Live Without Regret

So many mothers are lamenting that their babies are growing up too fast. Others think they will not be rid of their children fast enough. This diversity in attitude stems from their values in life.

Life is too brief to either lament or wish away the time. Rather we can enjoy each moment of it and praise God for His blessings, mercy and grace through each new day (Lamentations 3:22-23).

God left heaven and took on the form of a man in order to bring salvation to the whole world. Anyone willing to humble their pride under the mighty hand of God may come to Him for salvation (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6).

God desires a relationship with us that is as intimate as a vine has with its branches. His life flowing through us, sustaining us, and giving us the ability to bear good fruit with our life.

We receive the fullness of God's Spirit at salvation and we spend our lifetime giving Him more and more of our self to use as He sees fit (Ephesians 5:18-19). This allows us to walk in the fullest measure of His presence (Ephesians 3:19).

Honoring God with our perspective, attitude and lifestyle will change the way we live. We will glorify God in all that we think, say and do, because we are totally committed to following Him (Acts 17:28).

This allows us to have peace and patience to deal with life's irritations, inconsistencies and the issues, which cause anxiety to rise up in our heart. It also allows us to live without regret and to reap positive rewards in this lifetime and in the next (Luke 18:30). 

Prayer:

Father God, we realize that we can bear no fruit in our own efforts, but spiritual fruit can only grow in us as we remain attached to the Vine. Help us to walk in holiness, so that we do not have cause to regret the choices we make with our life (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Remind us that we are dead and our life is hidden with Christ in You (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3). Each day we realize that You are our life and that without You we can do nothing (Colossians 3:4; John 15:5). Teach us to allow the life of the Vine to flow through us, so that we will bear much fruit (John 15:8).

Thought for the Day:
The risen Christ lives in and through each authentic Believer and causes us to live a victorious life without regrets. 

- Romans 8:37; Psalm 30:12

God's Perfect Plan

God has a perfect plan for every creature He creates (Matthew 6:28, Ephesians 2:10). He wants only what is best for us; yet, so many of us buy into Satan's lie that He wants to restrict us and thwart our individuality and our freedom.

Freedom in Christ is the only true freedom (John 8:36). We no longer have the struggle of making something of our life, providing for all of our own needs, finding a mate or job or raising our children successfully.

 

Christ in us, by His Holy Spirit, guides each moment of our life, if we totally surrender all to Him. He may not provide exactly what we want, but His provision will be better than we ever dreamed possible (Philippians 4:19).

 

He provides the job He wants us to have. It may not supply the salary we want, or the perfect work, which we think we are suited for; but He will use us there for His glory and for His exact purpose for our life, as we walk in His Spirit (Galatians 5:15-25).

Our children may grow up and get so busy that they have little time for us. They may walk away from the Godly values, which we shared with them, and they may make life choices which grieve the Holy Spirit. As long as we did our best as parents, they are in God's hands now, and we continue to pray for them.

We may live in a home, which is less than a worldly status symbol; but as long as we have a place to lay our head, we have more than Jesus had during His life on this earth (Matthew 8:20). Our clothes may come from a thrift store, but they are as beautiful as anything sold in the mall.

As we trust God with our life, we gain our identity from Christ in us. We no longer wonder why we are alive on this earth, but we see Him use us for His glory as we share a smile, a kind word or a helping hand as He directs our life.

​Prayer:

Father God, give our heart Your peace as we walk in Your will each day of our life (Philippians 4:7). Fill us with Your Spirit and use us to bring as many people to heaven with us as are willing to humble their life before You (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6).

Remind us not to pass up an opportunity to give someone a helping hand in Your name (Matthew 10:42). You faithfully provide for all of our needs according to Your plan for our day (Philippians 4:19; Ephesians 2:10) and You comfort us in all of our afflictions (2 Corinthians 1:4). As we trust in You, You reveal to us Your heart and calm us by Your promises and faithful nature (2 Peter 1:4).

Thought for the Day:

As we rest in the palm of God's hand, He shelters us from the storms and fearful places of life (John 10:28; Psalm 27:5); He stills the raging circumstances and quiets the waves of turmoil in our surroundings (Psalm 107:29).