Eph 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise….
I will admit that I squander time. I don’t always make the most of every opportunity, and it is something I definitely want to work on. But what does it mean to live wisely? I think, in part, it means recognizing that time and opportunities are both finite, so you have to seize them when they present themselves.
Eph 5:16 …making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
The first step, I think, is becoming more intentional about my time and actions. I am a “sit back and study the situation” type. What are the pros and cons? What can be gained? What will it cost (physically, financially, emotionally)? It is not unheard of for the opportunity to have passed before I’ve studied it from all angles.
Eph 5:1-2a Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the opportunity to think about how I use my time and resources for You. Help me to be discerning, Lord. Help me to live wisely, but help me not to miss opportunities that are of You or from You. Help me to walk in the way of Your love. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.
Eph 5:2b …just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Have a blessed day.
With every beat of my heart…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
For the Lord to deliver me from all my fears, that means I have to actually acknowledge them and turn them all over to Him. I’ve already admitted that I’m not very good at that. I also keep losing hold of a fact I know to be true—my feelings cannot be trusted. They lie. Jesus CAN be trusted. Always. Even when I’m deeply afraid and life makes no sense.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding….
My understanding is faulty, human, skewed by my emotions and misperceptions, by the stories I tell myself to explain things I see and hear that I don’t understand. Jesus is a firm foundation. He is immutable, unchangeable. That is why I should not trust in my feelings, my emotions. That is why I should trust Him with every beat of my heart.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture, for the reminder that You can only deliver me from my fears if I turn them over to You and then trust You more than my human emotions. Living by my emotions is exhausting, Lord. I want Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Draw me closer. Help me surrender all to You. Amen.
2 Cor 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness….”
Have a blessed day.
Circle of control…. (devo reflection)
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
Today has me looking at images of Stephen Covey’s circle of control. God is once again reminding me that I cannot do His job, and I’m not supposed to. (Truthfully, I don’t want to do His job, but I keep fretting over things that definitely fall in His jurisdiction.) I control myself, my thoughts, words, and actions, but I have no control over anything or anyone else. I have to lift those situations and people up to God. Jesus, Help me.
Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
You would think by now I’d have that idea down pat, but I’m still worrying and fretting over situations that are completely out of my control. The result of my trying to control situations outside of my control is a boatload of anxiety along with a short temper. It is miserable. God doesn’t want that for me, either. He wants His peace to flow through me like a river. Jesus, Help me.
Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder that You are in control and that when I try to control situations outside of my control, it does not go well. I know You love my loved ones even more than I am capable of loving. I know that You can be trusted to work ALL things for our good and Your glory. Help me stop trying to control things outside of my control. Help me to bring it to You and leave it Your sovereign hands. Draw me closer. Grant me Your peace like a river. Amen.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Have a blessed day.
So many reasons to rejoice…. (devo reflection)
1 Thess 5:16 Rejoice always…. (NIV)
God’s certainly helping me live my faith this morning. I just spent half an hour typing my reflection on my cell phone as is my daily habit, and as I was copying it to proof before posting, I inadvertently deleted the entire thing. Fun times. But in this world, there will ALWAYS be reasons to be sad, mad, or grumpy. If we focus on the things of this world, joy will NOT be our default.
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (NIV)
The secret to choosing joy is focusing on our precious Savior. He has blessed my life in so many ways. I deserve none of His grace, none of His mercy, none of His love. I can’t earn those things, and yet He freely and abundantly lavishes my life with all three daily. I see them in the sunrise and sunset, in the faces of those I love, in the gentle breezes and the rainbows and flowers around me. If I pay attention, I see them everywhere. Thank You, Jesus.
Phil 4:4 Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful! (GWT)
Lord, Thank You for this day and this reminder to rejoice in You always, even when the world is clamoring for my attention, even when I inadvertently delete an entire reflection, even when things just aren’t going my way. Thank You for providing me with so many reasons to rejoice. If I focus on this world, I run the risk of being sucked into a cycle of perpetual chaos. Help me to keep my eyes firmly fixed on You. Draw me closer. Help me to choose joy every moment of every day. Amen.
1 Thess 5:16 Always be joyful. (NLT)
Have a blessed day.
Strength and encouragement…. (devo reflection)
Rev 3:8a …See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut….
I am a firm believer that if I seek God’s direction and pay attention, He WILL direct me in the way that I should go. I still haven’t gotten the unmistakably clear flashing neon signs that I would love to see, but I have seen Him close doors firmly and open doors wide that seem to indicate the way that He would have me to go. Thank You, Jesus.
Rev 3:8b …I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.
That doesn’t mean the path is easy. And I am bad for allowing myself to get overwhelmed with the scope of the work that He’s calling me to do, but my precious, faithful Savior strengthens me for whatever task He’s called me to do. Sometimes He calls me to physical tasks like feeding, comforting, or educating His children. Sometimes He calls me to persevere in difficult situations. Regardless of what He’s called me to, He can use ALL things to encourage His people in ways I can’t even imagine. Thank You, Jesus!
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for guiding and directing me as I seek to do Your will. Thank You for giving me strength and encouragement for whatever task You call me to. Thank You for using my words, my thoughts, and my actions to uplift and encourage others in ways I cannot even fathom. Draw me closer. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Have a blessed day.
Now is the only moment I’ve got…. (devo reflection)
Eph 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise….
