Sunday was High School Graduation Day for our grandson, Troy. When the mortarboards flew into the air, life changed forever. This life-changing event will be repeated all over the country in the next few weeks. All will celebrate the present that is nestled between treasured memories and the uncertainties of the future. It’s a once in a lifetime event. In fact, one of the student speakers said it this way, “Look around…this is the last time we will all be together.”

Have you considered how special today is? When it’s gone…it’s gone forever.

It is so easy to allow yesterday’s mistakes to rob the Joy of today. Several years ago, one of my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) buddies repeatedly mentioned his past. When he found joy, a memory would quickly steal it away. He wrestled with, “How could Jesus forgive me for what I have done?” The simple answer is, “He’s God.” But the evidence of the answer is found all through the Bible. God is the God of redemption…the God of Mercy & Grace. From Adam to David…from Paul to you & I, the death of Jesus on the cross paid the price for our sin. “…we are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ’s body. Christ made that sacrifice one time—enough for all time.” Hebrews 10:10 (ERV) We find a warning in 2 Peter 1:9, “But those who don’t grow in these blessings are blind. They cannot see clearly what they have. They have forgotten that they were cleansed from their past sins.” 2 Peter 1:9 (ERV)

But just as our past can steal the precious moments of today, so can anxiety for tomorrow. Jesus clearly told us in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Paul, who faced many impossible and fearful events in his journeys tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Jesus gave us a promise for such a time as this in John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Ponder this. We are told in Isaiah 43:4 that we are precious & honored in His sight. In Luke 12:6-7 (MSG), we read, “What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.”

Yesterday was history. It cannot be changed. Tomorrow’s “What if’s” may not happen. But like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s god they told the king “But even if He does not (save them from the fire), we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:18. They trusted God for today!

 “So God planned another special day. It is called “today.” Hebrews 4:7

Begin your today with this promise. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

Would you like to have a better “TODAY”? Get up 15 to 20 minutes earlier tomorrow and spend the time with Him. Thank Him. Ponder His Promises. Savor His Presence. After all we are told in Zechariah 2:8, Psalm 17:8; and Deuteronomy 32:10, that we are “the apple of His eye.”

If you discover new joy after taking the “Today Challenge” make a comment of what He has revealed to you.

Until then, God Bless…