Most people today in our fast-paced society seem to be under great stress. We face stress from many areas of our life, stress from work, school, home, and our friends.
A man once told me that he was upset because he knew he had a promotion coming in three months and he didn’t know how he would perform at his new job. Every morning when he would get up, he would think of his upcoming new responsibilities and would be tense for the remainder of the day.
A lady also shared that she had a class reunion she was to attend, but because of her weight, she was concerned how her old friends would react to her. In fact, she was so concerned that she was sick daily from the stress she had placed on herself.
These two illustrations both have one main common characteristic. That is both persons are actually living in the future instead of the present. If we would concern ourselves with today, not yesterday and not tomorrow, but today, much of our stress and many of our problems would disappear.
If your problem is overeating, then decide not to overeat today – not yesterday. Yesterday’s gone. Not tomorrow – tomorrow is not here yet. Just don’t overeat today. If you have a temper and argue with your family, then decide not to argue today – just today. One day is much easier to deal with.
If we try living our tomorrows before they get here, we can miss today completely. The Bible tells us that “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
We can’t live yesterday today and we can’t live today tomorrow. We can only live today, today.
Let me suggest this. Each day when you wake up, take just five minutes and do this:
- Thank God for the day that He created for you.
- List your goals and obligations for that one specific day.
- Ask God to give you wisdom and understanding and to guide your steps through that day.
God created each day for you and me. He wants today to be a good day. He wants us to be healthy, emotionally sound, prosperous and seeking Him and His will today.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.