Daily Scripture Reading: Acts 2:46-47
Acts 2:16-17 (KJV)
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Today’s Devotional Is THE EQUILIBRIUM OF LIFE
In every life, there should be worship of the Temple as well as the service of The Home. Are we aware that God directs and places our lives? The Home is God’s arrangement for us, equally with the Temple. And the daily meal might be as important as the Lord’s Supper. Are you happy to eat your food with singleness and joy, or are you a grumbler? Are you able to do common tasks with joy and gratitude? This is possible only when we realize that the greatest part of life is not in doing great things but in doing small, meaningful things. “Do what thy hand can do. Do it with all your might.”
Our work has been compared with the Gobelin tapestry weavers, who might have to incorporate a variety of seemingly mundane, boring, and uninteresting things into the pattern on one side of the woof. Only when the texture has been completed can they see the design worthy of the palace for the king. It is the same with mine and yours: We work, we suffer, but see neither the end or the fruit. God sees it. When He frees us from our task He will reveal to our curious gaze what He, The great Artist, has created out of these toils that seem so sterile.
These early Christians lived a life of great joy. They gave up their possessions but were full of joy, which probably earned them favor with the people. They were truly helpful. Each one shared their time with the others. It is important to give and take in life. While we are happy to get what we want, how about giving? While we like to be waited upon, how about serving? True happiness and gladness are not dependent on being ministered too, but on ministry. Once we learn the secret of praising God for all things, when we refuse to be enslaved by our own sorrows and instead force our dull spirits into the joys and blessings of others, we will have no trouble living happily and joyfully.
PRAYER for Today
O Lord, restore our spirits, and draw our hearts to Thyself so that our work is not a burden but a joy. Give us such a powerful love to Thee that we can sweeten all of our obedience. AMEN.