Wellspring. Karen Moore

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СКАЧАТЬ shine your light wherever I am today and not wait for rough air to do so, but instead ensure the path is smooth for anyone I meet. Amen.

      February 25

      What to Wear Today

       Don't let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Bind them on your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and approval in the eyes of God and humanity.

      —Proverbs 3:3-4

      As you go about the business of getting dressed and preparing for the day, think about your outfit a bit more carefully. How will you adorn yourself? One way is to add a great smile to your choice for the day, another is to don a new necktie or perhaps a new scarf around your throat. The writer of Proverbs suggests that we remember to wear loyalty and faithfulness today.

      Loyalty and faithfulness have almost become words of the past. We certainly don't experience loyalty from the brands we buy, the places where we've worked for twenty years, or even the friends we've nurtured over time. You can change that, though. You can choose to stick your neck out and take a stand for loyalty.

      You can be loyal and faithful yourself no matter what else the world may have to offer. When you do, you'll be dressed for success. You'll be ready to lead others and inspire them to shop for similar adornments.

      As you get dressed today, put on loyalty and faithfulness. You'll find favor in God's sight and he'll approve of your style.

      In the Flow

       Lord, help me show my faithful heart to those around me. Keep me dressed for your success as I stay loyal to you and the work you've put me here to do. Amen.

      February 26

      Thoughts of Trust

       Those with sound thoughts you will keep in peace, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD is a rock for all ages.

      —Isaiah 26:3-4

      If there's anything missing in the world today, it's a sense of trust. Most of us feel an undefined concern about all aspects of life because it's hard to know what to trust, what to rely on. Your insurance carriers may want you to think of them as the "rock," the ones you can lean on when times are difficult. Yet, when you call, they may not be there as fully subscribed as they made things sound.

      In order to live with a heart of peace and to have thoughts that are grounded and sound, you actually need to have a rock. You need to know there is a place for you to go that is unchanging, always available, and completely trustworthy. That describes only one being in this world and the next . . . Jesus. You have a foundation of trust in him that you can have in no other.

      You're anchored to the Source of all life, and he will keep you safe. Yes, hardships will come, days will bring tumult and chaos, but nothing can shake the foundation of someone who trusts the rock of Heaven. Trust him. He'll give you the peace that passes all understanding right now.

      In the Flow

       Lord, it is so crazy in my life sometimes that I don't know where to turn. Of course, that's when I need you the most and when I need to trust you the most. Please help me stand firmly on the foundation of your love and trust you for all I need. Amen.

      February 27

      Testing . . . 1, 2, 3!

       All the ways of people are pure in their eyes, but the LORD tests the motives. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

      —Proverbs 16:2-3

      When you set out to accomplish something new, do you ask yourself the questions, "Why am I doing this and who am I doing it for?" Most of us have a lot of sound reasons for the things we do. We are motivated by a desire to get ahead, to create more opportunities for ourselves and those around us. We're motivated by a passion for our work or a commitment to our families.

      Proverbs 16 reminds us that commitment to ourselves and our families is important, but it's the commitment we make to the Lord that will offer us the biggest chance for success. Committing to him first makes great sense. After all, we want to do his work effectively and well and we want to make a difference.

      You're right to make plans and you're right to go after fresh opportunities and promotions and those things that build a fruitful foundation for your family, but you have to check in now and then, actually daily, with the Lord. You have to commit your work to him so that your motivations are pure and sound.

      God wants you to succeed. He wants your work to be blessed. He gave you the gifts you have to accomplish great things.

      In the Flow

       Lord, I'm off and running again, but before I go, remind me that I am working for you first and foremost. Inspire me and keep me motivated in ways that are healthy and that will serve you and my family well. Amen.

      February 28

      The Place Where You Stand

       Moses said, "I'm here." Then the LORD said, "Don't come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground."

      —Exodus 3:4-5

      How do we come into God's presence? How often do we recognize the place where we stand—when we talk to him, when we say our prayers, when we express our faith and our belief—as a holy space?

      God's request was simple, yet it required one thing of Moses. It meant that he had to listen and obey. It meant that he had to understand that this was indeed an important moment in their relationship, for God was inviting Moses into his inner circle. It connected Moses most directly to the earth and perhaps gave him a way to feel God's presence even more.

      We're not always inclined to remember God's holiness on a conscious level. We may not think of our conversations with him as taking place on holy ground, and yet that is where we stand every time we approach him with a humble heart, with a desire to get closer to him, with an understanding of our own humanity. God is holy.

      In the Flow

       Lord, I thank you for loving me so much that you're willing to let me share your friendship and be part of your inner circle. Help me be worthy of your love today and be mindful of those places that are holy and set apart unto you. Amen.

      February 29

      Being Truly Happy

       The one whose wrongdoing is forgiven, whose sin is covered over, is truly happy! The one the Lord doesn't consider guilty—in whose spirit there is no dishonesty—that one is truly happy!

      —Psalm 32:1-2

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