Every morning when I take my 2 mile walk I have 30 minutes to just spend with the Lord. Sometimes those conversations selfishly focus on me but most of the time they are focused on the Lord and the beauty of the mountains that surround me. But the other day the words of my thanksgiving took on a new meaning.

Every morning I begin my walk with the same verse:

Ps 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

But last week the Lord pulled me up short when He said,”Why?”

Well my answer was short and, so I thought, straight to the point, “Because.” You already know what He responded, “Because why?”

As I walked along and pondered that question my mind became filled with a multitude of “Becauses.” As the list grew I became aware of just why I (we) have reason to “rejoice” and “be glad” in the day He has given us. For me, it went back to the subject you have heard me preach, teach and expound on for years; Matt 6:33-34. We have been given a fresh 24 hours each day that He allows us to remain here on earth.  When we spend any part of it “yesterday” or “tomorrow'” we are squandering the “day that He has made.”

What I learned during those 2 miles was that there are so many “becauses” in my life and He makes them fresh every day.

Because He has saved me from myself.
Because He has filled me with His gospel and given me a voice to share it.
Because He has blessed me with the gifts and abilities to bless others.
Because, Because, Because.

I have been working on a new class for this fall and winter based on the Lessons From Israel For The Bride and one thought has been running around in my mind for sometime. It’s the message that God gave Moses for Israel and the heart of it surely speaks to the bride of Christ today.

Deut 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

The only requirement on my part to enjoy all those “becauses” is that I make a choice. Each and every day we have the choice to choose life. Out of love for Him we choose to obey His voice and “cleave” (stick fast to) Him because He is our life. Because the 24 hours He has given us to dwell in this land are for a purpose; His purpose.

Let me challenge you to wake up tomorrow and  let the first words that roll off you lips be  Ps 119:24 and then follow them by filling in the “becauses” in your life. I guarantee it will not only cause you to draw closer to the Lord, it will begin your day with a whole new attitude and strengthen you to face the challenges the next 24 hours brings.

All you have to do is choose… Yes or No!

Be Glad!  Why?  Because!