September 26 - God's Will

Many times we hear the phrase, “It will happen, God willing.” The powerful force of God’s Will should precede all thoughts and actions.  Yet, how often do we sit back, inactive and passive, deeming a deed is the Will of God? Throughout history, God’s Will has been carried out through the active roll of people. Ours is not a world of quick fixes and earthly marvels. God works through mankind, not around him and we should be quick to embrace His Will and be determined to make it happen.– Becki

 

So, since Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for His sanctuary, go resolutely to work! – 1 Chronicles 28:9

September 25 - Promise

Upholding a promise is not always that easy. When life is good, and the chores are simple, it can actually seem second nature to us; but put struggle in the path and dissention often sets in. In these moments we must go back to our mission, revisiting the vision and determination of our promise. The school I work for has a mission statement. I keep it framed on my wall. Whenever I find confusion in a path I am taking, I can glance over these words and reaffirm my purpose. God has given a mission for each of us. Direction and conviction are found in His Word: the abbreviated version, the Ten Commandments. Likewise, within this Word lies a vision, "to love the Lord our God above all things and our neighbor as ourself." When we find it hard to uphold a promise, when our direction becomes confused, or when the task at hand seems insurmountable, gaze into the Word of God and reaffirm your path. Within each promise, He brings inspiration and in this we will find the ability to stand firm in truth.


Whether it is pleasant or difficult, we will obey the command of the Lord, our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us for obeying the command of the Lord, our God." - Jeremiah 42:6

September 24 - Spirit

With today's social media, we can all keep in touch with loved ones much easier than in days past.  We Facetime, Facebook, Skype, Airshare, text, email, you name it.  Yet, separation from a loved one can be very hard. There are those times when we truly yearn to hold the one we love and the many miles between us feel frustrating and sometimes cruel. What a beautiful gift we have in our Holy Spirit. Even miles apart, we know that God is holding each of us simultaneously. As we lift our prayers for one another, we draw closer in Spirit, closer in Hope that all is as it should be. When you find yourself lonely, give yourself a lift. Reach up and touch the Holy Spirit of God. Let His love bring you into full unity with all you hold dear and turn your sorrow into joy.


What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. - 1 Corinthians 14:15

September 23 - Love

The best advice of my life, came from my grandfather on my wedding day.  He told me there would be conflicts and disagreements. We would argue. There would be awakenings. But we could conquer it all by simply making one choice. In each moment, we have to choose to love the other. The need to follow this advice has poured over into many moments of my life, not reserved solely for my husband. My day to day brings up frustrations: on the freeways, in the stores, my co-workers, my neighbors, my family, my friends. The list could go forever. Yet, when we prepare for conflict resolution, we must remember this key element. We must love the other, the one whom God created. Within them lies His Spirit, His Son Jesus. Let love go before us and in every moment you face, you will store up blessings from heaven.

The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the Lord. - Proverbs 17:3

September 20 - Help

There is nothing in this earth that God asks you to do that you can accomplish solely by yourself. Seek God. Pray for His Grace. He will provide all your needs. 

The works of God are all of them good; in its own time every need is supplied. - Sirach 39:16

Wednesday - September 18 - works

As people of God, we do our work not because we want to be known as somebody, but because we want somebody else to know.  Some people in this world rise to fame in their works. While others have left no memory and disappeared as though they had not existed. This is the purpose of each life: to bring others to know our Christ.  Not everyone was placed on this earth to be exalted. Many people live an entirely opposite life style. Yet everyone who lives their life for the glory of God and for His purpose, whether revered by many or few, will share in God's goodness forever and pass on a lasting legacy of love.

In their descendants they find a rich inheritance, their posterity. Their descendants stand by the Commandments and, thanks to them, so do their children's children. Their offspring will last forever, their glory will not fade. - Ecclesiasticus 44:11-13

Day by Day: Tuesday - September 17 - Hope

I spend my day anticipating the next moment. In my car, I'm planning my work schedule. At work, I'm planning the meeting. In the meeting, my mind wanders to the piles on my desk. At my desk, I'm thinking of what to prepare for dinner. Anticipating and planning is good, this is how we get things done.  Without planning, there is no hope; and without hope, there is no gain. Yet as we contemplate on the next moment, remember the importance of this one. This moment, right now, is where God has you. The moment may be delightful. It may be challenging. However, it is your purpose to use this time wisely, so that the next moments can be blessed. Seek God within every moment, and the hope of tomorrow will be fulfilled.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2