One Day at a Time...

As I was riding in the car today, listening to Christian radio, I heard a sermon being preached about making our boast in tomorrow, or likewise, worrying about tomorrow. The preacher stated scriptures that show we should do neither. As I continued to listen, I got a familiar feeling inside of me, that feeling of conviction. I try to always remember to state that "if the Lord wills" we will do something tomorrow. Making bold declarations about tomorrow can be scary and somewhat dangerous, although I am forever abiding in the grace of the Lord. As we prepare to embark upon the most faith-filled journey of our lives, I realized that I should not make my boast in anything that is to come, except in the Lord Himself. I will always be glorying in the Lord! I know that over the past week or so, I have made bold statements about our future, our calling, and our purpose in Colorado. I have based these on revelations that I have received, but the truth of the matter is that God still asks me just to walk with Him, one day at a time. Despite anything that has been said, or that will or will not happen, the fact is that the Lord never lies or changes His mind. He is, and always will be, the Great I Am, even if I fail time and time again. So, if I make my boast in anything, it should be in the goodness and glory of my Lord.

Matthew 6:33-34 (NKJV):

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Psalm 34:1-3 (NIV):

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together."

Proverbs 27:1-3 (NKJV):

"Do not boast about tomorrow. For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool's wrath is heavier than both of them."

Now, what does the Bible mean when it talks of boasting? What is boasting exactly? Well, "boastings" as found in the verse James 4:16, is the Greek word "alazoneia" which means:

"empty, braggart talk; an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights; an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthly things."

Let's look at what the word "boast (halal)" from Proverbs 27:1-3, which means:

"to glory, be praised, celebrated, to act madly."

So, looking at our most recent decision to follow the Lord....doing is not wrong, but glorying or boasting about what He will/will not do can be cause for foolishness and sin. I am learning a lesson today to just live by the Word of God one day at a time. Walking with Him means focusing on today, not boasting or worrying about tomorrow, but trusting Him for each and every step along the way AND allowing Him to receive the honor and glory for those things which He does DO!

I am thankful to God that I have learned this lesson. It is an important part of growing in my walk with the Lord, and although the conviction was quite heavy upon my heart, I am going to be making an effort to seek God's grace in no longer worrying about tomorrow, but focusing on today...and always giving God glory! I am thankful that God is ever transforming my life and heart, and revealing the error of my ways. I think I boast mostly because of two reasons: I want others to know the greatness of God, and also that I want others' approval in the decisions I make to follow God. The first is wonderful and the second is crippling. I need to learn to fear only God, and make my boast in Him alone. And follow Him because I know Him and His voice and not to gain approval of anyone else, or be worried about their rejection!

Thank you God! I pray that you would release my fellow readers from any anxiety or pride over the events of tomorrow, and to allow them to have freedom and peace in Christ alone. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Thankful for His conviction,

Sarah