Friday, February 7, 2014

This day is a gift

This day is a gift


"Every good and perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  James 1:17

As I have done every morning for the past few years, upon waking up and stretching, and before getting out of bed, I will say out loud, "Thank you Lord, it's going to be a great day!"  And I mean it!  It doesn't matter that I haven't checked the forecast or my to do list.  I have absolutely no idea what the day has in store for me in fact.  I do, however, know one thing, this day and every day you live is a gift from God.  It's a gift of salvation.  Totally undeserved and totally free.

In fact, in the New Testament, the writers used different Greek words to describe this magnificent gift. One is  Dorea, meaning "a free gift".    I love this definition.  It emphasizes the wonder of it.  It is something given from above and is unexpected and undeserved.  Jesus offered it to the woman at the well.  John 4:10 says "Jesus answered her, "if you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."  Romans 5:15 says "But the gift is not like the trespass.  For if the many died by the trespass of one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"  Sound like a free gift and too good to be true?!!

Now this is exciting!!  The adverb form of this word is Dorean, translated "freely".   In Matthew 10:8, Jesus said,  "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received; freely give."  We have been justified (think JustIfIed never sinned) FREELY by grace through Jesus Christ and the motive is nothing more than the grace of the Giver.  That can't be earned!!!

The first few weeks I did this, my kids looked at me strange.  Now, they nod in agreement or say, "Mom's up."   I urge you to try this.  It will change your whole attitude!  Start the day off praising and knowing that God gave you this day for a reason.  It certainly wasn't to grumble about what the day holds.  Get up!  Go for a run!!!! Spend some time with God and thank Him for the gift of today!!

Heavenly Father, thank you for this gift called today.  And thank you for your gift of salvation.  Please help us to embrace these gifts with a thankful heart and to tell others about it so they, may too, know that this gift is for all those who ask in faith.  Be with us today Lord.  In your name Jesus, Amen.  

Here's another one for your playlist.  Guaranteed to make you pick up your pace:).


2nd Annual Prairie Spirit Trail Ultra Race Saturday, 29 March 2014 Ottawa, Kansas Melissa and her teammates will endeavor to complete the 100-mile Ultra Race along the Prairie Spirit Trail. Please support them. Sponsor Team 413 at gracerunner413.blogspot.com or call 573-433-6684 or 573-774-4992 Missouri Team 413 Ambassador Melissa Martinez Members of TEAM 413 – GRACERUNNER MINISTRIES, INC. are raising funds to provide free Ultrasounds to women experiencing un-planned or crisis pregnancies in Pulaski County. All money raised will go towards training volunteer technicians and ultrasound maintenance at the Free Women’s Center. The Free Women’s Center empowers as many individuals as possible to make healthy life choices consistent with the intrinsic value of human life. The Center offers free and confidential pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, prenatal education, and financial & material assistance. Learn more at www.supportmyfwc.com.
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