1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭34‬ NIV —- Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Click here to watch our See You Saturday chat to close out our week on living in the moment.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV — But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the way stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

This week we have pondered being present in today and making the most of now. Yesterday I challenged you to be the hands and feet of Christ within the mundane routines of your day. Were you able to find ways to share Christ with those in your daily path? 

Today’s scripture encourages us to bear fruit, even when heat or drought comes. So, even when I feel like an issue is unfair, I should bear fruit. Even when I feel like a situation is hopeless, I should bear fruit. Even when a person treats me unkindly, I should bear fruit.

What about you? What is your current situation? Where has God planted you? Are you dealing with an unfair issue? Does your situation seem hopeless? Has someone treated you unfairly? Trust in the Lord. Do not fear when heat comes and never fail to bear fruit.

What kind of fruit will you bear?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your daily strength. Help me to stay focused and trust in You so I may bear fruit. May the fruit I produce be a taste of Your sweet love and mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Click here to read today’s scripture from Matthew 25:31-46 NIV.

We are a busy world. We are busy people. Time is flying and we run from one task to another. Often our daily routines and chores may seem mundane — cooking, cleaning, washing, driving children place to place, etc. However, hidden within our busy days and mundane tasks are opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ. 

Take some time today to think through what today’s schedule holds for you. Where will today take you? Who will you encounter? Who and where can you share Jesus through your words and actions? Think of ways you can be present and intentional in your tasks today.

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes and ears to opportunities today that I can be Your hands and feet. Show me ways to value and make the most of my mundane daily tasks by sharing Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

James 1:17 NIV — Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Yesterday I reminded you that my word of the year for 2023 is relish. My mantra, or phrase, I have written down every day of 2023, and on which I have focused, is taken from and is the title of an Emily Dickinson poem “Forever — is composed of nows.” Click here to read the full poem and a commentary about the poem.

After reading the poem, spend some time thinking about the words. The last phrase of the poem refers to “anno Domini” which is Medieval Latin meaning “in the year of the Lord.” How do you interpret Dickinson’s poem? I think Emily Dickinson was encouraging her readers to live in the present, relish this moment, and realize God’s presence in the now. What do you think? Each day, as I have written this phrase, I have been encouraged to focus on now. I pray you, too, will be able to relish the “now” of today. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for today. Thank You for now. Help me to focus on now. May all that I say and do now be pleasing and honor You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV — Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

In yesterday’s post I encouraged you to ponder what your days would be like without clocks. Today, let’s consider the possibility of freezing time. Have you experienced moments in life in which you wished you could make time stand still or freeze? Over the years there have been moments that have become ingrained in my memory. These times usually involve my family all being together and often it was not a huge adventure but simple times such as playing ball together in the yard, laughing together at a TV show, or sharing a meal together at the dining room table. I call these “great memory making times.” Have you experienced some of these times? While we can’t freeze time, we can relish these moments. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines relish as “to be pleased or gratified by: enjoy.” At this point in my life, relish is a word on which I am focusing. In fact, relish is my word of the year for 2023. This year, God has taught me the importance of living in the moment and taking in all the blessings He gives me. Today, I encourage you to live in the moment and be intentional about relishing your time.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for this moment. Help me to live in the moment and relish my time. Since I cannot freeze time, ingrain in my mind those special moments. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Psalm 90:12 NIV — Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

A few years ago I heard a radio announcer share a story about an island off the coast of Norway that has daylight for over two months at a time. The reporter stated that due to the long hours of daylight, and no night or darkness, the people of the town had started a petition to do away with clocks and time. I have later learned that this was a story made up for publicity and to entice people to visit Norway. Click here to read an article about this ploy for publicity.

Nevertheless, the idea of having no clocks made me think. My first thought was how nice it would be to not be tied to a schedule. We could all be footloose and fancy-free. We would be more apt to be present in each moment if we didn’t really have a way to plan ahead. It would be like being on vacation all the time. However, the more I thought about it the more I realized this would not be a good idea. How would we make doctor appointments, meet for lunch dates, or know when to watch our favorite tv show? We are instructed in the Bible about the importance of time. Today’s featured scripture reminds us that time is valuable. God wants us to realize the importance of using our time wisely while also not being too tied to our schedules. God wants us to live in the moment every day while still keeping an eye toward tomorrow. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for today. Guide my thoughts and actions today. Help me to realize the importance of planning but not be consumed by looking forward too much. Help me to enjoy this moment and make the most of my time. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Matthew 6:34 NIV — Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Do you spend a lot of time thinking about what is ahead in your day, week, month, or year? Are you a worrier? Are you consumed with thinking, planning or even worrying about your next steps?

This week we will focus on right now and living in the moment. As you worship today, be present in the present. Enjoy your time with God. Revel in the presence of your Creator as you worship and praise the gift of now.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gift of now. Help me to be present in this moment and revel in Your presence here with me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.