Redeem The Time (Part 2)

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“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Eph. 5:15-16).

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“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Eph. 5:15-16).
Dear Readers, we are now living in the last days. Time is too short to mess around or to play church. Jesus is coming back soon and there are so much evangelism and witnessing to do on earth. Today we need to ask ourselves, ‘What am I doing with my time?’ You might think it doesn’t matter and say, ‘I’ve got all the time in the world, I can do what I like when I like!’ Listen! When we think like this, we act like it because our actions always reflect what we’re thinking (Prov 23:7). Thinking that we have all the time in the world is the reason why we defer, delay or waste time.
Today, there are many people who waste their time; they never get as fit as they ought to, they will not be as healthy as they could be, they never read enough, they ignore their family, friends and God. With regards to prayer, Bible study or Church, they postpone their attendance. The early Apostles said, “we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom for the running of the food program (Acts 6:4). Did you hear that?
We don’t have all the time in the world. Listen: ‘Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty, ninety or over hundred. But … soon they disappear.’ So, my friend, you need to sack off your, ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ attitude, because tomorrow may never come. Start living now! Don’t waste the time God has given you; don’t miss out on being the best you can be, ‘for we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago’ (Eph 2:10).
The Bible says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (Jam. 4:17) My friend, are you one of those people who believes in putting off until tomorrow what you could do today”? This is one of those times when the fingers pointing back at me outnumber the one that’s pointing to you! What am I talking about? It is procrastination. Did you know that procrastination is a sin? I say this because sin is not merely doing wrong; it is failing to do what you ought to do.
Procrastination and disobedience are just different shades of the same sin. When you have a job to do, you should begin this very hour. When you supply the will, God will supply the power. When you make yourself available, God will supply the ability. That is the will power we need in this last days’ to instantly obey God and do His will! God requires instant obedience from you and me. Time is too short. No more delay! The time is too short! Don’t live like the foolish five virgins but like the wise ones who filled with Holy Spirit.
My friend, has a certain task been hounding you? Have you left undone what you ought to do yesterday, last week, last month or last year? Are you going to delay what you ought to do today? Confess your procrastination as sin. And act now; don’t hesitate. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come. Today is the day! “Make the most of every chance you get to fulfill your assignment. We are living in desperate times!” (Eph 5:16) Time drags when you want it to pass quickly and flies when you need more of it.!
Time is the great equalizer. We all have the same amount of it. But, the difference between successful people and average people is this: Achievers manage their time wisely. Rather than wasting time or spending time, they invest time. They make the most out of each moment. My friend, your time is your life. When you give someone your time, you’ve given them a part of your life. So that currency in your wallet or purse is part of your life. When you give someone your money, you’ve given them part of your life. This means time management is really “life management.” This is the reason why you cannot afford to waste money. A waste of money is a waste of life. Where you invest your money matters in this day and age!
The Bible has this to say: “Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants” (Eph 5:15-17).You could summarize these verses this way: Analyze Your Lifestyle. Be aware of where your time is going. Or utilize the present and make the most of this moment. Or recognize what’s important and focus on priorities that last.
My friend, here is a personal question for you to consider throughout today: “How much of what I’m doing right now is going to count ten years from now … or 50 years from now … or for eternity?” You have just enough time to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. If you can’t get it all done, it means either you’re doing things God never intended for you to do, or you’re doing the right thing in the wrong way. I pray that God would help us to manage our time wisely today, every day, every week, every month and this year. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
My friend, if there is a time to seek the Lord, it is now (Hos. 10:12). For Moslems, the call for prayer goes out five times a day and the first call comes at dawn. If you’re spending hours in front of your TV, but don’t have a few minutes to spend with God, then it’s time to seek the Lord. If you are living comfortably with habits that once troubled you or living in the same unrepentant sin, it’s time to seek God. If you spend most of your evening chatting or gossiping on your mobile phones, it’s time to seek the Lord.
If you are still speaking words of bitterness and hatred toward someone who has hurt you, it’s time to seek the Lord. If having money and things consume so much of your time that there is none left for God and your family, then it’s time to seek the Lord. I have learned, by experience, that He is the only One who can satisfy. Ask Him to use you everyday for His purposes and keep you on the path He has for you. Ask Him to realign your focus and connect you with the people He has ordained to be in your life.
Remain blessed!