In the Light of the New Day - Abingdon

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      Lord, thank you for reminding me that I have the job to be aware of others and their needs and that I can pick up the baton and move forward to get things done no matter how big or small the job may be. Amen.

       Come to the Party!

      There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same LORD; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.

      —1 Corinthians 12:4-7

      When God invited you to his party, he already had in mind just what you could bring. He knew what you’d be good at and what talents you could share with others. He knew your personality style and who else would be there who might need time just with you. He gave you everything you need to enjoy yourself immensely.

      Your gifts and talents are fabulous, but if you stay in your house and never come out, very few people will ever get to appreciate them. You can be wonderful in isolation, but you were made for community. You’re a piece of somebody else’s puzzle. Somebody else holds a piece of your puzzle. It works that way because we’re meant to be interconnected, sharing what we have and what God has blessed us with for the good of us all.

      Every day we’re invited to share our talents and offer seeds of wisdom so that God’s love will flourish everywhere. Keep blossoming.

      Show up at God’s party so that you can provide a blessing to others and be blessed by others.

       RENEWED FOR A PURPOSE

      Lord, thank you for your standing invitation to come and share the many gifts you’ve given me. Help me bless others as you have blessed me. Amen.

       Still Calling His Followers

       As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers . . . throwing fishing nets into the sea. . . . “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.”

      —Matthew 4:18-19

      If Jesus stopped by any of our towns today to call his followers, would he venture into the heart of commerce? Would he go to Wall Street and look for the biggest investment gurus or set his sights on a physician from the local hospital? It’s interesting to try to imagine who he might deem to be worthy disciples, and yet one thing is clear: You would be on his list. He would call you to follow him. Today, more than anything else, he wants to help you cast a bigger vision for your life, fill your nets to overflowing with the good things of God, and help to heal your wounds in any possible way. Jesus is still calling.

      If you’re already following him, think for a moment how that affects your daily decisions, your daily purpose. How do you align yourself with his will for your life? How often do you truly allow him to lead?

      Of course, the trouble with followers sometimes is that they try to scoot ahead of their leaders, sometimes taking a wrong trail. Wherever you are today, pause a moment and reflect on who is leading your life. Are you following Jesus even now?

      Respond to the calling of Jesus, letting him guide you as you become a fisher of souls.

       RENEWED FOR A PURPOSE

      Lord, as I go about my business today, help me seek your guidance and direction. Help me be a wise and loving follower. Amen.

       Do You Have the Right Equipment?

      May the God of peace, who brought back the great shepherd of the sheep, our LORD Jesus, from the dead by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with every good thing to do his will, by developing in us what pleases him through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory forever and always.

      —Hebrews 13:20-21

      Whenever you start a new task or a new job, it’s always a good idea to check to be sure you have what you need to get the job done.

      Our work for God is somewhat similar. He calls us and then he equips us to get the job done. We don’t always know what we’ll need so we have to rely on him for the proper equipment.

      You don’t know where you’ll be or who you might be with when you suddenly realize a tool is missing, something that might have helped you be more effective. Perhaps you need more experience with a certain kind of person, so that you know how to handle people like that in the future. It’s all about learning.

      As St. Augustine said, “Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special regard to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.”

      Continue to add spiritual tools so that you can do good to those who cross your path.

      When those things happen, you need to be prepared. May God continue to keep your toolbox full.

       RENEWED FOR A PURPOSE

      Lord, only you know the people I’ll meet and what kind of information I’ll need to be an effective witness for you. Please guide me and equip me as only you can so I’m always ready to do good. Amen.

       Happy Birthday!

      Even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day.

      —2 Corinthians 4:16

      Okay, so it may not be your literal birthday today, but every day that you wake up refreshed in the spirit, ready to get going, you experience a kind of rebirth. After all, our job on earth is about waking up to what is real, waking up to our awareness of God and the beauty of a spirit-filled life. Our bodies may well have to deal with breaking down, but no matter how many candles are on our cakes, we are building up for our trip home to the embrace of our heavenly Parent.

      So rise and shine, birthday person! It’s your day to keep growing and learning and becoming more of what God has in mind for you. It’s an exciting journey, and each day brings a discovery of something you might not have realized before. You have been kind of sleepy, you know, and it never hurts to stretch a little so you can wake up more fully.

      What will you do today to celebrate your birthday? What light can you add to the world that will awaken the spirit of even one other person? Go ahead, add a candle, sing a song of praise, and get out there. The world needs you today to join in the celebration.

      Wake up to the beauty of a spirit-filled life, becoming what God has in mind for you.

      

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