THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE — Why is it that time drags when you want it to pass quickly and flies when you need more of it? It's not very cooperative!
Time is the great equalizer. We all have the same amount of it. 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.
Today people are realizing that time is more important than money. Money is a renewable resource -- there are always places to get more of it. Time is a limited resource.
You only have a certain allotment of time in your life. When it's used up ... that's it! YOUR TIME IS YOUR LIFE. When you give someone your money, you've given them something that you can replace. When you give someone your time, you've given them a part of your life. This means "time management" is really "life management." The Bible has this to say:
"Live life with a due sense of responsibility ... as people who know the meaning of life ... Make the best use of your time. Don't be vague but grasp firmly what you know to be the will of God." (Ephesians 5:15-17 PH) I'd summarize these verses this way:
1. ANALYZE YOUR LIFESTYLE!
Be aware of where your time is going.
2. UTILIZE THE PRESENT!
Make the most of this moment.
3. RECOGNIZE WHAT'S IMPORTANT!
Focus on priorities that last.
A question to consider as you work this week: "How much of what I'm doing right now is going to count ten years from now ... 50 years from now ... or for longer?"
You have just enough time to fulfill God's purpose of your life. If you "can't get it all done" it means (1) You're doing things God never intended for you to do, or (2) You're doing the right thing in the wrong way.
A PRAYER: "God help me to manage my time wisely this week."
Opening Questions — Get Us Thinking:
·Did you ever get your mouth washed out with soap?
·What were your parents rules about language in your home?
Living as Children of Love—Ephesians 5:1-21
1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.a6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Research Questions — “Dig Deeper” to find God’s Will
1.Ephesians was known for sexual immorality. The Temple of Diana had 300 prostitutes. Sexual pleasure was part of the “religion” of the city. How does the apostle Paul confront this pagan culture?
2.What is the standard Paul sets for Christians in verses 1 and 8? What does verse 6 say about resisting “peer pressure”?
3.What does it mean to be light? (9-20)
4.What is the difference between “foolish talk or course joking” (4) and a good belly-laugh? Between the “fruitless deeds of darkness” (11) and good clean fun?
5.How far should we go in “having nothing to do with … darkness? (11)
6.Paul tells us that jesting about immorality is not “fitting” for saints. Why? What is wrong with humor that deals with immortality?
7.What contrasts does Paul draw between the old and the new life in (15-21)? What sights, sounds, feelings, attitudes and actions define this new life?
8.What does set apart a Spirit-filled church? (18)
Reflective Questions — Live it today.
1.As you look back over your life since becoming a Christian, what positive changes have you seen in your motives and desires?
2.As you compare the life that you lived before Christ to the life you live today, where have you seen the greatest change? In your language? Your desires? Your values? The way you treat your spouse? Your children?
3.How does this equip us be a better disciple and help empower us to “make disciples”?
A young minister, when about to begin a career in ministry, stated, that, at one period of his life, he was nearly an infidel. "But," said he, "there was one argument in favor of Christianity which I could never refute -- the consistent conduct of my father."
In The first three chapters of Ephesians, we saw how God fulfilled his eternal purpose. Now, in these last three chapters, we are continuing to learn practical ways that we can fulfill God’s purpose in the Church. Today we are in Ephesians 4:29-5:14.
This section builds on the previous two by adding piety as a true response of the church to God because of His blessings. (Ephesians 5:15-21)
Life's Daily Pages
Give God your best
God made you for a
reason and he expects you to make the most of what you've been given. He
doesn't want you to worry about or covet abilities that you don't have. Instead
he wants you to focus on talents he has given you to use.
When you attempt to
serve God in ways that you're not very talented to serve, it feels like forcing
a square peg into a round hole. It's frustrating and produces limited results.
It also wastes your time, talent, and energy.
The best use of
your life is to serve God out of your God given abilities. To do this you must
reflect on what God has given you resources to do, learn to accept and enjoy
it, and then develop it to God’s fullest potential.
The Bible says, "Don't
act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." (Ephesians
5:17 NLT) Don't let another day go by. Start finding out and clarifying
what God intends for you to be and do.
Begin by assessing
your Godly gifts and spiritual abilities. Take a long, honest look at what
spiritual service you are good at and what you're not good at. Paul advised, "Be
honest in your evaluation of yourselves ...." (Romans 12:3b NLT)
Make a list. Ask
other very spiritual people for their candid opinion. Tell them you're
searching for the truth, not fishing for a compliment. Spiritual gifts and natural
abilities are always a blessing to God's people.
If you think you
are gifted to be a teacher or a singer and no else agrees, guess what? If you
want to know if you have the gift of leadership, just look over your shoulder!
If no one is following you, you're not a leader.
Ask questions like
these: Where have I seen fruit in my life that other people confirmed? Where
have I already been successful in bringing glory to God?
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