Nov 30: Today vs Tomorrow

Today vs Tomorrow

Where do you live? Past, Present, Future? 

We've probably all met someone that lives firmly in the past, reliving past glories when times were a better time of life for them. There are definitely some good memories for me in the past - "glory days" if you will. Recognition & achievements, but I promise not to digress and flip out my 10G Photo album to regale you with pics.

What brought this brain thread to mind for me today was Today vs Tomorrow - living in the present vs hoping for the future. 

Worrying About Today

Here's some thoughts from Jesus. After talking about heart attitudes in chapter 5 of Matthew and the beginning of chapter 6, he transitions into an interesting discourse on treasure. Here's some of what He has to say (edited for space. I always urge you to go read His words starting a chapter before and after any quoted passage.)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth ... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? .... Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  ... will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Hope for Tomorrow

Lamentations 3 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.”

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks Him;

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

And almost at the end of the Bible, if your hope and trust are in the work of Jesus Christ for your salvation, then, 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He, aka Jesus, who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” ... He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 

Back to the Past

The big deal about Christmas, the birth of Jesus, the Christ, is that God became Flesh, e.g. Incarnate. Emmanuel - God with us. 

Blessing and grace to you and yours this Advent season.

Gary