Today is the Day...to Treasure this moment [shares by Kyra]

Today is the day ...

to treasure this moment. 

Treasure this moment today. 

Tomorrow is still a dream and yesterday a memory. 

Like a river that flows without stopping, time flows on moment by moment. 

When you learn to treasure the moment with gratitude, you will drink the fullness of the time God has allowed you. 

Be present with God in this moment, pausing to thank Him for what is around you right now. 

Then really take the time to pay attention to your life - the sights and scents and sounds and impressions.

These are God's gifts to you. 

Psalm 67:6 NIV

[6] The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.

Luke 12:32 NIV

[32] “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

"You weren't made for yourself, You were made to serve God"--Rick Warren [shared by ChaiLeng]

How are we going to do to be able to serve him according his timing and his will?

Thoughts on Bible Reading: 1Thess5 & Prov26 [shared by Andrew]

1 Thess 5 talks of holding in high regard the hardworking Christian leaders who care in the Lord for fellow believers and, among other things, also "admonishes" (v12) and "warns" against idleness and disruptive behavior  (v14).

At the same time the call is to be patient with each other, striving to do what is good for others and everyone else.

Thot: as we grow as a Christian community is there a role for more admonishment and warning so that we can grow better together in Christ? Will we have the courage and humility to go beyond the comfortable zone?

Also nice from 1 Thess 5 is to know What is God's will for me in Christ Jesus? The answer is "Rejoice always, pray continually, Give thanks in all circumstances"  (v16-18).

Proverbs 26 has a number of practical warning sayings e.g. against being lazy or foolish quarreling, but the one that stood out for me was v20: 

"Without wood a fire dies down

Without gossip a quarrel dies down."

Thoughts on Bible Reading: 1The4 & Prov24 [shared by Andrew]

Today Prov 25:21 talks of heaping coals on enemies' head by feeding them and giving them drink.

 Thot:?Very different from the way of the world.

Yet interesting that this is an ancient theme taken up in Romans 12 where  this proverb is cited for us to know how to put Christ's love in action. It is also in line with Jesus' call for us to love and pray for our enemies. (Matthew 5:44).

Among other things, 1 Thess 4 reminds and warns on sexual impurity and the importance of personal holiness.  Also about what our ambition should be, and winning the respect of others by living quiet lives and working (v11-12).

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Prov24 & 1Thess3 [shared by Andrew]

A little slumber, a little sleep, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come like a thief .... Proverbs 24:33

I'm now in my 9th month of no pay leave.  Thankful for the rest, the time to spend with my mum, and the opportunity to learn new skills. Yet this Proverbs verse reminds me not to get too complacent.  

The risk of complacency is also more acute in spiritual matters.  In 1 Thess 3, Paul writes with the joy and fervency of labouring for the Lord despite trials.

This reinforces for me the message  (currently studying at BSF) on Revelations 3 to the Loadicean church not to be lukewarm, for thinking we are rich and not needing anything when in reality we are poor and wretched and needing the Lord.

Thoughts on Bible Reading: 1Thes2 [shared by Andrew]

Yesterday I was reminded that challenges can sometimes be used by God to bring us closer to Him and to realise we can rely on Him for He is trustworthy and loves us and all our family members.

By the way, glad that some of the daily reflections have been of help.  I would nevertheless encourage all to read God's word directly if you can.    

Many people pay a lot of money for advice and insights on all sort of issues. Yet in the Bible we have a customized message from the God of all creation on the most important issues for each of us each day.  The  "cost" is just a bit of our time and an open heart.

Today's reading from 1 Thessalonians 2 in particular reminds that what we read in the bible is not human words but God's word.

Thoughts on Bible Reading: Cols3-4 [shared by Andrew]

From the last few day readings I like the verses:

Colossians 4:17 where in Paul's final greeting to the Christians at Colossae he tells Archippus to "complete the ministry you have received in the Lord."

 (Thot: how can I better complete the ministry I have received in the Lord?  If I don't really know what is this ministry, what steps can I take to better identify or confirm the ministry(s) that Jesus wants for me.)

Also

Colossians 3:17 "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him"

Reinforced by 

3:23 "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not human masters"