I love this devotional. Yesterday’s (yes, I’m reading it one day late!) was exceptional so I wanted to share as I suspect some of you will be touched like I was when I read it.
I subscribe to ‘Encouragement for Today’, so it arrives in my inbox every morning. It’s much easier to read that way, since I don’t have to remember to go searching for it on the internet (just one more thing to remember ;)) To subscribe, go HERE.
One Day Completely With God
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” Psalm 84:10a (NIV)
Devotion:
Why do I often want to settle for less than what God has for me? What if I truly lived today completely obedient to God’s word and in tune with His voice? What if before every choice I make today, I held up my options to the Lord and chose obedience over convenience and righteousness over my rights.
God has never asked me to do great things for him. All He has ever required of me is to allow His greatness to enter me, change things around in me, and be revealed through me. Not to do for Him, but rather to simply be with Him.
So, just for today I will live this way. Just for today, I am making the choice to not settle. Just for today, I will not let the subtle influences of pride, what is best for me, what is easiest for me, and what I want overshadow my desire for more of God in my life.
Today, I will believe with absolute certainty. Today, I will obey with complete surrender. Today, I will seek with complete abandon. For today, I want God to find in me a haven in which to rest.
Isaiah 66: 1-2 (NASB) says, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,’ declares the LORD. ‘But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.'”
My soul jumps at God’s question, “Where is the house you could build for me — where is a place that I may rest?” He is the God of the Universe – so big and so mighty and so capable. Yet, asking almost a vulnerable question to a completely unworthy human – “Can I abide with you today?”
If the president of the United States called me today to inquire, “Can I come and stay for a while? I’d like to sit and find rest with your family today,” I would be left utterly speechless. How much more so that the God of the Universe actually desires that with each of us today.
Unimaginable. Uncontainable. Unfathomable. Yet completely true.
There are no great people in the kingdom of God. Just simple people. But every now and then a simple person makes a great choice. Oh God, let me make that choice today. Even if it is just for a day – how I long for it to be more – but even if it is just for today, may it be completely so.
For one day completely with You, is better than a thousand elsewhere.
Dear Lord, I desire You today. Surround me with Your presence. Remove the distractions from my heart and mind so I can see only you. Lead me, guide me and teach me today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thanks Stephanie! I needed that!
:0)
A perfect devotional to follow on the heels of the questions you have been answering for us. I’m sure there may be many mamas like me who, at times, can feel overwhelmed with one child…and yet lately I have found myself asking God for more…knowing it won’t be easy, but knowing that it will make me more dependent on Him. I don’t want to miss out on seeing the “exceedingly abundantly more” that God has for me by choosing comfort and ease. Just last night, as I was praying about adopting again, it became that “even if I never get to vacation at the beach again…even if I won’t have the money to buy furniture for my living room…even if…I want to choose obedience and surrender to God’s plan. This verse says it all:
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor 2:9
I needed to read that this morning, thanks for posting it!
I am three days behind on my “Encouragement for Today” reading so it was nice to come here and “catch up” a bit. I LOVE this one. I think it will go on my mirror for a daily reminder.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this with us. What a wonderful reminder. I am going to subscribe right now.
I read that devotional yesterday, it was very good. I don’t know if you know this but Lysa the writer of that devotional has an amazing adoption story that would bring tears to your eyes. If you go to her blog and look for something about Oprah you will find it. It is well worth watching over and over. Christy
Thanks for posting that devotion! I used to get that one and decided to change over to Purpose Driven Life but now think I will subscribe again. I just wanted you to know you had a major impact on me yesterday with your questions post. I had really never thought of reading quite the way you worded it yesterday. I too have always been a reader and usually non-fiction as well. But I have never really thought of fiction as being a waste of time, but the more I thought about that yesterday, the more I began to agree and think about all the time I have used to read something that will never HELP me as a person, mom, wife, child of God… the list goes on. Some could argue… but it is a way you relax- I have said that before but there are plenty of things I can do to relax that are better for me. And… I have been watching a lot less tv lately!!! I do love American Idol so I may have to stick with that but the cool thing is I can scrapbook while doing that!!! Anyway, thanks for getting me thinking and I love reading about your family!!! Have a blessed day!
Shay
Fabulous post, Stefanie! I also subscribed, so thanks for that! 🙂
You & I seem to have a similar mindset today…if you have a free moment, ;), come visit!
Thanks Stefanie, you helped center my day. I’m subscribing!
~Tami
What a wonderful post and a gentle reminder that we need to give more to Him and become utterly obedient to His call. Thanks for sharing this..
Patricia
THis is like music to the ears. What a great source of inspiration.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for such a great post! I am in love with Li Aitlua! How can we check for updates on her surgery? I would love to go and get her in the morning, but don’t know if Great Wall let us do that? I will call them tomorrow.
~Michelle
Illinois
Thanks Stefanie – great devo! We play Better is One Day realllly loud in this house, always speaks to me!
Love to you
Heather
Thank you for taking the time to share this and encourage us.
I so appreciate it!!!
Lisa