You've been there a time or two, as have I. Our thoughts carry us off from the moment at hand, the person we are with, what we are reading or doing. Then, someone quotes the idiom: "A penny for your thoughts," in an attempt to bring us back to the moment. I probably owe a fortune in those pennies.
Pennies have all but lost their value. In fact, the penny is an endangered species, with some economists suggesting the penny costs more to produce than its actual trade value. After all, what can you buy for a penny?
We know from Mary Poppins, that tuppence (two pennies) can feed the birds or be saved to add up to millions over time.
It is that way in God's kingdom, as well. Our greatest investment, trust, starts with the little things, the small, seemingly inconsequential things. If we don't start there, we will not be able to trust Him when faced with large and looming, overwhelming amount of responsibilities and problems in life. Each seemingly insignificant exercise of penny-weight faith, of yielding willingly to God's direction, counts.
Continuously bringing my wandering or worrying thoughts back to God is like stopping to pick up the pennies I pass in the street. This conscious, deliberate act of asking for His guidance in countless, minute events builds my confidence in Him.
It may seem simple, but try it the next time you see a penny lying on the ground. Set down your bags, boxes, and busy agenda to pick it up if you can (unless you are crossing the street). I'm not promising good luck or earthly wealth; what I'm promising is that each penny can serve as a reminder to ask the Father God for His guidance. Over time you will have accumulated the greatest treasure you could possibly imagine.
This continuous, conscious process of waiting and listening for His direction is one of the most precious things we can invest in the kingdom of God. It is multiplied back to us exponentially in the confidence of His guidance, His presence in our everyday affairs, and peace that abides in the midst of turmoil.
This continuous, conscious process of waiting and listening for His direction is one of the most precious things we can invest in the kingdom of God. It is multiplied back to us exponentially in the confidence of His guidance, His presence in our everyday affairs, and peace that abides in the midst of turmoil.
The conversion rate is phenomenal. The pennies of our moments, for a lifetime of God's guidance. Seems like a very good deal to me.
Psalm
127:1-2
If God doesn’t build the
house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn’t guard the
city, the night watchman might as well nap.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? (The Message).
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? (The Message).
Matthew 7:24-27
Those people who are listening to Me, those people who hear what I say and live according to My teachings—you are like a wise man who built his house on a rock, on a firm foundation. When storms hit, rain pounded down and waters rose, levies broke and winds beat all the walls of that house. But the house did not fall because it was built upon rock (The Voice).
Those people who are listening to Me, those people who hear what I say and live according to My teachings—you are like a wise man who built his house on a rock, on a firm foundation. When storms hit, rain pounded down and waters rose, levies broke and winds beat all the walls of that house. But the house did not fall because it was built upon rock (The Voice).
Mark 12:41-44
As Jesus sat facing the temple offering box, he watched how [much] money people put into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. A poor widow dropped in two small coins, worth less than a cent. He called his disciples and said to them, "I can guarantee this truth: This poor widow has given more than all the others. All of them have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on."
As Jesus sat facing the temple offering box, he watched how [much] money people put into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. A poor widow dropped in two small coins, worth less than a cent. He called his disciples and said to them, "I can guarantee this truth: This poor widow has given more than all the others. All of them have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on."
Luke 16:10
If you’re faithful in small-scale matters, you’ll be faithful with far bigger responsibilities. If you’re crooked in small responsibilities, you’ll be no different in bigger things (The Voice).
If you’re faithful in small-scale matters, you’ll be faithful with far bigger responsibilities. If you’re crooked in small responsibilities, you’ll be no different in bigger things (The Voice).
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. (Easy to Read Version).
My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. (Easy to Read Version).
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons of the war we’re fighting are not of this world but are powered by God and effective at tearing down the strongholds erected against His truth. We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One (The Voice).
The weapons of the war we’re fighting are not of this world but are powered by God and effective at tearing down the strongholds erected against His truth. We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One (The Voice).
While it Is Called Today
a 30-day photo devotional
by Dee Marvin Emeigh
www.livwellseedco.com
