‘Here and Now,’ Not ‘There and Then’ Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: ‘Here and Now,’ Not ‘There and Then’------------------------- Date: 3/8/2002 Keywords: "disoriented" "disconnected" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passages* Joshua 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord ." Proverbs 3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you. Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Luke 12:11-12 11. "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12. for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." James 4:14-15 14. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." Question Where are you living now — in the past, present or future?   Practical help Here's a recap of the current studies' main points: Beware of living in the past or future instead of in the present. Your reality will become disconnected and disoriented. Living in the present lets you focus your prayers and energies 100 percent on your current circumstances. The future may be a tempting place and time to fantasize about — a playground for porn scenarios — but it can't actually resolve any dissatisfaction or boredom you may be feeling about your current situation. God specializes in dealing with present circumstances. By living in the future, such as in smut fantasies, you disavail yourself of the help he's willing and able to give you with your present, actual reality, as dissatisfying or boring as it may seem. Don't limit this truth to how you deal with porn struggles. Look to God's present presence in all areas of life — financial, professional, marital, etc. The last lines in yesterday's study sums up these points: The present reality is where God chooses to meet you — not some future fantasy. He's here for you — now. Engage him. Speak with him. Acknowledge your fears, desperation and boredom. Ask him to reveal an effective option for you now. Not for the future. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2002 by eXXit *Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version, © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.