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 2018,
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 a life is 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, 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:
I affirm, brethren, by the boasting
in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1 Corinthians 15:31 NASB
1 Corinthians 15:31 NASB