The Gift
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you
do not know what a day may bring.
Proverbs 27:1, ESV.
TODAY’S WORD
Do you see every day as a blessed gift
from God? Many times when we hear this, we may be tempted to brush it off and
say, “Yeah, yeah, I know. Every day is special.” But truly it is! God ordained
this day before the foundation of the earth. He has already ordered blessings
for you. He has already orchestrated the right opportunities for you. He has
already made the right connections for you. On top of that, the air you
breathe, the food you eat, and the sunshine on your face are all part of the
great blessing that God gives us daily.
Remember, we’re not promised tomorrow,
so why waste a single moment living life defeated and depressed? Our attitude
should not be, “I have to take care of the kids,” or “I have to mow the lawn
today.” It should be, “I get to take care of the kids God has blessed me with,”
or “I get to go out and mow the lawn today. That’s part of the house that God
has provided.” See every opportunity as a gift. Count your blessings and watch
Him multiply them exceedingly all the days of your life!
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank
You for giving me this wonderful day. Thank You for every blessing You have
prepared. Strengthen me with Your joy and fill me with Your peace as I keep my
mind stayed on You in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
***
by
"Paul replied, 'Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: "Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people."'" (Acts 23:5 NIV)
We have a teachable spirit when we can quickly respond to the truth, bringing our beliefs, thoughts, and behavior into line with what is true.
In a rather extreme example of being teachable, the apostle Paul stands before the Sanhedrin with a bloody lip. Someone had just ordered that Paul be slapped.
Immediately, Paul rebukes the man who gave the command: “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?” (Acts 23:3 HCSB)
Paul is immediately rebuked by the men standing next to him. They tell him that the man who gave the order to slap him was “God’s high priest,” and even though Paul has disagreements with the man, he respects him as God’s anointed leader in that place and for that time (Acts 23:4).
Paul immediately takes the correction and, with the taste of blood still in his mouth, says, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people’” (Acts 23:5 NIV).
The Bible says it is wise to be open to instruction, even rebuke: “Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning” (Proverbs 9:8-9 NIV).
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