As the Day Begins “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” — Ephesians 5:18–19 Before the day gets far along, something will begin setting its tone.Continue reading “Who Will Set the Tone Today?”
Category Archives: A Morning Meditation
Before the First Word
As the Day Begins “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” —Proverbs 13:3 Before I check the messages waiting on my phone or begin the conversations this day will bring, I need to consider what my words will carry. Will they offer patience, or pass alongContinue reading “Before the First Word”
Grace Has a Voice—It Can Be Yours
As the Day Begins “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” —2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV Some mornings, I need to remember that my wounds do not disqualify me from offering encouragement. Paul describes himself and his fellow workers asContinue reading “Grace Has a Voice—It Can Be Yours”
A New Heart for a New Day
As the Day Begins “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out ofContinue reading “A New Heart for a New Day”
What Are You Carrying Today?
As the Day Begins “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” — James 1:2–4, KJV I sometimes picture each of us pushing a wheelbarrowContinue reading “What Are You Carrying Today?”
Decide Before the Moment Decides
As the Day Begins “Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” —1 Peter 1:13 A pilot practices difficult decisions before an emergency ever appears outside the cockpit. I find a helpful spiritual lesson there: theContinue reading “Decide Before the Moment Decides”
Among the Thorns
As the Day Begins “To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” —2 Corinthians 12:7, ESV Some mornings, the hardest thing to face is the difficulty that hasContinue reading “Among the Thorns”
When Faith Takes the Next Step
As the Day Begins “Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!” —Ruth 3:7–8, ESV I understand the desire to know how something will turn out before taking the first step. We want reassurance beforeContinue reading “When Faith Takes the Next Step”
Mercy Meets Us in the Morning
As the Day Begins “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” —Lamentations 3:22–23 Some mornings arrive before our hearts feel ready for them. Yesterday’s disappointment remains, and the questions that troubled our sleep are waiting when we awaken.Continue reading “Mercy Meets Us in the Morning”
When God Writes on the Heart
As the Day Begins “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out ofContinue reading “When God Writes on the Heart”