TODAY

Pick up the newspaper on any given day.

Click on the latest headlines on your laptop computer.

Access the daily news feed on your smart phone.

Turn on the television and scan the 24-hour news channels.

Select any one of these mediums to find out what is going on in the world, and you will quickly see that many of the situations and events that take place can be discouraging, catastrophic, and disheartening. Sometimes we experience discouraging, catastrophic, and disheartening events in our own families and churches!

My sisters, if we are not careful and guarded, we can become influenced by all of the chaos and confusion that goes on around us. Daily, and throughout the day, we need to detox from all the bad news of the world and delve into the good news found in God’s Word. We are reminded in Romans 16:20 that, “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” We have a great promise from a Great God that all of the evil of this world caused by our adversary, the Devil, WILL one day be gone FOREVER!!

One day the Glorious Savior will come and usher in His reign of peace. Until that time, the discouragement, catastrophes, and the heartaches in this life will continue, but what can we do?

Focus on TODAY………

When you want to have a “pity party”, TODAY remember that you don’t have to be in despair, just put your hope in the Lord and praise Him in your heart. (Psalm 43:5)

When you want to give up serving and working in ministry, TODAY remember that you can stay firmly anchored in what He has called you to do, for all of the work that’s done in service to our Savior with a sincere heart is not done in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

When you want to quit working on that difficult relationship in your life, TODAY, remember that as far as it depends on you, you are to live in peace with others because God grants us His strength to do all things. (Romans 12:18, Philippians 4:13)

When you feel like you just cannot forgive that trusted family member or friend that hurt you, TODAY remember that we are to forgive whatever grievances we have against one another and be forgiving, just as the Lord has forgiven us. (Colossians 3:13)

When you feel like that rebellious child will never turn to the Lord, TODAY remember the joyful ending to Jesus’story of the prodigal son, that whoever is lost can be found.

My sisters, TODAY we can be encouraged, not tomorrow, not next week, or next month, but TODAY.

In my quiet time recently, I was encouraged by what Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is called “Today”, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Sin, evil, and trials are all around us, ready to consume us with worry and doubt. But take heart, my sisters! TODAY we can be encouraged by the Lord! TODAY we can be strengthened by His Word! Focus on TODAY!

Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” So, don’t let the headlines worry you, but TODAY choose to rejoice in the Lord, who will one day come and forever rid the world of all things that are discouraging, catastrophic, and disheartening!

To Him be glory forever and ever…AMEN!!!