One Day at a Time: A Daily Drink from the Fountain of Life

By Susie McRae

If you have picked up this book, if you are reading these words, you have walked into a divine appointment. From cover to cover, these writings will accompany you through the day.

When the hours ahead hold smiles and laughter, the goodness of God is clear. But what do you do with the pain you didnt see coming or the loss you were not prepared to face? The heart of God is rich with love. He cares about everything concerning you. Snuggled into the center of the Bible is the book of Psalms. You will find great joy and deep sorrow reflected in the beauty of these scriptures. By examining three translations of the word of God, you will gain insight into the Fathers heart. Tomorrow is not promised; however, be confident that the God of mercy and grace walks with youone day at a time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490855424

Susie McRae

Susie McRae was born in Portland, Oregon. Upon graduation from Lincoln High School, she moved to southern California, where she attended LIFE Bible College. She currently lives on the central coast of California with her husband, John. They have two grown children.

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JANUARY 1

Psalm 31:14–15

But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand. (KJV)

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands. (NIV)

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, You are my God! My future is in your hands. (NLT)

T he future stretches out in front of us. For some, it appears to be a long, uncertain road. For others, it is already scheduled, defined by hopes and dreams. No matter what you may think, your tomorrows rest in God’s hands. The Word of God says so! Rest in his love and wisdom. There isn’t anyone who loves you more than Jesus does. You can be sure that when your journey on earth is over, you will rest in the arms of the Savior.

JANUARY 2

Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (KJV)

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (NIV)

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. (NLT)

T his Scripture is a promise from Jesus Christ. With His Word to light our path in dark places, he guides us along, sharing his ideas for our lives. There is joy in his presence!

Not only is Jesus with us now, but we will pass from this earthly address to our new location in the place he has prepared for us. That’s the most amazing gift of all!

JANUARY 3

Psalm 25:7

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord. (KJV)

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. (NIV)

Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth; look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. (NLT)

I like to say, I am walking around breathing air because of God’s grace and mercy. Sins of my youth, are you kidding? You don’t have time to hear about them! I don’t have the desire to share them! Oh God, thank you for your eyes of unfailing love. Thank you for the beauty of your mercy!

So, my friend, if you haven’t lived a perfect life up to now, you too are under God’s grace. It’s not a bad place to be!

JANUARY 4

Psalm 31:7

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble: thou has known my soul in adversities. (KJV)

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and know the anguish of my soul. (NIV)

I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. (NLT)

A nguish comes from deep trouble and sorrow. It weaves its way around torment and settles deep inside a person. There is a God who cares about how you feel. He cares about your thoughts and your depth of despair. It’s in the presence of the Lord that you will find joy.

I’m talking about deep comfort and peace, a sense of the Holy Spirit holding you and healing broken places within you as only the love of God can do.

JANUARY 5

Psalm 11:4

The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. (KJV)

The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. (NIV)

But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everything closely, examining everyone on earth. (NLT)

T his Scripture displays an incredible visual image of the Lord in his heavens as the seraphim cry, Holy, holy, holy! The Lord God rules from that place, yet he is aware of all the details of your life. This all-powerful Lord is your Father. I think that says it all!

JANUARY 6

Psalm 56:3

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (KJV)

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. (NIV)

But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (NLT)

F or most of us it is not a matter of if but rather when I am afraid. When fear and anxiety pay you a visit in the middle of the dark night, remember quickly to whom you belong. Remember, the God of the universe happens to be your Father. He owns, and has power, over all things. It’s safe to say that you can trust him!

JANUARY 7

Psalm 65:8

They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. (KJV)

Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy. (NIV)

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy. (NLT)

T his describes a worldwide praise celebration! The beauty of God’s holiness inspires shouts of joy clear to the ends of the earth. From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised! This verse doesn’t say, Praise God if everything is going great in your life. Praise comes out of the heart, regardless of your circumstances today. The sacrifice of praise touches the heart of God.

JANUARY 8

Psalm 72:19

And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. (KJV)

Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. (NIV)

Bless his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen! (NLT)

T o bless his glorious name forever is to honor Jesus the King. He is the perfect majesty. He rules with justice and pure love. Let him reign over your life today. As you make decisions that may change the course of your life, be sure you use the wisdom that comes only from his majesty. Let the whole earth be filled with the magnificence of Jesus’ name.

JANUARY 9

Psalm 78:72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. (KJV)

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. (NIV)

He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands. (NLT)

T his psalm talks about the gentle care and leadership David provided for the children of Israel. God taught David how to listen for direction from above. God took talents he had placed in David and taught him how to lead in truth with detailed and skillful hands. David had to trust God with a pure heart. It took integrity to accomplish this kind of shepherding.

If God is placing you in a position of leadership, understand that he will take all you are and mold you into the leader he needs you to be. Trust the Lord, as David did long ago, and watch what God will do with your life.

