Time is Precious

 

So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Ephesians 5:15-17

Time is a precious commodity - one, once spent, we do not get back.

Now, that I'm drawing closer to sixty, I'm re-evaluating how I'm spending these last years. I'm not thinking so much about retirement activities though my hubby and I do love a good adventure. 

My focus is more on the day to day activities that eat up so many of my hours. 

Are they worth my precious limited time? Are they God honoring? Or do they compromise my beliefs, or worst yet, waste the hours I've been given?

I've heard it said, "The years are long, but the days are short." I believe there is some truth in that.

My battle has always been with practicing moderation and making good choices, especially when it comes to my biggest time waster, the television. It's been a long struggle a true love-hate relationship. Now, with a plethora of streaming services, I allow compromise where I never would with books or music.

This industry used to monitor and rate what it produced, but now, it seems as if the ratings differ from service to service. And what at one time would have been considered unsuitable for a sixteen-year-old is now permissible.

So, this spring as the weather warms and the birds sing, I'm going to exercise my ability to choose and my prowess for moderation. I know these attributes aren't popular, but my time is limited. And if I am to do all that the Lord has for me, I must have open ears and available time.

Our Father, Creator of Time,

Thank you for all the days You have given me. I know I can rest in Your plan for my life. Help me to walk wisely each day and to make good decisions about how to use my time based on Your Word and direction. Let me practice moderation, so that no one thing becomes bigger in my life than You.

In Jesus' name, amen. 

Daily Bread

 Daily Bread

Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.” Exodus 16:15b (NIV)

(Jesus prayed) Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. 6:11 (NKJV)

 

Throughout the Bible, God uses our physical needs to point us to our need of Him.

God had freed the Israelites from the Egyptians in a great show of His might and power. First there were all the plagues. Then, He parted the Red Sea. And if that wasn’t enough, He placed a cloud in front of them to lead them by day and a pillar of fire by night. God left no doubt that He was in the midst of His people.

And Yet …

I must admit I often fall into the yet category. Yet I doubt, fear, and yes, grumble against the Lord. Unsure of how He’s ever going to provide in the middle of my present circumstances.

From the time of Israel’s redemption from Egypt to the time of Jesus’s redemption of our souls, people had not changed. They still doubted God’s ability to provide what was needed.

Thank goodness, our wonderful savior, God incarnate understood our propensity to let our emotions drive our belief and taught us to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Some days are so much harder than others. Perhaps, you have left what was comfortable and familiar and have followed God into something new and different. Or the day that faces you seems buried in overwhelming heart ache and decisions. But on those days, you can pray “Give me this day, O Lord, my daily bread. Provide what is needed.” Then wrap your arms around His promise to be in the middle of all of it with you.

 

Dear Father,

Thank you that Jesus understood our needs and taught us to pray for our daily bread. I embrace the promise that You never leave me nor forsake me. Wrap Your arms around me and thank You that Jesus is the Bread of Life. I look to You to provide each day what is needed.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 A Latin hymn translated by John M. Neale

"O come, Desire of nations,

bind all peoples in one heart and mind.

Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease;

Fill the whole world with heaven's peace.

Rejoice, Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, Israel."

We celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, God with us. And we rejoice for the forgiveness of our sins. A way made for us through the blood of Jesus on the cross.

Now, we rejoice to see Him return a second time!

This season, let us pray for Israel, the salvation of all who are lost, and for Emmanuel to come.

Merry Christmas and God's blessing this season,

Bonita Y. McCoy

In Every Thing Give Thanks

 

In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

1Thessalonians 5:18 

Giving thanks is a spiritual exercise. When you practice the act of giving thanks to God, it's like going to the gym and strengthening a muscle . And like the gym, it takes commitment and determination. We have to make up our minds to be thankful.

In today's crazy, tense, wound-up world, focusing on the negative comes too easy for most of us. But a step back to some basic truths of the Christian faith can help us exercise our muscle of thankfulness and put our focus back on the promises of God.

• God is Almighty - all knowing, all powerful, ever present, all loving (Psalm 91:1-2)
• Jesus is His son, our savior - in Him we are completely forgiven (John 14:6)
• The Holy Spirit abides with us to teach and guide us, sealing us as His redeemed(2 Corinth. 1:22)
• We are never forsaken (Hebrews 13:5)
• We will be resurrected (Romans 6:5-6)
• We will have everlasting life (John 5:24)

In light of these gifts, how can we be silent. Our hearts and lips must ring with thanksgiving! 

This month and throughout the rest of the year, let's exercise our thankful muscle, remembering that even when the world is upside down and backwards, God still provides everything His children need.

Dear Father,

Your gifts are too wonderful for me to even completely understand. Eternity and everlasting life are beyond my grasp. But I thank you for them. Guide me as I endeavor to practice thanksgiving not just this month but throughout the years to come. For everything you have given to me make me truly grateful.

In Jesus' name, amen. 

Wise Mama

 

Wise Mama

Today, I found a hidden treasure, a small nest tucked in among some thorn bushes I was removing. The nest caught my attention because it was so tiny and fragile.

Then I thought how wise the mother bird had been to hide her nest in the thorns where her babies would be protected. It reminded me of the verse in Proverbs thirty.

Hyraxes (the rock badgers), they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocks.

That’s exactly what the mother bird had done. She’d built her nest in the best possible place so her babies would be safe. Because she knew they would be helpless and unable to defend themselves.  

I’m like those baby birds. At times, I am helpless and unable to defend myself against the enemy, needing protection.

If only I would place myself in the safest of hands, those of my loving Father.

Dear Father,

Thank you for your protection. I know that even when I’m not looking for it, it is there. You have me in Your hands, nothing in my life is a surprise to you.

Help me to run to You in times of trouble and help me to point other to Your safe arms as well.

In Jesus’ name, amen.