Among the many notable statements attributed to Martin Luther is this one, “There are two days in my calendar: This day and that Day.” 

That is a biblically healthy way to look at life.  I should make the most of today because today is all I have.  Yesterday is gone, and there is no guarantee of tomorrow.  What I can be assured of is this day and that Day.  In light of that Day, I better learn how to spend the “this days” of life well.  To make wise use of my todays (as Paul put it in Ephesians 5:15-17) requires two things:

1)  Discernment

I can never put the important things first in my life until I know what they are.  This is what Paul was talking about in Ephesians 5:17 when he said, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  If you want to spend your time wisely, then find out what God wants you to do and do it!




2)  Discipline




A lot of Christians know in their heart of hearts what God wants.  They understand what the will of the Lord is, but they are not willing to take the step because they don’t want to pay the price. 

It isn’t a discernment issue.  It’s a discipline issue.  If I am going to have time for the things that count, I must have the discipline to lay aside the lesser things.




Redeem your days by exercising both discernment and discipline.  Make it your lifelong practice to live this day for God, and that Day will take care of itself.




Pastor Todd Weston

  

A while back I came across an article entitled Wrong Is Always Wrong.  I think you will agree that this article, written by Pat McGee, is very timely in this day of relativism, situational ethics, and rejection of absolutes.

Wrong Is Always Wrong

In a period of loose and sagging morals, Satan provides many rationalizations for improper behavior.  Those who would live faithful Christian lives must not be ignorant of his devices (2 Cor. 2:11).  Wrong is always wrong despite our efforts to excuse our actions.

WRONG IS WRONG, even if you don’t get caught.  Let us remember “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3).

WRONG IS WRONG, even if you do it for a good cause.  The honorable purpose does not justify a dishonorable deed or action.  The end never justifies the means.  “All unrighteousness is sin” (1 John 5:17).

WRONG IS WRONG, even if others are doing worse things.  To the lost standing in the Day of Judgment, it will be little comfort to know others committed worse sins.  “The devising of foolishness is sin” (Prov. 24:9).

WRONG IS WRONG, even if it doesn’t bother the conscience.  The conscience can be trained or educated to accept wrong-doing.  Even an honest sin or an evil done in sincerity is sinful in the sight of the Holy God.  “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7).

WRONG IS WRONG, even if it is commonly considered acceptable.  The Bible says, “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil” (Ex. 23:2).  The Christian should “not enter the path of the wicked,(nor) walk in the way of evil.  Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on” (Prov. 4:14-15).  Furthermore, 1 Thess. 5:22 says, “Abstain from every form of evil.”

 Pat McGee closes the article with this important reminder:  “Remember, there is never a right way to do wrong.”  

 Pastor Todd Weston

I love the song that says, “If you can use anything Lord, you can use me.”  You may be wondering, “Does God really want to use me?”  Absolutely!  The New Testament employs several synonyms for the word Christian.  One such synonym is the word “servant” (Romans 1:1).  I will give you five seconds to figure out what a servant does.  Got it?  A servant serves.  God wants each and every believer involved in some form of Christian service.  This is not optional.  It’s fundamental in the Christian experience.

But for some the question lingers, “Can God use me?”  We know ourselves only too well.  We know our shortcomings and limitations.  With that inside scoop, we may wonder what contribution we can make to the kingdom.

If that’s where you are, then consider these biblical characters that were used of God in spite of their imperfections:

• Abraham was too old
  
• Jeremiah was too young
• Leah was ugly
• Joseph was abused
• Moses couldn't talk
• Gideon was afraid
• Elijah was depressed
• Jonah ran from God
• Naomi was a widow
• Job got sick and went bankrupt
• John the Baptist ate bugs
• Peter denied Christ
• Thomas had his doubts
• The Disciples slept through prayer meeting
• Martha was a worry wart
• The Samaritan Woman had a bad reputation
• Zaccheus was short
• Paul was too religious
• Timothy had an ulcer
• Lazarus was dead

No more excuses.  If God could use them He can use you and me.  So find an area of need and start serving.  Serving is what we are saved to do!

Pastor Todd Weston

I have in my library an old book titled, The Great Questions Of The Bible And Of Life.  One of the questions dealt with by the author is from Genesis 3:9.  In that chapter we read of the fall of man.  Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit.  Guilty and ashamed, they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord as He moved through the garden in the cool of the evening. That’s when God called to Adam and asked the question, “Where are you?” 

Why did God ask that question?  Not because He needed information.  God knew exactly where Adam was hiding.  As the Hebrew writer reminds us, “All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).  So why did God ask the question?  He wanted Adam to answer for himself.

This was the first question addressed to man at the beginning of human history, “Where are you?”  You might say that it will be the last question addressed to man at the end of human history.  At the final judgment every person will stand before God to give an account.  Every person will have to answer the question, “Where are you?”  More specifically, “Where are you in relation to Jesus Christ?”

It would be wise to consider that question now.  Where are you in relation to Jesus Christ?  Are you saved?  Are you living in obedience?  Are you serving the Lord completely?  Do you love God with all your heart and others as yourself? “Where are you?”  

Take a few moments today to seriously consider the question.  It really is that important.  

 Pastor Todd Weston