Author: astherainandsnow

“The whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,  and said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger…’

“So Moses and Aaron said to all the people, ‘At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt,  and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us? When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord…’

“All the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages,.. and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.  Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ And Moses said, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’” Exodus 16:2-3,6-8; 17:1-2

The fickle Israelites had limited vision. Almost immediately after God’s amazing deliverance through the Red Sea they grumbled at the difficulties they faced. They failed to connect that this same God would continue to work miraculously for them as they exercised growing faith in Him. Concerned only with present comfort and immediate gratification, they complained, whined, and blamed, blindly disregarding it was they who were accountable to the God of their salvation. (Exodus 14:21-31; 15:22-27)

This tendency, even with biblical examples proving the opposite, continues with God’s people through the centuries. In Jesus’s time, the worldly mindset failed to see human interactions as relating to Christ. Even today, only those who embrace their image-bearing and do all as unto Jesus grasp every aspect of life in reference to Him. (Matthew 25:34-45)

Are we in this habit of marginalizing Christ in our post-Sunday living? What do habits of complaining, criticism, and snippy, impatient, graceless treatment of others reflect about our attitude toward God? Do we comprehend that as His representatives here on earth, everything we do is done for or against Him? Are we so narrow and selfishly-focused that we don’t consider how our decisions affect or reflect Him? How will we insert the Lord and His glory into the equation of our everyday interactions and choices? What will we do to permeate our mindset and motivations with His greatness and worth? How will we adjust our motivations to align with Christ’s and His delight? (Luke 11:23; Colossians 3:23-24)

“All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs,
all my thoughts and words and doings,
all my days and all my hours.

Let my hands perform his bidding,
let my feet run in his ways;
let my eyes see Jesus only,
let my lips speak forth his praise.

Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
so enchained my spirit’s vision,
looking at the Crucified.” ~Mary D. James (1810-1883)

Lord, redirect my thinking and desire to hold high Your worth and worthiness.

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness  for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days… [and] he was hungry.  The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’  And Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone.”’  And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, ‘To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’  Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,

“You shall worship the Lord your God,
    and him only shall you serve.”’

“And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,  for it is written,

“He will command his angels concerning you,
    to guard you,”

and

“On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.”’

“Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’  When the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:1-13

Satan attacked the hungry Jesus in what he deemed His vulnerable places, but in exquisite defense, Jesus proved He had none. Both knew scripture: the devil quoted it for trickery, while Jesus held it as His sword of defense and correction. The devil attempted word manipulation for his own ends; Jesus spoke it as the end itself. Every temptation touched on an area piqued by pride, and the humble Son of God turned each back to confront the pompous deceiver in his plotting. His enticements turned to instruction for all. (Ephesians 6:13-17; 2 Timothy 3:16)

The devil pants and plots to undo us, taking every opportunity to attack our sense of importance and self-sufficiency. Our best offense against his onslaught is a strong defense, and the strongest defense is the word of God. Christ Jesus used biblical truth as a potent counterattack on the devil’s twisted usage. Unless we are stung in the ego and cave to arrogance, we can wield the word to put him in his defeated place.

Do we know the Word well enough? Do we trust God’s Spirit to bring appropriate truths to mind? What are we doing by way of scripture memorization and bold prayer to arm ourselves against the enemy’s relentless attacks? (Luke 21:15; John 8:44; 14:26; 1 Peter 5:8)

“And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!” ~Martin Luther (1529)

Lord, fortify me in Your word, for Your victorious renown.

“He entered Jericho and was passing through.  And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.  And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.  So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.  And when they saw it, they all grumbled, ‘He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’  And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'” Luke 19:1-10

He’d heard He was coming and scrambled toward Him. The crowd was too great so he ran to the tree. Quickly, no time to slip, he climbed to his perch, didn’t want to miss a glimpse, a word. He had to see who He was. The One who would be his Savior knew the urgency in his heart to come, to see, to believe. So He beckoned him to hurry down as quickly as he’d made his way up, to converse with Him who could change his life. I’m coming into your house, your world, your heart, today.

With Jesus it’s in or out, yes or no. When God gives the opportunity and eagerness, He supplies the joy to receive all He has to give. The longer we hesitate or linger in doubt, the more excuses we make. The longer we procrastinate, the greater the distractions and reasons to put off decisions. When we hurry toward His appearing and invite Him into our home and mess and business, there is much in store.

Are we all in for Jesus, zealous to know who He is and see Him work? Are we too full of self and busy with mundane living to acknowledge our limited stature before His majesty? Will we make our way out of the crowd of ordinary toward the best and extraordinary change-agent?

How quickly do we respond when God does call, or convict, no matter how difficult the assignment? How promptly do we answer His nudging to reach out, make things right, lend a service? We do not know how long we will have to serve Him on earth, but we do know the Lord has given this day for His purposes. Are we open to all He wants to rearrange in our priorities? How are we investing our moments for His kingdom’s sake? (Genesis 22:1-3; Luke 12:20; James 4:14)

Lord, may I make haste to seek You every day, and eagerly prepare You room to fill and overflow from my life, to the benefit of others and Your resounding praise.

“Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.  And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.  At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you…’

“‘O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?’

“It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.  And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,  behold, I now do according to your word. I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.  I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.'” 1 Kings 3:3-5,7-14

Lifting the veil on the inner sanctum of Gibeon’s high place, the Lord invites our witness of a most intimate exchange. Solomon encounters God by way of sacrifice, bringing his honesty and limited faith, and God promises far more than the young king could begin to imagine. Solomon had enough understanding to know what he did not know and have, and God pledged to give wisdom beyond his years and more.

The Lord delights to commune with His children. He shapes and hears what we ask, always actively guiding and listening when we yield to Him in earnest prayer. He knows exactly where we are in the scope of life here below. His plans for us are vast and good, and He understands and meets every need we own to accomplish them. (Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 4:19)

Are we aware of what we have, both liability and asset, and do we bring these to Jesus? How regularly, how honestly, do we assess our storehouse? It is easy in the rush and press of each day to hurry into activity without taking time at the high place and offering ourselves- our hours and willingness and open hands- to the Lord. But when we do, there is much treasure to find.

What specific needs can we offer our King today? Where are we lacking insight, understanding, patience, a clear way forward? Our bountiful God gives beyond and in between what we ask, according to His glorious riches and infinite wisdom. (Ephesians 3:20)

Lord, keep me honest and bold in prayer, and please work into and unto and out of me according to Your great wisdom and glory.

“After the death of Moses, the Lord said to Joshua, Moses’ assistant, ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.  Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.'” Joshua 1:1-9

Every command from God was tethered to His character and supply. He told Joshua at the onset of his leadership of Israel that He’d already fulfilled what He promised Moses: The land was His and theirs, only to be taken in conquest. His I will backed every be and do not. On the basis of who God was and what He would do, His man was to be strong and courageous and succeed. He was not to fear or faint or be discouraged. The end was completed, the deed done within the supernatural realm of promise. Joshua need only keep his eyes forward, tread the land, and fight.

Joshua didn’t delay, and set off according to plan Moses set in place. He gave specific instructions and reminded the people of specific agreements, rallying them around the Lord as their ongoing provider. We can also be so bold, stepping out in faith on God’s given tasks knowing He will keep His word. (Joshua 1:10-15)

Do we dally with God’s commands, or new or difficult assignments? How well acquainted are we with God’s I wills so we can take them forward in pursuit of His goals? In what areas or situations do we lack confidence, determination, or assurance that we can find in Him alone? Would we discover what He has to say, and hide those truths in our hearts as the source of strength to proceed? What procrastination or sin proclivity is He calling us to conquer in His name and power? What are we doing to keep God’s promises at hand?

Lord, keep me vigilant and prepared for every assignment, trusting Your I wills as my guide, guardian, and goal.

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.’  But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle… And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.  And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.  The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people…”

“And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly… 

“When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord… And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent…’

“Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them,  coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night…

 “And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 13:17-18,20-22; 14:8,10,13-14,19-20,22a

The Lord God was always teaching His people, and used both words and visual aids. He knew their propensity to look this way and that and on their enemies with fear, so He trained them to turn their eyes toward Him. It was hard to avoid a pillar of cloud or fire- each opaque, each captivating, both representing His mysterious and bright power that both led and protected. The grit was weaning from self-dependence and hard training in faith, the grace was His consistent presence that hemmed them in. (Psalm 139:5)

When the cloud of God’s abiding which they followed but through which they could not see moved from in front to behind, the Israelites were able to witness the salvation of the Lord. Walls of water’s wrath were held back and the Lord made the otherwise impossible way through dry ground. God indeed delivered them from certain death. (Exodus 14:21-31)

He does the same for us when we still our striving and rest in His salvation. Do we have the grit to believe Him even when we cannot see? Will we receive and extend His free grace that flames forth and within? The natural result of being held between cloud and fire is praise because we’ve seen and known the hand of God. (Exodus 15:11-13)

Lord, may my daily experiences with Your cloud and fire elicit spontaneous praise to Your glory.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures… For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.  Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed…

“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4a, 9-11,14-20a

Paul’s life and ministry testify to the inestimable power of God’s grace. Because it was the DNA of his pursuing Savior, he, a persecutor of Christians unworthy of favor, received it in life-changing abundance. The gospel of grace worked to transform, motivate, and empower him from that moment on. Not one drop of his Redeemer’s blood was in vain. Therefore, he would not live the rest of his days in vain, but only to preach Christ risen and glorified. (Acts 9:1-18)

When the message of the gospel penetrates our world, we are changed. He opens to us the depravity of our sin, the finished work of the cross, and the hope of life eternal. What matters to Him becomes important to us. Because Christ was raised in resurrection power, we can grow to understand its ramifications for mindset, faith, purpose, and boldness, and live in it daily. (Romans 8:11-13; Ephesians 1:16-20)

Are we? How has the gospel transformed our preferences and pursuits? Has it come to us in vain? Do we go about our days living without use or result, or taking to account and investing the rich privileges of knowing and serving Christ? What specific action does the gospel of grace compel?

How are we regularly experiencing resurrection power over fear, shame, sin habits? Where is it evidenced in attitude, relational interactions, ministry opportunities? How are we encouraging its effectiveness in others? How will we exhibit the potency of faith today?

Lord, let me never take Your grace for granted, but welcome its purifying and power for purposeful days that glorify You.

“Does not he see my ways
    and number all my steps?” Job 31:4

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with you.”

“He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.” Psalm 139:16-18; 147:4

“Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing.” Isaiah 40:26

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Luke 12:7

He numbered the seasons when He set the earth spinning, and the stars He placed in heaven and knows by name. He numbered the chromosomes of man when He created His image-bearer from dust. He numbers our steps, our days, and the hairs on our head. He brought math into existence in HIs exquisite, infinite design. And full of innumerable thoughts and immeasurable love toward us, the grand Accountant does not count our sins against us because of Jesus. How marvelous, how intricate, how indescribable is this God?! (Genesis 1:16-18,27; Psalm 32:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19)

It does us well to take humble accounting of all He numbers. Contemplating His upholding in place the stars He formed with His fingers, as well as His knowledge of the very hairs on our heads, are we not humbled, and hushed? He chooses to account and care for what He does, and covers over an immensity of sin and guilt and shame with His love. Do we fall in worship? Do these truths not steady our hearts and fix our thinking about His vastness?

If God knows the number of my days, why do I worry over so many uncertainties and health what-ifs? If God numbers and owns all riches, why would I fret over lack? If God measures my tears, and hears every prayer, why do I sorrow with despair? How can I learn to number my days with prudence, and count it joy to suffer trials? How will I love Him more? (1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 8:3-4; 24:1; 50:10-12; 56:8; Romans 11:36; Philippians 4:19)

“The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The wand’ring child is reconciled
by God’s beloved Son.
The aching soul again made whole,
and priceless pardon won.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky.

“O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.” ~Frederick Lehman (1917)

Keep me exalting You, God of perfect numbers and numbering, with countless praise.

“Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb.  Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.  For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.  You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever.  And when you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service.  And when your children say to you, “What do you mean by this service?”  you shall say, “It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.”’ And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

“Then the people of Israel went and did so; as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.” Exodus 12:21-28

Moses knew the Lord would deliver Israel from Pharaoh’s servitude, but the promise seemed drawn out in coming. Initial hesitancy crept into courage, days followed days, plagued followed plague, and now the Lord prepared them for His final outpouring of wrath before the exodus. As the eternal God always intends, He directed them not just to immediate obedience to specific instruction, but to forever remembrance of His amazing deliverance. They responded as He was worthy, with humble, reverent worship. (Exodus 3:7-4:13; 6:2-11)

When God pledges His word, we are to take it as truth for now and ever. The immediate with our timeless God is always. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and so His pledges hold for present and future. What He promises to do is already accomplished within His supernatural providence, and we are to take encouragement that He will continue in His faithfulness. We are never to stop marveling at what He has already done, as that remembrance and praise remind us to look up, opening the way to heightened anticipation of seeing His hand yet again. Faith that is expectant in Him is faith that sustains any delay. (Psalm 119:89-90; Isaiah 55:8-9; Hebrews 13:8; 1 Peter 1:25)

Do we begrudge God’s daily demands, frustrated at the lack of immediate gratification? Do we get weary in waiting for fulfillment of His promises, and flag in hope and prayer and meanwhile gratitude? How might our expectancy rise if we increased praise along the way, recounting the glimpses we see of His grace, beauty, and power?

When God does act in a flourish of magnificence, do we thank Him at once and then forget, or maintain a spirit of ongoing gratitude? To repeatedly celebrate His goodness is to increase further expectancy and magnify the Lord. (Exodus 12:42)

Lord, let me never forget the power and glory of Your deliverance, and praise You with constancy, delight, and expectancy for Your ongoing faithfulness.

“He said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’  And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully,  and he thought to himself, “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?.. I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’”  But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”  So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.’

“And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing… And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?..  And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For… your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

“’Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'” Luke 12:15-23,25,29-34

Jesus addressed people in areas of importance, prominent concern, and sting. Treasure was often a topic because it’s often at the top of mind. The truth was that treasure needs proper priority, and the trouble was it usually doesn’t have such. The crux is understood in light of eternity. There will be a day an accounting of our souls is required, and the bearing of earthly treasure will have no impact except that it prevented richness toward God. (Luke 18:18-23)

We need a measure of treasure to function in the world, but we need the wealth of God more. Earthly riches steal affection, stoke covetousness, and distract from vital attention by inducing anxiety and fussing. God knows and provides for our every need, and if we keep rightly ordered focus we would know that. Little faith frets over present possessions, great faith frees us from their care and convinces us heavenly treasure is forever. Where are my treasure and heart planted?

How are my treasures out of kilter? Do I fret more about stuff than my state of rightness before God? Are my thoughts consumed with consuming and accumulation, or are those things filtered through a worshipful, surrendered heart and held with open hands? How am I practically seeking first God’s eternal kingdom and righteousness? What do I need to adjust in my schedule and habits to do so? Where will I improve frugality, enhance stewardship, and increase generosity? (Job 31:24-25,28; Proverbs 11:24-25,28; Matthew 6:19-21,33; Luke 16:11,13)

Father, help me handle earthly treasures with gratitude, honor, and generosity, and to treasure You above all.