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.

Yesterday I experienced something that I have been mentally praying and preparing for over the last three months. There is something different when praying on the battleground for yourself verses praying on the battleground for others. The scripture verse that was presented to me in a morning devotion came from Joshua 1:9 NIV; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

In this song, Wherever You Lead by Kristene Dimarco, our Christian walk really doesn’t promise us comfort or beautiful beach fronts. Sometimes the direction is swampy like the marsh and clouded with muddy waters. In these lyrics I am reminded that I want to follow God the second I hear him call me no matter what circumstance surrounds me;

Wherever You go
Wherever You lead
That’s where I’ll go
That’s where I’ll be
The moment You call
The second You speak
That’s when I’ll go
Step out and believe

I am reminded of the Disciples, committing to follow Jesus, wherever He goes; “As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”” Luke‬ ‭9:57‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Look at this photo by Ray White. You see, there isn’t a clear path. On this Water Walking Wednesday what will you choose the second you hear God speak? Will you be like a disciple? A courageous follower? Or will you be afraid and discouraged? God is waiting patiently for us to put our complete trust in Him. We can respond by Living for Today, taking one step of faith at a time.

I enjoy reading different translations of scripture. This past week I was introduced to TPT, “The Passion Translation”. When I read this verse from Proverbs 4:25 TPT, I understood it with a new mindset; “Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.”

I have been meditating on “fixed purpose”. What do you think that means? The translation I commonly use is NIV, “New International Versión” and it translates as; “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” Fixed is defined as, not fluctuating or varying. While purpose is defined as, the reason for which something is done or created.

If we look at this photo by Ray White, we known this must be a bush or a tree. God created it with a purpose, just like he created each of us for a purpose. Through God’s word we gain wisdom. It is our guide to maneuvering through Life. No matter what task is at hand, it is already fixed in place by are omnipotent God. He chose you for this task. God knows and understands there will be distractions. Will you go confidently today with the mindset that God chose you for a fixed purpose?

Today is Finish Friday. Are you embracing the day? Are you relishing the moments that make up your day? Yesterday on my way to work I heard an older country song titled “You’re Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins. Take a moment and listen to the words.

You’re Gonna Miss This

I share this today, not to have you mourn the past but to embrace today. No matter what stage of life you are in, there is beauty and blessings around you to behold. Live in the moment today and don’t let the day pass without thanking God for today. If we are always looking backwards or forwards, we will miss what is around us now. Don’t miss this!

Some of you know that I have been at home having to quarantine. My son tested positive for covid right after Christmas. Eventually the other 3 of us were sick at some time or another. This was not how I planned to end my winter break. Thankfully, our symptoms were relatively mild. Nonetheless, I remained at home for 2 weeks and today I get to go back to work!

This Thankful Thursday I am counting my blessings. I am thankful we are all healthy and back to “normal”. I am thankful for my job and that today I am able to return to work. Despite the circumstances, I am thankful for the opportunity to remain at home. During my time at home I was able to make the most of my time by accomplishing some tasks on my ongoing to-do list as I cared for my family. I even read 2 books which is usually a luxury that I am only able to partake in when out of school for the summer. Needless to say, my time at home was an unexpected and unplanned time of rejuvenation and for that I thank God.

How about you? Have you recently found yourself at work on tasks different than you planned? No matter where we find ourselves, there is work we can do for the glory of God. For that, let us give thanks!