“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

Notice that this verse says “this is the day the Lord has made!”

God tells us two things to do with the day

1. Rejoice in it (show great joy or delight)

2. Be glad in it (be pleased or happy)

Notice that these are two attitudes you have complete self control over. No matter what each day may look like, or may bring, you can decide to rejoice and be glad! And what a difference that kind of an attitude could make!

God created time

Scientists who study such things say time has not been around forever, and they believe it was created along with the rest of the universe in what they like to refer to as the “Big Bang” theory. Of course they are right to say that time was created. But, it was not an accidental Big Bang but was instead created deliberately by the Word of God.

God spoke everything into existence

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1). This creative process included creating  time itself.

“God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” (Gen. 1:5 NIV)

A  day is a measurement of time

One day has of 24 hours, one hour has 60 minutes, and one minute has 60 seconds. One day has 86,499 seconds and a nanosecond is one billionth of a second. It kind of blows your mind to think about it, doesn't it?

We are all temporary so don't waste time!

In 1900 the average life span in the US was 47. Today's lifespan average in the USA is 79. We are expected to live longer these days but no one escapes eventual death. A 24 hour day is what we all get exactly the same amount of. We can’t hoard time and save it up for later in a “time bank”. When it's gone at the end of a day, it's gone forever. You use it or lose it!

“Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:15-16 NIV)

"You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2 NIV)

You don't know what you don't know!

Asking questions is one of the most powerful things you can do to keep from making mistakes and to get ahead in anything you are doing. You don't know what you don't know, and that can harm you! I learned this when I was a young man shortly after being drafted into the US Army.

Shortly after graduating from high school I was drafted

Up until this time life for me had been pretty uncomplicated. I lived on a small island in Alaska and my life revolved around attending school, working a part time job, and for fun, hunting and fishing.

Army basic training was pretty straight forward where we were turned into soldiers

After basic we were assigned "jobs" and sent off to Advanced Individual Training schools (AIT). I was sent to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, to be trained as a truck driver. This new "truck driver" job description seemed odd to me since I didn't know how to drive.

The training skills test that almost killed me 

Soon after arriving to Fort Huachuca AIT, training began with a trip up a steep mountain for a driving skills test. The mountain was very different from the kind we have in Alaska. It was completely bare of anything growing. At the top I could see a long road zig-zagging steeply down the mountainside with lots of sharp switchbacks marked with orange cones at each turn. At the top was a long row of canvas backed deuce-and-a-half military trucks. The trucks were running and on the passenger side of each one sat a training instructor sergeant with pen and clipboard in hand. One by one each soldier got into the driver's side of a truck and proceeded slowly down the mountainside making turns left and right at the orange cones. When it came to my turn, I too got into a truck and sat down next to a sergeant. I could feel the rumble of the truck beneath me as I peered nervously over the steering wheel at the steep downward slope stretched out before me.

Then the sergeant said firmly, "Navigate the cones!"

At this point I figured I should let him know I didn't know how to drive.

"But, I ...."

Before I could finish the sentence, the sergeant repeated what he had said previously, only louder this time.

"Navigate the CONES!"

He startled me! I tried to tell him again.

"But, sir, I don't ..." 

The sergeant slammed his clipboard against the truck's dashboard with an ear-piercing crack and screamed at me at the top of his lungs  . . .

“I SAID NAVAGATE THE CONES, AND DO IT NOW YOU NO GOOD WORTHLESS PIECE OF...."

I practically jumped out of my skin!! And, as a reflex action, I jammed the stick-shift forward and stomped on the floor peddles with everything I had.

We lurched forward and downward at breakneck speed! Forget about the cones! Forget about the turns! Straight forward and downward we went plowing a new path through all the switchbacks along the way without making a single turn! There were no seatbelts and we were thrown all over the cab including into each other. We both yelled, me in sheer terror, and he, cursing loudly as he fought wildly to gain control of the rampaging vehicle. Somehow we managed to get all the way to the bottom of the mountain without rolling over.

Finally we stopped in a great cloud of dust

For a few seconds we sat in stunned silence. The sergeant's face was white as a sheet. He then spoke softly to me for the first time. 

"Son, why didn't you tell me you didn't know how to drive?"

