Today's Opportunities

Chuckle: Sunday School Teacher: “Why did Moses wander in the desert for forty years?” Ginny: Because he was too stubborn to stop and ask for directions.”

Quote: “Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have.” --William Arthur Ward

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15 NIV).

Today's opportunities are the only ones we have with certainty. Let's review some other verses that bear out this truth: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about Itself" (Matthew 6:34). "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring" (Proverbs 27:1). "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow" (James 4:14).

Rather than living in the past or worrying about tomorrow, we should live for the joys of today. You can miss today, but you can't live tomorrow today. James 3 warns us about being overconfident about the future. We should plan for the future, but realize the future is dependent upon God’s will. We have no promise of tomorrow - only today.

Moses stood before the Red Sea with the Egyptians at his back. The people asked, "Why didn't we stay in Egypt (living in the past)?" Moses answered them, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today" (Exodus 14:13).

God only promises today. Jesus taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." Some of us are so concerned about how we will live in the future, we can't enjoy today. This is the day the Lord has made, and he made it for you. The sun came up - you are alive - rejoice and take full advantage of God's gift -- today.

A 66 year-old man named Harlan Sanders was broke. But he was a today person and, using his mothers recipe, he opened a restaurant in Salt Lake City. Today, franchises all over America now sell Kentucky Fried Chicken. We are still licking our fingers. . . . At 66, when most of us are saying, "Oh well, not much of my life is left," Harlan Sanders lived for today. "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7). Listen each day for God's voice and pray that he will show you how you can bless someone today.

"Now is the time for God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2). Do you ever plan to get right with God? If so, do it today. "Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call on Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6 NIV). Do you plan to make your marriage better? Start today. Witness to someone today. Restore fractured relationships today. Just say, "I want to be a today person. Jesus always brings us back to today, the only day that matters." Tomorrow will never come.

Love, Jerry & Dotse