What if God gave us a once-in-a-lifetime extra 24 hours to catch up on everything in our hectic lives? How would we use it?
This extra day would be God’s gift to us - why wouldn’t we use it to His glory and catch up on being a good Christian? Pretend that day is today [and every day] - you’ll know what to do.
For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29
The closer you draw to God, the more your desires will reflect His own.
Spend a few minutes in prayer allowing God to give you direction and help you focus your desires to influence people in a positive way.
Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire.
Psalm 37:4
We should not think that God loves us because we are good, but that God makes us good because He loves us.
There is nothing we can do that will separate us from God’s love. Allow God’s love to inspire you to make the right choices today.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
The Lor s Prayer† 5 of 5 Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Temptation usually comes through a gate that has been deliberately left open. - Arnold Glasow
Don’t just expect God to steer you away from a path of evil. Think of a gate that you have left open, and shut it so you will have to take another path.
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41
The Lor s Prayer† 4 of 5 And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. We are most like God when we forgive
As you say this line in the Lord’s Prayer, think of someone who has hurt you deeply and seek to forgive them. They are likely the one who needs your love and forgiveness the most.
Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
Colossians 3:13
The Lor s Prayer† 3 of 5 Give us this day our daily bread. What fuel is to a car, the Bread of Life is to the Spirit.
As you pray the Lord’s Prayer, don’t think of the “daily bread” as physical food, but consider the Word of God as your spiritual nourishment. Stuff yourself with God’s word.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
John 6:35
The Lor s Prayer† 2 of 5 Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. You may find yourself out of God’s will, but never out of His reach
Ask God today, and everyday to bless you with the wisdom to understand His will, and bless you with the courage to act.
So I said, “See; I come with an inscribed scroll written upon me.
Psalm 40:8
The Lor s Prayer† 1 of 5 Our Father who art in heaven, hollowed be thy name. Instead of telling God how big your troubles are, tell your troubles how big your God is
As you pray the Lord’s Prayer (or any prayer) today, remember to praise God first before you tell Him your troubles. Once you reflect on how powerful and gracious your God is, your troubles will not seem so big.
My strength and my refuge is the LORD, and he has become my savior. This is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him.
Exodus 15:2
God may have a special message he wants you to hear, and the guest you invite to dinner may be just the one to deliver it.
When is the last time you invited someone to your house for dinner that wasn't a close friend? Invite a Christian aquantance to dinner this weekend (and don't forget to pray).
VI. Final Exhortation, Blessing, Greetings Chapter 13 - Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Hebrews 13:1-2
Some people may think God does not like being troubled by our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.
Never be concerned about going to God in prayer with the big OR little things that may trouble you. He invites you today, and everyday, to speak with him and to trust that He will answer your prayers.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Philippians 4:6
The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.
Apply this same process to enhancing your spirituality. It starts off with meditation and if you’re successful, it ultimately ends up in helping others!
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.
Acts 2:42
Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though it were his own.
Ask God to help you to be less selfish and self-centered today. Try to really enjoy and share in the happiness of others and leave no room in your heart for jealousy and envy.
Great is his glory in your victory; majesty and splendor you confer upon him.
Psalm 21:6
Every artist was first an amateur.
Don’t let your passion to become the best version of yourself be inhibited by your fear of failure. Ask God to give you a nudge to step outside your comfort zone to pursue new adventures and opportunities.
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Learning from the past is useful. Dwelling on the past is destructive.
We've all sinned. We must learn from our past mistakes, and then move on. Accept your failures and learn from them, then move on to make yourself better.
Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.
Isaiah 43:18-19
In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia.
It is not unusual for many of us to find ourselves rushing around chasing our tails. Ask God to give you the energy and willpower to rise above the clutter and to establish some personal goals that are worth pursuing.
I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than attempting to satisfy them.
Ask God for the wisdom to limit your desires, not to diminish your ability to pursue ambitious goals, but to enhance your ability to prioritize and more meaningfully achieve them.
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:18-19
It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.
Take a few quiet moments today and take an objective view of yourself. Ask God to give you the honesty to give yourself the right advice. Say it out loud to yourself and listen and accept your suggestions with an open heart.
Many Parts in One Body. For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned.
Romans 12:3
Try not to become a man of success, but a man of value.
Ask God to help focus your efforts today on providing benefits to those you care about most, instead of striving only for personal success. You will quickly discover how your contributions will become more significant.
And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.
Luke 16:15
One of the greatest sins of all is to be aware of none.
You don't have to look far to see sin and injustice; it's all around us. Make sure you respond to it according to your Christian character and Christ's example.
If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray.
1 John 5:16
What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?
Take a minute to Think About God and follow your faith to where God leads you. God will lead anyone who asks - don’t wait!
III - I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel with my eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8
What if God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?
Treat today and every day as God’s day [it is] by counting your blessings, thanking Him in prayer, and spreading His love and His Word to others.
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Every past experience was once a present choice.
As you go through your day, remember that your decisions today will impact your tomorrow and forever. Keep God in your decision making process so you will continue to make better choices.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely;
Proverbs 3:5