Heavenly Father I praise You for today. I praise You as I learn to take each breath, take each step, see all that You have created and the wonder of life as I live through this day. I praise You for Your word that shows me how I should live, not as a book of rules but as guardrails to help me live a life the fullest possible for the way I was created to be.
Holy Spirit Paul was inspired by You when he wrote, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers [and sisters], in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” He also wrote, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.” [Romans 12:1&2; 1 Thess. 4:3-5]
Holy Spirit help me to daily die out to my desires and control and allow Your Spirit to fill me, consume me and lead me. Help me to step up my game and seek to honor You in what I say, how I think and the way I act. Teach me to see the world through Your eyes and remember that this world is temporary, but heaven is eternal. Let my focus, my thoughts and my interests stay on what is holy so that I become holy, not perfect, but without sin. Help me to be like the athlete who is so focused on what his coach is telling him that he is not distracted by fans, noises or anything else that might take his eyes off what is before him and needs to accomplish. According to James this life is but a vapor and we are only here for a very short time. So, help me to live a full productive, kingdom building, God honoring life. Let me be laid to rest knowing I did all that I could possibly do for the Savior who offered me salvation and forgiveness.
The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11