One Day at a Time

Mark 13:35

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn."

Our lives need to be taken one day at a time. Each day is new and it doesn't really matter what didn't go well yesterday. And if all goes bad tomorrow it still doesn't matter.
What does matter is today.
Too often we get caught up thinking about all the things we haven't done or dreaming of all the things we ought to do, and we have no time to actually do the things we have set before us right now. God's people live in the present.
They learn from the past and hope for the future, but they make the most of every single moment of every day.
Live for today and see the miracles begin.

Matthew 6:34

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own

Lynda Randle says it very well in this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y1wtgLAytA

What Lies Beneath the Surface

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2

There has been a job waiting for me for a long time, and I haven't been overly eager to get to it. We went to a rummage sale and bought a beautiful, antique, maple desk. The only problem with the desk is that a previous owner slapped a bunch of bright yellow paint all over it. Bright enamel yellow. Yellow enamel doesn't go well with our house decor. Because that is so, it is now my unpleasant duty to dig through the paint and get down to the good wood that lies underneath.

That seems to be what the Lord does with people. When our lives are colored with the sin that "doesn't go well" with the faith we have been given in the crucified and risen Redeemer, He often begins to restore us.

It can be a tough job -- tough for the person being transformed and tough for the Lord. We know nobody likes to have trials come into his or her life. And, contrary to popular opinion, it is not pleasant for a father -- even a Heavenly Father -- to discipline His children. Nevertheless, that's sometimes what is necessary to get down to the good wood the Lord knows is underneath.

Heavenly Father, if we have trials and crosses, help us to see those things come so you may bring us into harmony with You. Let us pray as our Savior prayed, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." In Jesus' Name. Amen.
adapted from Lutheran Hour Ministries, Pastor Ken Klaus

Under the Circumstances, I'm Doing Well

If you ask some Christians, "How are you doing?" They say, "Okay under the circumstances."

Circumstances are like a mattress.

You're supposed to be on it, not under it.

Under the circumstances, you suffocate;

on them you rest pretty well.

The only way you can run the race is to take your eyes off things or people around you and look unto Jesus. He's the author of the race. He's the goal to which you run. If you look unto Jesus to supply your every need for the race, you'll find faith growing in your heart and in your life.

You see, it's not great faith in God;

it is faith in a great God.

Adapted from Love Worth Living by Adrian Rogers http://www.lwf.org/site

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His Wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO4uIyz_d90