1. Number Your Days
Psalm 90:12
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Begin the day remembering that life is brief. Live intentionally, not accidentally.
Record and Remember:
One sentence: “If today were a gift from God that I could never repeat, how would I live it?”
2. Give Thanks for Small Mercies
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Train your eyes to see God’s kindness in ordinary moments. Gratitude slows the soul and increases awareness.
Record and Remember:
Three simple things you are grateful for today.
3. Celebrate Quiet Progress
Zechariah 4:10
“Do not despise these small beginnings.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Notice growth instead of focusing only on failures. God often works in small steps.
Record and Remember:
One small victory from today—a conversation, choice, prayer, or act of obedience.
4. Let Go Quickly
Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Do not carry tomorrow’s burden into tomorrow. Release hurts before they harden.
Record and Remember:
What fear, resentment, disappointment, or worry am I releasing to Jesus today?
5. Seek First What Matters Most
Matthew 6:33
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Refuse to confuse activity with purpose. Put Jesus at the center of the day.
Record and Remember:
What is the most important thing God wants from me today?
6. Define Your Ideal Day
Colossians 3:17
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Create a simple picture of a God-centered day. Keep it clear and realistic.
Record and Remember:
Write one sentence describing your ideal day with Jesus.
7. Live as a Steward, Not an Owner
James 4:14
“You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Remember that time, health, opportunities, and relationships are gifts entrusted by God.
Record and Remember:
How did I invest today’s opportunities rather than merely spend them?
8. Keep Eternity in View
2 Corinthians 4:18
“The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Evaluate today’s concerns through the lens of eternity.
Record and Remember:
What did I do today that will matter forever?
9. End Each Day at Peace
Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Finish the day settled in God’s care rather than replaying regrets.
Record and Remember:
What do I need to thank God for, confess, or surrender before sleep?
10. Leave a Daily Legacy
Philippians 1:21
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
How / What I Want to Accomplish:
Live so that if this day were your last, it would clearly point to Jesus.
Record and Remember:
At the end of today, what would I want my family, friends, and Savior to say about how I lived?
A Simple Daily Journal Template
Morning
- What am I grateful for? (3 things)
- What does my ideal day look like?
- What is the one thing that matters most today?
Midday
4. Where am I winning?
5. What small step of obedience have I taken?
Evening
6. What must I let go of?
7. What eternal investment did I make today?
8. What needs to be said at the end of the day?
Closing Thought
“Lord Jesus, teach me to live today as though it matters, because it does. Teach me to hold lightly what is passing and tightly to You who remain forever.”
To make the 10 steps memorable, use ten “D” words. They are simple, biblical, and easy to recall.
10 D’s For Living With The Shortness Of Life
1. Days — Number Your Days
Psalm 90:12
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Remember: Life is limited. Count it carefully.
2. Delight — Give Thanks for Small Mercies
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks.”
Remember: Gratitude turns ordinary moments into gifts.
3. Develop — Celebrate Quiet Progress
Zechariah 4:10
“Do not despise these small beginnings.”
Remember: God grows us one step at a time.
4. Discard — Let Go Quickly
Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger… be put away from you.”
Remember: Release what hinders fellowship with Christ.
5. Desire — Seek First What Matters Most
Matthew 6:33
“Seek first His kingdom.”
Remember: Put Jesus first every day.
6. Design — Define Your Ideal Day
Colossians 3:17
“Whatever you do… do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Remember: Live intentionally, not accidentally.
7. Deposit — Live as a Steward
James 4:14
“You are just a vapor.”
Remember: Invest your life; don’t merely spend it.
8. Discern — Keep Eternity in View
2 Corinthians 4:18
“The things which are seen are temporary.”
Remember: See beyond today.
9. Downrest — End Each Day at Peace
Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep.”
Remember: Finish each day in God’s hands.
10. Departure — Leave a Daily Legacy
Philippians 1:21
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Remember: Live ready to meet Jesus.
The 10 D’s
Days
Delight
Develop
Discard
Desire
Design
Deposit
Discern
Downrest
Departure
A simple memory sentence:
“Number your Days, Delight in God’s gifts, Develop daily, Discard burdens, Desire Christ, Design wisely, Deposit eternally, Discern clearly, Downrest peacefully, and prepare for Departure.”