Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

Serving your family and friends doesn't have to be grand gestures. 

 
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.  —Psalm 86:15 (ESV) 


Lavish Others with Love
Jesus' first miracle was an unselfish act of service to his mother. Mary, Jesus and his disciples were guests at a wedding in the village of Cana. When the wine was gone, Mary came to Jesus for help. Jesus honored his mother and turned about 180 gallons of water into wine.

Serving your family and friends doesn't have to be grand gestures. It's the amount of love you put into them that makes a difference. God transforms each humble act of service you offer into a miraculous opportunity for the person who receives it.

God does not treat us as we deserve. Instead, He lavishes us with His unconditional love and asks us to honor Him by displaying that same love toward people.

So whether it's an act of service or a word of kindness, with God's help you can demonstrate God's grace and kindness to others... whether they "deserve" it or not!
 
Today's One Thing
Show an intentional act of kindness toward someone who has treated you unkindly.
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 111; Psalm 103:7-11

[Judy Harder]

God asks you to "clothe" yourself with behavior that pleases Him. 

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... —Colossians 3:12 (ESV) 
 
Dress Appropriately
What are you wearing today? Clothes are an obvious answer! But, what about your behavior?

When you begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, God wants to "strip away" your sinful nature and actions. He asks you to "clothe" yourself with behavior that pleases Him. When you exercise patience, for example, you are dressing appropriately to bring honor and glory to God.

The Bible encourages us to take a look at ourselves before we honk that horn or become angry at a sales associate to see what attitude we are wearing. Remember that those negative actions don't fit you anymore. Instead, you should practice behaviors that are a positive reflection of Jesus Christ.

Time spent praying and reading God's Word every day provides the grace to think of others before yourself and helps you practice patience with them.  When you make sure you are dressed appropriately each day, your relationship with God and with others will improve!
 
Today's One Thing
Intentionally practice patience with everyone you meet today.
 
Going Deeper
Ephesians 4:1-6; Galatians 5:22
 

[Judy Harder]

Jehovah-Rapha, one of the names for God, means "the Lord who heals." 
 
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. —Psalm 147:3 (ESV) 
 
God is Your Healer
Jehovah-Rapha, one of the names for God, means the Lord who heals.

Jehovah-Rapha not only heals emotional hurts and broken hearts, but He understands the pain. During His time on earth, Jesus experienced insults, rejection and desertion from others. He knows the feelings that arise in you from the hurt. Jesus knows what it is to cry out to God.

Your Healer wants to take whatever pain you're carrying and restore you completely. Maybe it's something that happened when you were younger. Or perhaps it just happened yesterday. In the midst of your tears Jehovah-Rapha will embrace you if you will cry out to Him. If you're struggling with a broken relationship, ask God for healing with that.

Remember, the healing can begin when you admit your need and turn to Jehovah-Rapha.
 
Today's One Thing
Tell someone who is struggling with emotional pain about Jehovah-Rapha.
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 103:1-3; 1 Peter 2:24

 

[Judy Harder]

The Creator of the Universe longs to be your loving Father. 




For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God... —Romans 8:15-16 (ESV) 

 



Abba Father
Think about this... the Creator of the Universe longs to be your loving Father! He provides for your needs and cares about every concern. He is not only your Heavenly Father but your "Abba Father," which means "Da-Da" or "Pa-Pa." You can reach up to God, call Him "Da Da," and be welcomed into His arms and heart. God is sensitive, nurturing and safe.

Even if your relationship with your earthly father has brought you pain or disappointment, God is a loving Father. Appreciating the good and forgiving the bad in your father, can help to clear the way for you to fully experience God's love.

No father, except God, is perfect. Being aware of your unmet needs and your past hurts, is the beginning point to healing and forgiveness. 
 
Today's One Thing
Thank your Abba Father for adopting you as His child.
 
Going Deeper
1 John 3:1; Luke 15:11-31

[Judy Harder]

You have access to the greatest force in the universe. 
   
Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. —Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV) 
 
The Power of God
Creation is an amazing display of God's power! Think about it...the earth is one of nine planets that revolve around the sun. The sun generates more energy in one second than all humanity has produced since creation. With a diameter of approximately 860,000 miles, the sun could hold one million planets the size of the earth. Yet, the sun is just one among 100 billion stars in this galaxy.

God's power is so unlimited that He could speak a few trillion more universes into existence! He is more powerful than all the rulers on earth. God has more power than all the forces of nature. He is infinitely more powerful than Satan and his demons.

