1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

God has blessed me with many conformations for my word of the year over the last few months. I will be sharing these confirmations all week. I was reminded of an acronym I created earlier in the year on the word “strength” in which I start off with, “seek,” which is my word of the year for 2024.

Seek

To

Reveal

Every

New

Gift

Through

Him

In addition to our key verse, we find a similar passage in Psalm 105:4 NIV — Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

These verses tell us to look to the Lord for strength. If we look to seek God’s face and bring Him glory in all that we do, we will find all the strength we need. Where are you looking for strength? For me, it is in the gift of His presence, God Winks and the gifts each new day brings. Gifts come in many different forms. Just to name a few, this could be a text from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or completing a hard task. Of course, the most important gift is our relationship with Christ Jesus. As we look ahead to this week, and this year’s schedule, let’s seek God for His strength.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the many gifts You reveal to me. Help me to seek You as the source for my strength. I surrender this week’s and this year’s schedule over to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV — fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.‬‬

Today we finish the last 90 days of the year. Did you notice that today’s date is 123123 (12/31/23)? During the last 90 days, I had a purpose to complete something that I knew would be a challenge, but it was worth the sacrifice. Having a purpose for our endurance, the process to the outcome becomes obtainable. Synonyms for endurance are grit, patience, perseverance, stamina, strength, courage, ability, and capacity. For example, if I did not have a purpose for running, I would just aimlessly be running. I am personally not always running to win a race, I run for God’s glory and my health. How do we go through life with endurance? We seek God through all of life’s ups and downs by focusing our eyes on Him. 

My word for 2024 is, “seek.” I think today’s date of 123123 should be an easy reminder for us to repeat three simple words, “seek and find.” Let’s go into 2024 with momentum and motivation. What are you working toward that you need endurance? What is your purpose for endurance? For me, it is finding God Winks and the joy in the journey.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for another year. Thank You that I can seek and find You at all times. Help me to live life on purpose. Give me the endurance I will need for 2024. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV — Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.‬‬

Join us for See You Saturday!

(Today’s post was first published May 26, 2023).

Mark‬ ‭6:31‬ ‭NIV‬ – Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

Have you noticed every day this week there has been an action? Sunday we stepped into the Potter’s Hands. Monday we asked God to lift us out of our pit. Tuesday we turned North. Wednesday we asked God to awaken us. Thursday we had new thoughts. Today we rest with God.

We never have to worry about receiving an invitation when it comes to our relationship with God. We don’t have to wonder, will we make the list? Will we get an invite? Our social status is nonexistent. There is always a place we can retreat with God. Are we accepting the invite to retreat with God? Are we choosing to follow God? Are we choosing rest? 

I encourage you to look over your calendar today and see if you can be honest with yourself. Over the past few weeks have you taken time to rest with God? Sometimes we are forced to rest because of sickness or a change in plans. I am talking about true and intentional rest. One of my favorite quotes by Mark Batterson is: 

“Change of PACE + Change of PLACE = Change of PERSPECTIVE”. 

Notice today’s photo collage. Each photo represents a time when either Deborah, Ray, or I changed our pace and place. The opportunity to sit and rest with God just may be the rest our perspective needs. I hope we can all lean into God today and accept His invitation. Now I encourage you to look at next week’s schedule and carve out some time to rest with God.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your invitation to rest. As I look through my calendar, help me to find opportunities to change my place and pace to sit with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

(Today’s post was first published August 8, 2023).

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV — For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

When I was a little girl we had a fish fry at our house every Friday night that included my dad’s fishing buddies — two retired widows from our church. The fellowship was always enjoyable and their wealth of knowledge was priceless. One night the adults talked about an incident of a lady coming home one evening and a “bad guy” was hiding under her bed. As they continued the story, which ended in favor of the “good guy,” I became fixated on the bad guy hiding under the bed. Thus was born an irrational fear of someone hiding under my bed. For what seems like years, at night when I went into my bedroom, I would take one step and then take a leaping jump to my bed so that if there was a bad guy under my bed he/she couldn’t grab my leg. Take a moment to envision that scenario. Isn’t that hilarious?

Thankfully I came to my senses and got over that fear. As I have grown older and wiser, I realize how debilitating fear can be, but I also realize fear is not of God. Fear is a liar. Listen to the song “Fear Is a Liar” by Zach Williams. Reread your list of fears you wrote Sunday and give them to God. Speak to the lies of fear and tell them they have no power over you. You are a child of God!

Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for giving me a spirit of “power and love and self-control.”Give me strength and courage to overcome my fears. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

(Today’s post was first published June 21, 2023).

Genesis 12: 9 NLT – Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.

Last Sunday our Pastor delivered a message titled, “All Things New.” One of the passages shared was from Genesis 12: 1-9 NIV. I encourage you to read the entire passage. For today I want to focus on our key verse. Notice Abram traveled by stages. Often our journeys don’t happen all at once, they happen in stages. Just like Abram traveled a long time, our faith journey is unfolding every day.

Looking back on our Water Walkers journey, we have made many changes over the years. Every year Deborah and I strive to improve and implement new things. We have been blessed in recent years to partner with our friend and photographer, Ray White. I am still amazed how that stage in our journey unfolded. Ray has been a gift in helping Deborah and I stretch our writing skills. We hope that you have noticed. 

As Deborah encouraged us to remember our journeys last week, we can see the different stages that God brought us through. As you travel through your day and week, I encourage you to look for new things. Like this bicycle pictured here helps us to travel and see a different view, God carries us to see through His eyes. God is always inspiring us and spurring us on for the glory of His kingdom. Thank you to all our supporters and readers for taking this Water Walking journey with us. Hopefully to know us is to know Him. Take a few minutes to really listen to the words of “To Know Me” by Lauren Daigle.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for always showing me new things. Thank You for spurring me on to further the glory of Your kingdom. I desire to be a Water Walker. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

(Today’s post was first published January 17, 2023).

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Something about a new calendar year inspires us to look forward and make resolutions for the upcoming 12 months, just as the end of a year often causes reflection. At the beginning of a new year we can make proclamations and promises to get more exercise, eat better, kick bad habits, maybe finally read that classic book that has sat on the shelf for 20 years.

Each year Deborah and Julie select a word and a mantra of the year, and so do I. This year my word is “prayer” and my mantra is “God is always with me.” I resolve to pray more often each day and offer thanks. God has promised he will never leave my side!

In our busy lives it is easy to say prayers before bedtime or in a time of need. But that isn’t what Paul directed. “Pray continually.” While we will fall short of continuous prayer we can have a prayerful attitude at all times. Such an attitude acknowledges our dependence on God. We can pray frequent short prayers. We can establish times each day when we stop whatever we are doing and pray, giving sincere thanks to God, even in difficult times, because He has provided a path to eternal life through His son, Jesus Christ. I will rejoice, because “God is always with me.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV reads, “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.”

Did you choose a word for 2023? Do you have a mantra or quote that you want to shape your days? It’s not too late. We would love to hear from you about what God has laid on your heart.