Jesus Took One Day At A Time
The statement, “One Day at a Time” is one of the better-known principles embraced by the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) rehabilitation programs. It illustrates the concept that trying to stay sober for the rest of your life may become so daunting to a person that they become overwhelmed with the prospect. This overwhelming feeling will in turn trigger alcohol use because the task becomes to great to be accomplished. With this in mind, participants in the program are encouraged to, not stay sober for life, just stay sober just this one-day; take it one day at a time.
Living out our Christian life can be looked at from this perspective as well. The task of walking with the Lord may be too daunting for some to live a life that is continually pleasing to Him for the next 30, 40 or 50 years; living the life of a holy obedient servant of Christ. But maybe we should not worry about the future, just learn to live in the moment. In Matthew chapter six, Jesus deals with those concerned for their physical needs. In verse 33 and 34 He says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (KJV). This can easily be applied to Spiritual things as well as physical.
God wants us to follow Him today and He will take care of all our needs TODAY! Just tell the Lord you love Him today, you will follow Him today and thank Him for His provision today. When tomorrow comes, you can tell Him the same thing…then. “God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes” (Matthew 6:34b – The Message).
Be blessed and be grateful,
Pastor Chris
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He Makes All Things New
This has been a very productive past couple of weeks for me (March 2013). As most of you already know, I was able to add the title of “grandpa” to my resume. It was a very exciting and surreal experience as I held Reid Christopher in my arms for the first time being reminded of the great blessings that come from the Lord. But not every experience is as joyous as seeing your first grandchild come into the world.
I also had an opportunity to pray and fellowship with 20 to 25 hurting pastors, many who felt betrayed in more ways than one, searching for God’s leading as they strive to be obedient to the Word of God, experiencing rejection and isolation for their efforts. Many men and women, in the fight to live by God’s Word, are experiencing what it means to remain faithful to the Word illustrated in a phrase of the song, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” which says, “Though none go with me, still I will follow.”
Jesus said to His disciples and all those who deny themselves, picking up the cross of Christ, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Revelation 21:5 also declares, that the one seated on the throne of God, it is He (Jesus) who makes all things new. In the midst of betrayal and difficulty, tragedy and trials, the Lord will revitalize and renew, and remind us of His great love for us. If you are in a place of hurting, be of good cheer for God has overcome those things that would bring sorrow. He brings forth joy from sorrow, glory from shame, acceptance from rejection, and NEW LIFE from death, resurrection from the grave, JESUS MAKES ALL THINGS NEW; the core message of Easter Sunday (Resurrection Day).
Be blessed and be grateful.
Pastor Chris Hayden
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It Is A Promise
Have you ever been in a dark room, stumbling around to find the light switch? It’s an uncomfortable feeling until the light goes on and then you can see clearly. In Psalm 18:28 David says, “my God turns my darkness into light.” Isn’t that an awesome promise? No matter what you may be going through and how much darkness pervades over your life, God can turn it into light. However, I have noticed that most promises come with a premise first. In other words, “if I do this, God will in turn do that.” In Joshua 1:8, we are told at the end of the scripture that we will be prosperous and successful. The premise found in the beginning of that verse, however, is for those people who study and meditate on God’s law so that they are able to do it.
Most people want the promise with out the premise. They want God to do His thing that they want, but then they want to do, not what God wants but their own thing. Psalm 18:23 declares, “I have…kept myself from sin”, and that the rewards have come from that kind of living. The premise of God being our shield (vs.30) is “for all who take refuge in him.” The promises of God are yes and amen for all who desire to know and do His Word. You see, you can’t have the promise without the premise, because it’s the foundation upon which the promise will come to pass.
Be blessed and be grateful,
Pastor Chris
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