Today's Verse 1: Proverbs 4:25
"Keep looking straight ahead, without turning aside." --CEV[4]
Today's Verse 2: Philippians 3:13b
"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." --NIV[1]
Today's Message
I have caught myself saying it on occasions. "Why did I ever do this?" "Why didn't I ever think of that?" "Why did I do this instead of that?" "If I only would have listened..." "If only I would have..."
The truth is plain and clear: yesterday is gone and we can't do anything about it. What's done is done. What you and I *can* do now is decide wisely today for a better tomorrow --understanding that God is more than willing (and faithful) to work on our side in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.
During their desert journey to the promised land, the Israelites were always finding a reason to complain and ask these same questions concerning Egypt. And God showed them in many ways how much He loved and cared for them. However, they would only complain and grumble some more, to the extent that God was forced to judge them and let that generation die without ever having access to the promised land.
Let us learn from their example and keep our focus on today and the future God has for us. For whatever we choose to speak and do this very day will ultimately affect our tomorrow --all the way through eternity. Never lose sight of that.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for today, a unique and awesome gift we call "the present." Teach me to value each and every day in such a way that the choices I make be in total agreement with Your plan and purpose for my life. I thank You for the beautiful tomorrow You have set before me, and I pray and rejoice with an attitude of joy and gratitude. In Jesus' precious name, amen.