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June 21, 2024
- By Ed Powell
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"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16
Time is valuable. Some people think they have all the time in the world, and live like it. Many waste their time, squander their hours, kill time, idle away their days. Time cannot be replaced; once it is passed, it is gone forever. We cannot go back and retrieve time or relive moments that are gone. Time is one commodity we cannot buy, sell, or barter; it can only be "invested." How well you invest your time sets the course of your life. The psalmist said, "Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Everyone needs to be awakened to the fact that time is fleeting, life is brief, and eternity is forever. Two of the saddest words we use are, "if only." If only I had made a different decision. If only I had spent more time with my children. If only I had not spoken the way I did. If only I could live that moment over again. If only I could just start over, how different I would be! Time spent unwisely...opportunities we let slip by...words spoken foolishly and in haste. How we wish we could retrieve so many things that consumed our time in damaging and unfruitful ways. We are not to live merely for the moment; rather, we should live each moment wisely. "Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."
Before the children of Israel crossed over Jordan into Canaan, Joshua had this to say unto them: "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." Israel needed to focus their hearts on a higher priority. You say, "What could be a higher priority than going into the promised land?" They needed to "separate themselves" anew to God and make sure their hearts were clean and committed to Him alone. It was "time to consecrate themselves unto God." We are ever seeking the blessing of God, but we neglect what must come first, the "consecrating of ourselves to God." How prone we are, in our zeal and enthusiasm, to rush into decisions or situations BEFORE we separate ourselves to Him and let the Lord prepare us for the task. Spending time with God is the most valuable way we can invest our time. We need to enter into the "secret place of His tabernacle" as David did, and seek the mind of the Lord to prepare us for our spiritual journey, and to face the encounters that confront us each day.
Paul wrote to Timothy, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness, for bodily discipline is only of little profit. But godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." What are the results of spending "time with the Lord?" God will enable us to accomplish things beyond our ability. You will come to know the Lord intimately, as in no other way. It will establish you in the truth and will enable you to grow in grace. Time invested "consecrating ourselves before God" is not an option for the committed believer...IT IS IMPERATIVE if our lives are going to be fruitful and used for His glory. The vessel must be clean for the Holy Spirit to flow freely and fully in and through us. He must have priority in all things.
© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.
This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2024-06-21
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