One day at a time really comes down to one moment at a time. I begin most days asking Father for daily bread, but find myself, or reminding myself that He promises to give it with each new challenge. Each day has many opportunities to trust in His goodness, such as living on a boat in thunderstorm season.
“Give us today, today’s bread…” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 7/24/
Health is such a precious thing. When we enter a season where our health is suffering, our attitude can certainly promote restoring it. Food is medicine, so also is a joyful heart. Joy is an attitude that gratefully accepts what God has allowed, and rests confident that He is working grace in our body and soul.
“A merry heart does good like medicine.” Conversations
How do I measure the value of what I affirm, or an attitude worthy of nurturing, or an action to perform? It’s fruit of course. I think that reward should be intrinsic. In other words, love is its own reward, as is showing kindness, or expressing self-control.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Gal.5.22 Conversations
I was frustrated to see how upset I became because some rude boaters were subjecting everybody else to music so loud a sheriff showed up and made them turn it down. All the other boaters voiced approval. Even so, I do not want my zen disrupted by the actions of others. Peace should always rule the spirit of a gentle and humble heart.
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Is.26.3 Conversations
Experience has taught me that we often get it wrong before we get it right. Do not be afraid to fail. Our failures in one step can help our success in another. Just remember to keep getting up and trying again.
“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again…” Prov.24.16 Conversations Within” ts 7/17/
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Taking it as it comes can express a simple faith that when you need something, your Father will provide it. Be where you are, and deal with what is in front of you. Never worry about what may or may never happen.
“Therefore do not worry
Prayer is meant to be a conversation, which means we not only talk, we listen. Lord, I am coming to appreciate the ways You speak to me. Help me filter out all the voices
“"If my people would but listen to me...” Ps.81 Conversations Within” ts 7/13/2022
Keep nudging me Lord. I talk too much, and want to be a better listener. One thing is certain, if my lips are moving, I am certainly not listening, and listening is one of the best ways we can love the people in our life.
“Be quick to listen and slow to speak.” James Conversations Within”
When I think I already know, I am in danger of remaining ignorant. Lord, help me nurture a teachable spirit. Knowing that you don’t know, is probably more important than what you do know.
“Be slow to speak and quick to listen.” The Good Book Conversations Within” ts 7/12/2022
I realize that keeping things simple has many advantages. Simplicity helps us travel light, and leads to a greater economy of effort. I also realize that you really need to know only a few things to live a full and fruitful life. Don’t overthink, or over learn, give yourself instead to living.
“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” Ecc.1.8 Conversations Within” ts 7/11/
It dawns on me, often with help from my precious wife, that I will pass judgment on something without having all the facts. I mean, what do I really know about the things I hear or read? It seems wise to keep my judgments to first hand matters, and first to examine my own heart and behavior.
“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” Prov.18.13 Conversations Within” ts 7/10/
Live a life of love, and love the person in front of you. Do not let service to others be an occasional act, but your lifestyle. Purposefully make every interaction a means to blessing people in a word, an act, or just a smile.
"Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others." Phil.2.4 Conversations Within” ts 7/9/
Sweet Lord, teach me to be flexible, and patiently so, especially when interacting with others. Pour me out like water to quince thirst when and where it is needed. Let me flow.
“I have become all things…” Paul the Apostle Conversations Within” ts 7/6/2022
I have tendencies to think too much; try too hard, and to always be on the go. The words of the song resonate: “Slow down you move too fast.” Lord, thank you for all of your encouragement to take a breath and just relax in the moment.
“He leads me beside still waters.” Ps.23 Conversations Within” ts 7/5/
I believe in love because I believe in God. I believe in God because I believe in love. The solid footing that I experience every day abiding in this belief has not only given me purpose and direction, it creates every hope I have of life after I die. The kind of hope is far more than wishful thinking, it is as real as the love I experience each day, trusting Jesus.
“You know the way to the place where I am going.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 7/5/
In my efforts to be a better person, I find that my heart often gets weighed down by failure. I hear Jesus telling me to trust more, not try harder, and discover that He wants to lead me beside the quiet waters of rest in His gentle and humble heart.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 7/4/
I can go from a serine inner peace to great turmoil in a matter of seconds. Why? I let other people or circumstances provoke me, and I stop responding from within and start reacting to what is out. Lord help me be a peaceful responder rather than a upset reactor.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Col.3.15 Conversations Within” ts 7/3/2022
Lord, if I call myself your disciple, let me at least measure it the way you measure a follower. It is not my point of view, but the actions of love that matter most to You. Please encourage me to follow You on the path of proactive love.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 7/2/
If a decision needs making then make it, especially if not making it will make matters worse. Sometimes you have to be willing to get it wrong, in order to get it right. If you have thought it through, decide, and ask the Lord to make things clear.
“A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1.8 Conversations Within” ts 6/28/
Every child of God can be assured that He promises to provide everything we need to answer the call of love. If we don’t have it, we either don’t need it, or we don’t need it now, or what we want has nothing to do with furthering love’s purpose.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”Phil.4.19 Conversations Within” ts 6/25/2022
I have an opinion on just about everything. I am happy that love’s wisdom often encourages me to keep it to myself.
“When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Prov.10.19 Conversations Within” ts 6/25/
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The wisdom of living in the present moment is teaching me a number of restful things. One is that I realize that my age is slowing me down, and helping to do just that. Another is that I try to attend to a number of things that would really be better done later. Wisdom knows the difference between procrastinating and prioritizing.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 6/23/
When I look, and condemn the faults of others, I fail to focus on my own need for transformation. Listen to the Spirit within and find Him speaking of what needs changing in me not in others.
“First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 6/23/2022
I should attend first to my own morality. This pretty much means that I keep my mouth shut when considering the morals of my neighbor. Lead by example, and if you can’t, at least keep quiet until you can. Checking off a few of my shortcomings isn't a license to open my mouth about the shortcomings of my neighbor.
“First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 6/22/2022
I am impressed by people who have chosen to live with simple devotion. They are confident of what they believe, and uncomplicated in living it.
“the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2Cor.11.3 Conversations Within” ts 6/20/2022