"Well sir", I said, "I'm from a small island in Alaska and we had boats, not cars, and I don't know why they made me a truck driver when I don't know how to drive. Why didn't they draft me into the navy?"

The sergeant had made a very serious mistake! 

Because the sergeant had refused to ask me important questions (and wouldn't allow me to give him important information) such as, "Do you know how to drive?", we plowed through and destroyed the truck driver's training course and nearly had a very serious accident. I've often wondered if he had learned the important lesson there and, in the future, started each training session with the question, "Do you know how to drive?"

Always ask queations!

Not only should you quickly ask questions from those around you, you should definitely put God at the top of your list. The Bible says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2 NKJV)

God will always answer when you ask!

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7 NIV)

“But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk.” (Acts 3:6 NLT)

Using the authority of Jesus’s Name

In the above passage, Peter spoke to a lame beggar who had just looked at him expecting to receive money. He told him he had something better to give him than silver or gold. He said, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk.” And then he took the beggar by the hand and helped him to his feet! He then began jumping, leaping and praised God! Totally healed!

Notice that Peter did two things. First, he took authority of the situation by using the Name of Jesus as he spoke a command “in the Name of Jesus get up and walk! Secondly, he took the beggar by the hand and helped him to his feet! Healing then instantly became a reality for the beggar.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col. 3:17 NIV)

Using God’s authority in what you say or do while speaking is like a policeman who is backed by governmental authority which empowers him to perform his official duties. You can do it too because you are backed by God’s Word!

“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.” (1 Peter 4:11 NIV). “In this world we are like Jesus.” (1 John 4:17 NIV)

Jesus said about believers

“In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark. 16:16-17 NIV)

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38 NIV)

Nobody I have ever known believed the above promise more than my friend Mildred Wynette!

I first Met Mildred back in the 1970's when I was in charge of arranging live Gospel music for the Northwest Washington Fair. I needed to fill about 60 hours of time and so I was searching everywhere, and calling everyone I knew to find talented gospel singers to fill the many available spots. Someone told me about Mildred. They said she had just sung at their church, she did a great job, and they thought she would be a wonderful addition to the Fair’s singing roster. They said she was staying with a church lady for a few days, and gave me the phone number. I immediately phoned her to invite her to participate.

“Jesus is always so good to Mildred!”

Mildred was delighted for the invitation and spoke about herself in the third person, saying, "Praise be to Jesus! He is always so good to Mildred! And, Mildred always goes where Jesus provides for Mildred to go!"

On the day Mildred was scheduled to sing at the fair she showed up wearing flip flop shoes and a flowered moo-moo dress, and it fit! She was a large, beautiful black woman with a huge smile on her face.

She radiated joy as she sang and people reacted very positively to her!

Mildred believed with all her heart that God was not only able to supply her every need, but that he would do so without fail! In fact, it would be “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over", she declared!  She continuously expected and looked for doors of opportunity to open before her that she was supposed to walk through. When any opportunity was presented to her, she boldly moved forward and through them without hesitation or fear.

“Mildred always goes where Jesus provides for Mildred to go!”

When Mildred finished singing her stint at the Fair, a woman in the crowd approached her and asked her If she would be willing to sing a few songs at "her place". As always, Mildred immediately said, "Yes, Mildred always goes where Jesus provides for Mildred to go!" Mildred got the address of the place and wrote down the time she was expected to be there. Now she needed to arrange for her transportation to get there. She always expected God to provide that, too. While in our county she was staying with a church lady who regularly volunteered to host visiting ministers, evangelists, and singers who performed at her church. She also drove them around as a part of her generosity. Mildred had just sung at her church so asked her to drive her to this next "singing for Jesus opportunity". And, the church woman happily agreed!

But uh oh, the place it turned out to be!

Mildred had a portable PA System and tape deck that she packed around with her from place to place. She also had all her pre recorded sound tracks to sing along with ready to go. She got all this packed into the church lady's little car and off they went to find the address the lady she had met at the Fair had provided. It turned out to be Bill's Tavern!

Mildred, you can't go in there!

