Preferences

Throughout our lives we develop preferences. We like to eat certain things, live in a particular area, gather a group of friends that we prefer to spend time with, and watch specific shows. A problem with our preferences is that they become strong enough to exclude nonpreferential things. A worse affect of preferences is their application to people. We can easily prefer certain types of people to the exclusion of others, which may lead to bias against our nonpreferential people.

Ephesians 2:14 says, “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” God, in His grace, makes all of His children into one body, one family. He removes the things that divide us and gives us peace. See to it that you have this same attitude, promoting peace and love rather than differences and bias. God makes no room for bigotry or prejudice. Neither should we.

Daily Expectations

We begin each day with certain expectations. If we have gotten a good night’s sleep and things have been going well for us, we awake with expectations of another good day. However, if things have been going roughly and we know we may expect to face another hard day. Of course, our expectations rarely match reality, as good days turn sour and bad days suddenly turn out well.

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Start each day with thanksgiving that the Lord has made another special day for you. Expect Him to do great things in this new day and rejoice in His steadfast presence with you. Starting each day with thanksgiving and praise will change our outlook and attitudes, making us stronger to face the day.

Daily Habits

All of us have our daily habits, many of which govern how our days go. We shower, shave, and brush our teeth in certain ways and at certain times. We tend to gravitate toward particular foods and eat at particular times. We wear the same sets of clothes on a regular basis. While many of our habits are ingrained and become routine and even mindless, activities we feel like something is missing when we don’t do these habits.

Psalm 68:19-20 says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah  Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.” Our relationship with God is a daily and moment by moment experience. Daily, He bears us up by providing love and grace for us. And daily, He protects us and delivers us from evil. Our part is to make it a habit to diminish all other things to follow Him. This habit produces godliness and produces good works today and for eternity.

Effective Hope

Medicine, to be effective, must be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Advice or counsel is only effective as the hearer’s response to the advice. I have had to undergo physical therapy a few times. It was only as effective as my willingness to do the prescribed exercises.

Lamentations 3:21-22 says, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” Hope to become effective within us, must be based on truth. The hope of the believer is based upon the unassailable truth that God’s love for us is steadfast and He is rich in mercy toward us. Bring these truths to mind and hope will grow and sustain you through struggles.

Right Time for Everything

You have heard it said, “This will be the perfect time to…” You have probably even said this yourself about some opportunity that you have had. The truth is that there is a perfect time for us to do every little thing that we do. God has designed it so. If we will only follow Him, He will present us with the perfect time to do everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” God created the seasons to make the earth fruitful. He gives us different seasons of life to make us fruitful for Him. You have already experienced many seasonal changes in your life, let them reap the fruit of wisdom from your experiences and the grace of God. Let’s start following God closely to find the perfect time to do everything.