Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV


A Heart of Integrity
Nathan's year had been extremely difficult, especially financially. He was going to school full time, and had finally caught a break by qualifying for a grant and financial assistance for school and housing. There was one catch—if he got a job during the summer; his housing subsidy could be lost.

An acquaintance approached him after hearing of his dilemma and offered to hire him on a cash only basis. "No one will know, and I won't send you a 1099 at the end of the year," he said. The man's offer was really tempting, at first, but Nathan knew in his heart it wasn't honest.

"Thank you for the offer," he told the man, "but I am a Christian and I can't do something like that. Perhaps no one else would find out, but I want to live my life obedient to Christ. He will take care of my needs. I have to trust Him."

As you grow up in your faith, you have to decide if you're going to be completely obedient to what the Bible teaches, or you're not. It's a decision you have to make. Living an intentional life in Christ will constantly bring you to a point of decision based on what you really believe and value. 
 
Today's One Thing
Are you considering something that seems on the edge? Will you choose to be intentional in pleasing Christ today?
 
Going Deeper
Proverbs 10:9; Luke 16:1-13

[Judy Harder]

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27 NIV


Experience His Hope
Your world today wrestles with what it means to experience hope. Politicians and marketers use the concept of hope as an opportunity to promote their agenda or product. As a Christ-follower, you can believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and place your hope in Him. Surprisingly believers know the end of the story, and yet many followers of Christ live in hopelessness.

So, where do you begin to keep that hope alive in you each day? The place to begin is with your relationship with God. You are intended to experience the hope we've been given in Christ—hope for eternal salvation—hope in the promises God made to you as an heir of salvation found in the Bible. If you're not experiencing hope in your life today, ask yourself, "How intentional am I in my faith?"

Take some time with that question. It may really surprise you. Look at your head (thoughts), heart (feelings) and hands (actions) when it comes to your faith. Is your thinking in alignment with the things God says in His Word about you—His child? Are your emotions in check when it comes to your relationship with God and those He has placed in your life? Do you choose actions that bring pleasure to Christ as you go throughout your day?

When you bring your head, heart and hands into balance by thinking and behaving like Christ, you will find the hope and assurance that you need to begin your journey toward becoming all God destined you to be.
 
Today's One Thing
If you're not experiencing hope in your life today, ask yourself, "How intentional am I in my faith?"
 
Going Deeper
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; Titus 2

[Judy Harder]

Have you ever felt like you needed a re-start? 


And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. —Ezekiel 36:26 ESV 

   
The Perfect Time to Begin Again
Richard sat on the floor of the living room watching his three-month-old baby girl. She was happy to lay on her back as long as she could look up at him, catch his eye occasionally or hear him speak softly to her. She was the perfect picture of where he was with his life today—everything was brand new for him as well.

He and his wife, Kay, were told they would never have children. The news devastated him and caused him to be angry with God. He walked away from everything He knew about God for the first few years they were married. The road he chose almost cost him his marriage. Then, at the point of divorce, he asked Kay and God to forgive him. It was slow going at first. Even though he fully surrendered to God, his wife had a hard time trusting Him. He had to work hard to rebuild their relationship.

Then, just a year ago, Kay told him she was miraculously pregnant. God began to do a work in his life like never before. With the birth of his daughter, he began to see more clearly what God might have felt when he looked at him—as His son. And, how much it must have hurt God's heart for him to sin against Him.

At their daughter's baby dedication, right before Christmas, he made a promise before God and his church congregation to live for his wife and daughter, and to love them both as much as he could understand that God loved him.

God is a God of new beginnings. No matter what your past looks like, God is able to give you a fresh, clean start.
 
Today's One Thing
What ONE THING would you like to begin again this New Year?
 
Going Deeper
Ezekiel 36:25-27; Leviticus 19

 

[Judy Harder]

Spend more time with God and less time on the little things that have no lasting value. 
 
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. —Matthew 6:6 ESV 
 
Learning to Pray
Rushing into the coffee shop, Hannah dropped her laptop into the chair next to her friend, Pam. "Sorry, I'm late! I need more time," Hannah apologized. "No worries," Pam replied. "Go ahead and get some coffee. I'm reading anyway."

Returning to the table with coffee in hand, Hannah let out a sigh. She looked a little closer at what held Pam's attention. The book she had her nose in was the Bible. "Wow! I don't know when the last time was that I had time to open my Bible or pray. Seeing you with your Bible open makes me feel a little guilty. I need to pray more. I need to pray longer. I need to get my priorities straight—spend more time with God and less time on the little things that have no lasting value."

