Miracle of Life

God is omnipresent, and his presence in our lives begins long before we are aware. Today I am in awe of the miracle of life and God as its creator and sustainer.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

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 139:13-16

Fresh Mercy

I hope you are not dreading the day/week ahead, but if you are, then perhaps these words will encourage you. They were written in the context of terrible suffering. For those following Jesus, they are as relevant as the day they were written hundreds of years ago.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in him!”

—Lamentations 3:22-14

Worship the Lord

Lord God and merciful Father,
you stand by your people on whom you have bestowed the gift of faith.
Grant them your sure presence in this world, and their eternal heritage in the world to come. 
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. 
Amen.

–Paraclete Psalter

Today is the Lord’s Day, and he is worthy of worship.

Keep on Loving

When he was asked, “what’s it all about,” Jesus said there are essentially two things:

1. Love God with all you have, are, and will be.
2. Love your neighbor (all humans) as you love yourself.

Right relationships with humans–even the most difficult ones–come from a right relationship with God. He loves us unconditionally, which is how we are to love one another.

We never master this, but we can grow in his love one relationship at a time. Living and loving is a fascinating journey full of challenges and rewards. Don’t give up. Keep on loving!

Hard Stuff

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

–Romans 12:14-16

I can’t do any of this if I am self-centered, which is always a temptation. As I follow Jesus–who is an embodiment of selfless, other-directed love–I can find the power to do these things. I will fail often but can keep learning. It’s a journey. Lord, help me.

Do Good

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.—Romans 12:21

You and I will have choices all day long. We can do bad things. We can do nothing. We can do good things. Our attitude, our words, and our actions are the means of living out our choices.

Be intentionally good and do good today. It really can make a difference.t

Sorrow to Joy

He poured out his heart of comfort to his concerned followers. He told them (us) lots of things. He promised his presence and that sorrow can be turned to joy. He promised guidance and help through difficult times. Then he said this:

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

—Jesus (John 16:33)

I believe it!