Making the Most of Every Day of the Week

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Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV1

A couple of days ago I found something I wrote for Mother’s Day a number of years ago. In it, I had likened my motherhood experience to the days of a single workweek—because that is how fast the years had seemed to fly by. On Monday, I was changing diapers, fixing bottles, and praying for a good night’s sleep. By Wednesday, I was helping sound out words, drilling multiplication facts, and attending school events. At the time of my writing, I found myself on Friday evening.

I wrote about each of my children and how they had grown over the years. I mentioned my oldest daughter’s upcoming marriage. My youngest daughter was in the thick of high school activities. And my son was about to graduate from high school and go off to college.

I ended my essay with my climbing into bed on Friday night and resting my hand on the massive shoulders of the man I had laid next to for nearly a quarter of a century. I praised God for His grace upon our family up until that point. And I mentioned that Saturday was coming. Although I knew not what it would bring, I was confident that God would lead us through the coming day in the same manner He had led us through the previous ones.

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Question and Answer Sessions

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And Jesus said to him, “You go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37b ESV1

Read Luke 10:25-37

Quite a while ago, God laid upon my heart to pray for those He brought to my mind or pointed out to me as I went about my daily activities. The Lord made it clear to me that I should not only pray for the situations in which these people found themselves but for their salvations too. So, one day when I was traveling into the city nearest my home to run errands, I saw a man parked alongside the road with car trouble. I immediately began to pray that he would get the help he needed and that God would work through his situation and his day to bring him to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Then it occurred to me, that although I was faithful to God’s leading to pray for the salvation of man I had seen, if I were in an actual conversation with him, I might not even attempt to steer the discussion toward Christ. I felt like a hypocrite. As I prayed for forgiveness, I told God, “All I have ever really wanted out of life is to take care of what I have, love the people I have been given, enjoy the simple pleasures in life, be a breath of fresh air to everyone I meet, and to, hopefully, through those things, bring a smile to Your face. But if that is not enough, You are going to have to help me.”

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Life After Death

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“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:5b-6a ESV1

Life after death is usually in reference to where one will spend eternity. But in the context of Easter, it takes on a little different meaning. Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection–His return to life after His death–to a restored human body that walked again on Earth for a short time and then ascended into Heaven in bodily form.2

As we approach the Easter season, we are reminded of Jesus’ death. The horror of crucifixion becomes more vivid in our imaginations. And the enormity of our sin and the greatness of God’s gift is refreshed in our memories. Taking time to remember Jesus, His sacrifice, and His conquering of sin for our sake is a significant part of this season. Likewise, rejoicing over the fact that death could not keep Jesus’ body in the grave and that Satan has lost his power over humanity is of utmost importance. But we will miss the full extent of this celebration if we never consider our own personal Easter stories. But I must ask: Do you have an Easter story?

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Oh, What a Difference

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“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47 ESV1

Read Luke 7:36-50

Country artist, Ronnie Milsap, recorded a song entitled, “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life.” The lyrics of that song are:

“What a difference you’ve made in my life.

What a difference you’ve made in my life.

You’re my sunshine day and night.

Oh, what a difference you’ve made in my life.

What a change you’ve made in my heart.

What a change you’ve made in my heart.

You replaced all the broken parts.

Oh, what a change you’ve made in my heart.

Love, to me, was just a word in a song that had been way overused.

But now I have joined in the singing

because you’ve showed me love’s true meaning.

That’s why I want to spread the news.

What a difference you’ve made in my life.

What a difference you’ve made in my life.

You’re my sunshine day and night.

Oh, what a difference you’ve made in my life. (5X)”2

I don’t know for whom Mr. Milsap sang his song, but every time it runs through my head, I can’t help but think of Jesus. And I imagine the woman highlighted in the following Scriptures had a very similar song playing in her heart for Jesus.

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So Known and So Loved

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“And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” John 17:3 ESV1

Last year about this time, I was watching my grandchildren so my daughter and son-in-law could go on a Valentine’s Weekend Retreat with their Small Group. I got to spend some special one-on-one with my preschool granddaughter while her baby brother took his morning naps.

