This week we will focus on what matters most. Let’s start our time with a country song by Cody Johnson titled ‘Til You Can’t.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Yesterday we talked about humble confidence which ties in with my word of the year, Humble. It also makes me think about today’s key verse which I consider my life verse. 

Good works go a long way in our relationships with God, family, friends, and our community. On a recent Saturday Ray and I had the blessing of taking a road trip to visit Deborah in Florence while caring for a family member. We not only shared wonderful stories and savored our time together but also enjoyed road trip snacks. There is something about a road trip that calls for a convenience store stop. I love to snack on Haribo twin snakes. Ray was a good sport and tried one bite. Being the gentleman he is, rather than telling me he didn’t savor it, he set the snakes aside to throw away later. 

What is your favorite road trip snack? 

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‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

This scripture verse should be an encouragement to live for today and hope for tomorrow. In referencing this scripture on The Bible Recap, Tara-Leigh Cobble used the terms “humble confidence” and “humble hopefulness.” This really spoke to my word of the year, Humble.

Last week Deborah asked the question, what are you doing to intentionally fulfill your purpose of making disciples? We need to stay ready with humble confidence, leading others with humble hopefulness. Although we may not see the promises fulfilled in this lifetime, we have God’s word that there is something better for us in ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the hope of Your promises yet to be fulfilled. Thank You for Your word to give us humble confidence as we make disciples and lead others towards You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

What is the opposite of living for today? Satan would love for our minds to be fixed on yesterday’s past mistakes and tomorrow’s worries. Let’s not let the enemy have a foothold. Let’s start our day with worship and gratitude because when we give praises to God, the enemy flees. 

Let’s write our 5 gratitudes with a live for today mindset.

1. Thank You for another sunrise.
2. Thank You for the breath in my lungs.
3. Thank You for Your daily bread.
4. Thank You for Your perfect peace to keep my mind from wandering.
5. Thank You for opportunities to share Your love with others.

Now it’s your turn. Use your time of prayer today to write your gratitudes.

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‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

I want you to take a few deep inhales and exhales. Envision God breathing His breath into you as you read today’s key verse. We are blessed to be alive with the Holy Spirit living in each of us. It has been said that by inhaling and exhaling we are saying Yahweh.

God is so intentional and pays close attention to detail as should we. When we live for today, we are more likely to express gratitude and be intentional with how we utilize our time. How will you choose to live for today? As we go to God in prayer, spend some quiet time in His presence taking deep breaths.

Yahweh, I sit in Your presence and count my blessings for today. Forgive me for rushing through this life. Help me to live today with intention, making the best use of my time for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Before we share in God’s word today, let’s take a moment to go to God in prayer to prepare our hearts and minds to be open to what God has for us this week. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word and Holy Spirit to direct us. Open my heart and mind to receive the message that You have for me this week. Help me to be intentional in everything I do so that I can put into practice the mindset of living for today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Now let’s get into the mindset to live for today by taking a moment to read all of Psalms 118. Psalms are such a wonderful way to praise and worship God. Did you know when we praise and worship God the enemy scatters? We can also break down barrier walls and bring nations together. 

Take a moment to listen to Psalm 118 sung in Hebrew by Julie Geller.

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‭‭Take a moment today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses!

Psalm‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

@biblegateway @youversion

Video by Ray White, Meditate Monday.