Live like there is no tomorrow.

The sun was just coming up as I greeted the new day, wondering what the day would hold. It was not long until my little friend soon joined me a few feet away. (hummingbird on nearby branch) Hummingbirds bring a special joy to me.

Every day is an opportunity. As a matter of fact,

Today is a gift; you and I have the choice to live it well.

Along with the psalmist, I proclaim "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!"1

Based on that, I start my day with God--spending a little time with him, reading his words and talking with him. This morning, the psalmist gave voice to the cry of my heart and soul.2 "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you..."3 In light of the last days4, I asked God, 'what would You say to me, to us?'

You see, as the news got out about Charlie Kirk's assassination, I began getting messages like this one, --->"what do we do to turn this into something good?"5

Fact is, many want to pontificate, when in truth, we ought first get our bearings.

And in so doing, we ought consider our own position in this world.

Position? Yes, how are we doing with this gift of life we have been given?

Realize that readers of Morning Briefings are worldwide; in their postures before God, they range from 'curious--just checking it out' to 'used to really be into God, but kinda lost my way' to 'walking daily with Jesus the best way I know how!' and various degrees in between.

How to get our bearings personally... perhaps with questions like these:

-> Who am I?

Perhaps you will be better able to answer that question by answering the next ones:

-> Who is my God? (or perhaps for some, what is your god?)

Your Creator made you in his image6 for relationship with him -

In fact, God came down and walked and talked face to face with Adam and Eve in the

Garden7...what a picture of God's desire to be close to us, to talk with us.

-> How is it between me and this relational God?

Are you on a first-name basis with God? Does he recognize your voice when you

pray? You see, I can picture the Lord in Heaven saying aloud with a smile on His face, 'Hey, it's my girl, Laurie! Because she looks to me and talks to me, I will listen to her.'

Getting our bearings,

-> How am I with Jesus Christ? After all, Jesus is the son the Father sent to enable you to be on a first-name basis with God!

Hmmm, I think of Jesus' words to his closest friends, his disciples, the same night he was later arrested, when he told them he would be leaving them. I can only imagine the alarm bells going off in their minds, 'Leaving us? but, Lord, how can that be?' And the Lord Jesus assured them that he was going ahead to prepare a place for them, so they could be with Him. When Thomas asked Jesus how they would know the way to get to him, He answered: "I am the Way, the Truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me."8

While relationship with God is foundational, what we do as a byproduct of that relationship determines the value and meaning of our lives.

That prompts this next thought: You and I were made for a unique purpose9 -

-> Do I know my purpose?

--Am I living out my purpose, or do I live mostly for myself?

Friend, if your life ended today, would you be able to stand before God and say 'I did what You asked me to do'? More to come on that.

These are just a few thoughts - perhaps they will help you get your bearings. On a side note, as I type, I have tiny little silkie chicks breaking out of their shells in an incubator on my kitchen counter. Can I just tell you how much joy they have brought my silly little heart this morning? I have Pachelbel's Canon in D with nature sounds playing next to them - ha, Zen-like birthing center for chickens. Hey, maybe that's the next start-up?

You too ought cooperate with God in growing something. Remind yourself that because you were created in the image of THE Creator, you are meant to create as well. Plant a flower seed---paint a picture, sit down at your piano, pick up your cello like you used to do and play a song.

A prayer:

Lord, I am truly, earnestly looking for you - my whole being longs for you!10 I think of what you said, Lord, and am comforted: You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.11 Lord, You do not hide yourself from us--far from it! You reveal yourself to us, so help us be courageous enough to respond to You. Yes, as you reach for us, may we reach out and take your hand and learn the way of Jesus.

May we live this day like there is no tomorrow - in love, truth and passion, and loudly on purpose.

Because You told us to ask in Your name,12 we pray all of these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus. we need you.

At this civilizational moment, God is calling us to live well - like there is no tomorrow.

Listen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoEr8BSsrxg...

Join me in praying God will cause a veritable tidal wave of faith to rise up,

Christine

PastorWoman.net

1 - Psalm 118.24

2 - The psalms have such beautiful reverent heartfelt words that we can use as our very own to pray!

3 - Psalm 63.1

4 - Charlie Kirk's assassination, 24th observance of 9-11, when almost 3000 innocent Americans were killed

5 - I also was advised to take down my 'political' post, asked if my home address was out there--was I safe? and 'what do we do now?' in light of the radical divide in our country and the literal trigger response of murder?

6 - Genesis 1.27: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

7 - Genesis 3.7-8

8 - John 14.1-6

9 - Ephesians 2.10

10- Psalm 63.1

11-Jeremiah 29.13

12 -John 16.24