Wellspring. Karen Moore

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      March 1

      It's a Great Day to Shine!

       From the rising of the sun to where it sets, God, the Lord God, speaks, calling out to the earth. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines brightly.

      —Psalm 50:1-2

      Augustine of Hippo said, "Ask the earth and the sea, the plains and the mountains, the sky and the clouds, the stars and the sun, the fish and animals, and all of them will say, 'We are beautiful because God made us.' This beauty is their testimony to God."

      What is our testimony to God? Do we see the beauty that he has so graciously bestowed on us in the landscapes that surround us and the skies that cover us? Do we see the beauty in others, within ourselves, and in God himself?

      The psalmist reminds us that God is perfect in beauty and shines brightly. Perhaps today we can open our eyes to his gifts of beauty. Let's start by thanking God for doting on us like beloved children, making sure we have an environment where we can thrive, giving us everything we need to be nourished and strong. Thank him also for the beauty found in relationships that bless our homes and hearts.

      God gave us life for one purpose, so we could share in a glorious relationship with him. Let's show him what we can do. Let's be his testimony!

      In the Flow

       Lord, thank you for loving me so much that you allow me to be a light for you. Shine on me so that I can reflect you in all that I do. Amen.

      March 2

      We're Still in Training

       Our human parents disciplined us for a little while, as it seemed best to them, but God does it for our benefit so that we can share his holiness. No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.

      —Hebrews 12:10-11

      When we think of people in training, we may think of athletes who consciously work to perfect the game of their choice or the prima ballerina who spends hours literally on her toes.

      Discipline feels better if we buy into its benefits somehow. As we were growing up, being trained and nurtured by our parents, we may not have appreciated disciplinary measures and yet, we might honestly say, those actions helped shape who we are today.

      God is our divine Parent, and in his love for us, he also shapes and molds us. His discipline is meant to bring us closer to him. The obedience he demands helps us become more than we would be without him. As we learned to respect our parents and teachers, those who stood in authority over us as kids, we learn to respect our heavenly Father as well.

      It's a good day to accept the beauty of discipline. Get out and perfect your swing, set the bar higher, study the Word . . . for God has a great desire to shape you into one of his own.

      In the Flow

       Lord, I'm not always happy to go through trials or work on the things that are hard. Help me trust your hand in all that I face, seeing your work perfected in me as much as possible. Thank you for loving me so much. Amen.

      March 3

      Living in Grace

       Therefore, once you have your minds ready for action and you are thinking clearly, place your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

      —1 Peter 1:13

      Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has."

      Most of us appreciate the sense that we live in God's grace. We like knowing we can fall down and get up again without a big penalty. We like knowing God takes us back again after we make a mess of the life he's given us.

      We're living right now in his incredible grace. We walk in it, drink it in, and where we can, we direct it toward others. We extend the hand of grace to friends and complete strangers. This is the kind of action God wants us to take because of the hope he has placed within us. Our hearts and minds are poised and ready to be his voices, his hands, and his tireless feet. We have the treasure of seeing God in everything, of realizing that his hand alone brought all that we have into fruition.

      Be gracious today to yourself and those you meet along the

      In the Flow

       Lord, I am humbled by your grace, by your forgiveness, and your tenderness toward me. Help me share those very same gifts with everyone around me. Amen.

      March 4

      The Pool of Blessings

       The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up his face to you and grant you peace.

      —Numbers СКАЧАТЬ