Time…Make the Most of Every Opportunity!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 18: Offer My Time”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Make the most of every opportunity…the days are evil.
People have asked, “Do you think the end of the world is near?” Yes, we are one day closer. But yet as we see evil in the world around us, Jesus did warn us, 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:12-13).
The increase of wickedness may cause us to wring our hands in despair, hunker down in the safety of our homes, or simply retreat to avoid being affected by evil.
But what if we would look at the “increase of wickedness” as an increase in opportunity?
The Apostle Paul encourages us to use our time to “make the most of every opportunity…” not because “opportunity only knocks once” or because you may miss your “15 minutes of fame”, but because “the days are evil.”
What people need when the days are evil is a reason for hope, a message of peace, and a purpose that transforms hearts and lives.
Which is exactly what the gospel message of Jesus Christ is all about.
Every day we have is one that God knows about and he is orchestrating conversations, encounters, or activities that will give us opportunities to live, speak or show God’s grace, love and forgiveness. He has put us in the world for “such a time as this” to be the bearers of hope, peace and purpose that are bigger than any person or event on this planet.
Time is an opportunity to make the most of every opportunity…for the sake of Jesus!
So what will it be today? How will God orchestrate your time and interactions to bring hope, peace and purpose in Jesus to someone? I bet if you are ready, God will bring to reality the moment.
Today is also the beginning of the season of Lent…a day known as “Ash Wednesday.” It begins a journey of reflection and repentance that culminates at the upper room on Maundy Thursday, the cross on Good Friday, and the empty tomb on Easter Sunday.
It’s an opportunity. The season of Lent is an opportunity.
The days of evil.
We are evil.
We need grace. We need forgiveness. We need every opportunity we have to connect with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We need a season to pause and reflect on the significance of Jesus work for US! We need a season to be reminded of what evil brings and what evil deserves: suffering and death. But most of all we need a season to reflect on the reality of sin and its consequences, but the gift of salvation won for us by the perfect life, innocent death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus made the most of his time on this earth. He made the most of that opportunity…because the days were evil. He came to overcome evil.
So take advantage of this Lenten opportunity and all that the Lord gives you…because…the days are evil.
Apply: Take time today to reflect on your sin, confess it to the Lord, and give thanks for the suffering and death of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for making the most of the opportunity you had on this earth to overcome evil, offer a solution to evil, and give us the victory over evil. AMEN.
Time…Use it Wisely!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 18: Offer My Time”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
When you see a warning sign, you take notice because there is some danger ahead.
When your parents told you to be careful when you crossed the road, you made sure to look both ways before stepping into the intersection.
When your chemistry teacher told you to put on protective gear and be careful with the experiment you were cautious not to mix the wrong chemicals together.
Words of caution lead us to take notice.
God’s Spirit through the Apostle Paul get our attention when he says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise…”
So what do we have to watch out for when it comes to life and the use of our time?
Sure there are times we watch a poorly scripted movie and say, “That was a foolish use of time.” Perhaps a task at work seems pointless and you think, “This is a foolish waste of time.”
But is there more?
The Bible describes wisdom as the ways of the Lord and foolishness as drifting away from the Lord and allowing our sinful nature to guide us.
This is where the caution comes.
1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Satan is looking to derail the use of your time and use it for his purposes. He’s subtle and crafty…thus the warning, “Be VERY careful how you live…”
Here is a great reflection based on C.S.Lewis’ Screwtape Letters by an author named Delores Liesner (https://deloresliesner.com/2015/04/30/what-keeps-you-busy/).
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
“We can’t keep Christians from going to church.”
“We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.”
“We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior.”
“Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.”
“So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners,
BUT steal their time, so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
“This is what I want you to do,” said the devil:
“Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!”
“How shall we do this?” his demons shouted.
“Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered.
“Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.”
“Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.”
“Keep them from spending time with their children.”
“As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!”
“Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.”
“Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.”
“To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.”
“This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”
“Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.”
“Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.”
“Invade their driving moments with billboards.”
“Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.”
“Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.”
“Have them return from their recreation exhausted.”
“Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s creation.
Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.
“Keep them busy, busy, busy!”
“And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.”
“Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.”
“Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.”
“It will work!” “It will work!”
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
So, be VERY careful how you live. Satan is looking to steal your time for his purposes. With God’s Spirit’s help live with vigilance and wisdom!
Apply: BUSY has been termed: Being Under Satan’s Yoke. Evaluate the use of your day. What is helping you connect with your Savior and his direction in life and what is distracting? Is there something to remove or do differently?
Prayer: Father, open my eyes to see the deception of Satan so every moment of every day is filled with and guided by you and your Spirit. Help me to always be vigilant…living as wise, not unwise. AMEN.
