OCTOBER 15, 2023

  “Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.” 

― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

ISAIAH 56-58

7Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness^a will go before you,

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

9Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.(58:7-9) 

1 THESSALONIANS 3

 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

JOURNAL 

God's desire is for us to love each other. When we do so...we serve him. That ultimately is a by product of accepting his love for us. I believe that all of this flows together...meaning that God is in everything, he is the creator of all. Each moment of every day is a gift and a blessing created by him. The more I am aware of this gift, the more I am aware of his presence and his love for me. The more I am present in these moments the more I will in turn love those around me...the more I will care for those who are also in my presence.

The more time I spend in God's word and in prayer the more I realize that the state of being clear and present is critical to being obedient. My relationship with God exists in the present in the now...not in yesterday or tomorrow. Just as a relationship with another human exists now, not in yesterday or tomorrow. There is of course the history that helps us trust the relationship and there is the hope for the future which gives us courage to persevere. Yet the relationship itself only exists in the here and now.

I think the greatest weapon against us is our own fear and anger...especially when it comes to how we get so caught up in how things "should" be. Reality is that things are what they are and making the most of them in love and gratitude is the absolute only thing that gives peace and can make today one of joy. Today is what it is, God has allowed it and therefore approves it...see it as a gift and a blessing. 

Father help me to be more aware of your presence in every moment and in every interaction today. Help me to not get distracted with thoughts of yesterday or tomorrow. There are times to consider those things...but during this day, help me be more in tune with all your blessings and all you are doing.

17The Lord your God is with you,

the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.”

ZEPHANIAH 3:17