Today's Godly Reminder - 1 John 3:1

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. So, do not worry about that. We are living for Christ, not for them. Just look to the Lord and His strength. You will be surely rewarded if you live up to His Name.

The Daily Grace - A Season for Everything

If you're like me, you've struggled with having to say no to taking on a new responsibility - especially if it's for a good cause and directly related to helping others. We may have sound reasons for carefully selecting our priorities. Yet sometimes, by not agreeing to do more, we may feel guilty or we may think that somehow we have failed in our walk of faith. But according to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, wisdom recognizes that everything in life has its own season - in human activities as in the realm of nature. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (v. 1). 

Perhaps you are getting married or becoming a parent for the first time. Maybe you are leaving school and entering the workforce, or moving from full-time work to retirement. As we move from season to season, our priorities change. We may need to put aside what we did in the past and funnel our energy into something else.

When life brings changes in our circumstances and obligations, we must responsibly and wisely discern what kind of commitments we should make, seeking in whatever we do to "do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). Proverbs 3:6 promises that as we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will guide us in the way we should go. Commitment to Christ is a daily calling that challenges us.

Today We Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, give me Your wisdom to know what priorities I need to have at this season of my life. Guide me in all that I do. I only want to bring You the honor You deserve with the way I live.

You called Your church to be united in faith. By your grace, You have given us new life in Jesus Christ, and by Your Spirit, You have called us to proclaim his name throughout the nations. Awaken in me such a love for You and Your world that I may so boldly proclaim Jesus Christ by word and deed that all people may come to know him as Savior and follow him as Lord.

We love You, Lord! Pour Your love into my heart, that I may love You more above all things, and my neighbors as myself. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time appointed for everything and a time for every delight and purpose here on earth. To everything, there is a season. There is a time for every matter. There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.

Do not be discouraged if what you want to happen in life did not occur yet. God has its own timeline in each and every one of us. He makes all things beautiful in His time. Wait and trust in the Lord. He will make it happen in accordance to His will. 

The Daily Grace - A Deadly Weapon

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali used several ring tactics to defeat his opponents; one tactic was taunting. In his fight with George Foreman in 1974, Ali taunted Foreman, "Hit harder! Show me something, George. That don't hurt. I thought you were supposed to be bad". Fuming, Foreman punched away furiously, wasting his energy and weakening his confidence. 

It's an old tactic. By referring to Nehemiah's efforts at building the broken wall of Jerusalem as nothing more than a fox's playground (Neh. 4:3), Tobiah intended to weaken the workers with poisonous words of discouragement. Goliath tried it on David by despising the boy's simple weapons of a sling and stones (1 Sam 17:41-44). A discouraging remark can be a deadly weapon. Nehemiah refused to surrender to Tobiah's discouragements, just as David rejected Goliath's diabolical teasing. Focusing on God and His help rather than on their discouraging situations, David and Nehemiah both achieved victory.

Taunting can come from anybody, including those who are close to us. Responding to them negatively only saps our energy. But God encourages us through His promises: He will never forsake us (Ps. 9:10; Heb. 13:5), and He invites us to rely on His help (Heb. 4:16). If you're in a tunnel of discouragement, keep walking toward the Light.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, as I cross the threshold of this day I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to Your care. Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me and incline my heart to Your ways. Mold me completely into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay.

It's easy to let discouragement sap my energy and joy. Help me to reject all agents of discouragement in my life. Also, help me to trust in You for comfort and strength.

May it please You, my good Lord, that there may come a day when I can repay a little of my great debt to you. O Jesus, strengthen my soul, You who are good above all good; and since You have inclined my soul in this way, show me how I may act for You, whatever it may cost, O Lord. Here is my life, my honor, and my will; I have given them all to You and they are Yours: use me to do whatever You want.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Isaiah 40:31

Those who expect, look for, and hope in the Lord will gain new strength and renew their power. They get fresh strength. Those who trust in Him will find new strength. They will lift up their wings and rise up close to God like eagles rising toward the sun. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings. They will run and not become weary. They will walk and not grow tired. Find strength in Him always when things get tough. Good things come to those who wait.