Valuable Time

Valuable Time

1 Peter 1: ¹⁷ You call him Father, when you pray to God, who judges all people by the same standard, according to what each one has done; so then, spend the rest of your lives here on earth in reverence for him. ¹⁸ For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed, such as silver or gold; ¹⁹ it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw. ²⁰ He had been chosen by God before the creation of the world and was revealed in these last days for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God, who raised him from death and gave him glory; and so your faith and hope are fixed on God.

 

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Having a lot to do, I began my work. “Come to this event” was a challenge posed to me. I asked who would be there. But he insisted that I attend. I spent time driving to the event only to find out it was not what presented to me.

 

• I felt that I had been tricked.
• I felt upset that I could have been doing something more valuable with my time.
• I felt I wasted my time going to an event that had nothing to do with what I was working on.

 

Peter tried to present CHRIST to everyone in terms of “value.” He provides sage advice to consider how precious JESUS is to the living versus only thinking of HIM as a being who prevents us from Hell. He suggests that everyone spend the rest of life in reverence of GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Life can bring on challenges that require time, BUT GOD deserves much more of my time.
• Trying to sustain a place to live, clothes on my back and food to eat can take time, BUT GOD should be thought of before I think of myself.
• Pleasure can take time, BUT GOD is the one I should seek before I seek pleasure.

 

Valuing GOD can be difficult in a cynical world. I mean, when other people place value on the acquisition of things or the knowledge of humans, GOD can look like a magical genie who is made up to grant human wishes. This is a false presentation of the MOST HIGH.

 

GOD is the all powerful, all knowing being who is everywhere. HE is the creator who has no beginning and no end. HIS SON is the only way we can even believe in GOD. I gladly give my time in reverence of HIM.

 

Challenge

• What value is the writer trying to portray?
• What are your pursuits?
• Are they more valuable to you than your relationship with JESUS?
• Will you seek GOD’s kingdom through belief in JESUS, who died for your sins and has been raised from the dead to guide you to a better life today?

Sacred Authority

Sacred Authority

Hebrews 7: ²⁰ In addition, there is also God's vow. There was no such vow when the others were made priests. ²¹ But Jesus became a priest by means of a vow when God said to him,

“The Lord has made a solemn promise
    and will not take it back:
‘You will be a priest forever.’”

²² This difference, then, also makes Jesus the guarantee of a better covenant.

 

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When a peer became my boss, I did not recognize it. I mean, this guy did not know as much  as “me”, nor was he talented. I ignored his meeting invites and his attempts to “tell me what to do.” After a while, his boss asked me to listen to him.

 

• I did not recognize his authority.
• I rejected his title over me.
• I did not believe I could receive any consequence to ignoring his authority.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, get’s serious about the authority of JESUS. GOD made a vow that JESUS would be a priest forever, unlike humans who were born into the priesthood or ordained by other humans. This priesthood is unlike human priesthood because it holds all things sacred to GOD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave JESUS all authority to uphold holiness.
• I can choose to ignore the importance of holiness, BUT GOD loves when I embrace it.
• My sin nature abhors GOD’s holiness, BUT JESUS fixed my relationship with HIM.

 

Being a priest represents upholding sacred things to GOD. Unfortunately, human priests have taken advantage of the position with their own sinful lusts. This weakens how humans see what is important to GOD. BUT GOD made a vow that JESUS would be a priest forever. HE and HE alone can uphold all things sacred to GOD.

 

One important thing that JESUS did for me and you is provide forgiveness for sins. Ignoring the importance of this sacred act does not diminish its importance. JESUS is the official being who is allowed to forgive. I gladly bow to HIS authority.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer explain “a better covenant?”
• Have you ever questioned the authority of JESUS or anyone who is in charge?
• Will you recognize the authority of JESUS and learn what is sacred to GOD so you can follow HIM today?

Time for Faith

Time for Faith

Galatians 3: ²³ But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed. ²⁴ And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith. ²⁵ Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.

 

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Tired of things going wrong in my life, I felt like giving up, but where was I to turn? Bars and hanging out had lost its luster. “There has got to be something more to life than this!” I said to myself. As I walked into my apartment building, a neighbor said “What church do you go to?” “Here we go again with that question” I thought. But I could not stop thinking about it.

 

• I had no place to put my hope.
• I had turned away from GOD and labeled everyone a hypocrite.
• I had tried to do things under my own power and sometimes it worked, but I still had troubles.

 

Paul gives everyone a short history lesson. Before JESUS was born as a human to die for our sins, the Law was given to govern the relationship with GOD. The Law was like giving a toddler a lit match with a choice to light an explosive or a candle. Rules made out of explosives were used to guide everyone to the candle. People failed at following the Law.

 

My Observations

• When I see myself falling into the trap of hopelessness, GOD wants me to have faith.
• When I am in a situation that seems like there is no way out, GOD wants me to see HIM as the answer.
• When I fail, fall down, or fall apart, GOD wants me to believe in JESUS as my Savior in this life and the next.

 

Seasons come and go. Sometimes high, sometimes low. BUT GOD wants me to be stable so I can face the highs and lows with confidence that I am not alone. JESUS changed everything. HE put all of humanity right with GOD as long as faith in HIM is placed above everything.

 

JESUS wants me to know it is time for me to place my faith in HIS way and let go of trying to be perfect as the Law says I should be. I am glad I am released from the Law so I can have hope in the middle of my failures.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer speak about different periods of time?
• Have you ever become exhausted by trying hard to “please” GOD?
• Will you accept HIS perfect gift for you and believe JESUS cares about your life on earth and eternity?

Make Time

 

Make Time

Acts 26: ²⁴ At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

 

²⁵ “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. ²⁶ The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

 

²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

 

²⁹ Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

 

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After attending the meeting, I realized I would now have to work seven days a week to keep up. I mean, the pressure of the job required constant thinking to resolve issues right away. Soon, all of my conversations were centered around work. Even at the dinner table, work spewed out of my mouth. I had no time for anything else.

 

• One period of my life was spent worrying about money.
• One period of my life was spent dealing with life’s pressures.
• One period of my life was spent giving my all to those who demanded my time and giving none to those who needed it.

 

Festus interrupts Paul’s defense, saying he was “out of his mind.” Paul replied by appealing to King Agrippa by asking if he “believed.” King Agrippa questioned Paul by asking “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul was willing to make time, short or long, to persuade the king and everyone around to believe in JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to make time for HIM.
• GOD wants me to hope that everyone I come in contact with, believe in JESUS as our Savior.
• GOD wants me to see more opportunities to talk about JESUS than I used to.

 

Time is precious. I mean it can be spent on doing something that makes me great amongst humans or I can point my life to JESUS who deserves to be called Great. I can never get time back once I’ve spent it.

 

GOD loves when I spend time learning about HIM and loves it more when I take what I’ve learned and teach someone else about HIM. Short time or long, I pray that every reader believe in JESUS in a saving way.

 

• Are you too busy for GOD?
• Do you stay busy so you can be noticed by humans?
• Will you stop seeking to be noticed and start making time to speak about JESUS to many people today?

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?

There is a Difference

Ezekiel 44: ²³ They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

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“Don’t go behind the pulpit” was a statement that struck fear in me as a child in a church I attended. I thought something would happen to me so I figured I would put it to the test. I stuck my hand behind the place where the preacher would speak and nothing happened, although I quickly removed it because I did not want to take any chances. Soon I was bold enough to walk back and forth behind it and make silly faces at it.

• Many times I have taken something sacred and turned it common.
• Many times I have looked at holy things as common.
• Many times I have treated something that should be holy as a thing that can be used like any other thing.

After growing up, I noticed churches were treating their places as common places looking very similar to any other place that had a crowd. I thought this was the norm and quickly fell in line. BUT GOD wanted me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to treat HIM as HOLY not common.
• GOD wants me to prepare myself before I enter HIS sanctuary of prayer and worship.
• GOD wants me to take some time to stop doing my everyday stuff and to have some sacred time between HIM and I.

GOD said to Moses “Take off your sandals for you are on sacred ground.” This intrigued me. I mean why was the dirt over there common and the dirt he was on sacred? The answer is GOD declared it.  GOD declares sacred times, namely the Sabbath. HE declares sacred places, namely prayer closets and churches. HE even declares sacred words, namely HIS message to us in the Bible.

It is up to me to see that there is a difference between holy and common, I don’t mean in a phony legalistic way. GOD wants me to lower my glossy eyes on common things like the new gadget and place them on heavenly things like GOD’s growing kingdom. HE wants me to see a difference in the common and the holy and teach others to hold GOD up in the highest regard.

• Are you treating GOD as common?
• Is nothing sacred in your life?
• Can you set aside some sacred time between you and GOD?