Reflections
II Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Good morning! I see that we have been blessed with another day so that we can be thankful for everything and everyone! We do hope that you have already taken those few moments this morning to ask God to come into your presence that He could regenerate you with peace and strength to face this new day with optimism and favor. Sometimes, during those talks with God we find that reflecting on all the blessings that have already been given, we can find a renewed spirit that wants to continue to grow in our spiritual walk. Other times, we find solace in reflecting on the past, the times that seemed easier, less stressful; just carefree. I’m sure many of us also, find lying in bed at night our thoughts do go to some of the decisions, choices, regrets, as we look at how far we have ventured in this life. It is okay to take moments like that, to just visualize for a few minutes, but use them only as a reflection of what was, but not something you dwell on, that leads you to despair or depression. Reflection is to know that God had a better plan, a far better choice than we could ever make ourselves. Let your reflections be used as spiritual disciplines, a need to get into the scriptures to learn and study how God provides avenues to work through any difficulty the devil will try to throw in your path. Use that time of study to reflect or review your daily life, the words you use, the motives in which you do things, and whether your thoughts and actions are mimicking Christ life as a new believer. Open up to God and allow Him to guide you, teach you, protect you and show how His way can help you reflect the new and better way of living. Read and familiarize yourself on all the people of the Bible that trusted God’s guidance, then think on all the people in our world history, that also gained from believing God can and will transform each of us as we work toward that eternal home! Take a moment also to recognize other believers, friends, family, who have shown you the changes in their lives and how much more beautiful that life can be, no matter the good or bad circumstances; that reflection means moving forward to that ultimate goal of eternity with God, will always be the right choice.
Scriptures:
Read: II Corinthians 3:17-18, 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, Exodus 20:2-17, Lamentations 3:40-41, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Psalm 139:6-10, Proverbs 27:19, Deuteronomy 31:6, John 8:32, John 14:5-6, James 1:23-25, Psalm 23:1-6, I Thessalonians 5:16-23, Proverbs 3:1-6, 1 John3:23, Luke 12:24-26, Deuteronomy 4:39, I John 4:16, II Corinthians 5:7, Matthew 6:33-34, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 8:38-39
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for every moment you allow each of us a new day that we can share the knowledge of how salvation is the ultimate choice. Thank you, God, for your word that we can have a guidebook that gives us every tool we need, that shows us what type of armor we need to fight this evil world. Thank you, God, for allowing us to reflect on the past but not to dwell there; but to only use it as a tool to remind us yesterday is gone, today is here and tomorrow is up to you. Amen.