Isaiah 40:31 MSG — But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

The word God gave me for 2024 is pause. Merriam-Webster defines pause as a temporary stop. In writing a comma is used to separate a list of words and sometimes to help connect words. For my purposes I also think my pauses will be a cause of separation but will result in connections with God’s message and my everyday life.

If you have been a Waterwalkers follower for a while you may already know that I consider Isaiah 40:31 to be my life verse. While praying and studying about my word for 2024 God led me to the Message version of Isaiah 40:31. Most other versions say waiting on God will “renew their strength.” For this year, as I pause, I will focus on “fresh strength” from God.

We would love to hear from you about your word/mantra for 2024. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for fresh strength. As I pause and spend time with You help me to make connections in my everyday life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Romans 12:2 NIV — Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Today begins the first full week of the new year. Last week Julie shared that her word for 2024 is “seek” and her mantra is “Be a kingdom seeker.” This week I will share with you my word and mantra for 2024.

Did God give you a word/mantra to focus on in 2024? I encourage you to spend some time in prayer seeking and searching for any words God may lay on your heart to focus on. It’s not too late to seek, pause, and listen. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, I humbly come before You with an open heart and mind. May my ears also be open to hear Your words for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Join us for See You Saturday as we talk about Julie’s word and mantra for the year.

Have you chosen a word or mantra for 2024? We would love for you to comment on YouTube or WordPress, text, or email us at waterwalkers29@gmail.com

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I hope you have found what you are looking for by seeking God this week. Here is a recent quote from Rick Warren to end our week, “If you’re stressed, don’t seek a quick fix. Don’t look for a shortcut. Don’t fight changes that you can’t possibly control. Instead, spend time with God every day.”

The more we seek God, it becomes a habit. That habit becomes a desire as God draws us near. As you go to your places of worship this Sunday, share with God how much you desire a daily habit with Him through worship. I encourage us to sing the song, The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe. The chorus sings, “the more I seek you, the more I find you. The more I find you, the more I love you.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, the more I seek You, the more I love You. I don’t want to take any shortcuts when choosing to spend time in prayer and worship. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

God desires for us to seek His will and bring Him glory. From an unknown Author, “What is for me, will not pass by me.” Ultimately God wants to bless us with all good things. If He orchestrated it, His will prevails. Now take a moment to read the message version of today’s verse in Psalm 34:10 — Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.

To be God-seekers, we should be full of God. In the song, Jesus Have It All by Jeremy Riddle he sings, “Your will is what I want.” It isn’t always easy to pray for God’s will.. When we are full of God, we get more and more hungry for Him and His will for us.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Your will is what I want. I desire to be full of Your love, to honor You and bring You glory. I desire Your goodness to follow me all the days of my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

What does it mean to seek to understand? It means to really listen before we form a thought, an opinion, or a response. Author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey says, “Seek first to understand, then be understood.” With this in mind, I want us to really be intentional with listening to God and those He presents in our pathways. Let’s seek God first and listen to Him before we respond. An inaction is also an action so even if we don’t verbally or physically respond, our thoughts and opinions can affect our heart posture. Let’s ask ourselves if our thoughts are Christlike.

In today’s key verse we are told that if we seek God first and all “these” things will be given to us. What are “these” things Matthew is referring to? Take a moment to read the full passage in Matthew 6:25-34 NIV. He is talking about worry. As a water walker, I encourage us to seek to understand when we are stepping out. Often we fall short with worry because we do not see the whole picture, but God does. As we step out today, let’s be kingdom seekers and seek to understand His Righteousness and all that He has to offer us outside of our boats. This leads me to my mantra for 2024, “Be a Kingdom Seeker.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the opportunity to think and understand before I respond to You and to others through my thoughts, responses, and actions. Lead me deeper in my Christian faith by being a Kingdom Seeker. Help me to step out of my boat when you present an opportunity. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

The dictionary defines tranquility as “the quality or state of being tranquil; calm.” Let’s Face it, everyday life is full of distractions, busy work, and often chaos. For our sanity, it is important to find moments in our day to seek God and dwell in His presence. If not already in place, it should be a goal for us to have a place where we can find tranquility and peace. A place where we can feel safe to seek and worship God. 

In our verse from Psalms, it says to seek Him in His temple. This could be our church, in our quiet places at home, and even in our service. God is omniscient and His peace surrounds us always.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You that I can seek You and Your peace everywhere and always, forever and ever. Help me to offer Your peace to others in my everyday life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bonus: When you have about 16 minutes in your day, I encourage you to watch and listen to, “You Will Seek Me and Find Me” by Grace For Purpose Prayers.