Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV — Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines faith as belief and trust in and loyalty to God; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust. Trust is defined as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; one in which confidence is placed.

In who or what do you place your trust? The answer defines your faith.

Writing for our Water Walkers blog began as a hobby and blossomed into a ministry and calling from God. Julie and I write and share because we feel led to do so by God. However, it is all for naught if the way we act and react to life’s ups and downs does not match the words we write and speak. I sometimes fall short, but God keeps reminding me of my call as a Christian to be His image bearer. The same goes for you. Others are watching you. What image of faith and trust in God are you reflecting?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for times my actions do not mirror my words about You. Give me strength, courage, and peace as I walk in faith and trust. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV — For we live by faith, not by sight. 

What do you do when the going gets tough? How do you react to tragic news? What is your response to a devastating diagnosis?

Recently, God reminded me that as Christians we can’t just “talk the talk.” We must also “walk the walk.” What does it mean to live by faith? For me, living by faith means that sharing my faith with you through our Water Walkers blog is not enough. I have to show that I believe the words God gives me to write by living it out every day. That means I must trust God for whatever is next, even when I can’t see the next step. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

How are you walking in faith? How do your actions show others your faith and trust in God?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for times my actions do not mirror my words about You. Give me strength, courage, and peace as I walk in faith and trust. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Take time to read and meditate on the featured scriptures for our week ahead.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV — For we live by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV — Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

John 20:29 NIV — Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

@biblegateway @youversion

Join us this week as we share about faith and trust. Let’s begin today by worshiping through listening to Walk By Faith by Jeremy Camp and Trust In God by Elevation Worship.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Did you know Christmas in July is a real thing? According to Wikipedia, it is celebrated on July 25th. I made a goal this summer to invite my mom and mother-in-law over for meals once a week while our son is home from college and before our daughter becomes busy as a full-time RN with Tidelands Hospital. I started the summer by having my family over for my famous ravioli lasagna. 

This was a very special meal because our son’s girlfriend was able to join us. Time with family should be savored. God says that we should taste and see that He is good. One way we can do this is by making meaningful connections with our family and friends. I look forward to hosting a Christmas in July meal with my family. I challenge our readers to initiate meaningful connections with family and friends that will be savored for years to come. 

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

This week, I have been sharing Christmas in July. I love that around the Christmas season, Deborah, Ray, and I select our words for the year. I want to revisit my word for 2025: Humble. Although I feel I am a humble person, as I grow in our ministry and my service, I want to bring glory to God. James instructs that God will lift us. We don’t need to do the heavy lifting. We can choose to take up our cross and humbly come before God.

Like broken seashells crashing within the waves onto the shoreline, I will stumble. Through my brokenness, I want to be a blessing to others. Through my humility I desire to bring Glory to God. 

Did you select a word or mantra for the year? Deborah recently had us do a mid-year review. I pray we can all finish out the second half of the year strong. Let’s humbly walk with God and share His most precious gift.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for using me through my brokenness. I humbly come before You and ask that You use me to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

This week I have been sharing Christmas in July. The Hebrew word for vanity is “hevel,” which means “vapor or smoke.” The writer of Ecclesiastes is telling us that everything is temporary and gives some good wisdom on vanity and what is considered striving after wind. The writer also talks a lot about time. Everything we create and strive for will eventually die away but the mountains and oceans will still remain.

In both ragged schedules and time of rest, we depend on God to help get us from point A to point B. We must never forget to look to God first. The one who created the mountains can also move mountains. The one who moves mountains also wants to sit and rest with us. Nothing is too big or too small for our God.

Let’s not waste time striving for perfection but strive to live in the present. Jesus was born in a stable and the three wise men brought gifts that were not wrapped. How do you live a life in the midst of Hevel? In the Bible Project, Tim Mackie says: “accept that all of life is out of your control.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, I desire to sit and rest with You. Help me to live in the moment and not strive for perfection. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Bonus: In reading the Bible Recap, with every chapter comes an animated drawing. I encourage you to watch the Bible Project on Ecclesiastes. 

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