Tuesday, April 16, 2013 

By: Gwen Hitt

A Beautiful Day in YOUR Neighborhood

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

On Saturday night, my two-year old grandson accidentally introduced me to the PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) remake of Mister Roger's Neighborhood. I say accidentally because he happened upon an episode of Daniel the Tiger as he was randomly going through the apps on my iPad. Just as Mister Rogers always did, Daniel the Tiger begins each episode singing -- "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood."

While listening to Daniel singing this song, I was reminded of Lamentations 3:22-23. "The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

It is so vital for us to grasp that every morning is a new day especially prepared for us by God. Even in our darkest nights, we can look forward to the morning light!

In conjunction with the new day promised to us by God, He orchestrates opportunities to perform good works in His name. Today's scripture tells us that these good works are already set in motion. We just need to be open to them as we go through "our beautiful day in the neighborhood!" We need to be willing vessels ready and waiting for His call.

Sadly, we ALL, on occasion, miss out on these opportunities. We may be too tired to attend the event that "THE someone" we were meant to talk to attended. OR we may be too busy to make ourselves available to assist THAT someone in need. Unfortunately, these missed opportunities can never be accessed again.

I challenge you today to embrace each and every morning in the same manner as Daniel the Tiger. Put on your jacket and your shoes and go out in your neighborhood....your place of employment....your WORLD with a song in your heart and on your lips.

I encourage you to face your day with great anticipation as to what God has planned for you. He has paved the way for you, and His desire is for you to do those great and mighty works through and for Him.

Dear Lord, You tell me in Joshua 1:3 that You will give me every place where I set my foot. I appreciate the opportunities that You have created for me to do good works for You. Open my eyes to see what You want me to do. Open my heart to respond in love and compassion to those You place in my path.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.