Tag Archives: Psalm 118:24

Reach Them Today??? Really!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #342

21 Monday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?, Touch them while you can?, Train up a child...., Transformed life

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Reach Them Today??? Really!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #342

I want us to consider time today—no pun intended—but I do pray that we will realize that we are called to live “today”; we’re not to be consumed with yesterdays over which we have no control, or even overly concerned about tomorrow!  I have a prayer that I wrote several years ago that I try to pray every day—I have it taped to my bathroom mirror (you can do the same) and it helps me remember who is in charge today—and the next today!

       Father—

              Your will for today IS mine—

              Your pleasure for today IS mine—

              Your work for today IS mine—

                      Tomorrow is yours alone to reveal—

                      Yesterday is ours alone—

                             Mine– to release to You–                       

                             Yours– to weave into the image of

Jesus Christ my Lord! 

              Amen and Amen!!!

Jesus reminded us of the importance of praying in the right mindset, and the first few lines of His model prayer tell it all.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day… ”                             Portions of Matthew 6:9-11a

Today is a gift from God and we are to pursue HIS will and HIS way, and for HIS kingdom to come; if I might interject a thought, we can rightly pray Hallowed be thy name to me—by rightly living His ways before a lost and dying world; we can pray Thy Kingdom come in me—by seeking His face through His Word, and walking in obedience to it; we can pray Thy will be done in me today and each today that HE gives us!  My heart grieves that I fail so much and so often, but I keep getting up each time, and Jesus helps me go forward.  You see my friends as we seek God, we can learn to focus on living today not yesterday or tomorrow.

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

 So what will we do with today?  We can choose to pursue Jesus—or something else.  We can choose to pursue a life of holiness, or we can live our own way.  The thing we often forget is that we may not have tomorrow.  Ever consider that even as Jesus told us to pray with today in mind, we can prepare for the future but don’t be so distracted by it that you miss today.  Children grow up way too fast! Life speeds by with no thought of what we are missing.  Don’t wait too long.  There’s an old hymn that haunts me even today, in the sense that we must, I say we must, realize that we may not have a tomorrow; the song was “O Why Not Tonight?”, by Eliza Holmes, and it pleads for the hearer to choose Jesus today. Have you bowed before Jesus in repentance of your sin, and faith/trust/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice.  If not, why not now?   Caskets come in all sizes!  Are you ready to meet Jesus today?

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold,

now is the accepted time;

behold,

now is the day of salvation.)”.   2 Corinthians 6:2

Even as God said in Genesis:

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh…”. Genesis 6:3a

So what am I saying?  I’m saying that we must use today wisely and be ready to make a difference in this wicked world and walk in righteousness, grace, and peace as well as behave discreetly, wisely, modestly, respectfully, rightly and responsibly!  I pray that my life will never shame my Lord Jesus.  How about you, are you measuring your life by scripture or ‘Hellywood’?

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake,

happy are ye:

and be not afraid of their terror,

neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

 a reason of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

 they may be ashamed

that falsely accuse

your good conversation in Christ.”                            1 Peter 3:14-16

Oh, may we live for Jesus today; may we be found faithful and as Peter said, “ready always to give an answer”!  And remember God isn’t asking us to have all the answers, but to be equipped with His Word to respond to those who ask, “Why do you live that way?”; but most importantly we are to live a life that reflects our Lord not the world, or why would anyone notice unless there’s a difference!  We are supposed to be different.  Remember Noah, he preached about a flood when no one even knew what rain was; he was found faithful to preach truth to those who wouldn’t listen!  May we be called faithful too!

“And spared not the old world,

but saved Noah

the eighth person,

a preacher of righteousness,

bringing in the flood

upon the world of the ungodly;” 2 Peter 2:5

What’s your life preaching today.  What if this was my last “today”?  Oh, Jesus may we be found faithful “today”!  May others see Jesus in me.  Or we can choose to be like those in Noah’s day and Lot’s day!

“And as it was in the days of Noe,

so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27 They did eat, they drank,

they married wives, they were given in marriage,

until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

and the flood came,

and destroyed them all.

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot;

they did eat, they drank,

they bought, they sold,

they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of

Sodom

it rained fire and brimstone

from heaven,

and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day

when the Son of man is revealed.”  Luke 17:26-30

What is Jesus saying?  Jesus is telling us clearly that those who lived with no thought of God, no thought that tomorrow held judgement, did nothing to get right with God today!  They lived as if today would never end.  Is your life a reflection of Jesus or the world that is “going to hell in a handbasket”?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is an end to today, and a test.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

 Use your todays wisely.  Judgment is coming.  Will you stand with Jesus today?  He’s coming soon!  Please look up today!  Live so those following you will be drawn to the cross!

Amen and Amen!!!