Time…God’s Gift to You!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 18: Offer My Time”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
These reflections of King Solomon are not much different in 2022 than they were 1000 B.C. For 3000 years time has presented many different options and opportunities for people. Different seasons of life have different activities. Different waves of life provide and ebb and flow of activities.
So what season are you in? What are you doing with your time today?
As we journey this week through God’s gift of time, perhaps our minds will ebb and flow between finding great meaning in our days and some days we will feel like King Solomon, “Meaningless.”
Perhaps there is a season for each.
But here’s the reminder: Today is a gift.
The eternal God created time for his creation to enjoy.
On day one of create, God established the rhythm of the day. A period of darkness followed by a period of light. Genesis 1:5 And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
We are so used to watches and clocks that tell us what time it is, but another gift God gave is the ability to mark seasons of time, days and years. Day four of creation he created the sun, moon, and stars to do just that. Genesis 1:14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so.
So today is a reminder of God’s faithfulness in preserving the rhythm of time for each of us to enjoy today. He hasn’t told us how many we get, but he does remind us he knows each day he has gifted to us. Psalm 139:16 “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
You have many options presented to you today to use the time God has gifted you. So be reminded of our key verse this week:
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Apply: Take time today to thank God for the gift of time he has given to you. Ask him for wisdom to use that time to his glory!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of time. Help me treasure each day and use each day for your glory. AMEN.
Devotional thoughts to quiet our souls…
Spiritual Gifts…If…then…Day 2
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 17: Spiritual Gifts”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. … 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
If…then…day two…
Between writing yesterday’s devotion and today’s devotion, I was thinking about the question, “Why wouldn’t I use a gift God has given to me?” How would you answer that?
I was out in my garage. I have been blessed…or accumulated…many tools. But not all of them are getting used. Why not?
- I don’t know what it is or how to use it. There are some tools I have inherited from others that I’m not sure exactly how to use them. I’m sure with a little research and a little practice, I could benefit from them.
- I know what the tool is, I am just too busy to use it. The tool lies idle because other things in life prevent time in my shop.
- I don’t have a project to work on. This is rare…but the tool will do no good if it is not put to use to help accomplish a project for a greater good.
Do you see parallels to spiritual gifts? We may not know what they are or how to use them (See link again in the “Apply” section). We may know our gifts, but find ourselves too busy to add them to the body of Christ. We may feel like there is nothing for me to do with my gifts and therefore feel like they are not important.
All of these need a commitment to change. I commit to discovering my spiritual gifts and using them. I commit to decluttering other aspects of my life so I can use the gifts God has given me to be part of his church, his body and add my gifts to the collective of others. I commit to seeking ways to use my gifts, not waiting to be asked, but offering them to the service of the Lord. Commit with the Spirit’s help to use the gifts God has given to you. As we’ve said all week, “You have a gift…use it!”
So, if you have the gift to encourage, then give encouragement.
One with the gift of encouragement is willing to come alongside someone to support and walk with them. Perhaps you have the ability to see when someone needs a kind word, appreciation or just recognition for a job well done. If you do…use this gift often! People all around you need encouragement!
If you have the gift of giving, then give generously.
Giving to the Lord is the responsibility of every Christian. Giving the first of your income and a tenth of your income is just the regular activity of a Christian. Giving beyond that is the gift of giving. The gift of generosity enables one to give beyond their ability, at the sacrifice of some things personal, but for the advancement of the ministry of the Gospel in some way. Generosity is certainly financial, but the gift of giving can extend to a generous giving of time to serve or use of talents to help.
If you have the gift to lead, do it diligently.
Some people don’t like to be out in front. Some do. Maybe you are one of those. You are comfortable casting the vision, organizing the team, and motivating action for the kingdom of God. People look to you for direction or just affirmation that things are moving in the right direction. You are ok making decisions because often the “buck stops with you.” If this is your gift follow the lead of your Savior and find an area of ministry to lead God’s people forward with great things for the Lord!
If you have the gift to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
I think it is hard to walk in someone’s shoes, to carry their burden, and do it cheerfully. But maybe God has gifted you to do this. You are willing to help when no one else is. You are willing to lend a hand when others are too busy. You are willing to show compassion when others aren’t. And…you keep a smile on your face because you know it was for this reason God put you in a person’s life. If showing mercy is your gift, use it and do it cheerfully!
What are the gifts/tools God’s Spirit has given to you? Don’t let ignorance, business, or lack of opportunity keep you from using the gifts God has given to you. Talk to your pastor and other Christians…discover your gift. Take a look at your calendar…make time for your gifts. Take a look at the opportunities around you…and USE your gift!
Apply: Monday’s devotion had a link to a Spiritual gifts assessment. There are others, simply google “Spiritual Gifts Assessment” and try a couple. See if they share similar results. Experiment with what you find and enjoy the process of using them.
Prayer: Lord, help me see the gifts you have given and then put them to use! AMEN