Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18


A Reflection of Him
When you look in a mirror, who do you see?

After stressing out over her body while trying on wedding dresses, Kjerstin Gruys, now 30, decided to give up looking at her reflection for a year.

Kjerstin said, "I covered all the mirrors in our house and I learned a simple makeup routine, sans mirror. When the day of my wedding arrived, in October 2011, I was still going back and forth about looking at myself in the mirror. But I ended up putting my trust in others. When I turned to my group of family and friends after I was all dolled up and asked "How do I look?" their reactions reaffirmed my decision. I felt so great that I didn't think seeing my reflection would make me look or feel any better than I already did."

God is not concerned with your physical appearance but with how you are a reflection of Him to others. Your Heavenly Father wants you to be a mirror that accurately reflects His glory. So the more you know God, the more you display His characteristics of love, joy, peace and patience. As a result, you demonstrate a clear picture of who Jesus Christ is to those you interact with each day.

So the next time you look in the mirror, ask yourself "whose" reflection you see!


Today's One Thing
Ask God to reflect Jesus through your actions today.


Going Deeper
Romans 4:18-20; Philippians 3:20-21

[Judy Harder]

From Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:36 NIV


"For Real" Love
Merriam Webster's number two definition of love is "attraction based on sexual desire; affection and tenderness felt by lovers." Convenient, but shallow. We could accuse Merriam Webster of perpetuating the false advertising that leads so many to confuse true love with trivial things.

John Mayer, on his "Where the Light Is" live album, attempted to explain his idea: "...I don't mean like Hollywood Roman candle hot pink love... I mean I got your back love." That's not far from the truth. Real love is divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active and thoughtful. But even that sounds, at very least, difficult.

Loving like that is not easy. But since we're not divine ourselves, shouldn't we seek the ability for divine, thoughtful, unconditional, self-sacrificing love from the one who created it? After all, from Him and through Him and by Him are all things. But the greatest is love.


Today's One Thing
Don't try to achieve perfect love. Instead, remember the Love God showed you, and share it with others.


Going Deeper
Matthew 28; 1 Corinthians 13

[Judy Harder]

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
Psalm 3:3 NIV


A Good Place to Start
Hugely popular star of BBC's 2005 reboot of Doctor Who, David Tennant, is quoted in a 2011 interview: "I'm a good person, I hope. But I'm never as good as I want to be, never as nice as I want to be, never as generous as I want to be."

For all the love lavished upon celebrities by their fans, it seems the puzzle is missing a piece. Fame can make you happy until you realize it won't meet the need to feel genuinely love and respected. It's true that in the midst of appreciation and admiration, real love and respect can get twisted.

People have a longing to be "the most" something. The most kind, the most generous, gentle, stable... the most loving, or respectful. While trying to be the best, it's important not to forget the ONE Who is best at it all, gives you the ability to succeed.


Today's One Thing
Live today with the knowledge that God is the source of your everything, and the only way to making a lasting difference.


Going Deeper
Hebrews 9:11-28; Psalm 3-4

[Judy Harder]

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same."
Luke 3:10-11


What Will You Share?
From the time you were a toddler, you were probably taught to share. Even after we become adults, there are time when sharing is difficult or doesn't seem fair. It goes against human nature to give what you perceive belongs to you.

The truth is all we have has been given to us from God. So it stands to reason that all we have is His in the first place. From every breath you take to every dollar you spend—it all comes from His hand. It's His grace and mercy that provides everything that you want or need. You are a steward of all that He has given you.

When you begin to see yourself no longer as the owner of your life but the caretaker of it, it paints a different perspective. God owns everything and is the source of all you have. When you give what you have away—God is the one who can bring you more. When you become willing to share what you have with others, it opens you up to receive His blessings in abundance.


Today's One Thing
Who has the Lord placed in your life recently and what would He have you share with them?


Going Deeper
Matthew 5:3-12; John 3:1-20

[Judy Harder]

...The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath...it is to be opened.
Ezekiel 46:1


The Rhythm of Relationship
Get up. Go to work. Work hard. Give your best. Clock out. Go home. Eat dinner. Put the kids to bed. Free time (what's left). Go to bed.

No conversation, no connection, no relationship. Brutal. Dangerous.

Think back to the beginning of the universe. God spent six days creating the world, and then He... rested. Does God need to rest? No. He's God, completely self-sufficient. But he chose to rest, and enjoy His creation. He desires to enjoy His relationship with you. Likewise, He instructs you to respect the Sabbath as a day of remembering His relationship with you.

So in respecting God, also respect the connection with your spouse, and prioritize it. Today's new rhythm: Get up. Connect. Grow. Live. Love. Experience Hope.


Today's One Thing
Today, take 60 minutes to pursue healthy relationships, both with God and others.


Going Deeper
Colossians 3; 1 John 4:7-21

[Judy Harder]

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 


Build Each Other Up
Janet was always at work early. She tried to be an encouragement to the women she worked with. She decided to open the board room early for a prayer time. She knew that some of the people she worked with were Christians and with the recent budget cuts and layoffs she felt discouraged and experiencing loss because of the friends who were forced to leave the organization.

