Editor's note: Yesterday, we introduced Cozy Faith: Devotions, Prayers, and Blessings for Fall. You can read it here. Then, cozy up and enjoy today's devotion.
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Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. — Matthew 6:34 NLT
The past, the present, the future — each can prompt our gratitude.
We thank God for yesterday as we look back and see His hand of provision, protection, and guidance. We find our hope strengthened as we recognize God’s great faithfulness through the inevitable storms of life.
We thank God for tomorrow — for the fresh start of a new day, for a future that invites bold dreams and steps of faith, and for the eternal future He promises those who name Jesus their Savior.
We realize only today is available to us.
We show our gratitude for the present by savoring the moment rather than regretting the past or worrying about the future.
For example, consider the first-time grandmother visiting her son’s home. Recently retired, she’s discovering a new occupation. Her toddler granddaughter puts in Grandma’s eyes a twinkle not seen in the workplace. Clearly relishing the moment, she smiles contentedly as she relaxes in the joy of this giggling granddaughter.
Though we’re grateful for past and future, let’s take a lesson from Grandma: learn to be present in — and thank God for — each precious moment of life.
Thank You for reminding me that I have only today. Teach me to live fully in the moment.
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He Is Able
God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. — 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
With God you will never face a situation in which you are forced to admit defeat and say, “I can’t.” With God it is always, “I can.” It may take bravery, it may take strength, it will definitely take faith — and the victory may look a little (or a lot) different from what you expect. But with God, all things are possible (Luke 1:37).
Just ask that young shepherd David as he stared down at the fallen giant. Just ask Noah as he stepped out of the ark into a fresh, new world. Ask Esther as she stood outside the king’s throne room after their fateful conversation.
The list could go on of the people who trusted God in the face of impossible situations and learned that He is indeed able. Lepers, outcasts, ordinary — and not-so-ordinary — people like us.
- In this life, you’ll face some tremendous challenges. But don’t worry. God is able to handle every one of them.
In fact, He “is able to bless you abundantly” so you will have “all that you need.” Impossibility doesn’t even exist for you. Thank the Lord!
No matter what comes my way this day, I know that You are able to see me through — and for that I praise You, Lord.
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Teacher, Victor, Savior
In Christ all shall be made alive. — 1 Corinthians 15:22
We can be very thankful for Jesus’ teachings — for what He taught about God’s Kingdom and how He showed us God’s love with His very life. But we can be exponentially more thankful that Jesus was not merely an effective Teacher:
He is Victor over sin and death; He is our Savior.
The apostle Paul acknowledged that Jesus’ resurrection is key to our faith:
If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. — 1 Corinthians 15:14
New York City pastor Tim Keller described it this way in his book The Reason for God: “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He said; if He didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what He said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like His teaching but whether or not He rose from the dead.”
In our postmodern day of moral relativity and discussions about whether truth even exists, aren’t you grateful that for you, Jesus’ teachings are clear? Because you believe in Jesus as not just Teacher but risen Savior, you have received life abundant and life eternal!
Father, thank You for the saving knowledge of Jesus my Savior. I’ll always be praising You for this gift.
Excerpted with permission from Cozy Faith: Devotions, Prayers, and Blessings for Fall, copyright Zondervan.
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Your Turn
Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead? If so, then you truly have nothing to worry about. He is able to do the impossible! Because of that, we can be worry-free and present in the present! ~ Devotionals Daily