Monday, June 29 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2) This is one of those Bible teachings that causes us all to laugh, until we cry. But then, after a little while (and a few trials of our own) we get it. For, you used to believe that your joy was found in what you did. Now you understand that your joy is found in who you are. Regardless of what’s happening to you.
Tuesday, June 30 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Always? Really? In the midst of an infant Leukemia diagnosis? In the midst of losing a job? In the midst of a divorce? How’s that even possible? It isn’t. If the source of your rejoicing is found in what you do (or don’t do). Because the only thing that doesn’t change, is the fact that there will be change. It is, if the source of your rejoicing is found in who you are (something that never changes) – A dearly loved, sacred, child of God.
Wednesday, July 1 – “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7) How has God already approved what you do? Because, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, all of your sins are already forgiven. Even the sins that you have yet to commit. So, stop worrying so much about what you do. Instead, worry a great deal about who you are. For who you are will always dictate what you do.
Thursday, July 2 – “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13) There’s a profound connection between our emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. You ignore any or all of these at your own peril. And it’s not enough to simply focus on one or two, like dealing with your spiritual and physical well-being, while ignoring the emotional. It’s literally all or nothing.
Friday, July 3 – “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” (Proverbs 15:30) “Light”, “joy”, “good news”, “health”, these are all fun words. Not because they’re fun to say or spell. But fun because they describe someone who is fun. Not someone who merely has fun, ever now and again. But a dearly loved, sacred, child of God, who is fun because of the “light”, “joy”, “good news” and “health” found in their relationship with God.
Independence Day – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24) Today we celebrate that we’re all free to do or be whoever we want. But never forget that who you are (or who you aren’t) will impact the world around and you. And consequently, the people in the world around you. Who you are matters. So, on this Independence Day, exercise your freedom to choose. Choose to share gracious words.
Tuesday, June 30 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Always? Really? In the midst of an infant Leukemia diagnosis? In the midst of losing a job? In the midst of a divorce? How’s that even possible? It isn’t. If the source of your rejoicing is found in what you do (or don’t do). Because the only thing that doesn’t change, is the fact that there will be change. It is, if the source of your rejoicing is found in who you are (something that never changes) – A dearly loved, sacred, child of God.
Wednesday, July 1 – “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7) How has God already approved what you do? Because, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, all of your sins are already forgiven. Even the sins that you have yet to commit. So, stop worrying so much about what you do. Instead, worry a great deal about who you are. For who you are will always dictate what you do.
Thursday, July 2 – “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13) There’s a profound connection between our emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. You ignore any or all of these at your own peril. And it’s not enough to simply focus on one or two, like dealing with your spiritual and physical well-being, while ignoring the emotional. It’s literally all or nothing.
Friday, July 3 – “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” (Proverbs 15:30) “Light”, “joy”, “good news”, “health”, these are all fun words. Not because they’re fun to say or spell. But fun because they describe someone who is fun. Not someone who merely has fun, ever now and again. But a dearly loved, sacred, child of God, who is fun because of the “light”, “joy”, “good news” and “health” found in their relationship with God.
Independence Day – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24) Today we celebrate that we’re all free to do or be whoever we want. But never forget that who you are (or who you aren’t) will impact the world around and you. And consequently, the people in the world around you. Who you are matters. So, on this Independence Day, exercise your freedom to choose. Choose to share gracious words.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
