Have you ever noticed when the temperature outside goes up one degree? I don’t, yet the thermometer shows it has. It isn’t until the temperature changes by five or ten degrees that I begin to feel it. I notice the cumulative effects of a bunch of degrees, but the individual degrees themselves, go unnoticed.
“Your eyes [God] saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
~Psalm 139:16 ESV
On February 2, 2012, I will have been alive for 13,272 days. (Yes, I factored in leap years!) If I live to be 80 years old, I will hit 29,242 days. If God has not written that many days for me, I have less than 15,970 days left on this side of eternity. This is not that many when you consider the whole of human history. It puts each of my days into perspective, doesn’t it? Since God has taken time to write about each of them, then it means each day of my life is indispensable to Him. What I choose to do each day matters. I may not remember what occurred on day 6,808, but I notice the cumulative effects of my days, today.
Coincidently, the new year has arrived. We have no idea what the days before us will hold. Some of them will make sense and others will not. On some days our hearts will be joyful, and on others they may be broken. No matter what unfolds, both of us will do one thing: change.
“And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
~2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV, emphasis mine
In my opinion, the process of becoming more like Jesus Christ can be just as mysterious as the 2 Corinthians verse I just quoted. Sensing our transformation in Him can be challenging at times. We who have received Jesus Christ as Savior need encouragement as the change happens. This is why I am here. I am writing to you because I believe each day you encounter provides a chance for freedom to be found, change to be embraced, and glory to be seen. I don’t want you to miss out! I believe what you choose to do with your individual days matters.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away,our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen…”
~2 Corinthians 4:16-18a ESV
I welcome you to One Degree! My prayer for this blog is that it will help you grow in your faith and that it will be a source of encouragement to you. Some of my blog entries will focus on a particular verse or chapter of the Bible. Others will challenge you to stop and worship. Some will…well, you’ll see.
I would love to meet you! Drop me a note below that includes your first name and what the current “temperature” of your relationship with God feels like. Is it cold, lukewarm, or hot? Why do you think it feels this way?
I am so very excited to be able to read your blog and to hear what you have to say, and I am striving each day to become more like my Lord and Savior. I have watched you grow into the beautiful young lady that our Lord is growing you to be and I want you to know that I am so very blessed to have known you most of your life! As our Lord guides and directs and yes, speaks through you on your blog, I know He is going to grow you and all who read it! He is the most Awesome person in my life and He becomes more personal to me everyday! I am so thankful for Him and for you as you share your heart here! Looking forward to reading more as you write! Have a truly blessed day, my dear one and I will be following right here with you! As His New Creation, I am listening and striving to be obedient to His call! Love, t
Terry, Sounds like your temperature is “red hot”! Thank you for stopping by One Degree and for your encouraging words. I love to hear that Jesus continues to become more personal to you everyday and that you are striving to be obedient to His call on your life. He promises to be found by those who seek Him with a whole heart! (Jeremiah 29:13) God bless you as you continue to “listen.”
Tracy,such an amazing post!!! I am so blessed to call you not only my friend,but also my mentor!!!! I will be reading these & keeping updated!!! I am so proud of you!!! Love you,sweet friend & can NOT wait to see what the Lord will do through this ministry you have started!!! You are such a blessing to me & mean so much to me!!! I am excited to walk with you through it all!!!
Amanda 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement Amanda! I am so thankful to finally push the “publish” button. I am looking forward to watching God grow you one degree at a time as well. I am glad you stopped by my online home and have a blessed week! Your days matter…
Awesome blog post Tracey! I miss your Jesus inspired wisdom. I look forward to reading more!
Melanie, thanks for stopping by One Degree! I appreciate your encouragement and look forward to discussing God’s Word with you. We are going to start with Psalm 27, so get ready to look at a “one degree” moment from King David’s life with me. God bless!
Tracy, Wow!! I’m so inspired, encouraged, and blessed by your blog! I’m so excited to continue reading and going on the journey with you. Speaking of journey… I am so with you on the road of transformation – becoming like Christ. I feel like he is molding and making me every day into who He is calling me to be. I anticipate the time I spend with Him and what He will teach me. I love your encouragement that every day we have is an opportunity and what we do with each of them matters. Running the race with you as we seek His face every day!! I’m excited to continue on and read more!!
Hi Amy! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words. Glad to know I have a new “running” buddy now. Keep anticipating…Jesus never disappoints! Confident that God is continuing to do a good work in your life (Philippians 1:6) each and every day. Your days matter my friend…
What a great thought. We only have one life to make our mark on this world and then we are off to glory. I want to be red hot for Jesus and share His Word with others. Great blog post!
