HOW TO MAKE TODAY ONE OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS TODAY
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Job 29:1-7
Text: Job 29:2
Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
Introduction: Job was just one man like many who desired “the good old days.”
Bad things about the good old days – no air conditioning, no cars, no running water, no indoor toilets … ! We don’t call those days the good old days.
Good things about the good old days – character in family, in churches, in government, in courts
We should not have to draw our happiness only from things in the past or from things in the future. We should also enjoy TODAY. Some people only enjoy the past or the future and have no joy in the present! They live for vacation in the future or looking at photographs of the past.
I told some family members this week, “Pay attention. Today will be one of the ‘good old days’ that you will want to remember!”
Some days of the past were not good; they were bad. Some things we cannot change. Job was experiencing difficult days that were not of his own making. Some things we CAN change. We experience some difficulties that we brought on ourselves.
HOW TO MAKE TODAY ONE OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS TODAY
I. BE CORRECT IN THOUGHT AND DEED TODAY
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
A. In desire – the will of God
B. In deed – the word of God
1. If you do what the Bible commands, today will one day be one of the good old days
II. BE COGNIZANT OF THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE TODAY
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
A. Eternal blessings
B. Earthly blessings
III. BE CHEERFUL TODAY
Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
A. It is a command of scripture (Phil. 4:4)
B. It is a characteristic of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)
IV. BE CALM TODAY
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
A couple of things that will help your spirit to be calm are:
A. Pray much
B. Prepare and plan
V. BE CLOSE TO GOD TODAY
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
In drawing nigh to God, there is:
A. The joy of fellowship with God
B. The joy of following God
VI. BE CHARITABLE TOWARD OTHERS TODAY
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
A. Spend time with others
B. Strengthen and support others
JOY – Jesus first, Others next, You last
Every joyful Christian is a “people person” in the above order! Are you a people person or a me-first person?
VII. BE CONTENT TODAY
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
A. Be content with our situation “state”
B. Be content with our supply “food and raiment”
Contentment is not having what you want; it’s wanting what you have.
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |