No matter who we are or what is going on in our lives, our stories are interwoven with God’s big love.

Our readers probably don’t realize that Water Walkers reaches people all over the world. From Ireland, Ecuador, Honduras, Pakistan, India, Romania, Canada, France, Mexico, South Africa, and more. Take a moment to watch and listen to this song, John 3:16 in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, English, Korean, and Persian.

On this Finish Friday, take a moment to stop, take a deep breath, and smile because you are vibrantly loved.

“Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all Lords. His love never quits.” Psalm‬ ‭136:1-3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Often we need to hear things several times before we hear it. We might read over something but not comprehend it. Life gets so busy we neglect to hear and see God. In this message version of Psalms we are told 3 times that God deserves our thanks and that His love never quits. Even on days when we are not listening, like a child we need to be told mutile times.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords love never quits, even on days when we don’t trust. One day this week I was worried about something. I texted my daughter, asking her to pray. Her response was, God’s timing is perfect so don’t worry. God often uses others to deliver a message so that we will hear it loud and clear.

How about when life gets busy like a busy bee? Even on the busy days, we can say breath prayers, giving our thanks throughout the day. On this Thankful Thursday, remember to continually give thanks for His unending love. Let’s give God our first and last thoughts so that we may hear and see Him clearly.