While it is Called Today

 Tomorrow is never guaranteed 

Dorothy was 66 years old, or thereabout when she kissed her children and grandchildren good night. She talked about the fact there was school the next day and talked about dinner plans for after school and work. She checked on her disabled husband and made sure he was settling in for the night. She went and sat in her favorite chair to watch a little TV and have some much-needed "me time." She most likely fell asleep.

I say most likely because no one really knows for sure. What we do know is that her husband called for her and she stood up and dropped to the ground. Dead. Doctors say she had a major heart attack and her heart basically exploded. They estimate that she was dead before she hit the floor.

I was woken up at 2 ish if I remember correctly, with my mother telling me, Grandma died. I was very young but I remember thinking, I know. Somehow I just knew. But that was the last time my Grandma tucked me in. The last time I would ever stand in the kitchen and watch her can jams and cook, well, everything. All those plans and conversations about tomorrow are now null-and-void.

She had no idea that that was her last few moments on earth. She just did what she always did. Then she was gone. My neighbor's husband was working out in his field. He never made it back. On 9/11 over three thousand people got up and did their morning routines and were gone forever shortly after 9 am.

Jesus tells us this.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34

The word of God warns us of this as well.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Not even close. Whenever I say something like that, people just assume I am talking about the "End Times." Or "The Day of the Lord." Well?

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Matthew 24:36

It could very well be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be another hundred years from now. But I can pretty much assure you that your "end times," or the day you leave this earth, will be within the next hundred years.

So why are you waiting? What are you waiting for? Yes,

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

But He never promises tomorrow. As a matter of fact, He tells us that all we know will actually come to an end one day. If you want a little preview, look at the past year. 2020 was like no other. No one would have thought that the world would shut down. It did. No one would have ever thought that the Government would tell people to stay home. No work, no school. Nothing. But they did. One day God tells us that all this will come to an end.

We read things like this in His Word.

"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear his voice," Hebrews 3:7

This is why we read encouraging words like this.

"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13

We do not have the assurance of there even being a tomorrow. Today is the day. Look at what Joshua tries to teach us.

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Today is the day. Now is the time. You must decide. Think about this. Ever quit your job? Or remember your last day of school for the year, or ever? There was a bit of freedom in those moments. How do you think you would live the last day of your time on earth if you knew it was? It very well maybe. Not to be morbid or anything. Just stating a fact. What are you putting off? Remember the story Jesus told us about the rich man and his barns? He was teaching us about storing up treasures for ourselves on this earth and the foolishness behind it. But look what He says here.

"But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’" Luke 12:20

We do not know. We have no idea. Oh, sometimes we can get a concept that the time is close. Old age, sickness, ETC. But we truly never know. If you have never given yourself to God, if you have never accepted Jesus as your Saviour, PLEASE, stop hesitating. Stop putting it off. The evening is drawing near, and tomorrow is not guaranteed. While it is called "Today" make the most important decision you will ever make. Accept Jesus. Say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13


Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!