Most Important

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:13 NLT

Well, I'm home from the hospital, praise God!! Thank you to those who prayed for me and to those who girded me with your strength. I thank God for you!

One of my co-workers has a sign on her desk that reads, We’re put on this earth to accomplish a certain number of tasks. Right now, I’m so far behind, I will never die. I have to admit, I had that same sign on my desk at a previous job. We joke about which drawers to empty and burn if something happened to either of us.

Even though we joke about it, people don’t like to think of it and definitely don’t like to speak of it. None of us knows the day or the hour our life will end. One important truth about that is we ARE put on this earth to accomplish the plan God created for our lives, but there IS a time limit. I was reminded of that as I was verifying my insurance benefits choices, including beneficiaries. I realized I needed to inform my beneficiaries of their benefits.

You know, we have the ability to make choices that determine how and what the benefits will be when we die…for those we leave behind AND for ourselves. Thankfully, I have decent life insurance. But most importantly, I have perfect life ASSURANCE - John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

James 4:14 NLT tells us, How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

Without Jesus, there is no Life and that’s the most important thing for my beneficiaries - and for YOU - to know!

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us focus to redeem the time You have given us. Help us to make eternal differences for those You have put in our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Assurance from a Shepherd +

O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary 

and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.

I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.

Psalm 63:1-8 NLT

Prayer:

Father, 

           Thank You for Your Word which ALWAYS is Truth, no matter in what circumstances we find ourselves. You never change. There is no other god like You. We cling to You; Your strong right hand holds us securely. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Just for Today

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34 NLT

When we don't have the answer. When we don't even know the question. When we can't figure out how, when, or why we're going to fix "it". When the "if-I-don't-fix-it-now-what-will-it-be-in-another-week-month-year... years-from-now" stress kicks in. Stress. Doubt. Fear. Is there any room for God in there?

I was busy (read 'angrily') telling the God of the universe (who, by the way, has NOT posted for an assistant, nor does He need one) that the particular situation in my life is NOT something I can see myself having to contend with for the next 20 years or so. And I railed that I just could NOT do it - it was that plain and simple. I.Can't.Do.It...!!

Then immediately, I heard Him say, "I'm not asking you to do it for 20 years or so. Can you do it for today? Just for today?" and instantly, I was reminded of today's Scripture promise. And with it came the assurance He would be with me. Today and every day... one day at a time. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

We can do it - by His grace that is sufficient for all things - and with His promise that He will never leave or forsake us. We CAN do it - just for today.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for Your infinite wisdom and for always planning out the details of our lives. You are trustworthy. Remind us always to listen for Your voice and seek Your peace in the midst of the chaos of daily living. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen