Discipleship series #8
A disciple lives actively and effectively in the moment.
By Pastor George Lehman
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift – that’s why it’s called the present.
Paul said: Philippians 3:1 (Amp) – For the rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him. To keep writing to you [over and over] of the same things is not irksome to me, and it is [a precaution] for your safety.
Psalm 118:24 (NIV) – This IS the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Note: It does NOT say this WAS or WILL be the day, when? In this day. Not future tense or past tense but present tense.
How we frequently miss out on the blessing in the NOW!
How can we actually be content in this moment when we are actually somewhere else?
Let’s be honest, most times our lives are so absorbed in our worries, fears, hopes and expectations that we miss out on the only life we really have, the one happening right here, right now!
These are not some idle words from Jesus
Matthew 6:27 (LB) – Will all your worries add a single moment to your life? (It will possibly shorten your life.)
Isn’t this true – that we often so consumed with trying to make our futures better that we don’t appreciate what God is trying to do in our “NOW”.
We need to stop waiting for perfect conditions to be fully engaged in our lives.
Philippians 3:16 (LB) – Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Live in the ‘now’ you and I have more than what you need to live successfully, victoriously, courageously and confidently “Today”.
Jesus said it:
Matthew 6:34 (LB) – So don’t be anxious about tomorrow, God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.
Just observe what happens when you’re totally engrossed or consumed by anything – a hobby or watching a gripping movie.
For that time and space for 2 hours, all your problems disappear? Time flies, worries, regrets, and anger vanishes. The tension of the day melts away.
How does this happen? It’s not magic. It’s because you’re focused on something other than your problems.
The moment you leave the movies or whatever consumed your ‘now time’ – you think or say… “Now I’m back in the REAL world”.
The so called ‘real world’ is actually waiting for you to carry that peace right into it. God actually meant us to live this way.
The word describes God as ‘omnipresent’. Not omni-past or omni-future.
He is present HERE and NOW!
For so many people their relationship with God is consumed with –
– what they don’t have,
– what they haven’t ‘done right’
– how they failed or messed up.
4 Simple steps if applied will help you live a blessed life in the now – in the moment:
As an unsaved, non-Christian you just lived like you wanted to.
But now that you are a disciple of Jesus, God’s intention for you is an abundant life. A strong, enduring, victorious life for TODAY!
#1 Live on purpose
You have to stop drifting in life.
James 4:17 (LB) – Knowing what’s right to do and not doing it is sin.
2 John 1:8 (NIV) – Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
When you’re not focused and living ‘on purpose’. –
James 1:8 (Amp) – [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious {doubtful}, irresolute{not determined / shrinking back}), (He is) unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything (he thinks, feels, decides).
Do everything it takes to live your spiritual life out “on purpose”.
If you’re not living ‘on purpose’ you won’t experience the breakthrough promises. You’ll keep focusing on yesterday and hoping for a better tomorrow you’ll MISS OUT on the peace, joy and victory of TODAY!
#2 Maximise today.
It’s God’s job to make the day but it’s OUR job to make the most of it. You see, joy is a decision. You make the choice to rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 (NIV) – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Tomorrow is ashes, yesterday is wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly. Eskimo proverb
“Joy is like fuel.” You don’t wait to refuel only when you feel like it.
#3 Trust.
Trust that God will provide and that you have the power, ability and resources within to find contentment and peace – not tomorrow but each moment of TODAY!
You can’t trust someone who doesn’t keep their word. To trust someone, they must have a track record of integrity.
Psalm 62:8 (Msg) – So trust Him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for Him. God is a safe place to be.
Consider this track record: There are more than 1000 predictions or prophecies in the bible. Promises that God made before they happened. The chances of 17 of them coming to pass is 1 out of 450 billion x 1 billion x 1 trillion. Yet, not one of these 1000 promises have failed. In fact to this day 668 have already been fulfilled.
You can relax and trust God. He won’t let you down!
#4 Be grateful and celebrate.
1 Corinthians 8:3 (Amp) – But if one loves God truly (with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience and GRATEFUL recognition of His blessing), he is known by God (recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love and he is owned by Him).
When we live with an attitude of gratitude we live in the moment and find we will experience contentment.
A thankless attitude traps you in the past or the future. It causes you to ignore the gifts and blessings that are present in your lives now!
Many times it’s when we lose something or things go wrong – like our health, lose a job, then we appreciate and are grateful for our abundant past we had.
Hebrews 3:15 (NIV) – “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”
Disciple of God learn to thank and praise God:
– Live on purpose
– Maximise everyday
– Trust God
– Be grateful and celebrate.
What has God already done in your life? Everything you are blessed with – a family, a home, a job, food and health.
Doing this, before you know it, midnight will pass and morning will come.
Living in the moment you can flow through life rather than struggle through it. Jesus died to make it possible!
Poem with “TODAY”:
Today is the most important day of my life.
Yesterday with its successes and victories, struggles and failures is gone forever.
The past is past. Done. Finished.
I cannot relive it. I cannot go back and change it.
But I will learn from it and improve my today.
Today. This moment. NOW.
It is God’s gift to me and it is all that I have.
Tomorrow with all its joys and sorrows, triumphs and troubles isn’t here yet.
Indeed, tomorrow may never come.
Therefore, I will not worry about tomorrow.
Today is what God has entrusted to me.
It is all that I have. I will do my best in it.
I will demonstrate the best of me in it – my character, giftedness and abilities.
To my family and friends, clients and associates – I will identify those things that are most important to do today.
And those things I will do until they are done.
And when this day is done, I will look back with satisfaction at that which I have accomplished.
Then, and only then, Will I plan my tomorrow.
Looking to improve upon today, with God’s help.
Then I shall go to sleep in peace… content.
