more on living in the present

living in the past leads to regret.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honour me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise." - Isaiah 43:18-21 (NIV)

living in the future leads to worry.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)

living in the present leads to contentment.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." - 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)

of course, contentment does not equate to passivity on our part. God ordains the ends (ie. His sovereign will of decree), but He also ordains the means (ie. our free choices) by which He accomplishes His sovereign will of decree.

[to be sure, God does not determine how we make our free choices. otherwise, our free choices would no longer be free! however, He determines the circumstances under which we make our free choices. in this sense, He ordains our free choices.]

ultimately, the primary means by which God accomplishes His sovereign will of decree is prayer.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV)

link: living in the present (29 dec 08)