I think that one way to be careful and wise about how we live is to always be on the lookout for ways we can be God’s hands and feet, in all situations to ask, “How can I love God, glorify His name, and love His people in this situation?” Help me, Jesus.
Eph 5:16 …making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
I know I don’t treat time and opportunity the way I should. I’m guilty of squandering time, of “just not feeling it,” of thinking I will do something “later,” when now is the best time of all, now is when the opportunity presents itself, now is the only moment I’ve got. Help me, Jesus.
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the time, ability, and opportunity to live wisely and carefully. Help me to actively seek Your will and opportunities to accomplish Your will for my life. Help me not to be foolish, Lord, but to love You, to glorify You, and to help Your people at every opportunity. Draw me closer. Amen.
Eph 5:20 …always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed day.
Answer the door…. (devo reflection)
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in…. (NIV)
I have felt the sting of separation. For much of my life, I have been plagued with vague feelings of not fitting in with the rest of the crowd, of not belonging when everyone else clearly seems to feel like they belong. Two observations: 1. If someone FEELS separated, they will BE separated, even if they aren’t. Perception absolutely becomes reality until that false perception can be broken. 2. Everyone, at some time, in some way, feels that sting of separation, even when it isn’t real.
Rev 3:20 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (NLT)
Rev 3:20 spoke to my heart this morning, to that little piece of me that has never felt like enough, never felt like I belonged. Jesus’s inclusive love, inclusive invitation, is for EVERYONE. He IS knocking. He WANTS a relationship—with me, with YOU, with all of us. But it must be an intentional relationship. You can’t just holler, “Door’s open! Come on in!” You’ve got to ANSWER the door and then sit down and eat with our Savior. Be in relationship WITH Him. Thank You, Jesus.
Rev 3:20 See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in… (CSB)
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for Your inclusiveness. Thank You for knocking, for Your perseverance, for Your desire for relationship with us. Thank You that we are Your deeply loved children and for the sense of belonging that comes from that. Draw us closer to You as we reach out to others. Amen.
Matt 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Have a blessed day.
That God may be glorified…. (devo reflection)
Romans 15:5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had….
The commentary I read this morning about this scripture, specifically verse 7, contained the following gem: “The great end in all our actions must be that God may be glorified; nothing more….” What a simple yet profound statement. If we have the same mind toward each other that Christ had toward us, how different would our actions and interactions be? If we focus on His will, not our own, how different would our results be?
Romans 15:6 …so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, I know I am guilty of putting my wants, needs, and attitudes before Your will, but what I want most in my life is to glorify You—in my thoughts, my actions, my words, and my attitudes. Help me to keep that goal—glorifying You, shining Your light—at the forefront of all I do. Before I think, act, speak, help me to ask how my thoughts, actions, and words will glorify Your name.
Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, and for Your will for my life. My selfish streak can be quite wide and stubborn, Lord, but I want to glorify You more than anything. Root out all that is selfish and self-serving within me, Lord, so that in all things I can earnestly and honestly say, “Thy will be done.” Draw me closer, Lord. Amen.
John 17:21 May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us….
Have a blessed day.
Infusing my human frailty with His eternal strength…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry.
I have been on the mountaintop with my Savior—shining moments of joy and affirmation such has holding my newborn babies in my arms for the first time. Those moments are glorious, and praise comes so easily during those times. Thank You, Jesus.
Psalm 40:2a He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of mud and mire….
I have also had my share of slimy pit moments, bogged down in the mud and mire, feeling helpless and hopeless and wondering how I will have the strength to take the next step, the next breath. My precious Savior is with me in those moments, too. He is holding me, carrying me, infusing my human frailty with His eternal strength. Thank You, Jesus.
Psalm 40:2b …He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Lord, Thank You for this day and the reminder that You are with us always—in the glorious mountaintop moments, but also in the horrendous, difficult moments in the slimy pits of life. You never leave us, and when we are at our weakest, Your strength is all we need. Help us to draw closer to You, to lean into You, to shine Your light. Always. Amen.
Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Have a blessed day.
Joy in Your presence…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 16:1-2 Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.”
This morning I find myself on edge. My nerves are frayed. It’s not really one thing causing the issue. It’s many, many little bitty things that seem to be piling up. Kept in perspective, it would not be a problem. But sometimes it’s dangerously easy for me to let my circumstances get out of perspective.
Psalm 16:5 LORD, You alone are my portion and cup; You make my lot secure.
My usual prayer time was spent breathing deeply, mindfully, and repeating to my Savior: “You’ve got me. You are holding me. You are in control” over and over and over again. On the surface, it probably seems rather ridiculous, but I found that as I breathed deeply and kept repeating those words, an insular bubble seemed to form, at least mentally. Jesus and I are in the bubble. He’s got me in the palm of His hand. All the world’s chaos is outside of it, harmlessly bumping the elastic surface and skittering away. I found the entire exercise to be deeply calming. Thank You, Jesus.
Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder that while the world will always be full of chaos, demands, and obligations, I am in this world but not if it. Thank You for the reminder that You are holding me, surrounding me with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Thank You for helping me tap into that peace at a time when I am feeling overwhelmed with chaos. Help me always to choose Your peace, Your joy, Your love, instead of the chaos of the world. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 16:11 …You will fill me with joy in Your presence….
Have a blessed day.