“Seize the Day”
This morning I went for an eye test at my local optician – just a check-up really. I have to admit that I am very squeamish about eyes so I was a little anxious. However, it was a very positive time – not only to ensure I can see clearly but as a reminder of the word of God. It was while the optician was taking note of my details that she asked me if I was on benefits. I smiled to myself as I recalled the words of Psalm 103:
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
So yes, I am glad to say I am on benefits! I qualify – I meet all the requirements of receiving Father God’s wonderful supernatural benefits – because I am trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ who has brought me out of the kingdom of darkness and delivered me into the Kingdom of light!
Maybe today you would like to remind yourself of the benefits you are due – have you claimed them today? All the promises of God are ‘yes and amen’ in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
As for me, I am thanking God this day for His benefits – and I recall that wonderful day, many years ago, when I first discovered what has become available to all of us if we put our trust in Jesus Christ. How grateful I am for His forgiveness, for His healing touch whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, and for His wonderful kindness – His mercies are certainly new every day!
When the Israelites were in the desert, desperate for food, God miraculously supplied them with manna. This supernatural food was God’s supply of daily nourishment. Moses told the people to collect just enough for each day. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray He encouraged them to pray for daily bread. I have discovered that Jesus gives fresh bread – every day!
I love the way the word of God nourishes my soul and feeds my spirit. The word of God is truly a lamp to my feet, guiding and teaching me in His ways, transforming my thinking. And I especially love the way His word and His Spirit produce fruit through my life,as Psalm 1:2-3 says:
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither,
And whatever he does shall prosper.
How often I come across the word “today’ in scripture – especially in Hebrews 3 and 4, not just once, but three times!
“Today if you will hear My voice harden not your heart”
I sense a change in the season, not only in the natural world but also in the spirit.
I have an urgency in my spirit to encourage people to “seize the day” which is a translation of “Carpe Diem” – a well-known quote from an ancient Roman poet named Horace who lived more than 2000 years ago. He is long-gone but Jesus Christ is alive, and still speaking to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. His Word is living and active and has all power! Are you feeding on that word every day, are you planting that word into your heart, meditating on it, chewing it over and feeding your spirit ?
We may remember the parable of the sower and the seed (Mark Ch 4) in which Jesus explains that the seed is the word of God and the ground represents the condition of the heart of man. The seed is always good, but the condition of the heart affects any growth or fruitfulness. The parable makes it clear that there is nothing wrong with the seed, but the condition of the ground is all important. Personally, I don’t want hard ground, thorns, or stones in my heart! Proverbs 3:23 in the NLT version of the bible reads like this:
“Above all else, guard your heart for it affects everything you do.”
A few days ago, as I gazed out of the window at our garden, I realised there is much work to be done! Our garden doesn’t look its best right now! There are old dead branches to be cut down, the beds need to be dug over ready for planting, weeds and stones to be removed so seeds can be sown. Personally, I find that the natural environment around me reminds me of spiritual truths! I must “seize the day” and prepare the ground if I want the benefit of a beautiful flourishing garden.
Hosea 10:12:U. “break up the fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord”
Time to seek the Lord, time to examine the ground of our hearts, to till the ground and plant again. I wonder what you would like to see grow in the garden of your life, what fruit will glorify God?
Seize the day – Carpe Diem! As I looked at the origin of this quote, I discovered that an alternative translation would be “pluck the harvest”! I am praying our lives will yield a wonderful crop of fruit for the glory of God! May there be a rich harvest from our lives in this next season. Be blessed as you dig for His glory, sowing the good seed into your heart and life today!
