time is of the essence!
Time is of the essence now to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is coming shortly and we must all get ready! As you and I see the world changing before our very eyes, we must be diligent in presenting the gospel to those lost souls who have yet to hear it.
I truly believe our former days of ease and comfort as we know it or have experienced it are just about over. Everywhere you go, whether in your own home country or in other countries, there is deep unrest and social upheaval on every side. What does it all mean? Well, it clearly means that Satan will soon have his day of complete and utter doom, since he has already been defeated by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that He is coming for us very soon!
Of course, this was foretold to us through God's Word that this would happen, such as is proven to us within these following scriptures:
- Galatians 1:3-4 says, "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."
- Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."
- Colossians 1:13 also says, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son."
- John 12:31 proclaims, "Now is the judgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out."
- Revelation 17:13-14 tells us, "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." And finally,
- Romans 16:20, we are comforted with these words, "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
time stops for no one!
You and I must not think only of ourselves when the rest of the world seems to be crashing all around us. Sure, you have your daily routine, your work, taking care of your family, making sure you and your family are safe in moments of chaos and disaster, and so on. Those are most definitely good priorities to have and maintain as much as possible.
This is clear as the Bible warns in 1 Timothy 5:8, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially those for his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
I'm talking more about what you do outside of your daily work and family responsibilities though. What are your doing for the Lord in your everyday walk with Him? Are you seeking Him in prayer, in His Word, in counseling and ministering to others, or spreading the gospel message to those who are lost and are on their way to hell?
I must admit that I have been guilty of this myself. There have been various occasions where I missed many opportunities, or did not heed the Holy Spirit's call to share the gospel with someone. However, after repenting to the Lord of this, He brought many more opportunities later on in my life in which obeying His leading was the correct thing to do.
Each of us have only 24 hours in a day. As you well know, you nor I will be here long on this earth. God decides how many of these days/nights we have on this earth. However, our days are clearly being spent far too fast and we can't get any of them back. We must not just sit back and take it easy when there is still so much work to be done!
It's so obvious how time can get away from us and in a rapid way. You can see the results of this just by observing life itself. The clock on your mantel keeps ticking away as the minutes and hours march onward; or how about observing some of your old photos in the photo album. Can you see how the days and years just flew by as you reminisce about those days gone by, in that how you did such and such while you were younger and here you are now, much older and possibly wiser, not able to do those things anymore?
Sure we are all looking to manage it; save it; sometimes we waste it; but all in all you and I are commanded to redeem it for the days are evil! (Ephesians 5:16).
Here's what the scriptures say in the light of this subject:
- Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that, "To every thing, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."
- 2 Peter 3:8 says "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
- Psalm 90:12 reminds us, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
- James 4:13-15 says, "Go to now, ye that say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain': Whereas ye shall not know what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, 'If the Lord will we shall live, and do this, or that.'" Finally,
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, "(For He saith, 'I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation I have succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"
your time is a valuable resource. what will you do with yours?
This is, indeed, a powerful resource our Lord gave each and every human on the face of the earth. As you know, you begin with the present here and now. You have 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days in a year. As each new year begins it seems as though it is a lot to work with; however, it too will fly by just as the loose change you have in your pocket with a hole in it will.
You fill each year with memories of various events that come and go in your life, such as job promotions, marriages, deaths, birthdays, an addition to the family (newborn baby), financial gains, moving into a new home, child graduating from kindergarten, high school, or college, getting that first driver's license, a new puppy, changing careers, divorcing your spouse or remarrying another, and on and on it goes.
Out of all these events and wondrous opportunities, accomplishments, and happenings that flow through each year we live and breathe, you and I must make the choice of how we want to live our lives, and what we want to do for the Lord. We cannot forget the calling He has placed upon our lives as we go from day to day, year to year.
It could be a daunting task when you really think about to what degree you might use this wonderful resource.. What will you do with that whole year's time, if of course, the Lord will allow you to live yet another year? This is when you consider what your priorities are and place them somewhere along the line of that upcoming new year.
God expects us to be good stewards of this great resource He has placed in our hands, and indeed, we will all be accountable to Him at the end of our lives for how we each have spent this powerful gift!
Use up your life for Him! Forget about some of the frills and thrills that are found in this material world and concentrate on dedicating the rest of your days and nights for the advancement of His kingdom.
What I'm saying is, to let go of insignificant things in your life. Vain things that don't really matter are not valuable to God, nor are they to anyone else. He wants to be able to use you, but if your life is so full of vanity or of other nonessential things that you don't have the time or the room to be used of Him, then your life will be full of regrets and ultimately useless in the end.
Please consider using all your talents, skills, spiritual gifts, and abilities that the good Lord has given you for His purpose and in the workings of His kingdom. We are all stewards of these resources and must give an account to them all. Scripture gives clear warnings and instructions on how we must use this precious resource. Please note that some of these passages presented may seem quite harsh but they are what God requires and demands from His children, which are ultimately His way, regardless of our feelings or opinions on them. Therefore we must heed His way alone!
Ponder these verses as you examine yourself in the way you spend or waste this valuable resource of time:
- Proverbs 16:3 exhorts us to, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."
- Ezekiel 33:8 warns, "When I say unto the wicked, 'O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; If thou shalt not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."
- Matthew 12:36-37 also warns, "But I say unto you, 'That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
- Psalm 39:4-5 says, "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am." Lastly,
- Ephesians 5:15-17 says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."
In conclusion, you and I are put on this earth for only a short while, and with each minute that ticks by we must be faithful and frugal with the specific amount of time God has given us. Let us not be slacking in our use or misuse of it.
Pray, study God's word, and seek Him with all diligence and supplication in how you may use your gift and resource of time wisely for Him.
I would like to challenge you today, just as I do myself, to not be shy or timid, or have any other preconceived notions or doubts about how to testify for the Lord. Just begin by opening your mouth and allowing the Holy Spirit to utter the right words to you, so that you too may follow Him in obedience as you share your faith.
May the Lord richly bless you as you continue to serve, honor, and follow Him!
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Social Unrest And Injustices Of Our Day: How Should We Act Or React?