Editor's note: Enjoy today's devotion from This Moment Matters by Ruth Chou Simons.
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Here are some passages with important truths you can practice preaching to yourself:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. — Ephesians 2:1–10 ESV
For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. — Psalm 139:13–16
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the One who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:31–39
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Look Up
I spend so much time looking down at my laptop, my phone, my work, and all the things I need to attend to that it’s hard to keep looking up, but no other practice or posture has been more influential in my daily life.
The psalmist makes it clear:
We lift our eyes, both physically and spiritually.
What does that look like? Perhaps it means this:
* Setting down your phone and literally looking up to the sky. Lifting your head and gazing at God’s majestic creation—things that don’t depend on you in any way.
* Fixing your eyes on something awe-inspiring, like art, nature, and the people you love.
* Turning your face toward God’s presence through his Word or in prayer.
* Noticing God’s intricate details in creation—the veining in a leaf, a tiny petal on a clover or wildflower—and responding in wonder.
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you look up (and out):
* Where do I see God at work around me?
* What about God’s creation inspires worship in me?
* How does God’s creation speak of His character and attributes?
* Which of God’s attributes can I focus on as I look away from the struggles, the problems, the responsibilities that are weighing on me and look to the displays of His greatness and care?
Schedule it, plan for it, or stop right where you are and do it now: Look up, friend! God is at work. He is faithful. And He is worthy of your attention.
Excerpted with permission from This Moment Matters by Ruth Chou Simons, copyright Ruth Chou Simons.
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Your Turn
Today, let’s look up and notice God and what He’s doing. Look around. Wonder at His creation. Plan time with God and do a little preaching to yourself with Scripture! ~ Devotionals Daily