Focus on Today (James 8) (Isaiah 43:18-21, James 4:13-17, Luke 9:62, Matt 6:34)

My prayer and a beautiful song for Oklahoma, Texas and all of us. 

Dear Heavenly Father I lift up those who lost loved ones and homes in Oklahoma.  Such a terrible tragedy and I know that many are in Your arms today.  I am so grateful our lives don't end on earth, and that we have this hope from You.  One day the storms will end.  We will dance around Your throne with no worries or cares.  We will know paradise at last.  Until then, I pray You will pour out Your love and blessings on these people.  Send the angels Father to guide and direct.  Please let Your Holy Spirit give the ministers words to say.  Sometimes we are speechless and just need Your Word to speak to us Father.  Please bring peace to the weather and stop the storms.  Nothing is impossible for You.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

After 9-11 (I saw it across the bay from my job), and our NJ storms, this song has been a great encouragement to me.  Hope it blesses others too. 
In my arms by Plumb (link)



I hope I didn't confuse people too much by my comments about Reality TV on my last post.  It did come out harsh.   Sorry!  Suppose I should just say it.  I was watching a movie on the We station and they kept advertising a new reality show.  It will be about pregnant women who are looking for men to date.  My heart broke for God's babies and women who chose not to marry, or maybe didn't have the choice.  I don't get shocked, but that one just sent me over the edge.  So many things on so many levels are not right.  Babies without Dads, women trying to raise kids alone.  This must break God's heart.  We should pray for our country.  Last time we prayed for repentance- I honestly had no idea... wow!  The government has been up to all sorts of stuff.  Yikes!

The concept of time is interesting in the Bible.  God has given us one time period to live in.  Today.  That's all we really have, yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn't here yet.  If you talk to people from New Jersey who experienced the last 2 hurricanes, and the people in North Texas and Oklahoma about time.  We'd all unanimously agree!  Seize the day.  We just don't know what will happen next.

I'm not a perfect wife in any way.  But, someone told me once to tell your family you love them every chance you get and it stuck with me.  You don't know what will happen in the future.  My husband and I constantly say this.  Even after a fight... "I still love you."

The past:

"Do not call to mind the former things,
or ponder things of the past.
Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert..."
Isaiah 43:18-21

The future:
James 4:13-17

13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
NKJV

Today:

Jesus said, "No procrastination.  No backward looks.  You can't put God's kingdom off til tomorrow.  Seize the day."
Luke 9:62 The Message

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matt 6:34 NKJV

To be honest though, these verses helped me move beyond the past and into today.  I've memorized these verses and recite them whenever I get stuck on a past mistake or worry about the future.