of love, not tainted by yesterday, not carried on as leftovers, but new and fresh and ready to be delivered to his children.
What does it mean that the Lord is our portion? If my portion is God, that means he’s everything I get. He’s my whole, my life, my breath and spirit. If I recall every morning with the rising of the sun that he is there, ready to feed me and renew me and shower me with grace, then I receive the portion he meant for me to have.
Wait for God who renews you every morning with his love and compassion.
RENEWED FOR A PURPOSE
Lord, thank you for giving me your kindness and your goodness every single day in fresh and loving ways. Help me take your love with me wherever I go today. Amen.
That’s Not My Job!
If I, your LORD and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: just as I have done, you also must do. I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.
—John 13:14-17
Unfortunately, the idea that something is “not my job” has permeated every area of life. The server at the restaurant doesn’t bring the water because that’s the hostess’s job. The person on the street corner doesn’t pick up the trash and put it in the bin because that’s the street cleaner’s job.
The little things we could do, and most of the time could do pretty easily, end up not being done because we’ve got the not-my-job disease. So today, remind yourself that you are always invited to do the job, whatever it is, as soon as you see the need or have the opportunity. You can wash the feet of others just as easily as you can be served by them.
Your job is always changing and your work for the Lord is always ongoing. If you think it’s somebody else’s job, give that another thought today and lead on!
Serve by helping others, doing the little things, even though it may not be in your “job description.”
RENEWED FOR A PURPOSE
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
