Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand. Ira Stanphill

I wish that I had learned the truths contained in this old Gospel song many years ago. Sometimes it seems like all we do is worry about our future - and it begins at an early age. When going into Jr. High we worry if we will fit in, or be laughed at, or get beat up. Going into Sr. High we worry about the same things, plus our worries over boyfriends or girlfriends, or whether or not we will make the team or the grades.

Then we worry about college and jobs and whether or not we'll ever get married. When we are married, we worry about whether or not we'll have kids and then, when we do have kids, we worry about how we can afford them. We still worry about our jobs and now we worry about our cars holding out and the roofs over our heads holding up.

Then we start worrying about the same things for our kids that we worried about for ourselves when we were their age. And we worry about affording braces and teenager's car insurance and tuition. Then we worry about getting older and retirement and our health.  Isn't it odd how the things we worry about either happened or they didn't and we still got by? Wouldn't it be nice to never have to worry again?

The fact is that many people do live without worry because they have discovered the secret: They trust God! It's like when we were three - we didn't worry about food or cars or rent because Mom and Dad were there and we trusted them. It's when we return to that simple, childlike faith, that we begin to trust in the One who really does hold all of our tomorrows. And, it is then that life becomes everything that our Creator designed it to be.

"So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"... Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 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." Jesus (Matthew 6:31-34, NIV)

There's an old story told of two farmers who were in desperate need of rain. Both prayed for rain, but only one prepared his field to receive the rain. Which one trusted God to provide the rain? Which one are you?

I like this story, but it makes me a bit uncomfortable for I know that I often pray to God, but then do nothing until I find out if He will do His part. How foolish! God will always do His part, so the only question is whether or not we will do ours.

As I was thinking and praying in the disappointing aftermath of this week's election, it dawned on me: I was asking God for something that cost me nothing. In other words, I wanted Him to rescue me from the evil around me, without doing my part. For instance, have I really done anything to try to prevent the immorality that goes on in our nation? Have I done anything to try and stop abortion? Have I... prepared my field to receive the rain that I am so earnestly praying for?

Or, am I just expecting Him to do everything? This type of expectation is not faith, as some might believe, it is a hope for spiritual welfare. If we want God to answer our prayers favorably, then we have to be willing to do our part. So, go ahead and pray for your needs, God wants us to rely on Him. But, after we pray, we better get ready to receive the rains. 

Otherwise... what good would it do us, anyway?

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him?

James 2:14, NIV

Where were you... when the planes crashed into those towers?

It's a question that just about everyone over the age of 20 can answer. Not only do most remember where they were, they remember what they were doing. It was one of those moments where time just seemed to be suspended, while we all tried to process what was going on.

I remember I was walking through the hall at my house that morning when the phone rang. One of the men from the church was on the line to let me know what had happened. I quickly turned on the news and watched the live events unfold as they reported what was at the time thought to be a terrible accident. Then, the unthinkable happened: While the world watched the footage of the burning Trade Tower, a second plane flew into the other tower. I sat in stunned silence as it dawned on me that this was no accident. But... who would do such a thing?

As each day went by, we learned not only who had done this awful thing, but why. It was heartbreaking.

But, before the ashes were cold from these hateful acts, something remarkable happened: People started to think differently. Instead of thinking of things, they started thinking of people. Families and friends, long parted, contacted one another just to see if they were alright. People started thinking of the well-being of not only their loved ones, but of complete strangers.

And... people started to pray again - not for power or money or stuff, but for others. The pews in churches across America started to fill up again on Sundays as people sought the peace and comfort that can only come from God. And, the terrorists failed, at least for the moment, because we became stronger not weaker.

But now, the pendulum has swung once more. Americans are back to thinking about their money and their power and their stuff. Strangers are strangers, once again. The prayers have tapered off and the pews are a bit emptier. And, if we are not careful, we will become vulnerable once again - not to attacks from hateful men, but to the thoughtlessness of indifferent men.

We must not, dear friends, let that happen. We may not be able to fully protect ourselves from the evil attacks of evil men, but there is something that we can do: We can remember not only where we were when we drew closer to God and our fellow men on that fateful day... but we can also remember who we were. Who are you, today?

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9, NIV 

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. 

Anon.

Zig Ziglar tells the story of a large southern community that had a garbage dump close to town. As with all growing cities, the dump just got too close to be pleasant and something had to be done. So the people stopped dumping garbage there, removed what they could, and then covered the rest with clean fill dirt. Then they built a large shopping center which employed hundreds and served thousands.

There is a lesson in this story for those who would take the time to learn. How many times have we seen people who have made a big mistake or a series of small mistakes that rendered their lives, for the lack of a better phrase, a garbage dump? I suspect that we have all been in that very situation a time or two ourselves - but what can you do? Well, you could do what the people in that town did!

So, how do we go about getting rid of a garbage dump of our own making?

The first step to getting rid of a garbage dump is to stop dumping garbage. I know this seems obvious, but many miss this step and are doomed to being surrounded by filth. The second step is to remove the garbage that can be removed. The third step is to cover over the garbage that cannot be removed. The fourth, and perhaps most critical step, is to build something beautiful in its place.

Would this work for you, or for someone you know? Aren't we all called to repent - to stop dumping garbage? Aren't we all called to wash away our sins - to get rid of the garbage we have dumped? Aren't we all called to walk a newness of life - to build something beautiful in it's place? Today really is the first day of the rest of your life,- with all of the promise and potential that a new life holds. if you just decide to make it so. God does not want us to live in a garbage dump. He has called us to something better! Why not accept His call?

As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 

II Corinthians 6:1-2, NIV