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Use It or Lose It

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“For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:29 ESV1

Read Matthew 25:14-30

God Realties—that’s what my sister calls them—those things that are always true in the physical realm which parallel things that are without exception accurate in the spiritual realm. Light always penetrates the darkness. It could be as insignificant as a match in a deep dark cave, but that little light chases away the darkness surrounding it. Likewise, God always overcomes Satan; no matter how much it appears like Satan is in control when God shows up, the devil has to leave. Water always fills up the lowest place first. The same is true with the Holy Spirit; every time, He is drawn to the humble furnishing them with His power, while He is repelled by and rejects the proud. Living things always grow and change. Similarly, one’s spiritual state should be uninterruptedly characterized by increase and expansion.

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Unpacking the Gift from Jesus

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During the Christmas season, much of our time, effort, and money are expended on gifts—gift buying, gift wrapping, gift-giving, gift-receiving, gift opening, etc. And if we have a Christian background, we make sure to fit Jesus in there somewhere among all the gifts and gift-related activity. I would like to take some time now to recognize Jesus and unwrap the gift He has given us. May God clearly show each of us where we are in unpackaging His gift.

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Here Comes the Groom

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At midnight there was a cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”  Matthew 25:6 ESV1

Read Matthew 25:1-13

A wise teacher introduces new subjects by reviewing what his/her students have previously learned. He/she increases the likelihood that learners will grasp new concepts by building upon what they already know. Jesus is the Good Teacher (see Luke 18:18). As Jesus instructed His audience, He often taught novel truths by connecting them with what was familiar. Several times, Jesus communicated the intricates of the Gospel by relating it to the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony.

Both the Old and New Testaments of The Bible include wedding imagery to explain the love relationship between God and His people. The Bible has been compared to a love letter and a marriage covenant detailing the intimacy individual believers can have with God. When we look at the Bible in this light, there is great value in modern, particularly non-Jewish Believers, familiarizing themselves with Jewish marriage practices. The ancient Jewish wedding progressed through several steps which, interestingly, parallel the aspects of Jesus’ relationship with His Bride, the Church.

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A Day of Reckoning

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“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” Luke 12:37 ESV1

Read Matthew 24:45-51; Mark 13:32-37 & Luke 12:35-48

As Christ Followers, thoughts of the Rapture are almost exclusively pleasant. Though we may be troubled by the mass chaos and extreme difficulties that will be faced by those who are left behind, we usually don’t worry about our own state. We expect that Christ’s returning will be a glorious time when we are swept from this troubled Earth and deposited in Heaven where there will be nothing but peace and joy and comfort for the rest of eternity.

But Jesus made it quite clear that the Rapture won’t produce bliss for all who have chosen Him as their Lord. The Coming of Christ will include judgment on all who belong to Him. Jesus’ return will be a day of reckoning, “a time when one is called to account for one’s actions … to fulfill one’s promises or obligations.”2 This Day will be a time when each of us who have decided to follow Jesus will be held liable for how we have managed what He has placed in our care. If we have been good stewards, we will be rewarded. And if we have mismanaged our callings, we will face severe consequences. The way Jesus spoke to His closest disciples about The End of the Age and His return made it impossible for there to be any doubt concerning this truth.

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Preparing for the Future

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“Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near” Luke 21:28 ESV1

Read Matthew 24, Mark 13 & Luke 21

I am planning for a cross-country journey to attend a five-week discipleship program. I have been excitedly preparing for my trip for weeks. I went through my wardrobe, picked out appropriate attire, and purchased supplement pieces. I shopped for toiletries, snacks, office supplies, and little conveniences I would like to have available for myself while I am there. I cooked, assembled, and froze a variety of single-serving meals for my husband to eat while I am gone. I deep-cleaned my vehicle, inside and out, and made appointments for an oil change and a tire rotation. I cleaned my house, stocked up on nonperishable groceries, and used up perishable items. I paid bills, watered plants, sent out cards, and arranged for people to take care of some of my responsibilities while I am gone. I made phone calls, finished up tasks and obligations, got a haircut, gave my husband a haircut, and alerted the necessary people of my planned absence. Basically, I have done everything I was able and knew to do to get ready for this opportunity. I would rather be over-prepared than under-prepared.

Planning and providing for the future is extremely helpful, in fact, essential. But sometimes the more immediately urgent needs receive our utmost attention while we overlook the most necessary ways of planning for what is to come. In one of His parables, Jesus broached the topic of being alert to signs that point to the need to prepare for the forthcoming.

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