How to Have a Good Day

Have you had a good day today? Whether you answer yes or no, you can wake up tomorrow morning and choose to have a good day, no matter what the day may bring.

In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul gives his readers some very practical advice for having a good day, a day that will bring joy to both you and your Heavenly Father. If you have a moment, go ahead and read the words that Paul wrote. Then consider these pieces of advice from Paul . . .

1. Be compassionate and forgiving. Think about all the things for which Christ has forgiven you. If Christ has forgiven you, if He has shown you compassion, it should motivate you to do the same for others.

2. Allow love to guide your thoughts, words, and deeds. Think about God's great love for you. Allow his love to overflow into your relationships with others.

3. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Because believers have eteranl security in Christ, there is no reason to be fearful or anxious. This allows us to be a calming influence on others in difficult situtations.

4. Always be thankful. Need I say more?

5. Keep God's Word with you at all times. Read and meditate on God's Word. It will be your guide throughout the day.

6. Live as Jesus Christ's representative. We who are in Christ are called to be His ambassadors. As such, we represent Him in all we do and say. Represent Him accurately.

Things do not always go as planned. Things happen that we do not like. Things happen that hurt us. But we can always choose to have a good day, a day that pleases the Lord.

Tomorrow morning, my wife and I are leaving for Lancaster. My surgery (Take 2) is scheduled for Friday morning. The hospital called today and said that everything seems to be in order this time. I guess that means that they checked the bone and it is the correct piece this time!

As my wife and I were praying with some friends this afternoon, I thanked God for the peace and calmness that He gave me last week when I received the news that the surgery had to be postponed. These were gifts from the Lord. When we made a decision over three months ago to please the Lord in this whole ordeal, we had no idea how much wisdom, strength, support, and encouragement that He would provide in the months that followed. God is faithful!

With a strong network of family and friends who love us, pray for us, provide for us, and encourage us, we continue to place our trust in our Heavenly Father. All the good things that have happened in our lives in the last few months are because of Him!

If you have drawn closer to God in the past few months, it is because of Him.

If you have been encouraged through reading this blog, it is because of Him.

If you have joy in knowing that you have eternal life in Christ Jesus, it is because of Him.

Lord willing, we will be back home by Monday or Tuesday. I look forward to sharing more of what God is teaching me. Until then, make every day a good day - because of Him.