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.