The Day Before Us

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Matthew 4:4 New King James Version

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Memory verse: Philippians 4:8 ►Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Today's reading: PSALM 7-9 ACTS 18

The Day Before Us

We have an entire day before us. A day that will be gone in a blink, a breath, a flash. Think about that. Yesterday started just like this one and here we are-it is gone.

What did you do yesterday that you have confessed? If you confessed it, it is forgiven and forgotten by a divine mind that can choose to do that. But what word or deed was witnessed by a person or people that can never be erased? Even though you asked forgiveness, memories remain forever.

We speak and our words are immortal. Our actions live forever in the minds of witnesses. We can do nothing to make them forget.

We, in the power of the Lord, must be able to walk away from a day knowing that we have lived well before the world. That sounds great but what about our real human nature?

That's where our relationship with Jesus comes into play. We have walked away from the Lord, even if momentarily, when we sin. If we continue walking in that direction without stopping and reaching for the mind of Christ and His mercy, sin gets hard around our minds and dulls guilt and shame. We get crusty and dulled.

But, if we stop and reach for Him and His mercy in humility and repentence, we walk in Him.

1 John 2:28 ►And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

John 8:31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”…

Romans 6:18 ►You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

1 John 1:7 ►But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

The day before us will soon be behind us. A thriving relationship with Jesus will keep us from regretting things done wrong today.

But-is that the right reason? To just finish the day with no regrets?

It is a good reason, yes, but to realize more and more the love God has for us and to grow in our love for Him-to move and worship and serve in Him and have His joy be made complete in us as we bring Him good pleasure and glory-to have a real love relationship with Jesus Christ-to know that God has brought our day to a loving peaceful end-this is our purpose-to know Him and make Him known.

A relationship with Jesus is not just a relationship of no regrets-it is a relationship of thanksgiving, joy and love.

Make sure you end this day well-in Him.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Let me set my face like flint and determine to walk in You this day-to see Your joy be full in my day-Your power in my heart continually-I take up my cross and follow You.

Mighty God of victory!

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen