Grace for the Moment Morning & Evening Edition: Inspiration for Each Day of the Year

By Max Lucado

January 1 Evening

Packed for a Purpose

He has filled them with skill.
Exodus 35:35

You were born prepacked. God looked at your entire life, determined your assignment, and gave you the tools to do the job.

Before traveling, you do something similar. You consider the demands of the journey and pack accordingly. Cold weather? Bring a jacket. Business meeting? Carry the laptop. Time with grandchildren? Better take some sneakers and pain medication.

God did the same with you. Joe will research animals…install curiosity. Meagan will lead a private school…an extra dose of management. I need Eric to comfort the sick…include a healthy share of compassion. Denalyn will marry Max…instill a double portion of patience.

God packed you on purpose for a purpose. Cure for The Common Life.

How has God packaged your life? List some tools he has given you and describe how you might use them for his purpose.

January 2 Morning

A Chosen People

You are a chosen people, royal priest, a holy notion, a people for God’s own possession.
1 Peter 2:9

Do you ever feel unnoticed? New clothes and styles may help for a while. But if you want permanent change, learn to see yourself as God sees you; “He has covered me with clothes of salvation and wrapped me with a coat of goodness,, like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding, like a bride dressed in jewels” (Isa. 61:10).

Does your self-esteem ever sag? When it does, remember what you are worth. “You were bought, not with something that ruins like gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb”( 1 Peter 1:18-19).

The challenge is to remember that. To meditate on it. To focus on it. To allow his love to change the way you look at you. When Christ Comes.

You are so valuable to God that he sent his Son to die for you. Does that encourage you? In what other ways has he shown you his love?