Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

God and you are a great team—unified in determination to fulfill His purpose for your life.   
 
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. —Galatians 6:9 (ESV) 

Never Give Up
After a long day, Miranda plopped her laptop and purse onto the kitchen table, walked to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of cold water. She rubbed her watery eyes. Even with the help of an allergy tablet, she felt extremely tired.

"Why don't you skip the gym?" her husband, Rick suggested. "I'll go by myself. You should lie down for a while."

"Oh, no," Miranda argued. "I made a commitment to go with you to the gym. I'm determined to stay on target. And I still have so much to do tonight for work. I knew when I started this that there would be days like this. I just need to push through."

That evening as Miranda prepared for bed, she took a few minutes to read the Bible and pray. "Lord, thank you for the strength to navigate this season in my life. I am committed to a lot of things, but I know that as long as I hold on to you, I can do all things."

Tomas Fuller said, "A strong will, a settled purpose, an invincible determination can accomplish almost anything."
 
Today's One Thing
God will never give up on you. What ONE THING are you pursing today in which you need His strength to remain determined and press through. Talk to Him about it today.
 
Going Deeper
Galatians 6:1-10; 2 Timothy 1:3-18
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
How to Get Your Life Unstuck 

[Judy Harder]

You can turn an extensive struggle into creative pleasure simply by the way you choose to look at it. 

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. —Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) 

Turn It Around with the Right Perspective
Lacey crammed the overflowing top drawer of the dishwasher with extra force and the dishes rattled more than usual. Her frustration was overly apparent. "What's up babe?" her husband Rich called from the living room where he sat with his feet propped up on the coffee table.

"Ugh!" she groaned in reply. "I just can't seem to get caught up, no matter how hard I try. I push myself and..." her voice trailed off. Rich knew something was wrong. He moved into the kitchen to check on her. "It's more than that, isn't it," he prodded.

"I look at our lives, our children, my career and feel stuck. I don't feel like I'm making a difference."

He took her hand and pulled her after him as he started up the stairs. "I want to show you something," he encouraged. He topped the stairs and gently opened their boys' bedroom door, where they were both napping. "You see this," he said. "This is good. Everything you do is an investment in their future—and mine. You give of yourself every day. You make a difference. Life will never be perfect, and there's always something to do. Food on the table, dirty dishes in the dishwasher, clean laundry piled up on our bed to be folded—it's all good. Every single thing you do makes a difference in our lives. We are rich because you are diligent to love us, care for us, and help us become all that God has created us to be."

Lacey smiled, thankful for his encouragement. He kissed her gently. "Now, I'll help you fold those clothes piled on the bed if it makes you feel better."

God created the world in six days. When He stepped back to look at it, He said, "It is good!" He did all His work with diligence and His reward was satisfaction. God wants you to experience satisfaction as a result of your diligence as well. You can turn an extensive struggle into creative pleasure simply by the way you chose to look at it.
 
Today's One Thing
What are you looking at today that needs a fresh perspective? Take a step back and look at it differently today.
 
Going Deeper
2 Timothy 2:14-26; Proverbs 6:6-8
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Making Your Work Meaningful 

[Judy Harder]

God's greatest works are performed in our hearts in the middle of adversity.   



I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! —Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV) 

Still a King while in a Cave
David, the shepherd boy God called to become the king of Israel, wrote three psalms from his experience in the Cave of Adullam. God promised David the throne, but the current king, Solomon, pursued David with the desire to kill him. David hides in the Cave of Adullam while running for his life. He begins his writing distraught and focused on his circumstances, "God, are you listening? I'm in a cave! Solomon says he's going to kill me."

He wallows in the cave of adversity, overwhelmed by his situation—losing hope. God has not left David. He has not forgotten His promise. Yet, David cries out with no escape in sight. His situation consumes him and for a moment, he thinks he's going to die!

But something changes. David's circumstances don't change from one Psalm to the next, but his perspective changes and his faith begins to rise. By Psalm 34, the third song that David wrote in the Cave of Adullam, he's not out of the cave, but the cave is out of him. The cave—or his circumstance is no longer in charge. He takes courage in God's promise. He begins to see himself in the light of God's promise. He may be in a cave, running for his life, but he is still the chosen king of God's people—and God keeps His promises. Suddenly, there is a shift in David's heart. His complaints are replaced with praise as he sees himself as God sees him.

Cave experiences are an unpleasant fact. It's easy to lose your perspective when you believe you've hit rock bottom. But God's greatest works are performed in our hearts in the middle of adversity.
 
Today's One Thing
If you find yourself in a cave today, praise God in the darkness. See yourself as God sees you.
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 34:1-22; 1 Samuel 22:1-23
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Overcoming The Overwhelming 

[Judy Harder]

Deuteronomy 30:19 reminds us that His way brings blessings.
 
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live. —Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV) 


Choose to Do Life God's Way
Seven-year-old Hannah loved spending time at her grandparents' house. She loved to escape to the city noise and experience the sights and sounds of the farm. As soon as her father unlocked the car doors, she slid out of her seatbelt and out to embrace her grandparents. Then taking her grandfather's hand she said, "I want to go with you to get the mail."

Grandpa smiled. Their walks to the mailbox were usually filled with life lessons. As they crossed the road and reached the mailbox, Hannah drew a deep breath. Grandpa followed her gaze to a jackrabbit, lying dead in the ditch. He took this opportunity—just like all the others—for a life lesson. "Hannah," he began, "this jackrabbit crossed the road and didn't see the car coming. He stepped outside of the protection of the fenced yard and onto a dangerous path."

Hannah nodded as he took her hand and led her away from the jackrabbit. He continued, "Just like your mommy and daddy give you rules to follow to keep you from doing something that might be dangerous, God's gives us guidelines to follow in the Bible. When we choose to obey, it brings blessing and life. When we disobey and go our own way, we experience pain, hurt and sometimes even death."

Deuteronomy 30:19 reminds us that His way brings blessings while the way of the world brings death. God doesn't force you to do His will. He gives each person the opportunity to accept or reject Him.

Today's One Thing
Choosing to please Christ is a daily choice. Ask Him to help you choose His will and His ways today.
 
Going Deeper
Deuteronomy 30:11-20; Psalm 139:13-16
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Religion or Relationship 

[Judy Harder]

A simple act of kindness brings blessing and can brighten the lives of others who witness the gesture.   


Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. —Matthew 5:42 (ESV) 

Offer Up an Act of Kindness
Traffic was crazy and Alan tried not to be so impatient, but waiting was extremely difficult for him. He inched his way to the intersection. He noticed another car sat with its nose just a little too far into the flow of traffic, as the driver tried to edge out of in the grocery store parking lot and onto the main street.

His immediately response was to crowd the car and not let it in, but a flood of kindness overwhelmed him and he motioned for the car to move into line in front of him. Suddenly, the rear passenger door of the car opened and a young man jumped out and motioned for Alan to roll down his window, which he did.

The young man hurriedly thanked Alan for letting them into the line, held out a freshly baked gourmet cupcake, which Alan took from him, and then rushed back to his car as the light turned green.

Drivers in the cars behind and beside Alan, nodded, smiled and waved. Alan realized he must look stunned, so he smiled and gave his truck a little gas to move forward.

A simple act of kindness brings blessing and can brighten the lives of others who witness the gesture.
 
Today's One Thing
Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to show acts of kindness in usual ways today.
 
Going Deeper
Proverbs 11:17; Luke 6:27-36
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Try a Little Tenderness in Your Marriage 

[Judy Harder]

Every person wants to matter, to contribute and to belong. 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. —1 John 3:1 (ESV) 

The Gift of Affirmation
Jimmy rushed into the kitchen with his basketball in his hands, trying hard to resist the temptation to bounce the ball on the tile floor. "Mom, I'm going to hang with the guys.

His mother, Gloria, dried her hands on the dishtowel and set the freshly prepared salad into the refrigerator before turning to look at him. "Jimmy," she said. "I want to thank you for all you've done this week. You made your bed every morning, took out the trash without me asking once and listened intently to the instruction Dad gave you about the new lawnmower. I am so proud of the responsible young man you are becoming."

Jimmy grinned from ear to ear. "Thanks, Mom!"

"I know you're growing up, but do you think you could spare a hug and a kiss from your mom before you go out to 'hang with the guys,'" she said, smiling. Jimmy switched the basketball to the other arm and permitted his mother a hug and a kiss.

Every person wants to matter, to contribute and to belong. Children persistently try to be a part of something significant. An intentional parent knows their child has those specific needs and strives to meet those needs by finding ways to affirm them each day. 
 
Today's One Thing
Take the opportunity to give your child the gift of affirmation and look for ways to demonstrate your love and your belief in who they are to become.
 
Going Deeper
Hebrews 12:5-11; Ecclesiastes 5:1-20
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Parenting Challenges 

[Judy Harder]

The direction you take ultimately determines your destination. 


"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." —Jeremiah 17:10 (ESV) 

Finally Headed in the Right Direction
Raegan closed her eyes and leaned back, gently placing her throbbing head into the headrest of the bus seat. It was going to be a long ride home, but she was going to make it. She had been running for a long time.

Her sister, Jen sitting next to her, reached over, took her hand and squeezed it. Raegan turned her head slightly and smiled at her big sister. She was the one who had never given up on her. She had reached out to her, found her when she was lost, and today was bringing her back home.

