Monday, May 29, 2017

The Present of the Present


It is said that we can’t change the past or know the future, but we can fully embrace the present. And the present is just that – a gift from God.  Yet sometimes we either live in the past (with regret or longingly wishing for days gone by) or in the future (with worry or excessive planning).  But in Matthew 6:11, as part of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus models for us to ask for our daily bread.  Let’s look at how we can enjoy life more and honor God when we live in the moment.

Matthew 6:11
“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Things to think about:
·       Do you find it challenging to be “in the moment”?
o   If so, do you find yourself in the past or the future and what are you thinking about?
·       The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…”
o   If you’re a “past person”, why is it important to leave the past in the past?
·      Jesus says in Matthew 6:33-34, “ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
o   If you are a “future person”, how does this verse speak to you?
·      God makes provision for us today
o   Manna provided for the wandering Hebrews
o   Our daily bread as taught by the Lord
·      Life is a just a very long series of NOW
·      NOW
o   Needs being met – again in Matthew 6 Jesus talks about how God knows all of our needs will be met so it is pointless to spend the Present worrying about those things
o   Opportunity to serve - Hebrews 3:12-13, “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
§  We have opportunities all around us Today to encourage one another and thereby not inadvertently fall way from our faith through neglect
o   Watching God at work  - Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
§  May God give us eyes to see what He is doing everyday! May we be a part of His Kingdom work!
·      When someone gives you a present you can
o   open it, say thank you, and enjoy it
o   or you can leave it unopened
o   or you can open it and throw it away
·      How does Today’s study encourage you to receive God’s Present with thanksgiving?


No comments:

Post a Comment