Author: astherainandsnow

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.  Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.

“When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?  For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

It’s a sad thing that when we open our mouths we open ourselves to all kinds of detriment. The mouth is prominent and made for much good, the enjoyment of tasteful sustenance and the expression of truth and praise, music and love. But how often it is exercised without self-control and gets in the way of reverence, benevolence, and wisdom. It can be a spigot of impulsive thought, empty chatter, and words we wish we could retrieve, but if held closed would result in rest and sound understanding. How easy it is to eagerly approach God with our agenda and cursory sacrifice, even with earnest intent, when He demands that we simply know and revel in who He is. (Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 17:1-8)

Guarding our driven steps, hushing the mouth, and tuning the ears to listen all help to keep us measured and prevent foolishness. As we submit to the Lord, His Spirit helps us develop a mindset that whether approaching His house, or any other place or situation, He is Lord and we are not. He is holy, He knows our needs, He is worthy of our trust, and He is honored by our humble allegiance. Taking a still moment to focus on who He is adjusts our view of self and importance, and trains us in reverent self-control. When we come to the Lord in bowed silence, He will fill our open mouths and hearts with His bounty. (Psalm 81:10; Proverbs 15:2; 17:28; Matthew 6:7-8)

What is my attitude toward God? Do my decisions and actions show that I revere His greatness, wisdom, and authority? Do I think I am here to do God a favor, or enlist my rights, or do I have a sense of grateful stewardship? In what ways can I adjust my approach of God with more praise, and what need I set aside to behave with more surrender? How do I exemplify Him in gracious blessing of others as He fills me?

Lord, may I carefully guard my mouth, using it carefully for the building up of others and blessing of Your name, fear, and glory.

“A wise son hears his father’s instruction,
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke…
By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom…
Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death…
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:1,10,13-14,20

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22-25

Hearing is good, but heeding is better. It’s one thing to accumulate knowledge, and another to apply it, one thing to seek advice and gather insights, but another altogether to put it into practice. Would we be wise? We would take in what we can digest and let it nourish thought and behavior. Truth gained and stored must be evidenced in decisive deliberate action and interaction.

Accumulating knowledge and experiences is not worthwhile if they’re only gathered on a brag-shelf. What good is a degree, a book read, another presentation or program, good counsel, if we cannot measure what we’ve learned and applied, how we’ve been inspired or changed? What do these gifted opportunities from God mean in and for daily life? What effect does the living, probing, active word of God have on our spiritual development and quality of industry and ministry? How have they informed better leadership, more careful decisions, richer relationships, or influenced life-changing direction? How are they making their way into the work God has prepared for us to do? (Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 4:12)

Do we choose companions from whom we can learn and with whom we can grow? How willingly do we welcome and participate in iron sharpening iron? Where are we making a difference in God’s people and kingdom by way of wisdom gleaned? To whom are we imparting what years of experience have culled and honed, by speaking truth in humility and love? Where can we pass on the refreshment of the fountain of life? (Proverbs 27:17; Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Timothy 4:11-16; Titus 2:1-10)

To make the most of all God has entrusted to us takes courage and willful determination. It also honors Him. Doing for the Lord from the bounty we receive from the Lord advances His purposes and glory. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Lord, at the end of each day, may I answer for all You’ve spoken, taught, and given with faithful employment in Your kingdom and grateful praise to You.

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5

“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,

“’What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—

“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit… No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.  And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:7-10a,11b-14

There is a vast difference in the motives and wisdom of those who are in Christ and those who are not. It’s important for interaction and civil dialogue to understand the reasons behind thought, opinion, and behavior- our own and that of those with whom we disagree. To expect clear insight from one spiritually blind, comprehension of the things of God from one spiritually ignorant, open inquisitiveness from one soul-hardened, or vibrant life from one spiritually dead, is to be unreasonable. Different doctrines determine different mindsets.

Trouble comes when in self-centered impatience we push to get our point across or win to our ‘side’ or persuade ‘opponents’ without taking time to understand others first. One who does not agree with the sound doctrine of Scripture will not, and cannot, comprehend the secret things of God. No additional personal sermons or higher volume of a rant will convince a depraved mind deprived of truth. Only the Holy Spirit can give spiritual discernment. The fact that as Christians our eyes have been opened should be a prompt for humble praise and earnest prayer for those still blind.

How might conversations be more fruitful, and the truth more winsome, if we approached others desiring to learn and understand rather than air our opinions? What if we listened more, even studied the the silences between the lines, and talked less? Will we intentionally, expectantly pray for God to reveal the folly of the rulers of this age?

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.” ~John Newton (1725-1807)

Lord, keep me humble, ever grateful for Your grace, and filled with Your Spirit in relationships with those in darkness.

“I am the Lord. They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby when they profane it: I am the Lord who sanctifies them...

“You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you… And when you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted… So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the Lord. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you,  who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 22:8c-9,20,29,31-33

“Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30

It takes a loving work of a grace-filled God to sanctify His creatures. His Spirit kneads and molds, we cooperate. He who is set apart as wholly ‘other’ beyond the heavens calls us to be set apart here below. Throughout our lives as those in Christ, the Holy God makes us holy and fits us for heaven. (2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 1 Peter 1:1-2)

As He works His character into us privately, He gives opportunity for us to live it out publicly. He fills us with His Spirit, then puts us in places and with people where we can express His thoughts and countenance and lift high His name in work, relationships, service, and speech. Our personal mortification of the flesh and former godless habits expresses itself in righteous, life-giving conduct. And all the while, our Redeemer Jesus is praying that this be so in the world! (John 17:17; 1 Timothy 4:12)

In the past year, what changes has the Holy Spirit made in the way we think, react, behave? What changes would we like Him to make, and are we cooperating with His conviction and correction? Have we grown lazy, or do we regularly avail ourselves of His means of grace that make a difference in us? What are some areas where we need His powerful transformation in order to be more like Jesus?

As I grow up in Christ, how am I sanctifying the Lord God among His people? In my culture, where and how am I emanating the light of the gospel truth through words, acts of service, refusals, or taking a stand? In what specific ways can I stand apart from its push and pull of entertainment, language, humor, divisiveness, and vitriol? (Exodus 20:7; Ephesians 6:12-13; Philippians 2:14-15)

“Let me come closer to Thee, Jesus,
Oh, closer day by day;
Let me lean harder on Thee, Jesus,
Yes, harder all the way.

Let me show forth Thy beauty, Jesus,
Like sunshine on the hills!
Oh, let my lips pour forth Thy sweetness
In joyous, sparkling rills!

In all my heart and will, O Jesus,
Be altogether King!
Keep me and use me daily, Jesus,
For Thee, for only Thee.” ~J. L. Lync (19th c)

Holy God, sanctify me by truth and Spirit, that my whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless in anticipation of seeing Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 John 3:2-3)

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the Feast of Booths to the Lord.  On the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.  For seven days you shall present food offerings to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present a food offering to the Lord. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work.

“’These are the appointed feasts of the Lord… for presenting to the Lord offerings… when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the feast… On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest.  And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days… It is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths for seven days… that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’” Leviticus 23:33-37,39-43

Celebration that is not ordinary work. Waving branches of splendid trees. Presenting carefully prepared offerings. Remembering and rejoicing. Gladness and joy. What meaningful feasts punctuated the years of God’s people, reminding them whose they were and how they became.

And we are such creatures of the ordinary. Routines and responsibilities order our world, pressing into the hours what are our needs and wants with nary a moment to reflect on how these came to be. Remember the booths? Remember the longing for identity before Christ, the desperation of handling life without Him? Remember the heavy burden of sin and insignificance, and the lovely banner of forgiveness and light He bestowed? Remember the monochrome confusion and disbelief God’s grace broke open into a profusion of color in a new creation? Remember His break-through deliverance into meaningful living, and the early days sheltered in His indescribable love? The trekking through the wind and nettles of early faith when He bid us forward, and on, teaching us how to walk and covering us with His favor? (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Where shall I pause this day? Will I erect a morning watch before the world begins and sun gets in my eyes? Will I take time from busy and frenzy for a quiet moment of waving heart and hands in vibrant thanksgiving? When I stop to eat or sit or close up shop, will I honor the One who provided the means? At end of day, what will be my offering to the One who blessed the hours? (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

Over what habits will I erect my booth of no-turning back repentance? Before whom will I wave my splendid branches of beauty and blessing, in generous outflow from all I’ve received? How will I punctuate my ordinary with glorious praise, to lift high God’s name and the sights of those around me?

Lord, keep me ever blessing Your name for how You’ve provided and where You’ve brought me. May I exult in You forever with loud songs of thanks. (Psalm 28:7)

“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.  But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat… After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’”

“While all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for… I had returned to the king. Some time later I… came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God… I gave orders to purify the rooms…

“I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them…’Why is the house of God neglected?..’ All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil into the storerooms. I put Shelemiah, Zadok, and Pedaiah in charge.., because they were considered trustworthy.” Nehemiah 4:8-9,14; 13:6-7,9-13

Nehemiah was a man of thoughtfulness, action, and his word. Everything he did was with purpose, care, and integrity. After taking leave from the king to go rebuild in Jerusalem, he returned to him according to their agreement. Only a man of excellent reputation would have been allowed to leave, and only a man of his word would have returned. He was passionate about God and His honor, and thus about His people and their obedience.

So when he saw wrongs, he did what he could to make them right- never self-serving or with caprice, always appropriate and trusting the Lord with results. He couldn’t do everything, but what he did was measured and upright, according to understanding and ability and within the parameters of his commitments and position. (Nehemiah 1:11-2:8,11-15,17b-20)

A life steeped in prayer keeps us in the center of God’s will. When we live under proper authority, we understand our place and the places our Master would have us serve Him in work. Trusting Him to direct us goes hand in hand with trusting Him for ongoing sustenance and wisdom for the task, and as caretaker of all results. Our seasons will change through the years from waiting on His guidance to exploration of the issues He’s set before us to active engagement in the fray. Each one is assigned by His good order and grace for His appointed times, and each meets varied challenges. The God who determines the start will complete the finish in His heavenly interest and timetable. (Acts 17:24-27)

Are we prayerfully and wholeheartedly doing all the Lord has set before us this day, or are we easily distracted by fears or weak faith? Would we put hand to task and ask for God’s continued guidance and blessing? Do we count the value of our lives according to God’s assigned course? Would we endeavor to finish our race faithfully, serving Him with humility, not shrinking from any assignment, and trusting Him with results? (Psalm 90:17; Acts 20:18-27,31-32,35)

Father, help me trust You with ways, means, and results of all You have called me to do. Keep me faithful in every effort for Your glory.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.*
    He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3a

*still waters: waters of rest

“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.  But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.” “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:15-16; 6:12,46; 9:28; John 6:15

In this madding world it is a challenge to find and keep quiet. The constant hum and thrum of noise, demands, schedules, responsibilities makes for anything but a quiet heart. But in Christ, we carry this quiet within, guarded by the jealous Keeper of our soul. Daily, and moment by needed moment, we can rise in the Spirit above the clamor to the heavenlies. (Psalm 121:5,7-8; 1 Peter 2:25)

What priority have we made for a time of keeping quiet? Where and when do we find a place away from the constant beat of people and prattle and pressures, a vantage point from where we can set our minds and hearts clearly on things above rather than the blur of things of earth? It is here that we hear from the Lord, gain His vision, and seize His promises. It is here we find refreshment away from the whir and grind of all that’s unpleasant, broken, even tortuous, in His love and eternal hope of resolution and restoration. (Habakkuk 2:1-3; 3:17-19; Colossians 3:1-2)

“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
‘Lord, lead me on to higher ground.’

Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” ~John Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922)

Lord, make me diligent to be still and quiet with Thee, to learn of and love You more. Clarify my vision, renew my spirit, and equip me to be a light and joy that points the noisy world to You.

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.  Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;  for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.  For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

“Command and teach these things.  Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.  Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.  Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.  Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:6-16

“Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13

Training: 1. The process or routine of one who trains; 2. The state of being trained; 3. Practical education in some profession, art, handicraft, or the like; instruction coupled with practice in the use of one’s powers.

Godliness does not just happen. Wishing something were so does nothing to propel it into being. Watching it speed by in someone else but failing to get on board will make no supernatural difference. Spiritual training is not only commanded as necessary and valuable in the Christian life, but it must be significant and ongoing. Little soundbites here, a rote recitation there, an act of service every now and then does not give strength for the journey or long haul. Training in godliness requires consistent vigilance, toiling, and striving. There is no one and done with the practice of faith.

If we are in Christ, we have known someone or several who went before us and stand out as examples. Within a congregation or fellowship we have been taught and trained by others who have walked longer with the Lord, and should keep pursuing this. The more we put scriptural principles to practice through experiences and years, the better trained we are to train those younger in the faith.

What defines our daily track of spiritual disciplines? When do we specifically put off and put on in prayer to refine godly conduct, speech, and mindset? In what situations at home and work are we practicing a godly example? Where and with whom are we exercising our God-given gifts and teaching the word with the hope of our living God and an eye for consistent spiritual progress? (Colossians 3:5-10,12-23)

Lord, keep training me to know You and make You known dynamically, effectively, and for Your glory.

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord…

“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

“You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:17-18,33-36

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.'” Mark 12:30-31

All humankind since Eden shares a common identity as image bearers, and a common slavery to sin. Only under God’s grace are we delivered. We’re common in struggles, hurts, illnesses, the strains of life under the curse. Sadly, in times when differences are highlighted and opposing opinions inflated at front and center, it can be difficult to even want to look for commonalities with those we deem ‘different’ from us. But there are many. God’s love overrides and undergirds the variations in His creatures. Each bears that mark of the Divine, and we would do well to discover, uncover, and appreciate the individual glories of those around us. That’s when love begins to bloom. (Genesis 1:27; 3:1-7,14-19; Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:23)

We tend to prefer and gather with like-minded people, and certainly rich fellowship derives from shared faith. But different perspectives add color and depth to our understanding and broaden our hearts to God’s wider family. When we learn through listening and caring about backgrounds, hardships, and inherited mindsets, the grace that captivated us warms toward those whom we are now seeing in heavenly light. As we open ourselves to His sway, the Holy Spirit infuses us with God’s compassion for fellow humans. He transforms callousness to tenderness, unwillingness to expectancy. What a difference it could make, one household and neighborhood and workplace at a time, if we would only reach out and respond in the same love Christ lavishes on us.

How might we begin? What are our stumbling blocks to seeing ourselves and others as common criminals before God, but for His amazing grace? Are we too puffed up, unforgiving, catty, stubborn? What if we set aside differences and probed for ways we think alike, enjoy alike, hurt alike, struggle alike? How might we sow seeds of kindness, lofty thinking, gratitude, and camaraderie in the human condition to open the conduit of gospel love? (Ephesians 4:29-32)

Lord, so captivate me with Your amazing love that I cannot help but love others in Your name. Open avenues of commonality that we might grow closer to You together and glorify You along the way.

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Idle: to run at low power and often disconnected usually so that power is not used for useful work; to spend time in idleness; to move idly; not working, not active, or doing nothing; unoccupied; inactive; not useful.

Idleness is an insidious contagion that may begin innocently but grow to take on monstrous proportion. It is a detriment to spiritual energy, a barricade to spiritual growth, and a drain on the church. Idleness can be infectious personally and in community. It breeds wrong thinking: I want, I deserve, it’s their fault, woe is me. And it breeds lazy doing: rude imposition, unhealthy dependence on the service and effort of others, and poor example to those we influence, often to the dereliction of more needed duty. Giving idle time to chastise, complain, and gossip breeds criticism of others, dissension between parties, and dishonor to God’s glorious intentions. (Proverbs 6:10-11; Ecclesiastes 10:18; Ephesians 4:29; 5:4)

The opposite of an idle person is one who is steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of Christ. He engages people and life for fruitfulness, contributes to the church and society, and builds God’s kingdom. She is full of the Spirit’s fruit and an active blessing to those around her. Peaceful, orderly, and quiet is not idle; rather it is a life measured in emotion, productive in industry, generous in heart, and fixed in Christ. It may listen and wait, but is eager and ready to act, doing the will of God from the heart and to benefit His kingdom. (1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:17,23-24; 1 Timothy 2:2)

Where have we given in to the idolatry of self-serving to the neglect of serving our Lord and others, and how has it spread to infect motive, will, and impulse? In what areas are we indulging idleness? Time spent without intention? Entertainment that leads astray? The tongue? How will we replace those tendencies with purposeful plans, fruitful industry, and mouths that speak uplifting truth and blessing?

Lord, teach me to number my days aright and employ every moment to the encouragement of others and promotion of Your will and glory. (Psalm 90:12)