Make it the ‘best day’

This Monday morning millions of people will groan; “back to work.” Are you one of them? Even as your feet hit the floor, were you expecting a bad commute, a surly boss, and a miserable week? Be honest with yourself. I’m not going to pretend that I am embrace every day and each challenge with enthusiasm, but I do know that we who are filled with God’s Spirit have the resource to face the week and turn it into something good. Yes, you can!  Say this out loud – “this is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice in it.”  (Psalm 118:24) Say it again.  Is that just poetry or it is truth?

We know Christ Jesus and who live in ‘in Him’ by faith are secure in hope, gifted with eternal life, and privileged to present ourselves to God for His care and comfort. We are in on the secret of life! Paul give himself to the work of proclaiming the open secret of Christ. Why?  "God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory." (Colossians 1:27, NLT)  We have a treasure available to us. Will we unwrap it, invest it, and live in the richness it offers?

Don’t be one of those Christians who leaves Jesus at church. Present your life to Him, right now, where you are.
Troubled? Tell Him.
Happy? Sing to Him.
Uncertain? Ask Him for wisdom.
Angry? Share with Him.

In need? Pray.

Paul wrote to us sharing his aspiration for ministry.  What a revelation!  "I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery!" (Colossians 2:2-3, The Message)

Knowing Jesus does not remove us from the ordinary trials of life. He won’t make the traffic flow on I-78 this morning! He won’t instantly change your rebellious teenage son into an angel. But, He will infuse you with faith, hope, and love today if you will present yourself to Him and take His grace. Maybe you fell flat on your face yesterday and you’re still feeling too guilty to pray. He loves you and wants to renew you, so tell Him about that. Perhaps you are feeling ebullient after a spectacular weekend, share that with Him and thank Him.

As you begin a new week, make it a great day, remembering to keep yourself in the Love of God.  Here is the word from the Word. "My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, The Message)

___________

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart.

Wean it from earth, thro' all its pulses move.

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,

And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?

All Thine, own soul, heart, and strength, and mind.

I see Thy cross, there teach my heart to cling.

O let me seek Thee and O let me find.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh.

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.

To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,

One holy passion filling all my frame!

The baptism of the heav'n descended Dove,

My heart an altar and Thy love the flame!

Spirit Of God Descend Upon My Heart (Morecambe)

Frederick Cook Atkinson | George Croly

© Words: Public Domain

I’m taking some time off.

See you next week!