Make Everyday Count

This month's devotional comes from Bro Marco Davila from Heritage Baptist Church in Palmyra, New York

· Back in September, God hit me with a simple but powerful truth: tomorrow isn’t promised. In an instant, I realized how quickly life can change and how easily we get distracted by things that don’t matter. 

· I need to step back and evaluate what I’m living for and where my time is going. I’m reminded that every day is a gift, and what we choose to do with it really does matter. 

·  Today, I want to share that challenge with you as we look at this thought—“Make Every Day Count.”

 

Ephesians 5:16

- Eph. 5:16- “Redeeming the Time”- How true is that today?

·       We live in a world where evil is prevalent.

·       Evil is in every corner.

·       We see in the news the wickedness of man.

·       As Christian’s, we can know for sure that God is in control

 

·       As humans, we are not promised tomorrow 

·       That can be hard to understand because we make plans. We plan vacations, outings, and all kinds of activities. We map out our days like we control every moment;  but the truth is, none of us know what tomorrow holds.

·       Because we’re not promised tomorrow, we need to make every day count.

 

·       When we look at the world around us, it is important to note that Christ is coming soon. Our time here on earth is limited. 

·       The Bible says, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil”. Paul is writing here a command, that we need to utilize our time wisely. 

 

The Life of Paul

·       When you study the life of the Apostle Paul, you see a man who endured many hardships.

·       Before salvation, he lived for himself. After salvation. He lived for God.

·       What kind of hardships did he endure?

 

“ Hey Paul, how’s your day been?”

“Oh, you know… I was whipped, stoned, beaten, jailed, and left for dead. Pretty average Tuesday.”

 

“Paul, how was your cruise?”

“Cruise? You mean the ship that got caught in a hurricane, broke apart, and left me floating in the ocean for a day and a night?”

 

“Paul, how are you feeling?”

“Well, after getting bitten by a venomous snake and nearly freezing to death, I’d say I’m doing alright.”

 

“Paul, how’s work been?”

“Let’s see… chased by angry mobs, run out of cities, lowered out of a window in a basket to escape assassins…it’s been productive.”

 

“Paul, how’s the ministry going?”

“Just the usual…false teachers attacking me, people abandoning me, churches stressing me out daily… but the Lord is good!”

 

“Paul, how’s your health?”

“Still got this ‘thorn in the flesh’ that won’t go away. I prayed three times, God said no. So… I’m going to keep serving Him.”

 

“Paul, how was your mission trip?”

“Oh, great! Hunger, thirst, sleepless nights, danger in every city, mountain, river, and road. Loved it.”

 

o   Because of all of these hardships that he faced, Paul lived with an awareness that each day could be his last. 

o   This awareness didn’t make him fearful; it made him purposeful. 

o   Every morning was another chance to preach Christ, encourage believers, and finish the work God had given him. 

o   He could have easily been bitter. Paul refused to waste his days on bitterness. 

o   Instead, he pressed forward with urgency and joy, knowing that only what was done for Christ would last.

 

·       I want to say to us Christians, only what we do for Christ will last for eternity.

 

·       We are living in a time where there is a widespread epidemic of sin. 

·       Sin is praised instead of being condemned. 

·       Sin is bragged about from many people that we come in contact with. 

·       Sin is displayed everywhere we go. 

·       And as Christians, we need to stay away from the wickedness of this world and instead, make good use of our time, have a good testimony, share the love of God with others and encourage those around you to live for God.

 

3 key principles that can help us make every day count for Christ: 

 

1.    Have Purpose- Daniel 1:8

 

Babylon vs. Today’s World

 

·       When you look at Babylon through Daniel’s eyes, you realize it’s not as far removed from us.

·       Babylon was wealthy, advanced, powerful, and full of opportunities—but also full of pressure.

·        It was a place where the culture pressured you to fit in. Doesn’t that sound familiar?

·       Today’s world also pulls us in every direction, trying to define who we are, what we believe, and what we value.

·       Babylon celebrated intelligence, achievement, and success, but it also promoted compromise, pride, and idolatry.

·       Our world does the same—maybe not with statues of gold, but with the “gods” of achievement, popularity, money, comfort, and entertainment. 

·       Babylon offered pleasure and prosperity, yet underneath it was spiritual emptiness. 

·       Today, we see the same tension: a society full of knowledge and technology, yet often drifting farther from God.

 

·       Just like Daniel, believers today face a culture that says, “Bow to what everyone else is bowing to.” 

·       The pressure might not be a fiery furnace, but it’s the pressure to:

o   Blend in, to stay quiet, to trade convictions for acceptance.

·       And just like Daniel, we are called to stand firm, stay faithful, and live with integrity in a world that doesn’t always honor God.

 

The good news? Daniel didn’t just survive Babylon—he thrived in it. And his life reminds us that God can raise up faithful people even in the most spiritually challenging cultures.

 

·       Daniel couldn’t control the king’s decrees, the pagan customs, or the threats against his life—but he could control his own choices.

o   He resolved not to defile himself (Daniel 1:8)

o   Prayed even when it was outlawed (Daniel 6:10)

o   Trusted God with the outcome.

 

·       Like Daniel, we can’t control everything happening in our world—politics, culture, other people’s decisions—but we can control how we respond. 

·       We can choose integrity, prayer, kindness, and faithfulness no matter what surrounds us.

 

·       “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” (Daniel 1:8a)

·       God honors those who stay faithful in a faithless world.

·       Have you been to New York City? It's a fun place to visit…Definitely wouldn’t want to live there!            

·       New York City: a place known for lots of traffic, lots of people, and lots of honking that doesn’t actually make the cars move any faster.

                  Right in the middle of that noisy city sits a beautiful park. Central Park. People step inside and immediately notice the difference. The air smells fresher. The noise fades. Birds sing. Flowers bloom. Central Park can’t stop the traffic, the honking horns, or the rush of people.  But it provides a space of beauty, refreshment, and peace. That’s what Christians are called to be in the world. We can’t stop all the sin, wickedness, or noise around us, but we can stay close to Christ. We can live Holy lives, we can love and respect one another, we can live in peace instead of anxiety, we can have hope instead of despair. We can create a “Central Park” in our lives that blocks out the noise and focuses on Christ, we can live with a purpose!

       Daniel had a purpose!

 

      Teenagers, don’t let the noise of this world affect your service to God

      There’s a lot of pressure to fit in- Be a good example to other teenagers.

 

2.    Be Present- Luke 10:38-42

 

·       Martha wasn’t doing anything “wrong.” She was just distracted.

·       Mary chose the one thing that mattered most: being with Jesus.

·       You can’t make every day count if you’re missing the moments God puts right in front of you.

·       We live in the busiest generation ever. Notifications, schedules, responsibilities—always moving, rarely listening.

Jesus doesn’t just want your activity—He wants your attention.

            - There’s nothing wrong with planning for the future…. but you and I we’re not promised tomorrow. How about we just live in the present? By that, I mean:

            - Spend more time with God…today

            - Spend more time with your family…today

            - Spend more time with the things that matter…today

 

 

·       When we’re constantly moving, multitasking, or distracted, our “picture” of life comes out blurry.

·       But when we pause before God, our focus sharpens and we see what He’s doing in the moment.

·       Mary in Luke 10 did this when she sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to His words. She stopped moving, quieted her heart, and focused on Him. Jesus called that “the better part.”

 

·       Some of us become focused on the busyness of life that we don’t focus and enjoy the present.

·       Many of us live like Martha—our days filled with activity, lists, and responsibilities. These things aren’t bad…

·       These are all good things, but even good things can distract us from the best thing

·       Being present means slowing down enough to listen, to enjoy, and to focus on what matters most. It’s choosing people over tasks, God’s presence over our own busyness.

·       “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10a) ‘Take a Chill Pill’

 

3.    Know your Position- 2 Corinthians 5:17

·       If you’re saved today, you’ve been given a position.

·       That position is being a Christian. Being like Christ.

·       Your position determines your purpose.

 

Before you try to “make every day count,” you must know who you are:

            •          You are a child of God

            •          You are saved, redeemed, forgiven

            •          You are called to be a light in this world

            •          You represent Christ everywhere you go

When you know your position in Christ, every day becomes an opportunity to reflect Him.

·       When you really understand that, it shapes your daily life.

o   Your words

o   Your actions

o   Your reactions

·       All of this reflects your position as a Christian.

·       If you’re here today and you don’t identify as a Christian today is the day to settle it.

Putting on a Uniform

·       Think of a police officer, a firefighter, or even a soldier. When they put on their uniform, something changes. The uniform doesn’t make them a police officer or soldier — their training, oath, and position already did that.

·       But the uniform shows everyone around them who they are and what authority they carry. 

·       Because of that, they’re expected to act a certain way, both on and off duty, because their uniform represents something bigger than themselves.

 

·       As Christians, we’ve been given a “uniform”

·       Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ”  

 And just like an officer carries themselves differently because of the uniform, our awareness of being “in Christ” should shape how we speak, respond, and live.

 

·       Don’t be ashamed to call yourself a Christian.

 

“Making every day count isn’t about doing something “big” all the time; it’s about faithfulness in the ordinary so you’re ready for the extraordinary.”

 

·       More Christians today need to make a conscious decision: “I will make every day count for Christ!” We can’t drift through life hoping it will happen by accident.

·       Oh…maybe tomorrow I’ll have a relationship with God

·       Oh…maybe next week I’ll be a witness for Christ

·       Oh…maybe tomorrow I’ll identify as a Christian

·       No, it’s going to take a conscious descision:

·       I will live with Purpose, I will live in the Present, and I will focus on my position as a Christian.

·       It's sad to say but maybe some of you have made up your mind that you want to do whatever you want to…Live how you want to.

·       I want to challenge you to submit yourself to God, and to make every day count.