Daily Dose 9-30-17

Philippians 1:19-21 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Not many of us are imprisoned in chains because of our faith in Christ. Paul had every reason to throw a big pity party and say, “Life is too tough, LORD take me HOME!” Yet, he rejoiced and encouraged others. What hardship are you enduring that seems impossible to bear? Life is tough and there are days we want to give up. Through Paul’s example we see that encouraging others instead of focusing on our own hardship brings the joy of Christ into our hardships, making them more productive for the Kingdom. Allow your pain, hurt, rejection, or struggle to spark you to show others what joy and contentment through Christ looks like. Be a blessing to others despite your burdens and your load will seem lighter to bear!

Father, I long for the return of Your Son, or my turn to be with Him. However, Your plans are greater. Let me see where and how You intend for me to respond in my hardships. Give me Paul’s perspective! I love You and start over with You, today! Amen

Daily Dose 9-29-17

Philippians 2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

The formula for living according to Christ is very different than the world. The world encourages us to be #1, watch out for our own interests, look at others for how they can help you achieve. The perspective we should have modeling the mind of Christ is quite the opposite. Being #1 is nothing when we think of the ONE and only God we worship; He is #1. Living in a, me, me, me, state of mind leads to a multitude of sins and struggles. When we move beyond ourselves to meet the needs of others, we find peace and contentment in our spirit. The world encourages networking to see who we can connect with to further our own pursuits. Christ’s view of networking is to connect with others to see how we can help them succeed in this life, but more importantly, find the greatest success of all – salvation, love and peace through a relationship with Jesus. In our society, deep inner peace seems so elusive. Maybe it’s because true humility is so scarce.

Father, Show me how to humble myself today to have the mind of Christ. Keep me aware in situations and help me pause before I react. May I choose humility over me in all things today. More of Christ – less of me. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-28-17

Ephesians 6:11-17 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Have you put your armor on today? Every day we are at battle, not against other people, but against satan’s schemes to deceive, distract and diminish our impact for Christ. This fight is not something to be taken lightly. Don’t start your day without putting on your armor. The armor of God gives us tools for offensive and defensive battles. Arm yourself, and take on the fight. Don’t let satan have a victory in any aspect of your day!

Father, I know satan is deceptive and strategic in his battle to diminish my impact for You. Give me Your strength to battle and the Spirit of Christ to obtain the victory. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-27-17

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, 
yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; 
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; 
and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Did these words Isaiah prophesied about Jesus come to mind as they watched Him suffer and die upon the cross? It’s easy to criticize those who crucified Jesus because we have the rest of the story. Does the knowledge that we have about what He endured for our sin cause us to pause before continuing in sin? The sacrifice was unspeakable. The severity of the “stripes” or beatings He took are hard to comprehend, yet He did it for each one of us. Whatever pain or suffering you may be enduring, know that our Savior feels your pain and His sacrifice and victory will bring comfort and healing to you. Whatever sin you are battling, know that His sacrifice and victory over death made it possible for you to overcome any temptation. What happened on that cross so long ago is not a story placed in a historical document. That sacrifice was powerful enough to extend to us today. More importantly, the empty tomb brings us victory each day as we walk with Him. Live in His victory today!

Loving Father, The gift of Your son for me, and His willingness to be given up for me, is tough to comprehend at times. I am so unworthy of that sacrifice! Thank You for each stripe He took for me. Thank You for the shame He endured on the cross for me.  Heal me from the inside out with the power You used to bring Him out of the grave that covered Him with my sin! I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-26-17

Ephesians 4:26-32 (MSG) Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians is a great book for learning how to live the Christian life. Anger is a part of our physical make-up. However, how we behave as a result of that anger is where we differ from non-believers. How we talk and what is considered improper coming out of the mouth of a Christian has changed through the generations. We have allowed ourselves to become desensitized to what is offensive to God. Think about what you say today! Any sin that we allow to continue in our lives diminishes the Holy Spirit’s ability to guide us properly. Stop fighting the Holy Spirit and work with Him to please God! Allowing unforgivness to continue leads to a break in unity. Work out disputes and move on in God’s grace! As Christians, we should be more than “good people.” We should lead transformed lives that stand out and make others seek Christ. Start fresh today!

