A battered, old truck was rambling down a country road and approached a sharp right turn. Unfortunately, the driver applied the brakes but nothing happened. It missed the turn and ended up in a field.

Fortunately, the driver climbed out of the cab uninjured. Dusting himself off, he said to the crowd that gathered around him, “I reckon I should’ve bought brake fluid before I needed it!”

Procrastination presents problems. One of the problems for procrastinators is that what they tend to put off leads to crises. Like the truck driver ending up in a field. Fortunately, he ended up in a field with no injury to himself.

One unfortunate result of procrastinating is that it can result in irreversible consequences. This is true of those who face death thinking there will always be time to make things right with God. This is certainly one of Satan’s greatest accomplishments: convincing the lost to believe that “there will be time tomorrow. And if not tomorrow, the next day. Perhaps next week.” Not wise!

Satan takes great pleasure when he gets us to focus on tomorrow instead of today. He rejoices when we have “spiritual intentions” that we “reserve” for “tomorrow.” Those “intentions” include our promises to read His Word, pray, attend church and witness.

Prayer: We pray, Father, for those who have delayed accepting You as Savior. May Your Spirit work in their hearts and help all of us to turn our intentions into actions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Zechariah 1:4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.”’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord.

Lucy and Linus were talking to their coach, Charlie Brown, at home plate. Kicking the dirt in disgust, Charlie Brown said, “Our team is no good. We have lost every game. There is nothing good about our team!”

“But,” protested Lucy, “Schroder almost hit a home run. And we almost won a couple of games. Once we almost made a double play. Don’t forget that you almost made it to first base before the ball, once.”

“If it’s any consolation, Charlie Brown,” interrupted Linus, “we did lead the league in almosts.”

“Almosts” are part of everyone’s life. Some “almosts” work to our advantage. For example, there are times when we almost slipped and fell. Or, we almost had an accident while driving home after a difficult day at work. Then there might have been occasions when we almost got that promotion at work. “Almost” is “very nearly” but “not quite.” So the almosts are the same as if it never really happened at all.

On one occasion Paul was witnessing to King Agrippa. He appealed to the facts of Scripture in his conversation with the king and said, “I know these facts are not hidden from you and that you do believe them!”

But sadly the king replied, “Paul, you almost persuaded me to become a Christian.”

Prayer: We pray today, Father, for those who might almost be convinced to become a Christian. We ask for Your grace to work in them through the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Acts 26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Read more...)

A truck came speeding down the side of a hill. It was necessary to make a quick turn at the bottom of the hill to avoid going into a lake. Unfortunately, it failed to make the turn and ended up in the lake. Fortunately, the driver escaped unharmed.

As he climbed from the cab of the truck and waded from the lake to the crowd that had assembled, he was shaking his head from side to side. Finally someone asked, "What happened?"

"Well," he said, "I guess I should have gotten brake fluid before I needed it."

Procrastination, at times, seems to invade everyone's life. Occasionally, we "all plan to do tomorrow what we could have done today." And there are many excuses that encourage us to do so. One might be fear. Another might be thinking the task is unimportant or even too difficult. Again, we may not want to be bothered by a request or even have a desire to inconvenience the one who is depending on us.

Time is one of God's greatest gifts. Once gone, it can never be reclaimed or returned. So we must learn to see time from God's perspective and place a high value on it. God gives us time, first of all, to accept His salvation. Then, whatever days He allows us to live, are to be lived in service to Him and others who need Him.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to make the most of our time so that we may accomplish the purpose You have for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Zechariah 1:4

It was time for the annual employee performance appraisals. The manager said to a sales associate, “You are the laziest worker I have ever known. Tell me one way that this firm benefits by having you as one of our employees.”

“Well,” came the quick reply, “when you give me a vacation you don't have to hire someone to work in my place?”

Laziness and procrastination are dangerous because they destroy our bodies, minds and souls. God has given us bodies to use in serving Him. But if we do not take proper care of them, we will become weak and unable to serve Him. He has given us minds. But if we do not study His Word and learn about His will for our lives and ways to serve Him by meeting the needs of others, our salvation becomes questionable. And He has given us a soul. We nourish our soul through worship and praise, graciously and humbly waiting before His presence as we bow before Him, recognizing Him as the source of life, knowing that one day we will be with Him for eternity.

Prayer: Help us, Heavenly Father, to make good use of every moment of every day. May we realize the value of each day, the significance of every minute and seize every opportunity to glorify You now and throughout eternity. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Scripture: Proverbs 6:6-11