A Day At a Time

​I am an old-timer who still uses a Day-Timer as my calendar.
I feel extremely comfortable and secure writing out my daily, weekly, and monthly schedule by hand in my personal calendar. Old-fashioned? Indeed, and proud of it!  And guess what?  Steve Roll is ready if the internet crashes.
My pen and paper will save my bacon while techy, electronic calendar people panic because their schedules vanish to some cloud in a high-tech galaxy far, far away.
In January, as I began thinking and praying about what will fill the pages of my Daytimer for the next three hundred and sixty-five days, the Lord spoke to my heart. The Holy Spirit quietly whispered to me “Live a day at a time in 2021.”
A day at a time. Not a few days, a week or weeks, a month or months, or a year. One single day at a time Steve.
What a fresh word of revelation for 2021, especially after 2020.  I needed to hear that. I tend to get ahead of today. Maybe you do too. You and I seem to be wired to drive life’s train way down the tracks when our Father in heaven would beckon us to back up the train to live for today.
GOD IS A TODAY GOD.
Have you ever thought about that? God’s love for you and me is all about today. This day. The one we are living. Right now. He loves us a day at a time.
Of course, the Almighty knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. His domain is an endless eternity where time is non-existent, and yet, according to Psalm 139:16, God knows about every day you and I will live, even before we live them.
 “Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”
If for some reason as you read this, you don’t feel extremely special, valuable, of immense worth and importance, and uniquely significant, then think again. God saw you before you were and has laid out your days before you ever had a Day-Timer or I-phone. How awesome you and I are, and what an awesome God we serve!
I believe God would have us focus on each day of the “days” laid out for us in His eternal plan.
Jesus addressed the issue of today in Matthew 6:25-34. Four times He commands His followers to “not be anxious” (worry) about life. Instead, have faith that God will always be faithful to provide the basics of life that we need.
His faithfulness is revealed one day at a time. Daily provision is God’s promise. All the days of our life, one day at a time, God takes care of His kids!
Verse 34 speaks volumes to me about my attitude. After exhorting His listeners to put God’s righteousness and kingdom first (assuring them God would provide all they would ever need) He says “Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I get that part where each day has enough trouble of its own!
I am sure you do too. Jesus says don’t borrow tomorrow’s troubles because today, the one you are living at this time, has enough trouble of its own. That is why the Lord teaches us to live for today. Look to God to help you deal with today’s troubles.
A day at a time is the way God set it up. Thank God for that. He knows one day of trouble is all about this guy can handle!
Sometimes I think I am spiritually thick-headed. Slowly but surely, I am figuring this out after sixty-eight years of loving that I experience less stress and possess greater potential for success when I focus my faith on today, not tomorrow and tomorrows.
2021 is made up of one day at a time. That’s the way our Creator set it up. Today, a day at a time, is what God has ordained for us to live for His glory and the good of mankind.
A day at a time looks something like this.

• Love the Lord with all of your heart, mind soul and strength. Put God first in everything.
• Be single-minded, unwavering and unashamed of your faith in Christ.
• Share the Good News with those who are seeking the Savior.
• Work hard at your job. Be the best employer or employee in your organization.
• Let your loved ones know every day that you love them. Extend them affection and attention.
• Serve those who God puts in your path who cannot serve you back.
• Life your life to the fullest today. Do not hold anything back for any reason.
• Thank God for today when you awake in the morning and retire for the night.

Today matters. It is the only day you and I have. We may think we have tomorrow. But until tomorrow arrives and becomes the next today, we only have today!
Enjoy the moments of each day.
Maybe you should consider living 2021 a day at a time. Embrace. Experience. Enjoy each day that comes as a gracious gift from a good God.  
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
A Word For Your Week: Live today like it is the only day you have.