OMTL Daily Devotions Day One – Seven (Re-post)
ONE MONTH TO LIVE
Daily Devotions
DAY ONE
Read James 4:13-15
In this passage James challenges the “Some Day Syndrome” that we spoke about. James compares life to a vapor that is here for a moment and then quickly vanishes. Tomorrow always carries with it an uncertainty. Today is what we have. We are challenged not to put off the things that are important but to live life today to the fullest.
Today – commit to the 30 Day Challenge. With the intention of making a change, begin today to identify several things that you have been putting off until “Some Day”. Select one and make it your goal over the next 30 days to do it!
DAY TWO
“Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
I remember when I was a young boy growing up in SW Pennsylvania we had a great amusement park called Kennywood. I loved to go to Kennywood and ride all of the rides. I had no problem with heights so I always enjoyed the Big Ferris Wheel and I especially liked the Log Water Ride. However, I did not like the Roller Coasters, even the small “Little Dipper”. I think I was 12 by the time I finally conquered my fear of Roller Coasters and I rode the “Thunderbolt”. The Thunderbolt was an old wooden coaster that was ranked in the top 10 Roller Coasters in the country. This ride would squeak, creak, and sound like it was going to fall apart at any moment. I was certain that the cars would fly off the top at the hairpin curve and many times while riding the Thunderbolt I would physically lift off of my seat what seemed like several feet during the drops.
Today, I can say that I have ridden great Roller Coasters all amusement parks all across the country!
I think sometimes life is like a Roller Coaster ride. Ups, downs, thrilling, exhilarating, scary at times, and certainly moving fast.
If you are living life to the fullest, today think about what amusement park ride describes your life and why.
DAY THREE
Read Psalm 90:12
Richard Koch, the author of the book The 80/20 Principle, after studying many businesses and successful individuals came to the conclusion that 20% of their activity produces 60% of their results. According to this study, 20% of what you do in life produces 80% of our results. So 20% of your time is spent producing results and 80% of what you do is pretty much wasted time!
Do you agree with the 80/20 Principle? Does it seem to fit your life and how you spend your time? What activities in your life would you consider wasted time? What keeps you from using that time in a more meaningful way? Today, identify one of those “time wasting” activities and make it your goal during this 30 day challenge to find a better more meaningful way to spend that time.
DAY FOUR
In what area of your life are you struggling with the most to change? Is it getting physically fit or losing weight? Is it breaking a bad habit? Is it a relationship issue? Are you trying to change with willpower or God’s power?
Read Matthew 11:28-30
Read John 15:1-5
What are some ways you have seen God prune areas of your life? How have you handled the pruning? What have been the results of His pruning in your life?
DAY FIVE
What are the biggest Physical and Emotional challenges you face? (Weight, body image, sickness, disease, depression, anger, etc)
What would it look like for you to take better care of your temple? What is one step that you can take today toward improving your physical and emotional health?
Read 2 Timothy 1:7
DAY SIX
Both of my kids when they were learning to swim as small children went through the same scenario with me. They would stand on the side of the pool clinging to the edge wanting to jump into the deep water but afraid to do so. As I would stand in the pool with my arms outstretched encouraging them to jump and promising them that I would catch them, they had to overcome their fear and trust that I would not let them get hurt. As they took the leap of faith, I of course caught them. They then smiled and asked to “do it again daddy”, repeatedly!
I think that often times in life we face similar situations. Though the circumstances are different, we face the same fears, etc.
What are you clinging onto right now that you need to let go of in order to move forward in your life? What keeps you from trusting that God will catch you? Why are you afraid to take risks?
Read 1 John 4:18 and Proverbs 3:5-6
DAY SEVEN
Ephesians 3:20 says that “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”. One translation says “He can do far more than we would dare ask or dream of”.
How connected do you feel to your life’s dreams? How has God revealed and reinforced to you His dream for your life? Does your day-to-day life reflect and active pursuit of your dreams? What prevents you from such a pursuit?
Spend time in prayer today asking God to reveal one thing you can do today to further your pursuit of His dream for your life.
