Jackie Powell
Time
How much time I spend racing to and fro—either physically or mentally—wondering how I will accomplish all the items on all my lists. There’s a list for home projects, shopping, project lists for each client, church projects, reminder lists and bucket lists. My natural inclination is to devolve into anxiety and overwhelm. But God’s ways are better.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
Waking up early to spend time with the Lord seems like one more item on the to-do list. However, when I consecrate that time to Him, He multiplies it. I’ll experience His grace throughout the day—creativity to shorten tasks, a good word for a friend at the right time, or even something as small as a close parking space. He takes the heaviness off of life. He gives me peace to face challenges, He is true to His Word. He is waiting for us to seek Him, and He will provide comfort when we do. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Resources
My finances and material possessions are mine to steward, on loan from the Lord. As a baby Christian, tithes and offerings seemed like a ploy by churches to raise money, but as I began to read the Bible, I realized that God is quite serious about it.
“”Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” (Malachi 3:10)
Test God? The Bible cautions several times not to do that, but He was clear we could test Him in this. And He has passed the test every time. The blessing of giving has far surpassed the anticipated pain of giving. He always meets our needs.
Relationships
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” (Psalm 24:1) ALL its people. The easy ones, the difficult ones, those who know Him, and those who don’t yet. Consecrating my relationships to God looks like laying down offense. It means pausing and asking for input from the Lord before responding. It means seeking and offering forgiveness.
Lord, help us to seek you more, love and give generously, and respond gently today. We thank you for the gift of walking with you in peace.
Previous Posts
Day 27: Truth Liberates
Meghann Easley It’s interesting, isn’t it, how Shame tiptoes in. It slides through the crack in an open door and paralyzes you like a snake. It doesn’t need to even whisper, you know it’s there, behind the eyelids, under the shadows, lights on and curtains opened...
Day 26: Consecration Brings Joy
Jess Lewis “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) Last year was certainly the hardest year of my life. Losing a baby, and walking through that...
Day 25: Consecration and Healing
Katie Bodager It was a peaceful morning. My kids were at school, and I was cherishing some time alone. I vividly remember the gratitude I felt and the prayer I prayed that morning – thanking God for sustaining me through a difficult season. Six hours later, I found...
Day 24: Consecration Brings Supernatural Power
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Day 22: Calling All Chamberpots
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Day 20: Jesus our Brother
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Day 19: Consecration of Gifts
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Day 18: Innocence Lost; Forgiveness Required
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Day 17: The Priesthood of Every Believer
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Day 16: “Treasured Possessions”
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