JANUARY 10

Psalm 89:5

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. (KJV)

The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. (NIV)

All heaven will praise your miracles Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness. (NLT)

C lose your eyes, and envision the throne room of God. Hosts of angels fill it, praising the Lord of faithfulness. They are bowing before him and crying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. This is pure praise with total understanding of the God of heaven and earth. One day we will be part of this purity and we will adore him in his holiness. This God is strong enough to handle anything that we face while we are here on earth. Be confident in his power displayed in your life.

JANUARY 11

Psalm 93:4

The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. (KJV)

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty. (NIV)

But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore—the Lord above is mightier than these. (NLT)

I am sure you have heard reports through the years of tsunamis—the maverick waves of the sea that violently crash on the land. The sound is awesome. The power is violent and raging. Just seeing these events makes you feel small. The one who holds you in his hand is mightier than these! Your Father God, who loves you and sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you, is full of gentle mercy, and yet he is mightier than the raging seas!

JANUARY 12

Psalm 99:5

Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. (KJV)

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy. (NIV)

Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy! (NLT)

I t’s only proper for God to be exalted in the beauty of his holiness. Loving him, you understand what it means to bow low in worship at his precious feet. Though he is above all the earth and is the King of kings, because of the cross, the Son of God lets us walk hand in hand with him each day. You have the privilege to reverence him and also realize that he is your friend.

JANUARY 13

Psalm 104:3

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind. (KJV)

And lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. (NIV)

You lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds. You make the clouds your chariots; you ride upon the wings of the wind. (NLT)

T he beauty of this imagery takes me back to childhood. I use to lie on the sweet grass and watch the clouds drift by. I let my imagination turn these puffs of white into a story in the blue sky. Mostly, however, it was the rain clouds of the Northwest I saw! I love that the Master Designer makes chariots out of the clouds and rides upon the wings of the wind. This same God takes care of us. Let us ride the winds with him today!

JANUARY 14

Psalm 115:15

Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. (KJV)

May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (NIV)

May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (NLT)

M y daughter gave me a sign which I set on my fireplace that simply reads, BLESSED. The power of that word touches my heart every time I read it. When you are blessed by the Lord, it doesn’t mean you never have problems. It means you know the Problem Solver. When you are blessed by the Lord, it doesn’t mean all of life is smooth sailing. It means you know the Captain of life’s ship. When you are blessed by the Lord, it means your hand is in the hand of the one who made all things.

JANUARY 15

Psalm 121:2

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. (KJV)

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (NIV)

My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! (NLT)

T here are a number of ways you can find yourself in trouble during your lifetime. Most often you can turn to family or friends for help. However, at times you may find yourself in a situation where no human can help you. The Lord who made heaven and earth also made you! There is no depth of despair that you can fall into where God cannot find you. There is no limit to God’s power. The Lord who made heaven and earth is your Maker!

JANUARY 16

Psalm 135:1

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord. (KJV)

Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord. (NIV)

Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord! Praise him, you who serve the Lord. (NLT)

P raise flows from humanity. There is praise for someone’s talent or beauty. There is praise for athletes and movie stars. There is praise for the rich and even praise for church celebrities. This verse in Psalms brings us back to the one who deserves praise. Praise the Lord. Did he do something worthy of praise? Yes! He created you and all you see! Praise the name of the Lord. Why should you pay attention to his name? At the name of Jesus every knee will bow.

Do you call yourself a Christian? Do you serve him? Then you should praise him, because his celebrity far outweighs any big name here on earth!

JANUARY 17

Psalm 145:3

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. (KJV)

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. (NIV)

Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery. (NLT)

T he Lord of love and goodness cannot be brought down to a human level. He cares for you and shows compassion over your life. He is in control of the universe, which is beyond imagination; however, it is your needs he thinks about. He spoke the world into existence but saves each tear you shed. This great God is above all things, yet you are the most important of all his creation. The Lord is great and worthy of praise!

JANUARY 18

Psalm 10:17

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. (KJV)

You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. (NIV)

Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. (NLT)

T he Lord never misses the details of your life. In the moments of despair and helplessness he hears the cries of your heart. He comforts the parent whose child is in trouble. He comforts the child whose parent is gone. He hears, he sees and he cocoons in his love all who need him. Put your hope in the Lord, and receive pure love from the Father’s heart.

JANUARY 19

Psalm 22:10

I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. (KJV)

From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. (NIV)

I was thrust upon you at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born. (NLT)

T he love of God follows you from your mother’s womb on through eternity. His plans for you are perfect and well thought through. You can trust the Lord with all the days of your life and rest in the promise of eternity with him. Your every need is his concern. God doesn’t take his eyes off you no matter what you do. This love is beyond imagination and surrounds you long after your last breath.

JANUARY 20

Psalm 86:13

For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul