Make Time

Make Time

Acts 20: ¹³ We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. ¹⁴ When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. ¹⁵ The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. ¹⁶ Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

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Clearing my schedule, I started doing lots of work. Three was a huge event at work that I had to prepare for. I spent a couple of days preparing. I then went to several people to see if I got all the information right. This one day was going to be special because I made time to prepare.

• I have made time for special events.
• I have made time for special occasions.
• I have made time for special celebrations.

Paul was on a mission to make it back to Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. Perhaps he wanted to be in the place where Peter spoke so powerfully that tongues of fire appeared. Paul reserved time to remember what JESUS did when HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT.

• GOD wants me to make time for HIM.
• GOD wants me to remember HIM often.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face daily.

Making time for GOD is highly important. Unfortunately, there have been many times when HE has come second or third or tenth in my life. I mean, when it came to listening to someone preach or to set up a convention where tens of thousands would attend, I chose the convention.

People would say, “It’s only that one time” but the next and the next times came quickly. Soon, speaking about GOD was only a distant memory which eventually turned into a “fear of offending someone.” GOD wants me to worship HIM in spirit and truth. I am glad HE is always available to me in prayer.

• Are you too busy to spend time with GOD?
• Has GOD called you to do something but you are too busy?
• Will you make time for GOD today?

Limited Time

Limited Time

Acts 18: ²³ After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

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After saying the procrastinator’s credo, “I’ll get around to it” I missed another important deadline. “I have got to do better.” I said to myself. I procrastinated visiting people, registering for events and doing things that would help me grow up. When a relative was on her death bed, I vowed to see her. I made it just in time to say “I love you.” I had not talked to her in years.

• I used to think I had plenty of time.
• I used to think I could fit everything into my schedule.
• I used to think I of all the wonderful things I wanted to do, but got overwhelmed or “busy” or “too broke” to do anything.

Paul spent some time in many places speaking about the great news of JESUS. He stayed in some places longer than others when people were receptive to the HOLY SPIRIT. When he was led, he moved on so he could encourage others who professed CHRIST as their LORD and Savior.

• GOD wants me to know my time on earth is finite.
• GOD wants me to understand that I have a short time to bear fruit while I am alive.
• GOD wants me to act like this day is my last, every day.

“What would you do if you knew you had two weeks to live?” someone asked. Would you continue that argument or say I love you? How about GOD? Would you remain silent or tell about the importance of JESUS’ salvation?

Every action I do is worth something to GOD. I mean, when I lie, cheat and steal, those actions are paid for by JESUS needing to die. When I love those HE sends to me or sends me to or even my enemies, GOD values the love action and saves up a reward for me. I am grateful GOD gives me time to celebrate people by giving them the gift of HIS SON.

• What do you spend your time doing?
• Are you so busy that you have no time for GOD or for loving those HE needs you to love?
• Will you take time out of your busy schedule and use words to express the love of JESUS to someone, then go back to being an example for HIM with your actions today?

Anything with Prayer

Amos 7: This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king’s share had been harvested and just as the late crops were coming up. ² When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, “Sovereign Lord, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!”

³ So the Lord relented.

“This will not happen,” the Lord said.

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When another problem popped up I sprang into action. I had been around some very smart and confident people who seemed to be able to “think” their way out of situations, so I put my brain to the test. When my plans failed horribly I then turned to GOD.

• Sometimes I think I can outsmart my situation.
• Sometimes I think I can out-plan my situation.
• Sometimes I think I can out-finance my situation.

“If I just had a little more money” or “If I just had another lesson” or “If I just had a better car, phone or suit” then, and I would fill in the blank to my desire. I would then start acting on my plan. While this seems quite harmless there is one missing important ingredient, namely GOD.

• GOD wants me to pray to HIM before I move forward.
• GOD wants me to believe HE listens to my prayers so I must have faith in HIS decisions.
• GOD wants me to cry out to HIM in any situation, knowing HE wants what is best for me.

Even the largest situation that could have affected many people was turned back because of prayer. GOD still hears prayer. HE is listening right now waiting on my cry. I love GOD’s patience with me!