She turned her face toward the window and watched the as the city melted away into countryside, much like she hoped her chaotic life would disappear into something simple and clean. She felt clean on the inside since returning to God. She knew that the new life she wanted in Christ meant a change in direction, different choices from the ones she'd made in the past and a commitment to not look back. She was ready to begin again and do things God's way. This time she was determined to think, to feel and to do the things that demonstrated her love and commitment to God.

The direction you take ultimately determines your destination. Each choice you make is a step back or a step toward God's purpose for your life.
 
Today's One Thing
What can you do each day to demonstrate your love for God in how you think, how you feel and what you do each day?
 
Going Deeper
Jeremiah 17:1-13; Romans 8:18-30
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
What is the Point of Your Life? 

[Judy Harder]

Is your life free from compromise? If not, what is it costing you?   
 
I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. —Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 (ESV) 

Counting the Cost of Compromise
King Solomon's story is incomplete if you think of him as only the wisest man in the world. The book of Ecclesiastes provides a look back on his life. He openly shares the lessons he learned while living away from God. Solomon counsels those who are tempted to take the path he chose in spite of the great wisdom within his heart.

Solomon's warnings from his experiences demonstrate that understanding, wealth, pleasure or possessions are insignificant without a relationship with God. One of the greatest lessons we can learn from Solomon's life is that you can't catalog your heart and divide it up. You can't disobey God in one area of your life without it affecting the other areas of your life.

Solomon recognized his need for wisdom, and as a young man, God granted his prayer. Yet he chose to marry pagan women, instead of following God's laws. He made a political agreement with an Egyptian Pharaoh and took his daughter as his wife. She was the first of many wives he married to seal the deal in political agreements.

All the wisdom God gave him was lost when he chose to compromise. Disobedience separated him from God. Compromise cost Solomon much.

We must do what is right in every area of our lives in order to live without compromise. Is your life free from compromise? If not, what is it costing you?

Today's One Thing
Consider a trusted friend as an accountability partner in the areas you feel you struggle with compromise. Talk to that friend about it today.
 
Going Deeper
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 1 King 11:1-12
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Speaking Wisdom to a Younger Generation 

[Judy Harder]

Your hope is not in something that you have done, but your hope is built on what Jesus has done in you.   

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. —Colossians 1:26 (ESV) 
 

Let Your Hope Rest in Him!
Brenda sliced the tomatoes to top the salad while her husband, Carson carried in the chicken off the grill. "I was just thinking about how much God has done in Madison's life," she commented. "I never would have dreamed she'd be offered a scholarship for college to play golf—and she just started golfing her senior year."

"Yeah, I know," he replied. "It seems like every time she turns around—in spite of all the stunts she's pulled in high school—God just continues to open doors and pour out His favor," Carson replied.

"I'm so thankful God's blessing doesn't depend on what we have done. It's all about Him, His love for us and His love for our daughter. We can't be loved less or more because of what we do. I get so frustrated with Madison sometimes, but then God just turns it around."

Christ is the origin of your hope. It's not something that you have done, but your hope is built on what Jesus has done in you.
 
Today's One Thing
Consider the blessings God has given you. Let all He's done build your hope and trust in Him for your future today.
 
Going Deeper
John 6:41-59; Psalm 71
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Walk by Faith 

 

[Judy Harder]

You can lead by example. As you follow God's purpose and plan, you become like Him.   
 
So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. —John 8:28 (ESV) 

Looking for Something Different
Tonya felt empty. Each day for her was a constant mystery. She searched for something or someone to fill the hole in her heart. Although she was raised in a Christian home, her family didn't look any different than those without God.

"I just don't see it," she told her brother, Todd. "People who say they are Christians live like those who don't know Him. I married a Christian, and my marriage failed. I'm up to my eyeballs in debt and honestly, working with those who are Christians can be worse than working with those who don't profess a faith at all."

"Not everyone is like that. Yeah, some people let their faith lie dormant and live mediocre lives," Todd replied. "But then there are those who do look different. I've met some people who live their faith. They make me want to live for Christ, and not for myself. Some of these people inspire me to go further, reach higher and expect more from myself and God. I've found it's a daily choice and there are people God's put in my life that truly live each day just to please Christ."

Tonya smiled. "That's what I want. I want to see people live it for real! I want that example to follow. They don't have to be perfect—just transparent. I think I'd like to meet your friends who live their faith that way."

There is very little difference in the statistics between believers and non-believers as it pertains to the number of divorces, the number of people who are in debt, or lose their integrity. We fight with our neighbors, are disgruntled with our jobs and wonder how children raised in church struggle with their faith.

You can lead by example. As you follow God's purpose and plan, you become like Him. As you do, your life becomes a shining example lighting the way for others.

Today's One Thing
Make a decision today to look different from the world. Live your faith transparently, reflecting God in hope that others who search for God will find Him inside of you.
 
Going Deeper
John 8:12-30; John 3:1-15
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Living an Intentional Everyday Faith