Pam smiled and then gently asked, "You've said that to me before. Did you do anything about it?" Hannah shook her head, "No." Pam continued, "Maybe it's not that you don't have time to pray, but maybe you just don't know where to start because you've never made it a normal part of your life. Maybe you really need to know about how to connect with God."

"I admit," Hannah hesitated, "it seems hard."

"Truthfully, nothing is easier or more natural, than prayer," Pam replied. "God wants to hear from you just like I do—well, even more. He wants to be your closest friend. He wants to hear about your day—the good and the bad. Time with God is prayer and time in His Word is like food for your spirit. You are connecting with God and stimulating your spiritual heart to desire more of Him."

"So, you're saying I just talk to Him like I do you. And as I read the Bible, I will learn more about who He is and what he expects of me?" Hannah asked. "Yes, that's a good way to put it."
 
Today's One Thing
Tell God all about your hurts, pains and exciting news. He is never too busy to hear from you. He knows you better than anyone does.
 
Going Deeper
Matthew 6:5-8; Matthew 6:25-34

[Judy Harder]

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. —1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV 

 



Cheering One Another On
Eight year-old Abby and five year-old Carson were at the dining room table with a big piece of butcher block paper and magic markers, when their dad, Aaron, walked into the kitchen to load the dishwasher. "What are you guys doing this morning?"

Carson was excited. "We're making a sign to hold up when Mommy runs by us today in her 5K. See?" Abby started putting the markers away. "Daddy will you help roll it up and put a rubber band on it so it won't get messed up in the car?"

"I sure can," Aaron replied, as he dried his hands on a hand-towel. He peered over his children's shoulders for a quick look at the sign! "That is great! You both did a fantastic job! Mommy certainly won't miss you two or your sign when she goes by. Now, get your coats and shoes on so we can get down to the race and get in position before Mommy and the other runners come by our assigned spot."

Minutes later, they arrived and found a spot right up front. Several other children were happy to help Abby and Carson hold their sign. "Here she comes," Abby cried. As their mother came near she spotted her family standing at each end of a big sign with the words, "GO MOMMY!" surrounded by carefully drawn and colored hearts of all shapes, sizes and colors. She was tired, but the beautiful sign filled with love from her family gave her just what she needed to push forward, stronger through the last leg of the race.

Living each day in a fallen world can bring difficulties. When others cheer you on, it makes a difference. It adds to your faith and gives you what you need to press on.
 
Today's One Thing
Ask the Lord who He would have you offer encouragement to today.
 
Going Deeper
1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

[Judy Harder]

When you feel like giving up, God steps in! 




We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. —2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV 

 



When You Feel Like Giving Up
Every night Holly thought about home. Perhaps she had made a mistake. It had been a huge risk, but she felt like the Lord was leading her, opening the doors. She had moved 1500 miles from friends and family to start a new job. It was less money than she'd hoped and the cost of living in the big city was much more expensive than she'd anticipated.

She had taken a lower paying job, believing she'd get something better and stay on part-time with the original job. With several interviews behind her, the disappointing emails and rejection letters continued to dampen her hopes. She missed her friends and although people were friendly, there hadn't been a big connection with a group—especially at the churches she visited.

It had been four months and all of her savings drained. That night she told God, "I'm done and I'm going back home." The next morning she woke up refreshed, happy to have made the decision to move. Her phone rang and she didn't recognize the local number, but she answered it. The woman on the other end offered her a job—not the one she'd interviewed for, but another one in the same company with better pay and more responsibility!

When you're ready to give up is often the time God steps in and reveals His plan!
 
Today's One Thing
What ONE THING are you holding onto that you need to release to God?
 
Going Deeper
Isaiah 55:1-13; Psalm 128:1-6

[Judy Harder]

God has prepared you for great things! 




At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. —Acts 7:20-21 ESV 

 



What is God Preparing You For?
God began to prepare Moses to be the deliverer of his people from the moment he was conceived. He was given all that he needed to accomplish his destiny. Born a Hebrew, and condemned to die like all the other male children born at that time, God saved him. Pharaoh's daughter saw him and decided to adopt him as her own. Moses' sister was watching and went quickly to the princess and suggested one of the Hebrew servants to nurse and care for him. Whether Pharaoh's daughter knew it or not, she had Moses' own mother care for him. When he was old enough, he went to live with Pharaoh's daughter in the palace.

Moses had the best of both worlds, it seemed. He learned the ways of God, who had miraculously saved him, while living with his very own family. As the son of the Egyptian princess he received the best education. He had intimate knowledge of both worlds—Hebrew and Egyptian. It positioned him well for the very purpose God had put within—to lead God's people from Egyptian captivity through their journey to the Promised Land.

