There is Only Now: Part 9

Through this series we’ve learned that there is only this moment in time. “Now” is present and the only space and time in which we can think, speak, or act. As we’ve gone through this series, we’ve come to understand that this is God’s perspective for us to adopt. God is outside of time. God is the same now as He was our yesterday or our tomorrow. So how are we, who are inside of time, able to draw close to Almighty God who is outside of time? By living our lives in the present and taking on things as God leads. It is critical that we adopt this mindset. God has laid up gifts and surprises for you every day, but are you allowing Him to bring it to you, trying to get it on your own, or foregoing them altogether? It should amaze you that all of your promises from the Word are in the present. You can’t do anything about yesterday or tomorrow, so you’ve got to take care of now.

The enemy can’t touch anything God has in store for you, the best he can do is move you away from the gift. James chapter 1 advises us against having a double mind. We must ask in faith in order to receive. From this point forward, your walk must be circumspect (set with boundaries for your protection). If you are moved, then you can’t receive anything. God wants to show Himself strong through our circumstances. Our weakness gives rise to affliction, and outwardly, these aren’t good times. The good news is God delivers us out of darkness ALL the time! We have a hope – an expected end (time’s up) – to this chaos. When time is up, we’ll have a manifestation – the harvest is coming in. The peace of God works in persecution, affliction, and adversity, not in good times. People are afraid of the dark because it is the unknown. There are no experts! Only God knows, and He’s looking for the righteous. His Word is a lamp to our feet, and illuminates the darkness so we can find our direction. But you first have to know where you are before you’ll know where you’re going.

Our foundation text for this series is found in Matthew 6:33, 34. Priority trumps everything. You can’t have split priorities; there is only one – to seek God first. God then tells you in what order all the other priorities ought to be in.

1. Remember, you’ll have to answer to God. This isn’t punishment, retribution, or a threat, it’s the truth. You need to be in that bubble of protection called now where God can protect you and keep you in perfect peace.
Proverb 23:17; 19:21
Ask yourself: What will last? Consult the Word to set up proper priorities.
Areas to examine:
Thoughts – 2 Corinthians 10:5. Start by holding God’s Word (meditating) in your mind day and night.
Conversation – Proverb 12:14; 13:2; Romans 4: 17– Prosperity begins on the inside! Start with your mouth and the words that come out of it. Christians are no different in this respect. Stop lying! We must hold ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ accountable. Use tact! Looking to our example, Abraham, we must begin calling things which are not as though they are.