Hi Suzanne! Thank you for stopping by One Degree. I like how you reminded me that we will be “off to glory” one day. Our life, here on earth, is only the beginning. Praying that you will grow in your red “hotness” and for countless opportunities for you to share His Word. Keep me updated on your journey…
Love this so much Tracy. I look forward to discussing Our Savior with you, even if I don’t get to “see” you as much as I wish. I read a quote today that has stuck with me. It came in regards to Luke 19:1-10, where Jesus goes to the home of Zacchaeus the tax collector. Verse 10 states, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” A comment from someone on this says, “When we see people as losers, we treat them with contempt. When we see them as lost, we treat them with compassion.” I thank God for you and your compassion for the lost. Love you, Adele
I am so glad you stopped by my online home, my dear friend and partner in the ministry! Thank you for sharing this verse, and for your encouraging words. I look forward to discussing more of God’s Word and “One Degree” moments with you as well. Praising God for you!
Tracy – Thank YOU! For pressing forward in what God has put you on this earth to do. Encourage others and help reveal who Jesus truly is. I am VERY excited to read what is in your heart and am praying for you. This blog has closed out my day today and has confirmed what God has been screaming at me all day. Each individual day matters. I have been asking myself all day, what is important to me? What am I filling my time with? Is it good things or great things? I’ve stepped back a little today to really evaluate that and it’s no coincidence that I’m reading your blog right now. Thank You – My Lady! I am so grateful for you! Lots of love coming to you from Phoenix 🙂
p.s. I’m going to start a personal challenge today for the month of April — I will share my results with you when I’m done!
Krystal:
I praise God for using this post to confirm what He has been showing you all day :). I love how you used the word “screaming.” That, I get my friend! 🙂 Yes, your days do matter! I would LOVE for you to come back and share what you have discovered this month. Let me know what God has been up to…
Many blessings as you follow Him!
Krystal, how is your personal challenge going this month? You are half way through the month!
Hi! I’m visiting from Allume (Small Bloggers and Comments) and I’m doing my “homework!” He, he!
I find this post refreshing. I just posted yesterday about reaching another “crisis point” in my life – looking at where I am at – what I’m doing well and what needs improvement. After reading this post, I’m feeling encouraged that it’s okay to make one change at a time – one degree at a time – one day at a time. No one expects me to be perfect or get it all right all the time (well, except for myself!) Just keep moving forward toward the Lord.
Thanks!!!
Kiley-I am so honored you stopped by. I took a look at your blog, and I LOVE the dolls you made. Thank you for reminding me about where my priorities should be as well. God has blessed you with a beautiful heart and beautiful family. Keep writing my friend! 🙂
You are right, we forget that God can also move in small ways (one degrees) in our everyday lives. But of course I want to rush Him, and be like a super Christian woman NOW. I am finding that this is not how God works! And who am I to define what a super Christian woman looks like anyways? (sigh) So I am giving all this self inflicted “pressure” on myself to Him and am learning to receive His grace as He fashions me into the daughter He wants me to be. I am so glad God encouraged you today, and I pray that you will notice your “one degrees” and that you will share them with your children so they can see how AMAZING our God is. Keep in touch!
Tracy, I’m ALL in for Him!!! This Christian life is anything but mediocre! It’s exciting! He makes all things NEW! Come visit me at http://www.fullherlife.com! ~ Blessings new sister, Amy! 🙂
Hi Amy! You go girl-I love your enthusiasm, exclamation points, smiley face, and passion for the Lord. 🙂 Yes, mediocre hardly describes it. I enjoyed stopping by your blog and attempted to leave a link to one of your posts that blessed me on my “Nuke it post” the other day. You are a gifted writer, so I encourage everyone to check out Amy’s blog too.
Thank you for joining us at One Degree Amy-your days matter!
Hi Shannon! Thank you for stopping by One Degree. Praying that you realize how important your days are…keep an eternal perspective my friend. 🙂
Krystal: hope your challenge is going well. Praying for you…
Hi Tracy,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am so glad you did so that I could come over here and spend a little time at yours. What a beautiful post and a great idea for your blog.
May God use you mightily as you write for Him,
Amy
Hi Amy:
Thank you so much for stopping by One Degree! I appreciate your kind words. God bless as you raise your precious kiddos!
Amen! E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G matters to Him. I didn’t know you yet girl when you first started this… I’m so thankful! ~ Blessings, Amy 🙂
Thank you Amy. So thankful for you and for your partnership in the ministry 🙂 Embrace your day!
You are full of wisdom! So glad our God merged our paths together. Keep on, One Degree at a time!
Thank you for your kind words-praising the Holy Spirit for helping my heart to understand and for giving me eyes to see! Will do, you too sister. Keep abiding 🙂
Tracy,
When I look at the days of my life I often just want to scream!
Why Lord – was I not able to have children?
Why Lord – is it more money than we have to adopt?
Why Lord – did my first marriage not work out?
Why Lord – was I so socially awkward in my youth?
