Live Life One Day at a Time (1)

The IMPORTANCE of Living One Day at a Time Reviews the Brevity of Life and Our Duties.

1. Life is extremely short, accelerates its passing with time, deceives us into procrastination or slothfulness, and ends before we are ready (Gen 47:9; Job 7:6; 9:25-26; 14:1-2; 16:22; Ps 39:4-5; 49:11-13; 89:47; 90:9-10; 102:11; 103:15-16; 144:4; Luke 12:19-21; James 4:14; 1 Peter 1:24).
   1. The life expectancy of man by inspiration in 1500 B.C. was 73 (Ps 90:10), and so it is today.
   2. Those under 60 hardly grasp the concept or reality of aging and its certain, painful effects.
   3. Is there a way to slow life down to be more productive, to enjoy life more, to be ready for death at any time, and to meet God with greater confidence and fewer regrets? There is!
2. Our clear duty is to honor God with our short lives (Deut 10:12-13; Eccl 12:13-14; Rom 12:1-2).
   1. Job, though forgetting God can do as He chooses, was righteous in many ways (Job 29-31).
   2. David, knowing God had favored him, was overall righteous in God’s sight (Ps 18:19-28).
   3. Yesterday is irrelevant, no matter godly achievements; how will you finish (Phil 3:13-20)?
3. But life is also too long – you cannot get your mental hands around the next 50 years of changes.
   1. Every Christian should crave a life pleasing God more than anything else, but how to do it?
   2. A life is too long to manage as a whole; it must be segmented to manageable periods of time.
   3. A year is too long as well, for it also is too long and will have many unknown surprises.
   4. Businesses have long-term strategic plans, but they have annual budgets and monthly reports.
   5. Solomon discovered all is vanity and vexation of spirit (Eccl 1:14; 2:11,17,26; 4:4,16; 6:9).
4. God gives talents (money) to each according to ability (Matthew 25:14-30). What is your return?
   1. He told us, Occupy till I come (Luke 19:13). How do we best do it? How can 2025 be better?
   2. Paul challenged us to be like him (Phil 3:13-21; see verse 17). This is his challenge for 2025.
   3. Do you want your life to be a success? If so, how are you making sure your life will be so?
   4. Has your life thus far been a success? If not, how can you change or improve your approach?
   5. Is there a simpler, stronger way to avoid temptation and beat your sins and even addiction?
   6. How do we accomplish this great goal? Is there a way to live that God has prescribed for us?
   7. What must you do better in 2025? A year is 365 times too large to manage. Reduce it to days.
   8. Bible reading? Commit to it the night before, the time you will read, what you will read, go!
   9. If something terrible happens, and you do not get it done in the morning, do it before bed.
5. We should number our days – living them one by one – to apply greater wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
   1. First, we number them by realizing there are not many days in a full life (70 x 365 = 25,550).
   2. If you think this number is huge, it is a matter of age and perspective, and vitality using them.
   3. Second, we number them by counting each day valuable and useful to get the most out of it.
   4. We should not, we must not, let a single day be lived without applying our hearts to wisdom
   5. Here is one of the great practical texts of the Bible for wise and successful living by saints.
   6. It is a lesson we must learn; life is lived one day at a time; and the goal is applying wisdom!
   7. Every wise man will realize the brevity of life and value each day as a gift from his Creator.
   8. We should live the second assumption of faith – God is, and He deserves our lives, versus the first assumption – reject God and live like it, or the terrible third – God is, and not live like it.
6. Forget yesterday. It is water spilt not to be gathered, and sins are under the blood by confession.
7. Forget tomorrow. It is known only to God, and you are to ignore it (Pr 27:1; Matt 6:34; Jas 4:14).

The BASIS of Living One Day at a Time Considers Divine and Human Reasons for Doing So.