“LORD, please bless the reader right now. Let them know YOU care by handling their most difficult situation right now! Forgive! amen.

• Do you have a large situation you are facing?
• Do you feel there is no way out?
• Can you cry to the LORD and ask HIM for forgiveness today?

Precious Time

Psalm 90: ¹¹ If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
¹² Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

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“Take care of my buddy” were the words spoken of the spouse of a dying friend. Soon after I heard these words from one of GOD’s servants, “Live your life as if you only had two weeks to live” were the words I remember. I wondered how I should act if I only had two weeks left.

• If I knew I were going to stand before GOD two weeks from now I would tell everyone I met about the grace GOD has given me through JESUS.
• If I knew I were going to stand before GOD two weeks from now I would reconcile with people as best as “I” could and not worry that I met their reconciliation standards.
• If I knew I were going to stand before GOD two weeks from now I would remember what HE has done for me and prepare myself for eternal praise.

It’s amazing how much time I spend on “me.” I mean I pray about me, worry about me and scream at GOD about me. It seems so fruitless. BUT GOD has given me yet another chance.

• GOD says to me “I care about your day to day activities.”
• GOD says to me “I made you for a special purpose that only you can fulfill so spend your days wisely.”
• GOD says to me “I stand at the door and knock, if anyone will open the door, I will come in and sup with them.”

GOD wants me. The problem is sometimes, okay most times, I don’t want HIM. I take HIS love for “granted” and I think about me and the next situation. Fortunately GOD knew this and HE loves when I take a moment to turn around and thank HIM. HE even told a parable about ten blind people being healed and only one came back to thank HIM.

My days are numbered, contrary to what fitness and health advocates think. GOD knows exactly the day and hour of the end of my life. HE wants me to act as if it were tomorrow or two weeks from now. Money, time and arguments are not cares when I live life to its fullest and include GOD first.

• Are you so focused on you that you are not living for GOD?
• What is your last story of victory with GOD’s help?
• Can you get up off the ground and stop spitting out poison and speak of GOD’s wonderful blessings?
• Will you change your words of death into words of life?

Too Busy to Think

Psalm 63: ⁶ On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
⁷ Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

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Sitting in a hotel room I hung up the phone from my wake up call. I had no idea what city I was in. Sounds like amnesia or craziness doesn’t it? This particular week was a heavy travel week and I had been in three cities in as many days and I had more to visit. The schedule started early and ended late. This was my group I carted around the nation and I was in charge of the trip. “I better get my thoughts together to manage this day!” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I get extremely busy.
• Sometimes I take on a lot of work.
• Sometimes I have a pile of thoughts racing a mile a minute.

“Too busy to think” is a phrase I use when I am doing so much that I have no down time. I mean I can’t sit and process because my schedule will not allow time. I get so busy that I don’t have time to think of GOD. I don’t even have a thought if HE would mind or not if I didn’t acknowledge HIM or the things HE is doing for me. BUT GOD wants different.

• GOD wants me to spend time with HIM each and every day in order to listen to HIS direction.
• GOD wants me to “Seek HIS kingdom first” each day in order to keep my focus on what truly matters.
• GOD wants me to quiet down each day because the roaring sounds of life may cause me to worry.

GOD knows this world is full of turmoil and HE cares for me deeply. HE is the one who cursed the earth and knows exactly what I will go through. HE knows the barrage of sin coupled with blind ambition will cause me to forget HIM. HE simply wants me to slow down each day to acknowledge HIS presence. HE wants me to hear what HE has to say no matter how strange the request. Strange being HE may want me to do something that aligns with HIS word that I am too busy for.

GOD wants my time. HE even made an entire day for me to rest and it seems difficult to simply sit still and take a timeout. GOD wants me to hear HIM so I can get inside HIS shelter.

• Are you running fast?
• Are you extremely busy?
• Have you asked yourself “How is this furthering GOD’s kingdom” lately, whatever ‘this” is?
• Will you take time today to ask GOD to take your worries of “this” day away from you and stop looking at the future, which GOD owns?