God gave each of us a special gift. Many times we discover those gifts though service in our homes, churches, work places, and communities. Do we share our gifts with others? Or do we hide them for fear, hate, or laziness? In the message version, Timothy writes we should “keep that ablaze”. In the NIV version, Timothy writes to “fan into the flame”. On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourages us all to evaluate how we are using our gifts. Maybe you don’t know your gifts. Maybe you need to bring them out of hiding. The Holy Spirit lives in each of us. We are all equipped with power, love, and self-discipline so we should have no excuses. Go and be a Water Walker today!

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Change means to make someone or something different; to alter or modify. We have all experienced change over the last year. A lot of it has been unwanted change. We don’t always get to understand why things happen the way they do. Charles Swindoll wrote; “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react”. God has Plans for each of us. The caterpillar pictured here will one day be a Tussock moth. We too are being transformed with each new change. My tip for us this Tuesday is to pause before we react. Take time to say a breath prayer. Let’s not let Satan win!! Keep the hope in knowing God has a plan.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage us all to listen to this song, “Not Today” by Hillsong; https://youtu.be/0F_nN1nyyqY

A staircase can be used for both ascending and descending. Moving downward tends to be less daunting. It is Mindset Monday, we can perceive the week ahead with an “I can” or “I can’t” attitude. What will you choose? The Bible says we can do ALL THINGS with God’s strength. Just like this staircase has a hand railing, God is holding our hand every step of the way. When in doubt this week, whisper “all things”. I encourage us all to write it on a post-it note and place it somewhere that can be seen throughout our day.

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

Palm trees are known to have a strong root system. They are very elastic and can bend easily. Some spiritual attributes include, freedom, righteousness, reward, resurrection, and victory.

As we go to our places of worship today and throughout the week, let’s take in the word of God so that it can be planted in our hearts, souls, and minds. Think of spiritual Sunday as an opportunity to water and nurture our root system so that we may flourish. When our days don’t go as planned or trouble comes our way we can bend easily without breaking.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭92:12-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To color inside the lines takes a slow and steady hand. It takes thought and preparation of what colors to use. As I sat down for my evening cup of coffee last night I colored in this butterfly. I reflected on this past week. I thought about the areas I may have fallen short as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend. I thought about the times I excelled and checked every item off the to do list. This week we had our final soccer game for our son. Our twins will go to their first Spring Fling on Saturday. Our daughter goes to her first soccer playoff game on Monday. As my emotions are high, there are days I want to stop time and days I just want to rush through another busy week so I can get on to something better. No matter what each of us have going on in our lives this week, I encourage us all to finish strong. God has already gone before us in every task, milestone, and relationship. Let’s grab our cup of coffee and be eager to start our day and finish another Friday strong. Let’s not worry about coloring inside the lines. Life is messy, yet beautiful. Let’s be thankful for the grace that God extends to each of us, regardless of the mess.

“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Every day should be Thankful Thursday. Often we we allow our surroundings and circumstances to bring us down. This morning as I am making my list of gratitudes I am blessed to be able to sit in God’s courts. I have entered my devotion area with praise. Three of my senses are overwhelmed with the sound of the birds chirping, the smell of the flowers blooming, and the sight of the moon on this crisp morning.

My list of 5 gratitudes

1. The sound of birds chirping

2. A warm cup of black coffee

3. We had a 2020-2021 soccer season

4. Getting ready for Junior Spring Fling

5. My flowers are blooming

What are your 5 gratitudes? I encourage you to use your 5 senses when making your list; skin, nose, ear, eye, and tongue. I pray we all have an attitude of gratitude as we go about our day.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm‬ ‭100:4‬ ‭NIV‬

Deborah and I called our blog Water Walkers because we want to have bold faith, step out of our boat, and walk on water with Jesus. Will we be like David and tell our Lord that we desire to do His will?

I like the message version. He says; “I’m coming to the party you’re throwing me”. life May not always be a party. There are many times we’d rather stay in the comfort of our boat. I encourage each of us to boldly pray;

Lord, I surrender my will today. I desire to do your will. Equip me to step out of my boat. When you call my name, I want to walk on water for your glory.

“So I answered, “I’m coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me, And I’m coming to the party you’re throwing for me.” That’s when God’s Word entered my life, became part of my very being.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭40:7-8‬ ‭MSG‬‬