The Present Time

Sunday, ‎August 13, ‎2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Ephesians 2:10 New King James Version

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

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 87-88 ROMANS 13

The Present Time

Paul tells us in Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

- And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

We must wake up and do what God has placed before us and that is to love our neighbor. That is second only to Loving God(Matthew 22:37-40). Truth be known, most of our sin has to do with what we feel in our hearts over our neighbors.

Luke 10:29 ►But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Our neighbor is anyone who has a need. God knows those needs and has a plan to meet those needs through us.

We must deal with our pride and judgment and begin to deal with our neighbors—not only because it is the right thing to do—but because of a growing love for Christ, we cannot help but to love them.

Check the time-it is the present-we have been given this present time in which to move as God leads-love as God loves. How? We have the mind of Christ.(1 Corinthians 2:16)

Wake up to the here and now. The Lord has removed our sins once for all so that we will not be paying for them forever like credit card debt. He has said to not worry about tomorrow.(Matthew 6:34)

We cannot go back and we cannot go forward. It is now all the time. The Holy Spirit is here now. His love is alive now. His power is in us now.

Focus on God-now!

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for wasting time and teach me to focus on right now. Increase my desire to reach my neighbors in Your love.

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen