April 13 - Live to Serve

 

“A man can do nothing better

than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.

This too, I see, is from the hand of God.”

(Ecclesiastes 2:24 NIV)

 

God created His children to work. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues into eternity. When my pride creeps into the picture, I lose the joy of service. When I shine a light on myself and not on Jesus, I crumble under the pressure of want. Jesus died so I could die to myself and live for Him. I will seek the will of the Holy Spirit in whatever He gives me to do today. I hope you will, too! 

April 12 - Light of Life

 

“The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man;

it searches out his inmost being.”

(Proverbs 20:27 NIV)

 

Shine your lamp on my heart, Lord. As I open Your Word, use it to expose all the filth I have tried to hide from you. Peel back the corners of my soul and expose it to your penetrating Light of Life. I cannot hide my inmost being from you. I know Jesus loves me more than I can imagine and will lead me on the right path with Him today. I will trust Him. I hope you will, too! 

April 11 - Love Laid Down

“This is how we know what love is:

Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”

(1 John 3:16 NIV)

 

Hesed is God's covenantal love, combining steadfast loyalty, mercy, kindness, and grace. It is action-oriented, loving-kindness that goes far beyond duty. How can I show hesed today? I can drop what I’m doing and help others. I can encourage those who offend me, lift them up to my Heavenly Father, and ask Him to forgive them, just like Jesus did. I hope you will, too!

April 10 - Receive

“Teacher, what good thing must I do

to get eternal life?”

(Matthew 19:16 NIV)

 

 

Today I pray with Joni Eareckson Tada, “Lord, I open the windows and doors of my life so Your refreshing breeze can blow through and drive out the stale, tired air. I need the freshness and fragrance of the Holy Spirit to swirl through every corner of my heart. I open my hands and receive Your grace, Your gifts, Your favor, Your counsel, and Your mercy.” Lord, I rejoice to receive Your free gift of eternity spent with You. I hope you will, too!

April 9 - Overcome

“I have told you these things,

so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33 NIV)

 

The world will try to distract me with its glamour and glitter. Social media tries to tell me I am not good enough. Advertisements invite me to want more or better. Because He is perfect and perfectly loves me and paid for my life, I am His. Since He has overcome the world, so can I. I will thank Him for the victories. I hope you will, too! 

April 8 - Wise Listening

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance.”

(Proverbs 1:5 NIV)

 

I will step into God’s classroom today. I will open my eyes and ears to learn what He wants to teach me. It will be a one-on-one experience that only He can give. He taps me on the shoulder and whispers in my ear. Such lessons occur daily, even hourly, moment-by-moment. I only need to recognize my Teacher, stop what I am doing, and absorb what He is teaching me. I hope you will, too! 

April 7 - Satisfaction

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

(Psalm 90:14 NIV)

 

I rise in the morning with a song in my heart and on my mind. I reach for the blinds and open them to let in the beauty of the day. Nothing can pull me away from His presence. I train my mind to thank my heavenly Father for revealing Himself to me in so many amazing ways. He is my complete Satisfaction. I will rejoice and praise Him today. I hope you will, too!