Father, I pray for a refreshing of Your Spirit. Help me to empower, not inhibit, Your Spirit within me. Transform my life! I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-25-17

Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Paul loved the church at Ephesus and wanted them to experience the full measure of leading Spirit-filled lives. The Holy Spirit is most active and powerful in our lives when we are abiding in loving, peaceful and unified relationships with other believers. Maintaining unity is not always easy. It seems reasonable to think that Spirit-filled believers, seeking the will of God and following the example of Christ could all get along with very little effort. However, satan often trips us in his snares. His easiest weapon is pride – it impedes humility, gentleness and leaves us impatient. He challenges with judgment to encourage us to look at others to choose whether or not they are worthy of our love. This leads to exclusivity and bitterness among those who aren’t able to make the cut. Peace is a bond the Spirit offers to believers. We just have to stand strong to prevent satan from watering down the bonding agents of humility, gentleness, patience and love.

Father, I want unity and peace among believers. Help me see what satan throws in my way to prevent it. Give me the strength to forgive and love with purity those who reject or judge me. Take my bitterness and turn it into the sweet taste of Your love. I love You and thank You for always loving me. Amen

Daily Dose 9-24-17

Psalm 67:6-7 The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

What is our motive for requesting blessings from the LORD? Most of us request blessings for our comfort or healing. This Psalmist paints a beautiful picture of a pure motive for blessings. Through his harvest, or financial blessings, he wants to impact the world for God. Carrying the message of God’s love and the redemption available to us through Christ should be our motivator and driving force for all that we do. When you put your requests before the LORD today, consider your motive. Will the request you are making impact the Kingdom?

Father, I love You so much and am so grateful or a relationship with You. I want others to know that same blessing. Touch my heart. Provide the blessings I need to follow Your will. My greatest blessings come when I am an effective tool in Your hands. Use me. I love You! Amen

Loss of Potential Life

Working on a community health project for the past couple of years, I’ve read lots of national studies and health statistics. One chart that strikes a chord is the Loss of Potential life. It’s a way to view a community’s health by studying the number of deaths prior to the average life expectancy. It tracks if preventable health issues are improving or declining to measure the effectiveness of community health programs. For my friends who eat, live and breathe these stats, I may have butchered the definition, but it’s how I understand it. Loss of Potential Life, it’s a phrase we need to think about daily.

Yesterday, an aneurysm sniffed away the potential life of Carmen Roberson Greiner. She was my potential friend. We had just been introduced over the past few months as part of our mutual dear friend Allison Campbell’s newly-formed Lunch With Friends group. Last month, I was blessed to sit next to Carmen and begin those conversations that take you a bit below the surface of acquaintance and  on the way to a friendship. That was sniffed out yesterday. For me, it is the loss of the unknown but for so many people I love in this community, her loss brings them a bit of their own Potential Life Lost. My heart breaks for her family and friends who have cherished memories and will miss her smile in their familiar places.

As I mourn with and for those who have lost the potential of sharing their lives with Carmen, I’m reminded of a phrase, “Life is too short...”. This is part of the reason Allison started our lunch group. “How often do we say, “Let’s do lunch, and never do?” Allison put it on the calendar, invited a few who invited a few. Our group is growing. We are enjoying our lives together even if it’s a brief bit of time each month – it’s on purpose. That is the way to battle Loss of Potential Life. Yes, healthy lifestyles play a role in how long we will live, but purposeful relationships determine how well we will live those years.

Ironically, Carmen missed our Lunch With Friends the day before her sudden death, why? She chose to volunteer at her daughter’s school...she prioritized. I missed her. I had looked forward to continuing our conversation from last month. My life went on after that fleeting thought. But how sweet the memory was for Grayson!

Let the loss of Carmen lead us to live life on purpose. Prioritize those most important while still being open and available for those potential friends. Live with joy by bringing joy to others. Remember, each conversation with someone you care about may be the last. We are not promised tomorrow. At the beginning of each day, plan for living that day to its fullest potential. It’s the only way to truly beat the death statistic we will all be a part of one day. Today, do not allow any of your potential life be lost, make it count!

Daily Dose 9-22-17

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Has life left you weak and weary? Do the struggles seem to overpower you? Remember the hope to which you have been called! You are not alone. Life may be tough, but this life is temporary. No struggle we have can compare to how Christ struggled on this earth. He lived each day knowing He would make the ultimate sacrifice for people who would ridicule and reject Him. He had no security such as a house, savings, or a steady income. Even His closest friends let Him down when He was most vulnerable. Whatever your struggle, lay it at the foot of the cross. Put it in perspective knowing God can relate to whatever has you feeling paralyzed with fear, overwhelmed with challenges or overcome by grief. We worship a God who promises the struggles of this life, although temporary, are not for us to endure alone. Turn to Him. He will give you the strength you need to carry on – and SOAR!

Precious Father, You know I am weak and weary! Remind me of the hope I have in You. Remind me that no struggle I have compares to what Your son endured, or what You endured allowing Him to go through it all. Thank You for being with me in my darkest days and cheering me on to brighter tomorrows. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-21-17

Galatians 6:7-10 (MSG) Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

This analogy paints a beautiful picture of what our lives should look like when we follow Christ. If we think only of ourselves in this life, we will be overcome by our own self-centeredness. The I, Me and My mentality begins to choke away our joy and contentment in life. When we live generous lives, life still may not be perfect, but if we keep on keeping on, the sprouts will come. Do you keep sowing seeds of generosity and goodness into the lives of others and see little return? Don’t give up! Some seeds take longer to germinate. Do you still see weeds that require constant tending even though you plant good seeds? Stay in the Word and in prayer. Time with God is the best nutrient for the soil of the soul and the best chemical to fight the weeds in your life.

Father, I do grow weary at times. I often wonder if I am tending the wrong garden. Help me know where to plant to receive the greatest harvest for You. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-20-17

Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

How much fruit do you have in your spiritual basket each day? It’s a good practice to do a fruit check each night. Look at how well you produced the fruit of the Spirit throughout the day. Did you show love? Did you walk in joy? Did you bring peace? Were you patient with others? Did you show kindness? Did your life exhibit goodness? Were you faithful to God’s commands? Were you gentle instead of harsh or bitter? Did you practice self-control? Before you begin to feel defeated, remember that we don’t strive for perfection in life, it’s impossible. However, as Christ followers, we should be looking for progress on the journey. The most productive fruit trees endure some pruning. Take the time each day to check your Spiritual fruit tree. Snip away the sin that prevents your branches from blooming. Add nutrients to its soil by spending time in the Word and prayer. Grow a little each day toward the person Christ calls you to be. Your life will begin to produce fruit that will refresh and encourage others to taste what a relationship with Christ can bring!

Father, I confess to You my basket seems very light at the end of each day. Please help me to be a more fruitful tree in Your orchard. Increase Your Spirit in me to prick my heart throughout the day to exhibit the fruit You desire for me. May I begin to have an over-flowing basket each day! I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-19-17

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.

For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

There are times when our impatience could thwart God’s greater blessing. He has compassion on us when we are hurt and struggling. There could be an instance where He is willing to forgo a greater plan for you just because you insist on a plan being implemented now. We live in a fast food, on demand, get-it-quick society. In His infinite wisdom, God sees the big picture. Allow Him to work His plan for your life in His time. Seek God’s BEST in all things. Ask where HE wants You to be and what He wants You to do. Lay your needs before Him, then praise, trust and wait!

Father, You know I am not the most patient of Your children. However, the longer I have walked with You, the more I’ve realized that Your timing is perfect. Please protect my heart while I wait for You. Keep me from insisting on my way when You have a greater plan. Calm my spirit to wait for Your timing. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-18-17

Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth 
and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 
Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”

Worship is not just singing songs of praise. Worship is a life living the glory of God to illicit praise of Him in our lives everyday. We have become so programmed to formal worship in church settings, that we tend to think that those periods of praise alone are our worship time. Be sincere as you walk before God each day. Worship Him, not only with lifted songs of praise, but also with a heart tuned to live a Godly life throughout your day. Your life should be a worship leader to those who are in your midst each day. Lead others to His throne to worship Him!

Father, My life is often a song of praise led in the wrong key. Tune my heart to sing Your song in my life everyday. I love You! Amen!