What does your journey look like? It may be difficult to understand the reason for a certain path—but God has prepared you for great things. Will you embrace the path He has chosen for you? You can only imagine the destiny He has for you!
 
Today's One Thing
What things along the path you've taken do you need to embrace? Ask God to show you today!
 
Going Deeper
Acts 7:17-34; Ezekiel 18:24-30

[Judy Harder]

Prayer should be as natural as texting a friend. 


No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.  —John 15:15 ESV 
 
Conversations with God
"Prayer just seems so hard. He's God! What do I say? He already knows everything," Sheila protested to her friend, Gail. "And you—you make it seem so easy. I'm not spiritual like you."

Gail smiled. "It doesn't have to be hard. Even if God knows everything, He still wants to talk to you. He wants to hear what you think, and listen to you share your plans, the things you like about life. How do you think I learned to pray? I practiced. You just start talking to God. I don't talk to him any differently than the way I talk to you—open and honest."

Sheila was still unsure so Gail continued. "The Bible is full of prayers—open and uncomplicated prayers. If you look at Psalms, it is filled with words spoken to God. The writer, David, is really blunt with God about his feelings, when he's happy, hurt, scared and even upset with God about the situation he finds himself in."

"Okay. I see what you're saying," Sheila said. "I need to be honest and just share my heart with God. Prayer should be constant communication about anything I want to talk about, and then I need to take time to stop and listen to what He has to share with me." "You got it," Gail confirmed!

When it comes to prayer, there is no better example than Jesus' life. As you read the Bible you'll find many situations to Jesus spending time in prayer. Prayer was a normal, regular part of His everyday life.
 
Today's One Thing
Begin to talk to God throughout the day just as you would call or text a friend. He wants to spend time with you.
 
Going Deeper
Romans 8:1-11; John 15:1-17

 

[Judy Harder]

Don't miss the exciting and new things He has for you. 
 
He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. —Daniel 2:21 (ESV) 

 
Embrace the New Season!
A lot had happened in the few months in Chris' life. His father had died; his mother had come to live with his family; and his youngest child had stepped out on her own to take a job 2,000 miles from them; and his daughter had just given him his first grandbaby the day before Christmas.

He sat next to the fireplace, with a hot cup of coffee and his Bible. He looked at the Christmas tree lights flickering still; he should have already taken the tree down and put it away. But, somehow, he had held onto Christmas this year. It was as if the tree coming down signaled the end of an era and the beginning of something new—something unsure.

He closed his eyes and prayed quietly. "Lord, it's a new season in my life. I don't know if I'm really ready for this change. I'm still a son, but my father is with you. I'm still a father, but my children have moved on and don't need me as much. Even my relationship with my wife is different with Mom living here and the kids gone."

The Lord answered Chris's prayer with a deep calm in his soul. Chris felt peaceful and complete. "Lord, whatever this new season holds, I am going to embrace it. I don't have to do it alone because you are with me. You will guide me with your wisdom."

Transitions in life are hard and most of us don't like change. God promises to give you wisdom and understanding for the new season. Don't miss the exciting and new things He has for you.
 
Today's One Thing
Make a commitment to rejoice and embrace the new season God has for you!
 
Going Deeper
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22; Daniel 2:17-23

 

[Judy Harder]

Let God's Word light your path each day. 

 
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. —Psalm 119:105 (ESV) 

Let the Word Light the Way
Enjoying his morning coffee Richard noticed his wife, Kay, hobbling into the kitchen. "What happened," he asked her. "Oh, I got up for a late night snack," she said. "I should have turned on the lights, but I didn't, and I ran into the kitchen table. I think I broke a toe or two."

Normally they left the light above the stove on, but it had burned out and Richard hadn't replaced it. "Honey, I'm sorry. I should have replaced the light bulb. I will do that today."

No doubt, like Kay, you've stumbled in the dark. Trying to pick out a safe path in the dark can cause a lot of pain. It's a good example of what your life looks like when you try to find your own way without God's guidance found in His Word.

Similar to the things that might clutter your path to the kitchen in the dark, there are things that can litter your spiritual path. You can fill your life with things, many of them good-intentioned, but they distract you from the course God desires for your life.

God has given you His Word, but if you're too busy for Him, it's easy to make a wrong turn or end up face down. Open God's Word and spend time with Him. Let His truth light your way and bring clear direction for the direction He wants you to take.
 
Today's One Thing
Make time to read God's Word today. Ask Him to show you any obstacles in your life that might be keeping you in the dark.
 
Going Deeper
Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 15:1-7