Following Jesus Into 2025??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #312

05 Sunday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Encouragement, Eternal Treasures, Examine Myself?, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithfulness, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Perilous Times Are Here, Persecution, Perseverance, Suffering With Jesus, Take Up YOUR Cross

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Following Jesus Into 2025???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #312

 

As we go into this new year of 2025, I would like to share a most impactful but often overlooked passage from the Apostle Peter; a passage that can challenge our often-presumptuous attitude toward God and what we consider as our “privilege” in being God’s children.  Suffering is often the call of true believers; yet what is our attitude toward this scriptural principle?  Today we’ll consider truth, first of all from Jesus, then from Peter.  And let me clarify something before I even print it, and that is when Jesus refers to asking anything “in my name” it isn’t a heavenly slot machine using Jesus’ name; rather it is seeking “first the Kingdom of God…and His righteousness…”!  When we put God first, we’ll know His will and not only pursue it but follow it faithfully.  And just FYI, if you’re popular with the world, you may want to examine your relationship with Jesus (not judging simply making an observation, Jesus did!)

“Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me.”   John 15:16-21

Peter seems to restate the case for persecution of the believers by reminding us of the example of Jesus.  I pray that you will ponder this call to faithful service to our King regardless of the cost.

“Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters

with all fear;                                   (respect not terror)

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.  (unreasonable)

19 For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:17-25

As another side note, we are healed from sin by His stripes, so that we can live unto righteousness (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).  I would also encourage you to read on into chapter 3 for more advice for our homes; remembering that what we live before our children is much more important than just our words.  I pray that God will help me to be more of what He has called me to be—by His grace, through His power, and for His glory.   Won’t you join me in concentrating on our pursuit of God this year—today, and today and the next today!!!

“This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Living Today, Today??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #269

06 Sunday Oct 2024

Posted by in TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow

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Living Today, Today???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #269

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

“Boast not thyself

of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Jesus has much to say about our living by faith and that means living this day—today!  It is totally evident as He taught His disciples to pray.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

As we learn to pray, we see that Jesus sets our eyes and our hearts on God, His Kingdom, and His will—today, and Matthew records even more that makes it clear.

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

Oh, that we (me as much as anyone) can learn to live in the today—not always looking for what’s coming tomorrow.  James talks about this principle, and we need to heed it in our day as much as any time in history; yet it is not anything new, as James addresses the same issue to the believers of his day.

“Go to now, ye that say,

To day

or to morrow

we will go into such a city,

and continue there a year,

and buy and sell,

and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not

what shall be on the morrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapour,

that appeareth for a little time,

and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say,

If the Lord will,

we shall live,

and do this,

or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings:

all such rejoicing is evil.

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good,

and doeth it not,

to him it is sin.”  James 4:13-17

This leaves the question, are we going God’s way, in God’s time and for God’s glory are we going our own way, in our own time and usually for our own glory?  Ouch!  And as we think about living in the day, living in submission to God, and pursuing the things of the Spirit, trusting in our God and not our undisciplined flesh, what are we choosing to do and be?  Jesus gives us great insight as we go back to Matthew.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures

upon earth,

 where moth and rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye:

if therefore thine eye be single,

thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil,

thy whole body shall be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,

how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?”  Matthew 6:19-25

As we think about these things, Jesus isn’t saying don’t work and provide for your own needs, but He is saying that we are to seek Him and His ways first, even as we mentioned above.

“33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof…”

Jesus teaches us about one who focused on self and tomorrow, rather than seeking God to direct his steps today.  May we take heed to His warning.

“And he said unto them,

Take heed, and beware of covetousness:

 for a man’s life consisteth not

in the abundance of the things

which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying,

The ground of a certain rich man

brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying,

What shall I do,

because I have no room

where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said,

This will I do:

I will pull down my barns,

and build greater;

and there will I

bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul,

Soul, thou hast much goods laid up

for many years;

take thine ease,

eat,

drink,

and be merry.

20 But God said unto him,

Thou fool,

this night thy soul shall be required of thee:

then whose shall those things be,

which thou hast provided?

21 So is he

that layeth up treasure for himself,

       and is not rich

toward God.”  Luke 12:15-21

May you hear the voice of The Lord?

Amen and Amen!!!

This Is The Day!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #

25 Tuesday Jul 2023

Posted by in Encouragement

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This Is The Day!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #112

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad

in it.”  Psalms 118:24

Just a word to cheer your day!  Blessings on your day!

Amen and Amen!!!

Another Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #92

18 Thursday May 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Living TODAY!, This IS The Day, This is the Way

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Another Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #92

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

God is the creator of each and every day–HE started them, and He keeps them going–and His blessing is there for us if we will but look up and rely upon HIS care, love and direction.  The problem comes when we go off on our own, believing the lies and schemes of the enemy, Satan!  We have an ever-present God, who cares, loves, and provides when we will but look up, press on and wait upon HIS direction!  What will you do with this day?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“He giveth power

to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths

shall faint and be weary,

and the young men

shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew

their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:29-31

Jesus calls us to follow HIM today, without fretting, fear, or frustration over tomorrow before it gets here.  We are to live in the “today”–the “today” that God gives us each morning, rejoicing in HIM and the task that HE sets before “me” “today”!  I don’t have to worry about your work, or anyone else’s (other than as I am called upon to help others) but I can rejoice in the privilege of serving my KING TODAY!  How about you?  Whose kingdom are you seeking?  Men’s or God’s?

“But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:33-34

So, it’s “today”, what will you do with it?  As I said, it’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test; and I choose to “rejoice” that:

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”

 Amen and Amen!!!