Time and Money

This last month has caused me to reevaluate my time and my finances. I think we have been given this tremendous opportunity to examine ourselves. Money and time are both finite resources, and they both can be indicators of where your priorities are. In other words: where we spend them says a lot about what matters to us.

Budgeting is more than just setting aside money to pay bills. We're deciding what matters to our families and designating our money accordingly. This why Jesus tells us to pay attention to where we spend our money. Because where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also (Matthew 6:21).

God gives us everything we need to do what He's put in our hearts to do. When we say, "I can't afford to," often what we mean is, "That's not a priority right now." But if we'll align our budget with His plans for our lives, we'll find we always have enough (Matthew 6:31-34).

The same is true of our time. We will burn out by saying yes to every opportunity that comes our way. God doesn't want that for us (Matthew 11:28-30). And again, when we say, "I don't have time for that," what we are really saying is, "That's not a priority right now."

If you fill a bowl with sand then try to cram in a few big rocks, it won't all fit. But, if you add put the big rocks in first then pour the sand on top, the sand will fill in the cracks and suddenly, everything fits.

In the same way, when we schedule the things God tells us are important first, and then fill the gaps, we'll be surprised by how full our lives can be.

Romans 12:1-2 says, "Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering... Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking"

When we align our priorities with God's, our lives will look different. And that's a good thing! It means our priorities are aligned with our heavenly Father's priorities, and our lives are pointing people to Him.

Today's Reflection:

• Since quarantine, how have you reevaluated where you are with priorities?

• What's a step you can take today to better align your time and money with God's plan for your life?

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At Anchor Church, we exist to love and lead one another with the hope of Jesus. We hope this devotional is an encouragement and an inspiration.

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We Have a Helper

I don't know about you, but under our current circumstances each day feels like a rollercoaster. Ups and downs. The learning curve for the new routine has been tough. Have you had one of those days where everything that could go wrong, went wrong?

If you've ever experienced tears of frustration and been weighed down by failure, you are not alone. We all have bad days. We face problems that are too big for us to solve on our own.

While we think we are strong and capable, God didn't design us to be self-sufficient. We were made to depend on Him.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" Isaiah 41:10

We all face battles we cannot win without God's strength and provision. The good news is that when we asked Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, He equipped us with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is our helper who lives in us forever. Life can be unpredictable and tough, but God did not give us a spirit of fear. He did the exact opposite and empowered us with the same spirit that raised Jesus from the grave!

No one criticizes a child for asking a parent for help. So as children of God, would we shy away from asking our Dad for help?

God isn't waiting for us to get it all together before we can come to Him. He is a perfect Father who loves when we call on Him -- messy problems, tears and all! His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We don't find success when we solve our problems on our own. Success comes when we lay down our independence and trust our heavenly Father to guide our steps.

Today's Reflection:

• When was the last time you felt overwhelmed?

• What problems are you holding on to that you need to give to God?

• How does it feel to know the Holy Spirit is always with you?

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At Anchor Church, we exist to love and lead one another with the hope of Jesus. We hope this devotional is an encouragement and an inspiration.

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Overwhelmed? Jesus Can Relate

Today's Scripture:

Jesus Washes The Feet Of His Friends, John 13:1-17

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"  Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."

Today's Thought:

Ask a teacher, and they will tell you most students thrive under clear instruction. When a teacher models how to do it first, students are far more likely to understand even the most difficult subject. They will then likely be more successful when they get home and have to do it themselves. 

Jesus, being a teacher, knew this. And right up to His death, He was giving His followers an example they could follow. When life gets hard, and we don’t know what to do next, we can look to what Jesus did in the hours leading to His arrest.  The night before Jesus died, He asked, "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine" (Luke 22:42). Jesus knows hard. When we endure tough situations, we can look to Him and emulate His actions.  

Today's Reflection:

• What's one hard thing you're facing this week? Take some time right now to talk to God about it. 

• Is there an area of your life where you feel isolated? If so, who can you reach out to today to start building a community?  

• What does it look like for you to trust God's plan for your life?

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At Anchor Church, we exist to love and lead one another with the hope of Jesus. We hope this devotional is an encouragement and an inspiration.

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