She wasn't sure if people would join her, but she was committed. She sat down at the table and opened her Bible. A few minutes passed and no one came to join her. She turned the pages of her Bible and silently prayed, Lord, if it's just you and me here I believe our time together will make a difference in the atmosphere of my work day.

Just a few minutes later, one by one, five of her coworkers quietly joined her. She smiled as they took their seats around the table. She began by reading Jesus words in Matthew 18:19, Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.


Today's One Thing
What ONE THING has the Lord put into your heart to do that will encourage others? Will you do it today?


Going Deeper
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 18:15-19

[Judy Harder]

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 NIV


A Parent's Highest Call
At some point we must acknowledge that when it comes to raising our children, we're forced to rely solely on good counsel, inner wisdom and our own instincts. Although the advice and examples of others can aid and comfort us, we can't depend on someone else to tell us what to do in every situation – primarily because there's no guarantee that our child will respond exactly like another.

So what's a parent to do? Where do we go for insight and understanding? Psalm 111:10 tells us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Effective parenting starts with respect for God. In parenting we must be prepared to defer our desires and wishes for our child to God's. We also must be prepared to help our child view life through this prism, too.

Because every child is an individual and unique creation, God has a plan and a purpose for each of us that is both the same yet different from any other created beings. Helping your child discover and conform to God's vision for him or her is the highest and most sacred calling of parenting.


Today's One Thing
Spend some time today asking God about His plans for your child. Pray about how He wants you to lead and guide your child according to His purpose.


Going Deeper
Deuteronomy 11; Proverbs 3:1-4

[Judy Harder]

Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31


Bigger Than Yourself
Serving God compels you to become passionate about something bigger than yourself. It is a position of the heart in which you willingly say: "God, I am at your service."

When you walk with God, you see Him everywhere—in the changing colors of autumn, in the sparkle of a baby's eye. You hear His voice telling you how to parent or help a friend. Life is bigger than yourself.

God wants you to find ways to serve him within your means. If you've experienced success in your job, share it with others. If you're good with your hands, volunteer with a local non-profit.

Getting involved at church is another way to "Do to others." When you go to church and serve God, you gather with like-minded believers. The power of group thinking and positive reinforcement open a world of opportunity. And it makes the Lord smile.


Today's One Thing
Talk to women and the pastor at your church about creating a service group for church members, with the goal of helping congregation members in need.


Going Deeper
Mark 12:31, Romans 12:9

 

[Judy Harder]

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
1 Timothy 5:17 NIV


The Right Influence
Ed and Paula were a blended family. When they were first married and the kids were still teenagers, Ed found every excuse possible to skip church. He owned his own body repair shop and used "work he really needed to do" as his opportunity to skip church.

A few years into the marriage, Ed began to see a change in his family. Something was different and it had something to do with the church. The kids were becoming more involved and leaving early for youth services in order to take other friends with them to church. Paula had stopped asking him to come with her to service and seemed more upbeat and excited about the many new things the church had to offer.

Ed became even more curious when the new Senior Pastor made a special trip out to his shop one afternoon. The man was warm, open, and comical. Ed thought, He's not like any of the pastors I've been around in the past. So he asked, "Why the visit today, Pastor?" The pastor smiled, "Well, I wanted to see what was so exciting out here that you'd rather be here than with us on Sunday mornings."

Ed was taken back with the pastor's bluntness. Even though Ed didn't respond with a visit to the church right away, the pastor's visits increased. His father had been a mechanic and so they found common ground. Eventually they became good friends and one morning, Ed surprised Paula by getting dressed for church and taking his family to service. He didn't miss a Sunday after that.

The Apostle Paul often wrote letters expressing his thankfulness to those who spoke into his life and prayed for him. How has your pastor made an investment in your life? Have you told him about how his example, messages, teaching or influence means to you?


Today's One Thing
Take time this week to email, text, call or visit your pastor. Tell him specifically what his commitment as a pastor has meant to you.


Going Deeper
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Hebrews 5:1-3

 

[Judy Harder]

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:3 NIV 


Lessons from the Little Ones
One Sunday morning at church, Dena took her four-year-old to his Sunday school class. Her son, Jase, was the only regular attender that was a boy; normally the room was full of little girls. This particular morning a new little boy was there and he was a little different—he didn't have any hands.

Dena stood back and watched as Jase hung his coat on his hook and then walked directly to the table where the new little boy stood and introduced himself. She was actually a little nervous about how he might respond to the child.

Interestingly, he looked at the little boy and said, "I'm Jase! Who are you?" The other child said his name was Michael. Dena gasped when Jase blurted out, "You don't have any hands so what can you do?" The little boy was not upset with Jase's words but proceeded to show Jase how he used the end of his arms to move things around. He pulled out Jase's chair and his and they both sat down. Jase pulled a toy car out of his pocket and showed it to Michael.

Dena let out her breath and realized that another mom she didn't know was standing behind her. She introduced herself to Michael's mother, who replied to her, "We're new in town and it looks like Michael has his first friend."

In the eyes of God, we are all His children. We are all unique with different gifts, abilities and challenges. It's important to see one another from the perspective of what we can do—and not what we can't do—as we grow together in our faith.


Today's One Thing
What are some things you admire in someone else that perhaps you can't do? Share that admiration with them today.


Going Deeper
Mark 10:13-16; Matthew 18:1-9