Daily Dose 9-10-17

Psalm 52:8b-9 I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. 
And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

Praising and recognizing the majesty of God is our key to hope. When times are tough and you don’t know what to do, praise. Don’t pray over and over asking the same things, God knows what you need. He knows the desires of your heart. Learn to put your specific requests and concerns before the LORD, not as a child begging, but as a child approaching the loving Father with arms lifted to be picked up and comforted in His embrace. When you don’t know what to do, remember who you know!

Abba, You know my struggles. You know my hurts. You know my needs better than I do. I turn it all over to You in complete trust. You have power and dominion over all things ~ You ARE in control. Because Your Son died for me, I have access to that power and I know because I am HIS, You take care of me and fight for me. I have hope and comfort in Your mighty power and unfailing love. Amen

Daily Dose 9-9-17

Isaiah 3:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

God longs for us to live in wisdom and truth. A big part of that entails knowing Him and knowing His Word. God’s Word is like an instruction manual for life. It gives us definitive answers to guide our way. Dig deeper to seek wisdom and know truth! Satan will do whatever He can to tempt us into believing His snares will lead to our freedom. The only way to defend ourselves is to know what God says and use it, with the Holy Spirit, as a measuring stick to discern which path we should take. Don’t be deceived. Learn truth!

Father, Satan is able to make his traps seem so appealing. He even makes things look like they could be from You. Give me Your wisdom to know truth, and Your conviction to walk wisely with You! I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-8-17

Isaiah 1:16-18 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. 
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; 
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

God is serious about sin! Yes, He loves us unconditionally. Yes, He is kind and gentle. Yes, He is full of mercy. However, He is just. He expects us to be obedient. He knows we are not perfect. Yet, He knows we can be better than we are and He wants to see us working toward that. Whatever sin you are playing around with, lay it down. Wash your hands of it, remembering Christ’s sacrifice. If you are sinning by being so absorbed by the schedules of life that you don’t have time to be the hands and feet of Jesus,  stop and look around. God always has a job for you in the lives of those less fortunate…get to work! Don’t wallow in what was, get up for what will be! God offers each new day as a clean slate…let Him write His message to the world through you!

Father, Thank You for forgiving my sin through Your Son’s sacrifice. Give me the strength and awareness I need today to stay away from sin, no matter how cleverly it’s disguised, and get to work on Your assignments! I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-7-17

Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

If we truly want to be like David, the man after God’s own heart, we need to be truly repentant of our sins. It seems so many of us do the pat, “Forgive me for all my sins,” section in our prayers. We treat so casually the transgressions that brought calamity to the Son of God. When we pray for forgiveness, we must realize the cost of that opportunity. Christ endured the horror of the cross and separation from God so that we could have salvation through Him and an intimate relationship with His Father. The next time you ask for forgiveness, take your mind to the ridicule He tolerated, the beatings He endured, and the cross He was willing to bear. Remember! If you were the only one separated from God by sin, He still would have gone to the cross. Big sins, little sins – it doesn’t matter – sin is sin, and sin put Him on the cross. Acknowledge your sin. Let it break your heart enough to turn away from it. Watch in Your mind as His blood covers it and washes you pure and clean before our Father. Remember!

Father, I do not deserve to approach You. My sins, little and big, sent Your Son to the cross. There may not have been broken bones in His body that day, but His heart was broken over MY sin. I come to You with a broken heart over sins I have committed against You and that sacrifice. I remember what He did for me and I am overwhelmed. Thank You, Jesus! I love You!  Amen

Daily Dose 9-6-17

2 Corinthians 8: 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

Sometimes, doing the right thing is painful. It may not seem fair. It may sting your pride, or break your heart. We know we need to do what is right to please God, but what about other people? There are times when we can stand on principle and say, “God doesn’t require this of me,” and that could be true. However, there could be things in life that you do for people, not because you are commanded to, but because you are loved to. Is there something in your life that God has left open for you? He’s not requiring you to take the other step. It’s not a “do or die” issue, just something that you could do because it could have an impact on how someone else sees you. If you didn’t do it, would they even notice? Take a chance today! Step out of the comfort zone a bit. Do something, not because law requires it, just because it’s the right thing to do!

Father, Show me steps You put in front of me to take. Help me to see options You may not require, but things I could do to bring an extra blessing for others, even if it’s hard for me. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-5-17

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

With all the wisdom King Solomon had at his disposal, he sought out to find all the answers to life. After exploring every possible option to find happiness and contentment in life, he saw that only two things could bring us to a good life here and eternal rewards afterward – fearing God and obeying Him. We talk about the loving side of God, which is beyond measure. However, to acknowledge the just side of God, leads us to obedience. Eventually, obedience that comes from fear of judgment, leads to obedience that comes from the love of salvation. God never set laws to make us miserable or restrict our joy. The laws God set are intended to protect us from hazards and struggles in this life. Know that God is love, but also remember He is just. Fear Him and find obedience. Obey Him and find life. Live with Him and find love!

Father, Soften my heart to complete obedience. Show me Your path. I know in obedience to You is where I find the life You intend for me to lead. Show me Your way. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-4-17

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: 
God has made the one as well as the other. 
Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.

By nature, we are people who want to have everything figured out. We want God to deliver the plan for our lives in a beautifully wrapped package with a bow. We want all the answers to who, what, when, where, and most importantly – why. Solomon’s advice in this scripture tells us to stop and live each day for the day it is. The Message translation interprets verse 14 as: “On a good day, enjoy yourself; on a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won't take anything for granted.” Enjoy your blessings. Endure your trials in faith. But, most importantly, seize each opportunity to love more, laugh often, learn lessons, and cherish the moments you have. Life is too short to live in turmoil and too precious to take for granted.

Father, You know me. You know I like to have the plan. I want the answers. There is so much I miss in life waiting to have it all figured out. Restore my joy. Strengthen my faith to know You are in control and, despite all my sin and shortcomings, You adore me and will not let me fall. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-3-17

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

God has promised to dwell within us. He no longer chooses an ornate temple. His temple is among us, within us, through us. How should the knowledge that God lives in us change our behavior? What will we expose ourselves to, or limit from our sight because He is a part of us? Sadly, may of us continue in life as though we are just like someone who has no part in God’s daily routine. We don’t acknowledge He is there. We have become desensitized to sin before us that should make us shudder. Holy seems like an unwelcome description to us. What if, through marriage or a roommate situation, you ignored the other person’s presence? What if you never included them in the small parts of your day or huge milestones of your life? What if you forced them to listen to, watch, or be around people that were offensive to them? How long would that relationship last? How long would they live in peace with you? Chances are, not long. Why are we then so disrespectful with the Holy God of the Universe living with us? Act today as though God is in the flesh beside you. Enjoy life with Him!

Father, I am so thankful You are living with me! Help me clean my “house and yard” to make You more comfortable! I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-2-17

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Life is too short; begin to truly LIVE it! We tend to complain about the mundane routines of the day and whether or not our lives have great meaning or purpose. However, when we approach the minutia and monotony of life as if we are doing it for God and to His glory, our perspective changes. It is possible the ordinary things of our lives may be the things that last the longest. Stop waiting for your circumstances to change to bring happiness. Find happiness despite your circumstances and no matter what they are – your circumstances will change. Waiting and wishing for the “next thing” is the greatest thief of joy. Faith in God as provider, sustainer, and the One who guides your life will enable you to find meaning in the meaningless, joy in sorrow, patience through trials, contentment with less, companionship in loneliness, and true wealth in poverty. Life is not a mere existence; it is a gift intended to be opened each day and lived to the fullest!

Father, Teach me to live each day finding Your purpose in all I do. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 9-1-17

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (MSG) Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

This Message translation makes this beautiful scripture hit home a bit more. We like to read about the new creation and how God made us new through Christ. However, reading this version, which changes the word reconcile to settle, takes a more practical ~ and not always easy ~ approach to what that “new creation” should look like. It’s all about relationships. Because of what Christ endured on the cross for us, He enabled us to have a relationship with God, but He also calls us to settle our relationships with one another. Settling doesn’t mean avoiding. Settling doesn’t mean pretending nothing happened. Settling requires love and sacrifice. Settling requires acknowledging, repentance and forgiveness. Are there people in your life you avoid, thinking you are keeping the peace? As a new creation you should go beyond avoidance to settling whatever caused relationship separations. It’s not always easy – but neither was dying on a cross!

Father, Make me new again. I remember what You and Your son did for me. Help me to know what I need to do for others! I love You! Amen