Based on “Life Happens” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 6/26-27/10
Message #6052; Daily Devotional #6 - “How Was Your Day?”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): As Christ followers, we should be mindful of how we allow our current circumstances to affect our relationship with our God. Every day when I come home, my wife will ask me how my day was. Usually my answers are short and, unfortunately, they are not positive the majority of the time. Hearing about the trials that Paul underwent at the hands of the Romans made me wonder how he would answer if someone asked how his day was. On top of that, what would it take for me to come home one day and cheerfully tell my wife that my day was wonderful and fulfilled?
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Jesus taught His followers to approach life on a daily basis and not to worry about tomorrow or the months or years ahead. A good day to Jesus would be one in which He did God’s will for Him. Jesus knew that incredibly hard times awaited Him. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Word describes: He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. (Luke 22:44, NLT) However, in the weeks leading up to the crucifixion He was not short with people or abrasive because He had a lot on His mind. Instead, He carried out God’s will as a loving servant. The Apostle Paul wrote: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Christ followers must remember that God is central to a good day. Throughout the day we will need to avoid the temptations to do things or act in ways that separate us from God. Accepting and knowing God’s will requires a close relationship with Jesus and a foundation in daily prayer and the Word of God. When times come where we are unsure of God’s will, we can fall back on His two greatest commandments: “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) Jesus taught that His will hinges on these principles; therefore we cannot fulfill His purpose for our lives if we are not following them on a daily basis.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Matthew 22; Philippians 4
WSK
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
NLT = New Living Translation.