Doesn't that make you want to spend more time each day praising your awesome Creator? Whatever challenges you are dealing with today, God cares about you, and nothing is beyond His control. Draw on His power every day to become all He created you to be.

You have access to the greatest force in the universe—the awesome power of God!
 
Today's One Thing
Ask God what areas in your life need to be transformed by His power.
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 33:6-11; Jeremiah 32:17-19

 

[Judy Harder]

When people know you are a Christian, they are watching how you reflect the character of God.   


And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. —2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) 


Reflect His Glory
Think how many times during the day you pass a mirror and check your appearance. When people know you are a Christian, they are watching how you reflect the character of God through your words and your actions.

As a member of His royal family, your loving Father desires to continually shape your character. As a result, your actions will be consistent with His calling on your life.

What a privilege to have the infinite, all-powerful God live His glorious nature through you! If your life consistently reflects His love, mercy, faithfulness and righteousness to others, imagine what a difference it can make in your family, church, neighborhood and workplace.

As your life begins to reflect more of Him, others will be drawn to your awesome King as they see His glory radiating through you!
 
Today's One Thing
Look for opportunities to reflect God's character through your words and your actions to others today.
 
Going Deeper
Romans 8:29-30; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

[Judy Harder]

Despite our inconsistent circumstances, the One who remains steadfast and faithful is God.   
 
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. —Psalm 146:5 (ESV) 
 
God Never Changes
Change is always inevitable. Jobs, housing and relationships come and go. Our bodies change, along with our minds and emotions...sometimes positive and sometimes not.

Despite our inconsistent circumstances, the One who remains steadfast and faithful is God. His character and His Word never change. You can always put your hope and your trust in Him. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35).

Examine your heart daily and ask God to help you grow as a person who trusts in Him more despite your circumstances. As you reflect God's unchanging nature allow it to inspire you to consistently put your hope in God.
 
Today's One Thing
Choose a Scripture that has spoken to you and use it to encourage someone today.
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 39:7-13; Romans 12:10-13
 

[Judy Harder]

Why are we so dependent on time? Because our lives are limited.   
 
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. —Psalm 90:2 (ESV) 
 
He Has All the Time
We have clocks everywhere. On the wall, on the stove, on our phones and on our wrists. Why are we so dependent on time? Because our lives are limited. We have only so many days to accomplish our goals and our dreams.

But God has no limits. He is timeless. God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He decided when the universe would begin and when it will end.  God has all the time in eternity.

Your Heavenly Father also knew you before He created the Universe. As His child, you will live forever with Him! Your joy in Heaven will never end because He never ends! So thank God for that timeless truth and let His joy overflow into your relationships with others each day.
 
Today's One Thing
Each time you look at a clock, remember how much God loves you!
 
Going Deeper
Revelation 22:13; John 1:1-5

 

[Judy Harder]

David knew what it was like to experience great conflict with another person.   
 
 
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. —Psalm 28:7 (ESV) 
 
Overcoming Conflict
When David wrote the Psalms, he knew what it was like to experience great conflict with another person. He had to run from King Saul, who was trying to destroy him. David hid alone in caves and ate whatever he could find. But God protected him and David was eventually crowned king of Israel. Through it all, David trusted in the Lord. Before he saw answers to his pleas, David gave thanks to God.

You can follow David's example by singing for joy and giving thanks to God in the midst of conflicts with others. As you trust God with all your heart, He will be faithful to see you through each challenge you face. He will help you walk in integrity and honor Him throughout your difficulty.

In every situation you can know that God will protect you and master the challenge if you let Him guide you.
 
Today's One Thing
Ask God to help you love that difficult person in your life.
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 23; Proverbs 19:23

 

[Judy Harder]

Think of the smell of your favorite flower.   
   
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! —Psalm 141:2 (ESV) 
 
God Listens to You
Think of the smell of your favorite flower. Close your eyes and imagine the pleasure it gives you.

Throughout the Bible, there are images of incense as a symbol of prayers rising to God.  When you talk to God, in Jesus' name, your prayer comes before Him as a sweet and pleasant aroma. It brings Him great joy. Your voice matters to Him. Even if you think you don't sound impressive, it impresses God—and He listens like your closest friend.

God not only listens to you, but He also promises to answer your needs according to His will. So bring your requests confidently to God every day knowing that He cherishes His time with you. Ask for His provision, peace and protection in your life.  Time with you gives Him great pleasure!
 
Today's One Thing
As you talk to God today, imagine the pleasure your time together brings Him.
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 145:17-21; Jeremiah 29:11-12