Articles by Ed Ross

...from Pastor Ed ...March 09. 2010

Now!

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. Eccl

7:10

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and

the onions, and the garlic: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our

eyes. Numbers 11:5-6

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Prov 27:1

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and

sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a

vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall

live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its

own trouble. Matt 6:30

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinth 6:2

‘Now’ is the most neglected aspect of life for many of us. We tend to spend our days in the past, or in the

future. Our minds may be preoccupied with the nostalgic memories of the ‘good old days,’ longingly wishing we

could go back. We may be filled with regrets concerning yesteryear’s choices, buried in a sea of ‘if-onlys.’

Some are ridden with the guilt of past sin, unable to grasp the abundant cleansing and unconditional favor of

grace. And then there are those burdened with the perennial sorrow over love lost.

It is just as prevalent that we leap into the future. Anxiety about tomorrow’s uncertainties and trials robs us of

peace, and makes us unthankful for our daily bread. Even the anticipation of future blessing may produce in us

slothfulness regarding today’s responsibilities. Our dreams, goals, and ambitions may cleverly disguise the

wasting of present blessings and opportunities. We spend, perhaps, the greater part of our lives preparing for,

or worrying about, an eventuality that never comes. How often individuals live for retirement and die the day

after.

I am not suggesting that we adopt the philosophy of “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” Neither am

I denying the benefit of wise evaluation of the past and prudent planning for the future. But life is now! It is the

only life we have. God is the eternal present tense, I AM! The overwhelming portion of His discernable will for

us is now! We are to be redeeming the time, now - not in the past or the future. We must incorporate all

aspects of past and future into what they mean for us now in doing His will - glorifying Him, today.

Our past did not take God by surprise, neither shall our future. All of our sins were future when Christ died for

us. We must reconcile the past to ourselves in the cleansing blood of Christ. The future must be wrapped in

the certainty of hope resting in God’s infallible promises. Today is the will of God concerning us. Every event

and circumstance is uniquely fashioned for each of us to prove our faith, to manifest Christ to the glory of God,

to deepen our intimacy and communion with Him, and to show the world how true love operates.

Have you been struggling long to find God’s will for your life? Stop! God and His will are right here, right now.

Live for Him in every aspect of your ‘now’ according to truth and love. You may not ultimately fit into the world’s

pattern for preparation and success, but I guarantee that if you are living in God’s now, you cannot miss his

tomorrow. Delight yourself in Him, now, and He will put the proper desires in your heart, and will delight to

fulfill them as you follow Him into the future (Ps 37:4).

Are you young? Are you in school or college? Remember, Jesus was about his Father’s business while he was

growing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:49, 52). The time of education must not

be just about the future. It is as much about the now, in which you are to live and study for His present glory.

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth… (Eccl 12:1).

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A final word to those who have not yet embraced Christ. Today is the only day you possess. The Bible says,

“now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).Concentrate on your now.

You exist. You have intelligence, and a sense of beauty, and some kind of moral awareness. All around you

are things that exist and have an order to them. From the sub-structure of the atom to the farthest galaxy,

order and design are apparent. God is! God is now! He reveals Himself now in Jesus Christ. Today, read of Him

in the New Testament. Ask God to reveal His Son in you. Today, do not harden your heart (Hebrews 3:15).

Lord God of the Present,

Grant me to be about my Father’s business… now.

Amen

Tuesday's Touch #59

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