This 7-day devotional series will reveal how to spend this time in quarantine reflecting and examining your life through God‘s eyes, so that you can redeem your thoughts towards your past, be present with Him and boldly enter the post-COVID world in the center of His perfect will in this season of our lives and the next.
Thank God for hot showers.
They are laboratories of epiphany. I don’t know if it’s the hot water hitting the skin, the feeling of cleanliness or slight vulnerability that is freeing, calming…and present. The hyper self-awareness centers me, allowing me to feel every second going by. Its probably why it's in the shower I can hear God the most and clearest and further proves the value of taking the time to be present.
Being present in a moment can be challenging. I, for one, am often dwelling in the past like I mentioned in previous posts or constantly dreaming about the future leaving little time to be productive in the moment. And then there is the addictive and mindless habit of checking my phone and needing to be constantly stimulated with updates and endless scrolling. All of this robs us of the richness of life that surrounds us at any given moment. It can blind us to things right in front of us that we might later regret for not appreciating once it's gone.
Reflecting on the present is an activity of taking inventory. Emotionally, spiritually, financially, relationally and every other area in your life. What are things you can be thankful for today, and what things do you feel are missing?
There is a lot of talk about the new normal that is already here in some ways and on its way in others. One thing I have learned is working from home isn’t so bad. I also learned I wanted to start a blog and podcast and business and finally take advantage of this moment because with so many distractions gone, I can think clearly about where I am in life. I don’t want to go back to normal. God makes a way out of no way and is ready to do a new thing. I want to be ready for that. That means I need to be listening to what He is saying in my spirit now.
So many Christians are still relying and doing things from an old season, that they are missing what God is doing now. God might have called you to that church but now He might need your gifts and talents for another. Maybe the job God blessed you with has reached its expiration date because He has a better opportunity for you now.
We need the fresh manna of God daily. When God delivered manna to the children of Israel, he gave them enough for that day only. If they tried to save it for the next day, it rotted and was crawling with maggots. Manna represents God’s living, right now word or rhema, the spirit to spirit communication God uses to speak with us today that is always aligned with His written word or logos, in the Bible. That is why we don’t live on bread alone but every word that proceeds from His mouth and, why Jesus referred to himself as the bread of life. He is our spiritual manna today.
Faith is NOW.
We need to be hearing what He is saying daily. That way we are dependent on Him daily and not running off ahead without Him, a persistent problem I have. That is why God often gives us the whole vision of the promise for hope but then only gives us pieces of the instructions to get there, always having to be present with Him every step of the way.
As you reflect on your present situation, think about some of the answers to these questions:
Am I where I need or want to be? Am I in the center of His will presently?
What moves or changes do I need to make today to get there if I’m not?
How is my relationship with God currently?
What can I begin doing today to improve it?
God has so much He wants to share with you. God has all the answers. Carve out some time to be alone with God today. The past is gone and, tomorrow is not promised.
Carpe diem – seize the day!
Scriptures to Read:
Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Matthew 6:33-35
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah
Application:
Take some time view God's creation. Either on a walk or sitting on porch or balcony during sunset or sunrise, pause for a moment to admire God's creation and what it reveals about His nature. Write down or record what is revealed.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for waking me up and breathing life into me to enjoy this wonderful day you have made. I rejoice and choose to be glad in it. I repent of not putting you first and giving you the scraps of my time and attention. I come boldly to your throne, grateful and humble, seeking You. Your voice. Your presence. I ask that you set the agenda and not me. Pour your heart out to Me God so that I may know your ways and thoughts. What are your concerns? What would you have me to do today? Open my ears to hear and give me a heart receptive to what you have to say. Thank you for the blood of Jesus that allows me to have a relationship with you and to know you. Amen
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