Use It Now, Before It Is Gone

It is just after 8:00 on a Thursday morning. I have been out of bed for almost two hours. I ponder how that this day is ticking away, moment by moment. If I am to continue to make progress on making today productive, I must maintain my concentration and dedication to the tasks before me.

Solomon warns, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). An easy temptation today is to think about tomorrow. After all, I can remember yesterday. And today was yesterday’s tomorrow. But properly considered, today is a gift from the Lord. How I use today will be a reflection of my appreciation to Him for the gift of today.

The following are some guidelines in making each day count.

Take Time To Let God Speak To You Through His Word.

May our attitude be as David’s toward God’s Word, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The word of instruction, encouragement, or reminder that you receive today from the Bible may be exactly what you will need as you face whatever is before you tomorrow or next week.

Take Time To Speak To God Through The Avenue Of Prayer.

What a wonderful privilege is granted to us as God's children to come to Him in prayer. For the faithful of God, we are promised that we can approach Him with assurance, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Neglecting prayer today will make it easier to neglect prayer tomorrow.

· Take Time To Show An Active Interest In The Lives Of Others

The apostle Paul taught Christians, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). To be sure, this is not a justification for being nosey about another person’s life. But it does teach that we need to be alert to opportunities to assist other people, as we have opportunity (see also Galatians 6:10). The word of encouragement you speak to another person today has the possibility of making a profound difference in their life for many years to come. Indeed, we need to actively care for other people. Tomorrow it may be too late to show the care and concern that needs to be shown today.

The Ideal Focus

This Wednesday, July 4, marks two hundred thirty-one years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. This marked a turning point. Historians record how that these people were taking a real risk. Their determination for freedom for themselves and future generations was the motivation that energized them.

What if our dedication to the Lord and His church had the same determination? Do we remember that our diligent efforts in the Lord's work will bless future generations? Even greater than the cause of the early American colonists is the work of the Lord's church. Our work is directly linked to eternity. Our foundation is the Lord and His gospel. Our standard is the only perfect and sure word, the Bible. Before us is the greatest reward available to mankind, heaven. Indeed, doing our best should be our natural response!

"Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11).

Absolute Dependence On God

How do you view God? Does He seem faraway or distant? Is your relationship with Him close and sustaining? From the book of Psalms we are given some meaningful insights into the possibilities of our relationship with the one true and living God. Please consider the following statement from David, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn and my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2).

Without realizing it, we may allow ourselves to think that there is a lack of connection between God and this world. But most assuredly, we serve a personal God. For example, the apostle Peter declared, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers” (I Peter 3:12). Another example is the following assurance to Christians from the apostle Paul, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

A strengthening reminder is that God desires a close relationship with us. The Psalmist David, in following the Lord, approached his life in light of the Lord’s desires. This is a good reminder for us. We can absolutely depend on the Lord. As the apostle Paul exclaimed in praise to God, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Some Reflections For Father's Day

An early memory from childhood involves asking my mother in the morning, “Where is Daddy?” She would tell me that he had just left for work. Often I would look at the kitchen table and I would see his coffee cup and plate from his breakfast. Though it seems very silly now, at three years old it was fun to take his spoon and get the sugar that was still in his cup. Knowing that it had been my father’s cup just a little earlier in the morning made it special.

One of life’s sweetest blessings for me is being a father. It is a never-ending responsibility. I find myself thinking about this responsibility at various times in the day. My attention is always captured when a book or article I read mentions being a father. Hearing a special little girl say something that I have said or in the way I have said it often takes my breath away.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the Lord . . .” (Psalm 127:3).

He Was Wounded For Our Transgressions

The song "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross" reminds us of the blessings we have because of our Lord's sacrifice. This vivid demonstration of His love should motivate us to faithfully serve Him. The following article, from an unknown author, describes the depth of our Lord's suffering on the cross for you and me.

There are six varieties of wounds a person can suffer:

Abrasive wound: the skin is scraped off. This can result in stumbling, by carrying a rough object, or by a glancing blow. “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull . . . “ (John 19:17).

Contused wound: caused by a heavy blow. “And they smote him on the head with a reed . . . “ (Mark 15:19).

Incised wound: produced by a knife, spear, or other sharp instrument. “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him” (John 19:1).

Lacerated wound: the flesh is torn open, leaving jagged edges. “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spiting” (Isaiah 50:6).

Penetrating wound: the flesh is pierced through. “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails. . . “ (John 20:25).

Punctured wound: made by a pointed or spiked instrument. “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side . . .” (John 19:34).

Jesus suffered all these wounds. Yes, Jesus suffered real physical pain, but what Jesus suffered physically by itself does not give the power to the cross. Jesus also endured spiritual pain in “becoming sin for us” (II Corinthians 5:21).

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

author unknown