In my daily journal I always thank God for today.
Some time ago, I began to feel as if I was taking the gift of each day for granted. I never want to forget that life is a gift from God, one day at a time.
So why do we have the gift of each day?
Ephesians 5:8-20 gives us some guidance on living each day:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth”. When we belong to Jesus, we are given each day to represent Him, because we are “light”.
Each day we are instructed to “find out what pleases the Lord.” We do that by spending time in the Bible every day. God’s Word provides us with the knowledge we need to worship and exalt Him, and that is a major reason we are given each day.
How should we not spend the gift of each day? Paul gives these instructions: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, What should we do? “but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”” God’s people are to be aware of what is happening so that we can live for His glory each day.
Paul provides further details for living each day: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,”. God has all knowledge and wisdom. According to James 1:5
God wants to give us wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” What is God’s wisdom like? James 3:17 states: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
Another reason we are given each day is to live in such a manner that people will “see” God in us, and want to know Jesus. We are God’s representatives! Let’s live with His wisdom, with His peaceable, gentle, merciful and gracious ways. After all, He has given us the gift of today!
Additionally, Paul continues in Ephesians 5 to instruct us on what to do with our days: “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Do we make the most of every opportunity for God by beginning our days with prayer, and living wisely for Him, reading His Word so we know what His will is?
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why should we make an exerted effort to do these things?
These are the activities that bind God’s people together.
These are the activities that prepare God’s people – The Bride of Christ – for His return.
God doesn’t give us a day to be wasted upon fruitless activities.
I know so many Christians who are all about the “good life”. But God wants us to be all about the abundant life. The “good life” pales greatly in comparison to the abundant life in Christ. Even the sufferings of this life, when we lean into Jesus, are better than the “good life”.
God doesn’t give us a day to be utilized for our desires.
Each day He gifts us with is to be for witnessing to others of His greatness. It isn’t about the resources He has given us as His stewards. It is about the Giver, the Owner of those resources. That Owner is God.
I read Jonathan Cahn’s book, “The Book of Mysteries”. On Day 118, he writes the following:
“If you belong to God, you’re His bride. And the world is your tent, your present home. And as the bride, the focus of your life can no longer be on the world, nor on your circumstances, nor on how comfortable or uncomfortable you are in this world. This is the place you’re leaving. And the more you focus on what you’re leaving, the less you’ll be able to focus on where you’re going. Your days in the world are temporary. You’re not in the world to grow more attached to it, but less attached. …. So use every part of this life to prepare yourself for the life to come. Use the time you have in this world to prepare yourself for the days of eternity. You are here to become beautiful.”
What changes in how you use each day might God be asking you to make, so that you become more beautiful for Jesus, our Bridegroom?
Matthew 6:21 states: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Based upon what you treasure, where is your heart? If it is not for Jesus, why not change that today – you might not have tomorrow?
Why not make today, and any tomorrows God gifts us with, count for His Kingdom?
Please reach out to me at this email address: ButGodCares@gmail.com if I can encourage you in using your today, and tomorrows, for God.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!
Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.
Copyright 2025 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.