Tag: day

Your Gift

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Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

White gift box with large red velvet bow on wooden table

Every day, God wakes you up. Isn’t He so kind?

After you’re awake, He hands you a gift.

It’s wrapped with a big giant ribbon. I picture it white with a soft, red floppy bow. How about you?

What’s inside, you ask?

Your day. Your brand new day.

Each day is a gift, bursting of possibilities.

He watches as an excited parent while you loosen the ribbon.

I can imagine His father heart bursting with anticipation when He knows this day holds a precious surprise.

Even when it’s a ho-hum, normal sort of day, He smiles when you open up your day. Because each day is brimming with potential.

I can also see His father heart heavy, as He allows you to open a day full of sorrow.

Does your attitude depend on what’s inside? Or are you always grateful for each new day?

Will you thank Him, no matter what comes?

Will you use this gift of time wisely, not squandering it away on worldly cares?

Or will you live within your self, satisfying your fleshly desires above the cost of obedience to God?

Each day’s time is finite. You are finite as so am I.

God, on the other hand, is not. He is infinite. Timeless. Eternal.

God created you for a reason. A specific purpose. Probably several.

Are you seeking Him for what these are, or are you only living for yourself?

Maybe a mixture of both?

Today is here. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Ask God how to spend your time. He’ll tell you. How? Possibly through an idea popping into your head, a person to call, or a task to complete.

Maybe today your job is to smile at the stranger sitting next to you in the waiting room, asking how they are. Or maybe you’ll pray with the waiter.

God will not only tell you, but He’ll stay by you, helping you finish today with a flourish.

You’ll lay your weary head on the pillow, smiling because God used your willing heart to bless others.

Your day may or may not have gone as you planned – but the gift God gave you? You willing gave it back to Him.

Photos by Mia Golic, Rob Laughter, & Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Pray with Me

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But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Pray with me today:

Dearest Jesus, You have blessed me beyond measure.

You have gone before me with every step.

You have prepared me for Your future plans and have equipped me for the circumstances in my life.

Nothing escapes Your notice.

You know when I fall and when I get back up.

You know my thoughts.

You know and care about me.

Little ‘ole me. Nothing surprises You.

When I come to You in prayer, You already know.

However I say it, You get it.

Thank you for filling every corner of my body with Your peace.

My mind is at rest knowing You are in control.

Go before me this day and let me walk in Your strength, love, and joy. I love You with all of my heart.

Amen.

Photos by Gourgen Karapetyan, Leslie Cross, Artem Gorbachev, & T Y on Unsplash

Known

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Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

God sees you when you’re ill.

When you’re a lump buried under blankets on the couch, hacking loudly.

God sees you when you’re healthy.

At the top of your game, running this way and that at full speed.

God sees you when you’re sad.

He sits with you, drying your tears with His hand on your shoulder.

God sees you when you’re happy.

He smiles when you break out into hearty laughter, filling the room with joy.

God sees you when you’re afraid.

He walks beside you, covering you with His protection.

God sees you when you’re fearless.

He stands beside you, shielding you from the enemy’s fire.

God sees you every moment of every day.

He sees you in every mood, whim, feeling, or ability.

While we tend to fluctuate wildly, God never does.

His steady hand is always there to bring you peace.

To bring you His peace, strength, and hope.

Healing you when you’re less than and rejoicing with you when you’re good.

Nothing we can do is away from His sight.

How precious it is to be known by God.

Photos by Daiga Ellaby, Travis Grossen, chen lei, & David Beale on Unsplash

Living from Above

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Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. Luke 21:34

Are you stuck in the mud of life swirling around you?

Dwelling too much on plans, disappointments, or perfection?

You will only have this day one time.

One time.

How are you spending your time?

Obsessing with the nitty gritty life details?

Or doing your best while allowing God to work through you?

A year from now will you remember what you did today?

Will you remember that situation that wrecked your day?

Unless it’s a truly tragic situation, which does not happen often, you won’t.

You won’t remember that specific annoyance.

So why are you letting it invade your thoughts now?

My grandmother loved to remind us that not much matters when you look down from the balcony of heaven.

Garden bugs, broken washing machines, hail, misdelivered packages, or ungrateful children.

None of that really matters when you think about perspective.

Yes, God calls us to deal with life.

And deal with life we should.

But what really matters when you stop and think about it?

Eternity.

Yours, and everyone else’s.

What are you doing to help others to that end?

When you get to heaven, will you regret not fixing more homemade meals?

Will you regret your clothing size or your address?

Nope. You will see how short life really is.

You will see how you fit within the space of God’s line of people.

And that, my friends, is but a blip.

We have this day only one time.

Let’s make it count for the kingdom of God instead of the kingdom of self.

Photos by Maria Cappelli, Jen Theodore, Thanti Riess, & Ben White on Unsplash

Lace Them Up!

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I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called… Ephesians 4:1

Are you lacing up your tennis shoes?

Making sure they are on tight?

Double knot or single?

When you lace up your tennis shoes, you’re getting ready for something.

Something requiring walking, running, or simply going about your day.

I like to put lotion on my feet before I don my socks. You?

When you put on your tennis shoes, you are readying for something more.

You are prepared. You can now walk on legos (ouch!), in the great wide world, or simply in the yard.

Lacing up your tennis shoes is similar to preparing your heart, mind, and soul for the day ahead.

Preparing for the day, we open our Bible.

We read a devotion book (I know a great one if you need it, haha!).

We meditate on scripture.

We pray for God to fill us up with Himself afresh.

We lay our burdens again before the feet of God.

We pour out ourselves, so we can be filled with God’s mercy and strength.

When we begin our day listening to Jesus, we are ready for whatever the day holds.

And you know that could be anything up or down, as we live among a broken world.

But when you purpose to ready yourself, God will help you face whatever comes your way.

It’s like lacing up your tennis shoes.

Your feet are ready to walk on whatever.

And after spending time with Jesus, you are ready for whatever comes your way.

Spend time with Him each morning.

Read His word and pray.

And just sit.

God wants to speak to you.

And when you’re done, your laces will be all tied and ready to go for whatever God has for you this day.

Photos by Lee Campbell, Kristian Egelund, Sophia Kunkel, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash