This week we will talk about the practice of doing things repeatedly. The habit of practice isn’t always easy. Sometimes we have to fight for it and sometimes we are not ok. With God’s help, we can do hard things.

Take a moment to worship with the following songs:

Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake

I Am Not Okay by Jelly Roll

@brandonlake @jellyroll615

Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Join us on our YouTube channel as we wrap up the week on giving Christmas away.

Join us again next week with Julie sharing on practice. Deborah has a fresh hair cut and color.

1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Join us over on our YouTube Channel for See You Saturday as we wrap up our week on gifts!

Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Evey day the tide rises and falls. The time may vary each day since the ocean tide follows the moon. The waves crash the shore more times than we can count. Depending on the tide and the wind, those waves may look differently. Even with those slight variances, the ocean remains the same. Just like the ocean, our creator, Jesus Christ never changes. In today’s key verse, Paul writes that God is the same God.

Are you grounded in God’s word? Is God the gravity in your daily walk? He is a powerful God, just like the pull of the moon and the rotation of the Earth. He is the same God today who created the awesome wonder of the moon and stars. Think about these things as you watch What Causes Tides? By NOAA Scijinks. God created that! 

God also gifted us with laughter. Let’s close out the week with some good Christian humor:

What did the beach say as the tide came in? Long time, no sea.

There will always be a high tide and a low tide!

And that is a shore thing.

@youversion @biblegateway

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭21‬:‭45‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

I encourage you to listen to the song, Know You Will by Hillsong. Some of the lyrics sing, “You’ve been good on every promise, from Eden to Zion, through every dead end, and out of that grave. I don’t know how you make a way, but I know you will.” This song reminds me of our key verse from Joshua and how all of God’s promises are fulfilled.

The way made between Eden to Zion is the same today. The sun is a great reminder of God’s promises and His gift to us. Be wowed each day as the sun rises and sets. God created that! On this thankful Thursday, let’s worship with unswerving hope. Unswervingly, meaning to stay steady. My 2022 mantra was: “Live for today.” We also must hope for today. May our hope shine bright for those who just don’t see it. We read in Hebrews 10:23 NIV: Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the hope from today and Your promises. I desire to worship You with unswerving hope. Help me to shine Your glory for the world to see. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@youversion @biblegateway

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

On this Water Walking Wednesday, do you have any barricades or hesitations that are hindering you from walking through an open door. In today’s key verse, Paul instructs us on how God can open and close doors. What is your mindset? Are you ready to walk through? Or are you stuck standing still in your expectations? God is bigger! God gives us unexpected gifts! He can open and close doors in unexpected ways. We read in Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for open and closed doors. I desire to have a “be ready” mindset for Walking on Water. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@youversion @biblegateway

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬ — Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

In 2020 my word of the year was “gifts.” I had chosen this word knowing it would take on various meanings throughout the year. In my initial blog post in 2020, I referenced today’s key verse. Just as Jesus was a gift disguised in swaddling clothes, our gifts sometimes get disguised. I encourage us all to take inventory of our gifts and talents. I believe over the years as we grow in our walk with Christ, our gifts grow and change as well.

As a reminder to always be thankful for the incredible gift of God’s Grace through His son Christ Jesus, I had a necklace made that year. One side inscribed “gifts” and the other side inscribed “2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV — Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

Whether it is gifts of service or gifts of grace, it is a good word to carry and reflect on throughout the year. We are getting closer to 2025. Will you be picking a word or mantra for the year? We would love to know what you have chosen. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gifts and talents You have given me over the years. I desire to continue to grow in my faith journey and share Your glory. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@youversion @biblegateway