It is God who has given us the measurement of time marked off in days and nights, weeks and months and the accumulation of years. This all began when, "God created the heavens and the earth." and brought into existence the order of life. In Genesis 1: 3-5 God's Word says: "Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that it was good." Now here it comes: "Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness 'night.' Together they made up one day" (Genesis 1: 3-5). That's how the whole thing got started and no one can escape what God has set in place (not even with "daylight savings time!"). It's our way of life.

A woman becomes pregnant and, apart from something seriously going wrong, she can anticipate the birth of a tiny baby nine months later unless an abortion disrupts God's plan for that child. I believe that abortion is an attempt to play God in relationship to a baby's life. King David penned in Psalm 139: 16; "You (God) saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." But if everything goes well, the child will have a birth-day(which will then be celebrated annually as a birthday-- the celebration of that special day).

And time marches on –tick, tock, tick tock-- until the time has come to leave this earth. Hebrews 9:27 alerts us to the fact that, "...it is destined (that's a time word) that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment." So much for reincarnation! Death moves us from time into eternity. What will this mean for you? God sent his son into the world of time to make eternal life possible within the realm of earthly times. Eternal life is not just a destination but a dimension. Jesus called it being, "born again" (John 3:1-8). Peter put it this way in 1Peter 1:23F "or you have been born again. Your new life (dimension) did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death (in time). But this new life will last forever (beyond time) because it comes from the eternal, living God. We come to Christ in time. We need to have a spiritual "birthday" and what a difference that birth DAY can make. Now for those baptized as babies (a marking-day in their life) who later experience the inner conviction to love and follow Jesus this may be seen as the "fruit" of their baptism. What a day of awareness that can be. What an ongoing difference a day can make!

In the book of Joshua in the Old Testament (Joshua took Moses' place as the leader of the Hebrew people) we find Joshua challenging his people to make a, "what a difference a day can make" decision in their lives. This is found in Joshua 24: 14,15. Joshua gives them this challenge; "So honor the Lord and serve him whole-heartedly. Put away forever (They've been up to things they shouldn't have been) the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates river in Egypt. Serve the lord alone. But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family (dad has an important role in the spiritual life of his family). WE WILL SERVE THE LORD." Joshua is calling them to a day of decision in the realm of time – a decision with long term implications-- Oh the difference this day will make! Their initial response is: "We would never forsake the Lord and serve other gods" (Joshua 24:16). But Joshua wants them to grasp the seriousness of this day: "You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy and serious God. He will not forgive your rebellion and sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve other gods he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you" (Joshua 24: 19, 20). Their response: "No, we are determined to serve the Lord." So Joshua lays it on them: "You are accountable for your decision...you have chosen to serve the Lord." They are accountable for their decision – Oh what a difference a day can make. This day will influence the days, weeks months, and years to follow.

Now I want to bring the difference a day can make into the up-coming election next Tuesday, November 3rd. Make sure you get out and vote; this may be the most important election in the history of our Country. You can't afford not to vote! Your vote will not only impact the next four years, but many years beyond (the Supreme Court is one example). On November 3rd, whom you want to occupy the highest office in our Country the implications are overwhelming!

Stand against the political powers that want to keep America "locked down" as we enter into 2021 because of the COVID-19 virus. We need to get our economy going strong again and our schools fully open. Let's face it folks, life has risks, but let's not allow politics or fear to control our lives. If you want our borders to remain safe; our police forces protected and well funded, and if you stand against anarchy (rioting, burning and killing) then make sure you're standing in the RIGHT line on Election day. If you value free speech including that of Conservatives, and especially Christians; if you say, "NO," to Socialism, and you want to protect babies from abortion, then whether you're Democrat, Republican, or Independent, vote to re-elect President Trump on November 3rd. Help keep America, America, "One nation UNDER GOD!

"Oh say does that star-spangled banner still wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" OH, WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY (VOTING DAY) CAN MAKE!

Until next time,

Pastor Joe