Monthly Archives: July 2020

Life isn’t always easy. In the last few months, our world has been devastated by forces beyond our control, leaving many struggling with doubts and fears. People’s finances have taken serious hits and their peace of mind has suffered even more. The future seems dark and frightening, filled with uncertainty.

I’m not immune to these emotions. In the last couple months, with my salary cut in half due to COVID-19 cutbacks, I’ve woken many a night with our financial situation playing through my mind, worried whether we’d make it through another month. It’s not a fun way to wake up.

I’m sure many of you have felt the same. So, how can a person deal with the work stresses, financial challenges, and uncertainties about the future which have become such a part of life in this “new normal”? The answer is by taking one day at a time.

The truth is today is the only day any of us are given. We can’t change yesterday and tomorrow is hidden from view. Today is all we have and God calls us to make the most of it.

As each new day dawns, we must recognize it for the precious gift it is, 24 hours filled with possibilities. With David we can sing, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Why waste hours worrying about tomorrow and miss out on the blessings of today? Worrying doesn’t change a thing. That is why Jesus tells us, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34).

Instead of wasting time worrying about the future, take one day at a time. Make the most of today, living each moment as if this were your last day on earth. Instead of complaining about your problems, do what you can to lighten another’s burden, brighten their day, or point them to Jesus, their only real hope.

Determine to spread kindness wherever you go and use every minute to brighten your corner of the world. With Jesus in your heart, your life can be a stream of living water, refreshing thirsty souls, bringing them help for today and hope for a better tomorrow.

Today is the day, my friends. It’s the only day you get. Use it wisely. Put your trust in Jesus. One day at a time, claim His promises, lean on His mercy, trusting Him with today and all your tomorrows.

Some day soon this will all be over. Soon Jesus will return. Until then, “press on today and tomorrow and the next day…” (Luke 13:33). Make the most of every day, until you see God’s glory split the sky and hear Him say, “Welcome home my child. Today is the day!”

May that day come quickly!

Ana and I spent yesterday evening coring and pitting cherries. We pitted hundreds of them, getting them ready for freezing and canning. Our hands are still sore and our fingers are stained, but we’re looking forward to enjoying the fruits of our labors for months to come.

As I was washing my hands this morning, the old hymn “Jesus Paid It All” was playing in the background. Struggling to remove the cherry stains from my fingers, the hymn’s words struck me as never before. “Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow.”

This is a perfect description of my life. My past mistakes, my sin, had left my soul stained and bruised, but Jesus blood has washed it white as snow. The stains on my fingers may linger for a while, but they will eventually fade and disappear. However, only Jesus could remove the stain of sin from my life.

Do I still make mistakes? Oh yeah! Do I still sin? Far more than I would like to admit? But when I do I hear my “savior say, thy strength indeed is small. Child of weakness, watch and pray. Find in me thine all in all.”

On my own my case is hopeless. The stains are too deep, my debt too great. But the same God who “can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone” can take my sin’s crimson stain and wash it white as snow.”

He will do the same for you, my friends. Come to Him today with all your guilt and regrets, your past mistakes and sin. Show Him the crimson stain of sin on your soul and with David plead, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:7).

No matter how great your sin or how heavy your guilt God will never say “no” to this request. He promises, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

This morning, stop struggling to remove sin’s stain on your own. It’s hopeless. Only Jesus can take that crimson stain and wash it white as snow. 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Don’t wait a moment longer. Confess your sins and give Jesus your heart today. Let Him take your crimson stains and wash them all away.

God bless, have a Happy Sabbath, and a safe 4th of July!