Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV — Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Today’s verse reminds us to be content and to remember God is always with us. When we stay focused on this promise we can focus our attention on all we are grateful for and have joy. For who or what are you thankful? Last week Julie reminded us of the practice of making a daily gratitude list. I encourage you to not only make your gratitude list but to choose one of those to focus on today. Explore why that is a gratitude for you. What about it brings you joy? Is this something that helps to change your focus? Is it something that matters most? An attitude of gratitude is pleasing to God and allows you to positively affect those around you. 

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my life. Forgive me when my focus is on earthly matters instead of being focused on You and Your call on my life. Help me to have an attitude of gratitude. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Philippians 4:4-9 NIV — Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Today’s scripture encourages us to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, or praiseworthy. My challenge for you today is that whenever you find your mind focusing on worry to turn your worry into a prayer or praise. For example, if I am worried about the health of a loved one I will turn that worry into a prayer of thanksgiving for that person and ask God for His healing touch. I have learned I must then let it go and trust God. 

How have you learned to change your thoughts around to focus on what matters most?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my life. Forgive me when my focus is on earthly matters instead of being focused on You and Your call on my life. May I learn to turn my worries into prayers. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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James 4:13-17 NIV — Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Last week Julie encouraged us to live for today. This week I will go a step further and encourage you to focus on what matters most as you live for today. Today’s key verse says, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” The Message version says it like this, “You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.” The point is, our lives are short and we must make the most of what we do with our time. What is your focus? Are you consumed by the circumstances around you? What do you do to intentionally stay focused on Christ and His call on your life?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my life. Forgive me when my focus is on earthly matters instead of being focused on You and Your call on my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

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Read over and meditate on this week’s featured scriptures.

James 4:13-17 NIV — Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Philippians 4:4-9 NIV 

Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV — Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Matthew 6:28-34 NIV 

Philippians 4:13 NKJV — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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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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