Category Archives: Devotional

#testifytuesday #grace #waterwalkers

Standard
#testifytuesday #grace #waterwalkers

Psalm 46:10 NIV – He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

When asked to give a sermon message at church, I am always hesitant. I still struggle with considering myself a public speaker. I worry about crying during my message or what if I don’t speak clearly enough or even have enough to say. Good news, our calling is wrapped up in our obedience to God. 

We read in Exodus 9:16 NIV – But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

We must trust in God to raise us up, however, the devil likes to tell me otherwise. Rather than relishing in God’s grace, sometimes I allow my past mistakes to cloud my vision for whom I am in Christ Jesus. As Lysa Terkheurst writes in her book Uninvited, “A line in our past can turn into a lie, which then turns into a label we place on ourselves and at that point becomes a liability.” She goes on to write, “rejection steals the best of who we are by reinforcing the worst that has been said to us.”

I know that God will use our past wrong choices, disappointment, deception, addiction, heartache, and rejection to catapult us into a life full of grace. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your grace that knows no boundaries. Thank You for equipping me to walk in the calling You have over my life. Help me to step out of my boat and Walk on Water today. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway

#makeadeclarationmonday #grace #waterwalkers

Standard
#makeadeclarationmonday #grace #waterwalkers

Make a declaration with me today. I have provided an example. I encourage you to make your own declaration. 

I can choose my thoughts! I don’t have to accept Satan’s lies!

I have victory in Jesus! Fear is a liar! Christ is in me! I am enough!

I praise my God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14 NIV)

The one who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world! (1 John 4:4 NIV)

God’s not finished with me yet!

@biblegateway

Video by Ray White

#seeyousaturday #discernment #waterwalkers

Standard
#seeyousaturday #discernment #waterwalkers

James 1:5 NIV — If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Join us on our YouTube channel for See You Saturday as we wrap up our week on discernment. We’ve included some photos that are shared in today’s message.

#finishfriday #discernment #waterwalkers

Standard
#finishfriday #discernment #waterwalkers

Discernment is hard. Discernment doesn’t come easily. However, having a daily relationship with God does bring us closer to being in tune with God’s will. What steps are you following today to seek discernment? How do you know which way to go? Will you go through the door or choose a different door?

As we finish this week together focused on discernment, take a moment to read this article titled A Story About Discernment: Like a Child by Kasey Hitt.

Let’s pray. Dear God, may each of us have a child like faith so we can discern Your will like a child. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

#thankfulthursday #discernment #waterwalkers

Standard
#thankfulthursday #discernment #waterwalkers

1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV — For God is not a God of disorder but of peace — as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Another practice I have when striving to discern God’s will is to be open. I have to be ready to receive God’s word by having open ears, eyes and mind. I have to be willing to accept that His message for me may come in so many ways. Sometimes God speaks through the most expected outlets such as through scripture, prayer and devotion and sometimes God speaks in the most unexpected outlets such as through another person, a song, or even nature. However, if I am not open to all these opportunities to listen then I may miss out on discerning God’s will.

Lastly, as I strive to discern God’s will I also seek peace. Often when I am trying to discern God’s will I feel much turmoil. I want to make the right decision. Sometimes the turmoil inside me is because I know what God wants me to do but I don’t want to. Therefore it requires my submission and obedience. While arriving at a decision may cause turmoil within me, when I finally arrive at a decision and have peace about it, I know that was the choice God wanted me to make. Submission to God’s will brings peace. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my ears, eyes, mind, and heart to discern Your will. Prepare me for Your will and give me strength and courage to obey so I may feel the peace that only You can give. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

#waterwalkingwednesday #discernment #waterwalkers

Standard
#waterwalkingwednesday #discernment #waterwalkers

Philippians 1:9-10 NIV — And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.

This week we are exploring ways to be discerning. For the next few days, I will share some ways I practice being more open and ready for listening to God and being available for discernment.

The first practice I have is daily devotion. To discern God’s will I have to be still. Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still and know that I am God.” When I am in the hustle and bustle of my day I find it is hard to hear God’s voice. Therefore every morning before I begin my day I spend time in devotion and prayer. I take this time to study scripture, meditate, and listen. Even during devotion time I can fail to discern God’s will if I do all the talking and never stop to be still and quiet.  

Another practice I have is journaling. As I have shared before, I enjoy journaling. Part of my devotion time includes journaling. Journaling for me has no certain formula and varies from day to day. Some days I write down scriptures or parts of devotions or insights that strike a chord with me and I want to be able to meditate on or come back to later. Some days I write down joys, concerns and prayer requests. And some days I write as if I am talking to God. I also like to take notes during sermons so later I can reflect on them. No two days look the same in my journal. I just write whatever I feel led to and also like to go back and see how God has answered prayers. Habakuk 2:2 instructs — Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.

Today I encourage you to not only have a daily devotion time, but to also be still and quiet instead of doing all the talking. Write down some of your revelations, joys, concerns, and requests. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you Lord for Your holy presence as we meet together daily. Quiet my soul as I sit and listen to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.