TODAY

A documentary recently aired on tv (60 Minutes, CBS) featuring people with extraordinary memories – and I do mean extra ordinary.  These people could remember everything from their past!  Give them a date from their lifetime and they can tell you about that particular day with amazing detail – what they were wearing, what happened, what they experienced, and what they felt.  It was incredible to hear their stories and listen to them as they were given random dates to recall.  I was surprised that actress Marilu Henner was one of the people featured!

Because they recall painful memories just as vividly as good memories, one woman said she uses this reality about her life to motivate herself to live each day in the best way possible.  Knowing that her extraordinary memory will force her to relive whatever she experiences, she is intentional about each day, trying to live each day the best she can, striving to make good come from each day.  Hmmm…isn’t that how each of us should live, by making the most of each God-given day of our lives?

Since watching that interview, my mind as been stuck on the word ‘TODAY’.

What am I doing with my day today? What needs to be done today?  Am I making the most of TODAY?  What does the Bible say about ‘today’?

According to www.BibleGateway.com, the word ‘today’ appears 216 times in the New Living Translation!   God used the word ‘today’ frequently to indicate that He was about to do something immediately – not later, or some other time, but on that very day.  He also gave commandments and instructions that were to be followed ‘today’, beginning the very day He gave them.  Following are Bible verses that can help us live better TODAY:

The Lord said to me, “You are my son (child).  Today I have become your Father.”  ~ Psalm 2:7

Choose today whom you will serve…As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.   ~  Joshua 24:15

This (today) is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  ~  Psalm 118:24

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day (He will tend to TODAY’s needs)…So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.   ~ Matthew 6:33-34      The Message paraphrases that verse like this:  Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now (today), and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.

Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe.  They praised God, saying over and over again, “We have seen amazing things today.”   ~ Luke 5:26       Each day has amazing moments that should fill us with wonder and awe.  We need to acknowledge those moments and praise God, over and over.

Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?   ~ 1 Chronicles 29:5

…for he is our God.  We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.  If only you would listen to his voice today!  ~ Psalm 95:7

That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today you must listen to his voice.  Don’t harden your hearts against him...”  ~ Hebrews 3:7-8

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”  I tell you, now (today) is the time of God’s favor, now (today) is the day of salvation.   ~ 2 Corinthians 6:2  (NIV)

When the criminal being crucified with Jesus said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom”, Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”   ~ Luke 23:42-43

As you seek to make the most of today, remember others, too.   Encourage one another daily, as long as it is today...    ~ Hebrews 3:13      

I must confess, these thoughts about ‘today’ have been on my mind for a few weeks.  In other words, the irony of this message is that I didn’t tend to this message about ‘today’ in a ‘today’ manner.  It feels really good to finally do so TODAY!

Ben Franklin gave great advice when he advised us not to put off until tomorrow what we can do TODAY.

May God bless you and all you do today!

I Want to Serve Him

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…     ~ Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV

“Lunch is here!”, I called to my husband as Jackson and I came home with food from Wendy’s.  Rex was relaxed in a recliner and watching tv.  Still resting after Jackson’s out-of-town baseball tournament, Rex said he’d like have his lunch there in the chair.  I was getting Rex’s food out of the Wendy’s bag when Jackson came to me with a decorative tray from the family room.  He put it down on the counter and said, “I want to serve him.”  He wanted to serve his Dad’s lunch on the tray. Wow, that was nice, I thought.  And very typical for Jackson.  He’s always thinking of ways to do nice things for others.

I heard Rex chuckle when he saw Jackson come in the room with the tray.  Then Rex said, “Thank you!  That was nice of you to serve me.”

Jackson’s words echoed in my mind…”I want to serve him.”  Oh, how Jesus longs to hear those words, too.

Jackson, I pray you will always have the desire to serve others, for it’s by serving others that we can best serve Christ.  Ultimately, I hope it’s your Heavenly Father you’ll think of and say, “I want to serve Him.”  When you serve in His name, I’m sure He’ll also say, “Thank you! That was nice of you to serve Me.”

Lord, I learned a good lesson from Jackson today.  Please help me to have a spirit of serving, too – finding ways to serve and honor You.  Amen.