Day Twenty Seven

If you were to take your life and look at it on a movie screen you would see that it is all about moments.  All of these moments in our lives combine to make us who we are.   Moments can be both good and bad.  But it is in these moments we find ourselves, the true us that few know about.

God allows us all good moments every single day.  We just have to make time for them.  When they come you need to take a mental snap shot of them.  These moments give you strength when you need it.  They bring us comfort in times of distress.

As our lives come to a close here on Earth, we will look back at these moments and ponder over them.  People have said that when they came close to death that “their lives past before their eyes.”  I believe it without a doubt. 

When we are young we take so many things for granted and when we get older we regret what could have been.  How many people, every single day, as their lives come to a close, think about how many hours they worked at their jobs.  How much money they made.  No, what they are thinking is about their time with their children, the day they got married, and I am sure they wish they had more time. 

Our lives are nothing more than a vapor, it comes and goes so fast.  Take time in your day and look for the moments and make the most of them.  Let go of things in the past that hurt you.  Let go of the disappointments and the regrets.  They rob you of time and your life.

To all of the parents take time and spend with your children.  Show them that you love them and above all else, tell them how much they mean to you.  Love on them, hug them, kiss them, and encourage them.  Take them somewhere they want to go and enjoy the moment.

To husbands and wives, appreciate one another and love one another.  Dote on them often.  Go places together, hold hands, take a walk while you still can.  Make the most of the moments.

To the teens and young adults, take time to spend with your parents.   When you call them don’t say good bye without telling them you love them.  Forgive them for the mistakes they made or the times they seemed hard on you or were hard on you.  Remember that they love you very much and that they are proud of you.  Sometimes they may not say it as often as they should but it is true.  You are their legacy.  You are what will live on after they are gone.  You are a special blessing given to them by God.  The bottom line is that all parents want the best for their children and they make sacrifices for you

.And finally to all of the families, enjoy each other for this is a gift from God.  Talk together, play together, laugh together, and pray together.  For these are the moments that will be with you for the rest of your life.  These are the moments you will come to cherish and look back on later in life.  For these are the snap shots of life.

To everyone, above all else, seek the moments with Jesus. Search Him out for He is always close at hand.  For He is the original moment maker and He created you for fellowship with Him.  To God be the glory.

Proverbs 3:27 (New International Version)

 ²⁷ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
       when it is in your power to act.

Proverbs 11:25 (New International Version)

 ²⁵ A generous man will prosper;
       he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Psalm 86:15 (New International Version)

 ¹⁵ But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
       slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Day Twenty Six

Everybody loves to laugh or at least should.  This world is filled with humor, you just have to look for it.  I know that there are days when you feel down or just blue but these are the days that you need to seek out joy.

Joy is essential to our life.  Jesus spoke of this many times.  Now joy doesn't just mean that you go around laughing all day.  It means to ponder on the goodness of God and the goodness of the things He has created in the world.

If you watch the news it is always full of the tragic tales of the things that are happening around the world.  Though they may be true, it can not be all of what you consume.  I am sure that you have heard the phrase "you are what you eat."  Well, you will also be greatly influenced by what you hear and what you watch.

Focus you ears on good things.  Lead your eyes to good things.  Read the Word of God and refresh your mind.  Focus on the blessings that God has given you.  It doesn't matter what you may be going through, there is good to seek and to find out there.  But the best is the joy that the Lord has given you freely.  It is the joy of the Lord that is our strength.  Your debt has been paid and all the help you will ever need is just an ask, seek, and knock away.

Listen , you must keep up on the current events of the world and you must keep up on the Word of God.  Without the Word of God and without Jesus you will not have the joy that He has set before you.  With out Him, your joy will be fleeting and counterfeit.  It will be like old shoes, they may fit but they are full of holes, stained, tattered, and stink.

References:

Nehemiah 8:10 (New International Version)

 ¹⁰ Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 19:8 (New International Version)

 ⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
       giving joy to the heart.
       The commands of the LORD are radiant,
       giving light to the eyes.

Matthew 7:7 (New International Version)

Ask, Seek, Knock

 ⁷"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:8 (New International Version)

⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Day Twenty-Five Easter Sunday

This is a wonderful day.  We get to celebrate the risen Christ.  The only one who paid the full price for our sins.  He loves us so much. Over 2000 years ago a promise was fulfilled.  It is because of that promise that we are who we are.  We are Christians.  His Ambassador's.  

This Easter as you attend church, give Him thanks for what He has and will do for you.  Make this day a day of new commitment to Him and His love.  I feel as if this Easter holds a special significance for us all.  

Be thankful that the Lord has given you another moment with your family, your church, and your friends.  We are free because of His love and compassion for all man kind.  No one is exempt from it.  It is the gift that never stops giving, never stops believing, and will always be full the promises of which it was intended.  

References:

Matthew 28:6 (New International Version)

⁶He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.