As soon as they arrived at the address and saw that it was a tavern, the church lady exclaimed, "Mildred, you can't go in there!" And Mildred said, "Why not? Mildred always goes where Jesus provides for Mildred to go!" And she got out of the car with her equipment and into the tavern she went. Right behind her marched the little church lady saying, "Mildred, Mildred, Mildred! This is the devils house!"

Let the gospel music fill the air!

As soon as Mildred walked through the door of the tavern she was greeted enthusiastically by the woman who had invited her. Soon Mildred got her system set up, plugged in her first tape and began to sing, "Jesus got ahold of my life and He won't let me go!" Her voice filled the room and so did her joy and love for her Jesus! She sang one song after the other, Old songs like Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, In the Garden, and The Old Rugged Cross.

God was there and at work

On one of the bar stools sat a prostitute carefully listening to every word. Soon tears started flowing down her cheeks as God touched her heart! She got up and walked over to Mildred and said, "Thank you dear lady for coming here tonight! Something has happened to me here and I want to change my life. I also want to give you something to help you do what you do for Jesus!" And the woman handed Mildred a huge wad of cash. Mildred reached out and took it, looked up and said with a great big smile, "Thank you Jesus!" When the church lady saw this she leaned over and said, "Mildred! You can't take that money!" And Mildred, standing there and counting it said, "Why not!" And the church lady said, "Because it's the devil's money!" And Mildred said, "The devil has had it long enough!" And, she was right!

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (2 John 5:14 NIV)

Approach God with confidence

We can approach God confidently when we ask Him for things we know are according to His will for us. He knows what we need and loves to provide for us. (Matt. 6:26 & Phil. 4:19)

I loved to say yes to my kids!

When my children were little they would often ask me for things, as normal kids do. Sometimes I would say yes and other times I would say no, depending on the circumstances. I loved to say yes whenever I could. Sometimes I would say no because they would ask for something I knew wasn't good for them, would hurt them, or they were too immature for at the time. When my son, Matthew, at age three, for instance, asked to use a butcher knife, and my son, John, at age five, asked for a Motorcycle - they were both told no and were greatly disappointed by my answer. My answer was always yes, however, whenever they asked me for things they were ready for and I wanted to give them. Both of them eventually matured enough to get what they had asked me for earlier. Matthew, now grown, and himself a father of three, can handle any knife expertly and safely; last October I saw him carve pumpkins for his family into amazing artistic creations. John, eventually grew up, and bought a beautiful motorcycle, and handled it safely.

And it's the same way with God

His answer is always yes when we ask with correct motives (James 4:3) and we ask for things that are according to His will for us. God always wants what is best for us and He even knows our heart in all matters (1 Sam. 16:7). The good news is we can always ask Him for wisdom about anything, and He doesn't mind us asking! (James 1:5).

“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.” 1 John 4:17 NIV)

Jesus said you will do greater things than He did!

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14 NIV)

Christ lives in you!

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20 ESV)

"Whosoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. (2 Cor. 6:17 NIV)

Let your light shine! 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16 ESV)

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21 KJV) 

 Blessings are being stored up for you! 

 “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2 KJV)

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matt. 25:21 NIV)

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 NIV)

Good things are prepared!

“However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9 NIV)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Col. 3:23 NIV)

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 NIV)

Eternal life is to know God

Most of the time, when someone thinks about what it means to have “eternal life”, they are thinking of the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” They think “eternal life” is just about God sending Jesus so people can live forever. This is certainly true, living forever is a a big part of it! But, in another verse, John 13:3, Jesus defined “eternal life” as much more than just living forever! He said, “eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ”. It's about having a personal relationship with God!

We may know Him!

“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection…” (Phil. 3:10a ESV)

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV)

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book.” (Psalms 139:13-16 NIV)

You were born special!

You are a winner! You were born that way! It's really true! At conception you won an incredible race against millions of little “competitors” who were racing towards the goal of conception and you got there first! Just think about the odds of that! On the day you were conceived you were already a big winner! Not only that, but God was part of the process! The Bible says He “created your inmost being” and “knit you together in your mother’s womb”. And what He did there is described as “wonderful”. Wow!

Therefore...

Whenever someone asks how you are, you can honestly answer with complete confidence, “I am wonderful! I am a winner!”

And God has plans for you!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” (Eph. 2:10 ESV)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 3:9-10 ESV)