Daily Bible Reading
To prevent the frustration of falling behind, which most of us tend to do when following a Bible reading plan, each month of this plan gives you only twenty-five readings. Today we start a few “free days” . We encourage you to catch up on any readings you may have missed this month.
If you have finished the month’s readings, you can use these final days of the month to study the passages that challenged or intrigued you.
Daily Devotion
Every year around this time I take a look back at my growth, my wins and losses, my triumphs and defeats. December 27th is the day I was born. I tried to think about what has gone right and what needs work. It’s been a long time since I have had anyone interested in what I believe as I’ve shared my testimony with co-workers. Looking over the past few years, one could deduct that I made a poor choice in employment because of the injuries I have been dealing with from the job.
At one point I thought it for the best to find something else. I wasn’t seeming to make any progress with soul winning even though I knew God provided the job. It’s been said before that we, and these days we live in, are a microwave society, we want everything right now. I failed to remember that God is on time, but that’s His time, not mine. My job changed a bit. I’m now in a position where I am exposed to kindergarten through fifth graders and wow do they need love, compassion and Godly examples. Most of them are very rough around the edges. I know there’s a purpose for where I am. I know the kids in my circle of influence need spiritual help that being said, the fruits of our labor take time.
As the end of the year rolls around and we all evaluate the year, don’t forget to give yourself grace. God does that for you as well. Don’t forget just because you don’t see progress now, does not mean there isn’t progression. Keep the towel, don’t throw it in!
We don’t do it for nothing! Let’s look at what this verse says;
“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:22-24 KJV
Everyone with in our circle of influence needs to know how God feels about them. We all know there’s a lost and dying world out there, everything is so mixed up, right is left and left is right, up is down and down is up. Upside down is the new right side up. Don’t mistake no progress or little progress as a negative. Be patient, God is planning something big, and if we don’t learn to understand how to wait we’re not gonna understand when the time comes to reap the rewards of waiting. Plant every seed you can and water it with the tears of your prayers. God will help you.
About three months ago a coworker who has been asking questions about God, needed to talk, so we went out for coffee. She spilled her feelings and a situation she was going through. I was able to relate because I had gone through a similar situation. I asked God to guide me through this and He did. He gave me the scripture for her and I read it to her and she was amazed that God would think about her. Here is that scripture, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT
I’m not anybody special, I just decided to go slow and careful and help somebody in need and out of it is coming great things. She told her mom who are now wants to meet me because she wants to know who it is that is giving her daughter such a special friendship. She told her mom I was praying for her. It’s taken two years to get this far, so I know it’s not about me.
In 2024 I want to strive for taking time to understand how to listen and to be patient. I want to make sure I am keeping my eyes open and shifting my thinking from opposition to opportunity. Not everything works out as we plan but if we stay in God’s plan it will work the way He wants it to. Happy new year!
And happy birthday to me!
I pray, blessings on all who read this and a prosperous 2024!
~Susan Jeffries