Why Lord – was mom taken at such a young age?
Why Lord – am I afflicted with the same cancer that took her?
Why Lord – is dad suffering with this brain disease?
WHY LORD?
Then I turn around and:
Praise you Jesus – for a loving husband who is OK with no children.
Praise you Jesus – that my hubby has a job that meets our expenses
Praise you Jesus – for bringing Tim into my life
Praise you Jesus – that you have provided me with friends now
Praise you Jesus – for the most wonderful mother one could have
Praise you Jesus – that I have access to the top researcher in the USA in the field of my cancer
Praise you Jesus – dad still recognizes me when I visit
PRAISE YOU JESUS
Tracy,
When I look at the days of my life I often just want to scream!
Why Lord – was I not able to have children?
Why Lord – is it more money than we have to adopt?
Why Lord – did my first marriage not work out?
Why Lord – was I so socially awkward in my youth?
Why Lord – was mom taken at such a young age?
Why Lord – am I afflicted with the same cancer that took her?
Why Lord – is dad suffering with this brain disease?
WHY LORD?
Then I turn around and:
Praise you Jesus – for a loving husband who is OK with no children.
Praise you Jesus – that my hubby has a job that meets our expenses
Praise you Jesus – for bringing Tim into my life
Praise you Jesus – that you have provided me with friends now
Praise you Jesus – for the most wonderful mother one could have
Praise you Jesus – that I have access to the top researcher in the USA in the field of my cancer
Praise you Jesus – dad still recognizes me when I visit
PRAISE YOU JESUS
Catherine-your faith and perspective are so wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us your testimony here! Keep sharing it. God bless you as you continue to seek the Lord through the blessings and the trials…Your days matter. God bless 🙂
i came to your blog via a comment on one of my posts….i am an anorexia survivor which makes me interested in your book. heading over to amazon….
Hi Kendal-I read your post over at Jen’s place. So beautiful and raw-thank you for sharing your heart. I am sending you an email…thanks for stopping by and for checking out “Images of His Beauty!”
Hi I’m Renee. I stumbled across you in Pinterest and I’m excited to dive in , ATM I’m currently like warm but I know Luke warm isn’t good and I’m in the process of getting warmer and warmer eventually HOT. I lost a bit of weight and focused on my outer beauty for so long my inner self needs lots of work and I know God is there every step .
Hi Tracy! Love those same verses and concepts and can relate to the joy of being loved and known by my Father God. I chuckled a little at the title of your devotional today because where I live in New Brunswick Canada it is -20 C outside and we have snow. 🙂 As for the temperature of my relationship with God right now…………okay, I will be honest! It’s between lukewarm and hot but the thermometer is rising. I am seeking to spend more time in His word and with Him each day…………consistently…….that’s the key and my love is warming up again. Been a Christian for over 50 years and I have to say, it doesn’t get easier to maintain spirituality, the challenges are just different at different phases of life. Thanks for sharing your heart Tracy! <3
Hi Judy! Brrr it is VERY cold where you are. No wonder “one degree” makes you chuckle. Stay warm my friend. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective about maintaining intimacy with the Lord throughout the various seasons of life. Praying your “temperature” continues to rise and I appreciate you stopping by. God bless 🙂
I just found your blog and it is touching my heart already! I look forward to reading more from you! Thank you for this beautiful post.
Thank you Candra! I am so glad you stopped by and that your heart is encouraged today 🙂 God bless.
Beautiful message! Too often I lump my life into months and years, never days and certainly not hours. Perhaps if I invest more into the small pieces I will have an even more beautiful life. 🙂
Thank you. God is always moving, so look for Him in the small pieces. He is THE source for the beautiful life indeed 🙂 Glad you stopped by One Degree!
Hi Tracey! Well let’s just start off with WOW! I absolutely love this blog post! It really opened my eyes in a few ways. It’s so awesome how us messed up people can actually encourage and inspire each other. And I believe we get that from the LORD!!! I can tell He has blessed you with a beautiful gift. Thank you for sharing this amazing post!
I’m new to blogging, and I just built my blog today. Obviously, I’m not too popular, haha. 🙂 but of course I will be praying for God to use me and speak through me in marvelous ways on my blog! Meanwhile, any tips on how to gain readers?
Thank you so much!
-Anna
Hi Tracey! Well let’s just start off with WOW! I absolutely love this blog post! It really opened my eyes in a few ways. It’s so awesome how us messed up people can actually encourage and inspire each other. And I believe we get that from the LORD!!! I can tell He has blessed you with a beautiful gift. Thank you for sharing this amazing post!
I’m new to blogging, and I just built my blog today. Obviously, I’m not too popular, haha. 🙂 but of course I will be praying for God to use me and speak through me in marvelous ways on my blog! Meanwhile, any tips on how to gain readers?
Thank you so much!
-Anna