Last Wednesday afternoon I took a moment to stop by the water so that I could just breathe and thank God for his goodness. I had been clinging to Psalm 23:6 NIV for several months now; “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” In the previous weeks an Aunt had sent me a card with this verse, not knowing it was one I had been praying over. To share in the goodness of God, He answered prayer that day. A prayer where I would wake up early each morning and my first breath was a surrender to God. A prayer where every night I would lay my head on the pillow thanking God for His goodness and grace. That particular Wednesday I received good news that biopsies I had taken the week before were all normal.

This isn’t the end of my health journey but the beginning of something good. I can sing the goodness of God with every breath that I am able. In this song, Goodness of God by Bethel Music, with my life laid down, I surrender now. On this Thankful Thursday, will you choose to thank God for the goodness in your life? Will you choose to surrender everything over to Him? I encourage you to write this verse down and share it with someone who needs to know God is good.

On this Water Walking Wednesday will you allow God to lead you to quiet waters? Will you take a few minutes just to be still in His presence? Yes God likes when we say yes to bold things. Yes God likes when we shine His light and share His glory. He also likes for us to just say yes to His lead.

Life shouldn’t get so busy that we miss God’s lead to quiet waters. Let’s take a moment to close our eyes and envision sitting by the water.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for leading us to quiet waters and teaching us the importance to be still in your presence. May we never miss an opportunity to sit with you. Equip us all to do your perfect will on this Water Walking Wednesday. Amén

As I ran last night, I was blessed to watch the sun color the sky with amazing colors as it set. I am directionally challenged but if I stay near the ocean coast it makes it easier to know my North, East, West, and South. I remember as a child having to memorize, “Never Eat Sour Watermelons”. Although this picture isn’t turning North, it reminded me of Deuteronomy 2:1-3 NIV as I was finishing up mile four. God is talking to the Israelites about how they have wondered long enough;

“Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea, as the Lord had directed me. For a long time we made our way around the hill country of Seir. Then the Lord said to me, “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.”

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, I want us to take inventory. Is there an area in our lives we feel like we are wondering in the wilderness. Maybe our minds are clouded with where to turn next. It would be amazing if we could get an audible direction like, just turn North. I know God talks to me clearly through his word, through people He has placed in my life, and through God winks. I encourage us to be more intentional to hear and see God throughout our day.

If God asks us to turn North, will we follow? Or will we stay wondering because that is comfortable?

“I got somethin’ make the Devil gonna run” are the lyrics from Run Devil Run by Crowder. This is a popular song for a runners playlist. Everyone seems to pick up their pace when it plays. On this Mindset Monday we have a choice on setting our pace for the day. Even Jesus set the example when Peter tried rebuke Jesus dying on the cross; “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”” Matt ‭16:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In this photo the path looks like it is inviting us to a tranquil spot. I see vibrant shades of green and the sun appears to be shining. I can only imagine this path leads to the beach. Our path with Jesus isn’t guaranteed to be tranquil or easy. Thankfully through Jesus, we have God with us on our path. When today brings a Monday, let’s take a deep breathe, close our eyes, envision this photo, and say “Not today Satan”. Remember God is with us.

Many of us in South Carolina got up early to experience the beautiful snow falling effortlessly from the sky. Although it didn’t last long, it was enjoyable. My daughter snapped this photo of her foot prints and reminded me of how God often Carries us.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Is‬ ‭46:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Of course there are many stories of how God rescues us. We read in Matthew chapter 18, verses 10-14, the parable of the lost sheep. God will leave the 99 so that he can rescue 1. The image of him carrying us as little lambs so effortlessly because of the loving father He is.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Is‬ ‭40:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God is in the rescue business. You may not need rescuing today. Maybe God has placed you in someone’s life to be a vessel. On this Spiritual Sunday, picture yourself as a little lamb resting in God’s loving arms. Thank Him for the unconditional love He so freely gives. Ask God to carry you through this week so that you can be a vessel to the 1 in need of a rescue.

I encourage you to listen to the song, Rescue by Lauren Daigle.

There are several of us doing a health challenge so that we can kick off 2022 as a healthier version of ourselves. Not so much a diet but a lifestyle change. It is teaching us to eat fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water, not to eat after 8:00pm, get our bodies moving for 30-45 minutes a day, read scripture, do good deeds, and encourage one another. Sounds easy enough, right? How often do we sin? Our answer should be daily, if not minute by minute. We are reminded in 1 Cor 6:19-20 NIV that our bodies are temples for God; 19 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; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

How do we keep forgetting the simplicity of these two verses? In this song Resurrender by Hillsong, some of the lyrics sing; “If your calling, we’re coming. We’re not walking, we’re running. God we need resurrender”.

That’s it! We must daily, if not minute by minute keep resurrendering ourselves over to God. On this finish Friday, let’s make a commitment to finish the week strong. Let’s not wait till Monday because every day we are to be a temple for God. We should be as excited as my jump shot photo to strive after what God desires of us; to be temples for His glory.

If you are physically able, I encourage you to get a jump shot photo or a regular photo of yourself. Then post your photo on social or share it with a family and or friend. Include this devotion and type the message; “Today I am resurrendering my body to Christ Jesus so that I can be a temple for His glory”.

Deborah and I were wowed this week when we received the message from WordPress that we had reached 10,000 views. We are so thankful to all our faithful followers. Although the look and format has changed over the years, our passion has been to expand borders and shine God’s light to everyone around the world.

Of course we give God all the glory and thanks; “With all my heart and passion I will thank you, my God! I will give glory to your name, always and forever!” Psa 86:12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

On this Thankful Thursday I encourage you to pick a journey you have been through and may still be going through. Go back to the very beginning when it was just a dream or a thought. Then connect all the dots where God was faithful. Look at the highs and lows. Look at the joys and regrets. Look for God in every turn and give Him thanks! Show God the passion you have by giving Him glory and celebrating those milestones.

A prayer from the beginning has been to enlarge our territory; “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” 1 Chr 4:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Along with the USA and many other countries like, Ireland, Ecuador, and Bangladesh have been faithful readers of God’s word. Let’s continue to shine God’s light by sharing our faith! We encourage you to keep inviting friends and family to follow our Water Walkers blog.