1. God created all things working during six days, with the evening before the day (Genesis 1-2).
   1. God could have created all things at once, but He did a portion each day (Exodus 20:11).
   2. God saw the evening as preceding the morning in making a day (Genesis 1:5,8,13,19,23,31).
   3. God incorporated this perspective into the life of Israel by commandment (Leviticus 23:32).
   4. The evening is preparatory to the day, rather than the evening being recovery from the day.
   5. The Jewish day ran from 6:00 pm to 6:00 pm, contrary to the Romans and most that measured from sunrise to sunset. Time from midnight to midnight is about 150 years old.
   6. If you fall into bed exhausted to recover, you will sleep as long as you can and rise troubled.
   7. Yes, deadlines may force you to rise early, but do you rise with a plan and joy for the day?
   8. It is better to pray before sleep for God’s instruction in the night for a great day tomorrow, rather than crash into bed begging forgiveness for sins without a plan for a better tomorrow.
   9. Note: History says midnight was the start and end for days in many cultures, since noon was the middle of the day by use of sundials, but midnight became formalized with twelve-hour days, mechanical clocks, and specific definitions in 1925 and 1988 for precise timekeeping.
2. A number of productive days is superior to sudden efforts or long plans to accomplish much.
   1. Why did God divide our lives into twenty-four periods of time known as days (Gen 1:14)?
   2. Since He could have created in less than a nanosecond, His choice was for our profit, if we humble ourselves to Him and His inspired revelation to look diligently to apply His wisdom.
   3. The natural creation follows this rule: canyons, dandelions, anthills, pearls, and beavers: they all accomplish major projects a very small amount at a time. They persist with small efforts.
   4. The Scriptures warn against haste in working to obtain economic security (Prov 28:19-22).
   5. Consider savings. Large sums are hard to find, but small amounts saved regularly add up.
   6. The Bible’s lives of men include measuring by days and not only years (Gen 5:4; 6:3; 25:7).
3. A day should be seen as a twenty-four hour period with the night twelve preparatory to the day.
   1. God incorporated this perspective into the life of Israel by commandment (Leviticus 23:32).
   2. Instead of using the evening for recovery, this perspective sees it as time for preparation.
   3. This creates a very real difference of approach to life when it is followed conscientiously.
   4. Sleep is preparatory to the rigors of the day following, not merely recovery from that day.
   5. If plans are not made the night before, there is great likelihood days and time will be lost.
   6. The goal is to control and plan our lives, rather than allow our lives to control and crush us.
   7. Rather than dreading the alarm clock, it can become more like a starter’s gun to run a race.
   8. Life can be exciting and more productive, begin easier and stronger, with an advance plan.
   9. If the advance plan the night before includes spousal agreement and prayer, you got it made.
   10. And God uses the night to commune with His favorites (Job 33:14-18; Psalm 16:7; 77:6).
4. God has clearly warned us against presumptuous thoughts about longer periods of the future.
   1. Due to short and fragile lives, we are not to assume about tomorrow (Pro 27:1; Jam 4:13-16).
   2. Due to the evil of each day, Christ would have us not worry about tomorrow (Matt 6:34).
   3. Due to need of faith in God, we should only do our reasonable best and sleep (Ps 127:1-2).
   4. Due to trusting God in trials, His mercies and compassions are new each day (Lam 3:22-23).
   5. Due to our evil hearts, God would have us exhort one another daily, Today (Heb 3:12-13).
   6. Due to His providence, God teaches us to seek daily bread from Him day by day (Luke 11:3).
   7. Due to daily trials, God strengthened Paul by His Spirit day by day (II Corinthians 4:16).
   8. Due to the weakness of the flesh, God calls us to fear Him all the day long (Prov 23:17).
   9. Due to human variability, God calls us to take up our cross daily to follow Him (Luke 9:23)
   10. Due to the scarcity of time, we are to redeem what we have left to use (Ephesians 5:16).
   11. Due to the emotions of the flesh, we are not to be angry past sundown (Ephesians 4:26).
   12. Due to the rapidity of life, God tells youth to remember Him in their early days (Eccl 12:1).
5. Scriptural examples of godly and ungodly men show each day to be an important opportunity.
   1. David emphasized each day (Ps 44:8; 71:8,15,24; 84:10; 96:2; 118:24; 119:97,164; 145:2)
   2. Felix and Agrippa both wasted an important day by not acting that day (Acts 24:25; 26:28).
6. Human experience recommends such a perspective, if we are to have victory over evil habits.
   1. Procrastination is that sin of slothfulness that justifies putting off duties until sometime later.
      1. If we deal with days instead of weeks, months, or years, we cannot always defer work.
      2. “Work expands to fill the time available for it completion” is beat by the limit of a day.
   2. Depression often results when we consider long periods of time instead of shorter ones.
      1. If we look to the future in years, then a given goal seems almost impossible to achieve.
      2. If we look to the past in years, then a given shortcoming seems to show total failure.
      3. Long lengths of time seem very much out of our control, but we can manage a day.
   3. Major projects seem quite impossible when they are viewed in total, but not in daily steps.
      1. “Little” accomplishments on a daily basis will build discipline and get you moving.
      2. A little daily progress maintained consistently will always beat large, sporadic efforts.
      3. Time must be thought a friend, not an enemy. It can make small efforts big victories.
      4. Remember the examples from the natural creation given above that utilize small efforts.
      5. Athletes do not obtain gold medals by crash methods. They train regularly over time.
      6. Students are not educated at once. They study small concepts over many years of school.
      7. Savings do not amount to great sums at once. But time and consistency will surely work.
   4. Progress is distorted over time. Hopefully anyone can show some progress in a lifetime.

The DEFINITION of Living One Day at a Time Presents the Principles Controlling Such a Plan.

1. It requires initiative to get started today, and it takes perseverance to continue daily effort.
   1. David said, “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments” (Psalm 119:60).
   2. Paul taught that we are Christ’s, if we hold our confidence fast to the end (Hebrews 3:6,14).
   3. Yesterday is irrelevant, no matter godly achievements; how will you finish (Phil 3:13-20)?
2. A true adage states, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Keep this in memory.
   1. Long-term goals must be reduced to daily goals. We can accomplish much day by day.
   2. A life built on many days of successful accomplishments will be a very successful life.
   3. A life is no more complicated than a series of individual days. Live them one at a time.
   4. A consistent daily life of meeting daily goals will result in a life meeting life’s goals.
   5. It has been said, “Inch by inch, life is a cinch; yard by yard, life can be hard.” Believe it.
   6. What is your return on God’s talent? Consider the superiority of daily compounding.
   7. If you are going to do everything with your might (Eccl 9:10), you must work efficiently.
3. A job well done for one day is what God seeks. Continuing the same way is true godliness.
4. It is a right perspective. Was I a good father TODAY? Was I a good wife TODAY? Was I meek TODAY? Did I pray TODAY? Did I avoid temptation TODAY? Did I work smart TODAY?
   1. Do not worry about last month, last week, next month, or next week. Work for today only.
   2. We should seek to “number” our days – count them one by one and then make them count.
   3. Avoid deception thinking you have more time (Ps 49:11-13; Ezek 12:26-28; Luke 12:19-21).
   4. Abraham was told to sacrifice his son Isaac. He rose early in the morning (Genesis 22:3).
   5. Each day should be lived as if Jesus Christ will return that day (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).
   6. Instead of “What have I done with my life?” we should say, “What have I done today?”
5. The future is important. Remember, Do not sacrifice the future on the altar of the present.
   1. However, while you work to save the future, make sure you do not waste the present.
   2. Instead, by properly using the present time, you will guarantee a successful future.
   3. There is no surer way to a better future than to make the present day one lived very well.
6. Forget yesterday. It is water spilt not to be gathered, and sins are under the blood by confession.
7. Forget tomorrow. It is known only to God, and you are to ignore it (Pr 27:1; Matt 6:34; Jas 4:14).

The BENEFITS of Living One Day at a Time Provides the Effects You Should Clearly Realize.

1. Consider examples of problems we all face that can be overcome living one day at a time.
   1. Are you overwhelmed by homeschooling? Run it consistently by a daily plan; it will work.
   2. Is exercise/weight a problem? Surely you can control a schedule and eating for a single day.
   3. Is your job frustrating? Make each day a new goal to diligently outwork others and yourself.
   4. Does child training intimidate you? Trust God and work to make each day count for them.
   5. Are you praying as regularly as you desire? Set daily goals for prayer and maintain them.
   6. Has your marital romance suffered? Make sure you do a little something special each day.
   7. Are you behind financially? Then starting today, underspend and save a little, then tomorrow.
2. God does not suffer forever. Living one day at a time avoids judgment (Prov 29:1; Rev 2:21).
3. Do you wish confidence in old age and at death? Then we must fight day by day (II Tim 4:7).

The APPLICATION of Living One Day at a Time Presents the Steps to Get Started Today.

1. We should organize our lives around a daily plan that will achieve our long-term objectives.
   1. While a written daily schedule is not necessary, most people find it very profitable to do so.
   2. The daily plan should reflect our long-term goals and be the primary time we think ahead.
   3. A plan for the day prepared in the evening will be superior to a plan made in the morning.
      1. Once you get involved in a day, there are many distractions demanding your attention.
      2. A plan in the evening should especially include goals for the first hours of the next day.
      3. It is much easier to be more objective the night before the goals are to be completed.
      4. It encourages an attitude during the night of preparation/prayer, rather than recuperation.
      5. Though different, it is better to shop full with a list rather than hungry and without one.
   4. Consider a few very simple examples of what you could include in a plan before bedtime.
      1. Read my Bible program and pray before checking my phone or turning on my computer.
      2. If on a ketogenic diet, make sure you have what is needed ready so you avoid cheating.
      3. If exercising, pick a time of day to do it that has the least amount of possible distraction.
      4. Call or text your spouse or parents each day, whether it is usual or they do not expect it.
      5. Call or text so-and-so and encourage them by the word of God for what they are facing.
      6. Try to arrange with so-and-so to have supper together and talk about the things of God.
      7. Unless an emergency, hit the ground running at work at right time and quit at right time.
   5. Comparisons to plan should be made day by day. God emphasizes what you are doing now.
      1. Such comparisons should be made at the end of the day before planning the next day.
      2. This is very little different from company monthly reports to compare to long-term plans.
      3. The “historians” should emphasize this point to forget their errors in the ancient past: God does not care you wasted some hours a few days ago, if you have confessed the sin.
      4. It is too easy to measure ourselves over a long time, for we can easily generalize success.
      5. It is too risky to measure ourselves over a long time, for Satan will use it to defeat you.
      6. If you miss your goals on a daily plan basis, then your loss is only days, not years of loss.
2. Maintain a perspective of the present as being important time, not the generally vague future.
   1. Do not be a teenager, I will be happier and fulfilled when this future event comes to pass.
   2. Your future is likely many years, and it is impossible and vain and vexing to try to plan it.
   3. Your future will be the result of today and how you live it and the rest of your todays. Easy.
   4. Remember – confessed past failures are forgiven, and tomorrow is unknown in God’s hands.
   5. This will most likely be a new approach to living. Life will become a series of planned days.
   6. Instead of thinking how you want to be a better anything, you should be a better one Today.
   7. The best year of your life is simply doing better today than yesterday and keeping it up daily.
   8. Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and it is far more important than any other day.