Encouragement for Today- July 22, 2020

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July 22, 2020 Daughters of the Day BRENDA BRADFORD OTTINGER Lee en español “For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NLT) Once upon a Saturday morning, the household chores held a conference and elected me as their leader. While rushing through chores, I noticed a theme unfolding in my living room. All day, our napping kitten scooted herself around, warmly snuggled in the patch of sunlight beaming through the window. As the sun moved across the sky, she moved across the floor. The more I watched her, the more I realized I was being schooled by a kitten. Every morning, before my feet hit the floor, I ask the Lord to order my day. Yet, I often allow the bustle of life to drive my focus, leaving me crippled in the shadows, rather than cradled in His light. Can you relate? Do you sometimes wake with praise on your lips, offering God your day, then become distracted by all the things before realizing you’re out of sync with the Light? Sitting in the “classroom” of a kitten, I’m reminded our purpose is not for God to chase us through our days, but for us to abide within His light. I think about Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonian believers, reminding them not to stress about when they’d see Jesus again, for they were “children of the light and of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Paul reassured them that, as eager followers of Christ, they weren’t in the dark but were already centered on the light as they waited for Jesus to appear again. Paul didn’t discount their concerns or impose a bunch of extraneous rules as some false teachers did. He simply reminded them who they were. They were children of the day. Life’s distractions can leave us needing this reminder too, for many are the cares of a woman’s heart: How will I pay that bill? Did I put the clothes in the dryer? Will my child be OK? Did I ever reply to that email? Does my boss see my effort? How can I create community when I’m too weary to reach out? The struggle is real, but hope invades the shadows when we remember who we are and Whose we are. We are Daughters of the Day. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “… I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (NLT). Our God doesn’t simply dispense the light — He is the light. So, how can we stay centered in the “light that leads to life”? A few ideas to consider: Praise, worship and adore Christ. Rejoice in His glory, goodness and grace. Move burdens from your hands into His. Repeat as necessary. He will guard them well. Start the day planting Scripture in your spirit. Write a verse for reflection, allowing its truth to become written on your heart. Expect the enemy to press the dislike button. Be on guard, prepared to recognize when you’ve followed stress back into the shadows. Re-center through prayer and worship. Write a short list before bed, returning to God what you’ve taken back into your hands today. Rest in His comfort, ready to begin anew tomorrow. All we need is found in the life-giving light of our Savior, for we are Daughters of the Day. Dear God, thank You for being the guiding light of my life. May I live in expectation, watching for You to show up inside my days. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY: Ephesians 5:8-9, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).” (NIV) Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (NIV) RELATED RESOURCES: What do you cling to in the chaos? In the midst of transition, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsteady. But, when life feels chaotic, God is our calm. 5 Promises in Scripture to Cling to When Life Feels Chaotic will help you apply Scripture to build up your faith when your life's circumstances are making you waver. This five-day devotional is free! Sign up here. CONNECT: For more encouragement, connect with Brenda Bradford Ottinger at her website. REFLECT AND RESPOND: How could centering your heart and mind on the light of God’s presence bring you comfort today? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. © 2020 by Brenda Bradford Ottinger. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 Ministries 630 Team Rd., Suite 100 Matthews, NC 28105 www.Proverbs31.org

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