Making the Most of Life

Daily Reading:  Ephesians 5

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5.15-17)

Devotional Thought: America has been called the land of opportunity.  We know that that has been true in the past, but whether it is true today is another question.  I would say it is - at least for the child of God.  You and I are surrounded with opportunities, but we must seize them and make the most of them.  Life is filled with opportunities, but a careless person will either miss them or not take full advantage of them.  That is foolish living.

What are our opportunities as children of God?

• Learning more about God in the Bible

• Praying for God to meet our needs and guide our lives

• Giving and living praise to God for his amazing goodness

• Trusting in God even when circumstances mitigate against such trust

• Leading others to know God

• Sharing the love of God

• Growing in God daily

A follow-up question begs asking: "How do we make the most of our opportunities?"

• Have faith in God

• Follow the Spirit!

• React (obey) sooner rather than later

• Narrow your focus.  It’s not really an opportunity if you have too much on your plate to handle it. 

• Form partnerships

• Risk failure

• Pray, wait, and trust God’s power (don’t micromanage God’s opportunities!)

You are a child of the eternal God!  Today, he will open doors before you that no one can shut.  Go through them with confidence, making the most of life!

Prayer: Lord, help me to see and pursue the opportunities you place before me with confidence, believing that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 149.1-9

1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!

2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!

3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!

4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.

6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,

7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples,

8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron,

9 to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!