And working together with Him, we also urge you not to
receive the grace of God in vain-- for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I
LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is
"THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"--
(2 Corinthians 6:1-2)
Of all the days we live, the
bottom line of the whole matter is that we only have today. This is why the Scripture says that now is the
acceptable time. It is an
affirmation that we live in the present. The past is gone. The future may never arrive. But now
is here.
Now is the only time we can accept and it is the only
time acceptable to God. The
question we must answer is: What are we going to do with now? Now
is the only time we really have direct influence on and God knows that.
How are you spending now?
Are you either living in the past or the future? Are there things you have been putting off
until tomorrow---things which you should be doing today? Are you sitting back thinking that there will
come that perfect situation which will enable you to be involved? It will never come.
This is the message we need
to hear at this time of year. We must
live in the now in 2011, because it is the only time we have. Thank God for the past. Thank God for whatever future there is
awaiting us. But live now.
We must live now in terms of our personal lives and
also in terms of the church. You see, we
cannot simply wait for the future to come upon us. If 2011 is going to be lived
for Jesus, it must be lived one day at a time. Every day will be today. The only time we will have to live will be now.
So,
there are no resolutions to make other than the decision to live now.
And the questions which you need to answer today have to do with what God is
telling you to do now.
So, what are the issues with
which you need to deal today? Are there sins you need to confess today? "Today
is the day of salvation." God's forgiveness awaits you today if you
will come to Him.
In terms of your commitment
to your church, what is the Lord telling you to do today? This church is you, and is only as strong as
you allow it to be by your commitment and service. Are you involved, committed, active, alive,
pressing-in, dedicated, and dependable?
Are you involved in the
ministry of this church by giving of your time, talents, and tithe? Without your support the ministry the church
may not die, but you will certainly not receive the joy of being a part of
God’s work through it. And if you are
not giving to the Lord's work, both of yourself and His tithe, then you are
robbing God of what is His and robbing yourselves of the blessing God will give
to you.
Of all the plans you have
made for your future and the future of your family, what needs to be done
today? Will there be any positive change
in tomorrow because of what you are doing today? A vision is merely a dream without goals and
goals will not be made without plans.
So, what is your plan for today.
What is the Lord touching in
your life today? What will you do about
it? Whatever you do, you must do now.
It is the only time you have.
Scripture to Claim:
Therefore
be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your
time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
