Making the Most of Our (GOD’s) Time

“Goodness! Where did the time go?”

I’m always “losing” time, it seems to slip through my fingers unnoticed, leaving behind a fistful of unfinished business.

Everyone gets the same twenty-four hours in a day. No exceptions! Take one-third to sleep and recharge and there’s still sixteen hours left for work, ministry and recreation. Even so we can come to the end of our day feeling let down by time because we haven’t done everything we had planned to do.

But if we’re being honest, we must admit that time isn’t the problem. We are. We’re not losing time, we’re giving it away, mis-managing it. We’re being poor stewards of the minutes and hours that GOD gives us daily, and this cannot be pleasing to Him.  

Our heavenly Father cares about time.

GOD cares about our stewardship of time. We know this because His WORD tells us so: Pay careful attention, then, to how you live—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 CSB.

The WORD is very specific. It is GOD’s will that we manage our time well. Why? Time is a gift GOD allotted to each of us to do His will here on earth. We who are the body of CHRIST must be diligent about our Father’s business, and pay careful attention, then, to how you live.

Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary on Ephesians 5:15-17 says in part that, Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design.

Instead of asking where did the time go, we must ask am I spending my time wisely; am I honoring GOD in how I use my time.

Our time is our life.

Time is a gift from God, just as life is a gift. It’s a package deal, we don’t get one without the other. To undervalue our time is to undervalue our lives.

Pastor and author Andrew Murray (1828 – 1917) said, a day is a link in the “chain” that represents our entire lives, “…the single days do indeed make up the whole, and that the value of each single day depends on its influence on the whole. One day lost is a link broken in the chain, which it often takes more than another day to mend. 

Once a day is over, you do not get a recall. If you miss the opportunity to make good use of any day, you’re operating at a deficit. Catching up is hard! Time moves in but one direction, forward.

In our time management, as in all of life, GOD gives us the freedom to choose. A believer ought to choose with a single purpose in mind, to glorify the Father.

We may fall short but we can get back on track. Start each day with prayer and scripture meditation and take as many such breaks as you feel the need to during the day. This is by far the wisest use of our time if it will help us to making GOD-honoring choices and decisions. Prayer and meditation on GOD’s WORD will refocus our passions and GOD will always endorse what honors Him.

Pray for GOD to:

• remove tendencies toward procrastination and idleness. (James 4:17; Prov 10:4)
• reveal His specific will for your life. (Prov 3:5-6)
• give you wisdom to make good decisions. (James 1:5)
• strengthen your eternal perspective so you can put off worldly desires. (2 Cor 4:18)
• give you a divine appreciation for your own unique gifts and talents so you don’t become discouraged by other’s abilities and success. (Eph 2:10)

We are God’s people, and we are to be about his business…Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.  From Max Lucado’s “God Is With You Every Day” devotional.  

Live each day the Ephesians 5:15-17 way:

• Make wise choices
• Make every minute of time count
• Make the will of GOD your focus

We each have a unique place and purpose in our Father’s Kingdom so our days are not going to look the same. However, we each have one task in common for every day, that is to fully embrace and enjoy each new day our Heavenly Father gives to us. (Psalm 118:24)

GOD give us all things to enjoy, time included!!

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Omniscient Father and GOD, thank you for choosing us to enjoy Your precious gift of time and for teaching us its value to the Kingdom. Give us wisdom to know and do Your will and forgive us for self-indulgences that do not benefit Your Holy Church. Thank You for answered prayers and Your WORD that tests our hearts and changes our desires. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. In the name of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Thank GOD for His Presence – Pt. 2

The Bible has a warning for believers “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him…” 1 Peter 5:8.

You have an enemy, the devil, whose job it is to destroy the testimony of as many believers as he can. But you can resist his attempts to lure you into disobeying your Father. 

Be aware always that you belong to the LORD; your body is His temple where He lives and everything you do must represent His character to the rest of the world. Examine your thought life. Thoughts become actions. Does your lifestyle grieve or glorify GOD; demean your faith and give the heathens reasons to mock, or draw people out of their darkness towards the light and truth of the gospel?

Making careless lifestyle choices because you know that GOD will not withhold forgiveness is an insult to His grace.

“Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Romans 6:1-2

The throne of grace is not a get-out-of-trouble-with-GOD tool to be abused. One cannot truly love the Father and think this way. In light of what JESUS did for you, you ought to be doing all in the power He makes available to you (not your own) to live the life He purchased for you. The Bible warns us not to “grieve God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live…. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.” (Ephesians 4:29-32)

Yes, GOD does know you will sin but your sin still causes Him great sorrow (grief), more especially when it is a continuing and deliberate choice. Your sin hurts GOD because it shows a lack of faith and belief in Him and causes needless pain and suffering to you and others He loves. No one sins in a vacuum, and sinful acts do not glorify GOD. Believers are to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

GOD wants you to come to the throne of grace for help to keep from sin. GOD already knows the intent of your heart so it is to your benefit to do a daily self-examination and take your plans, desires, doubts, fears and recurring temptations to His throne of grace. Ask GOD for wisdom and courage to help you resist the devil. His strength is perfect in your weakness. GOD is faithful to answer any honest prayers that are according to His will.

Some may ask, but how can I know GOD’s will? That’s easy – read your Bible, His WORD. It’s where we learn who GOD is and what He expects from His children. To go back to Ephesians 4:29-32 – these Scripture verses are specific about what things one must get rid of: all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.”

There’s nothing new under the sun and nothing surprises GOD. Whatever temptations you face the WORD will guide and support you in overcoming it. Your Bible is GOD’s rule book for godly living. Know what it says so you can pray it back to GOD as you petition Him for help. GOD cannot deny Himself when you bring His own WORDs of life to Him.

 “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 CSB

While King David was thrilled to know that GOD so loved him as to be always occupied by all of David's thoughts and actions, he was troubled that he was capable of human failings that could grieve the heart of GOD. So, He petitioned GOD for help in keeping his heart and thoughts pure for the rest of his life: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

GOD knew all of David’s ways (Psalm 139:1-4) and was still able to say about him: “I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.” Acts 13:22.

Your GOD and Father is also intimately acquainted with all of your ways.  What would you like Him to testify about you?

Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 CSB

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Omniscient Father, GOD of mercy and grace, thank YOU that YOUR presence never leaves us. Forgive us when we stray and choose our own way and thank YOU for making it possible for us to be restored in our walk with YOU and our faith through YOUR SON. Thank YOU for the WORD that teaches us and changes our desires so we choose YOUR will over ours. Thank YOU, Father for patiently loving us and nurturing us unto eternity. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray in the name of JESUS, our LORD and Savior. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Thank GOD for His Presence – Pt. 1

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. ...where can I flee from Your presence?” Psalm 139:1-4, 7

Depending on your current relationship with GOD, a reading of these scripture verses written by King David (Psalm 139) will either warm your heart or make you uneasy.

We naturally feel remorse when we our actions hurt the people we love. 

Do you say you love GOD but continue to make life choices that grieve Him? If so, being reminded that GOD is an omniscient being (all-knowing, all-seeing, all-wise) who knows your every thought and action ought to make you uneasy.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable:” Hebrews 4:13 reminds us also of GOD’s omniscience but tells us in addition that everyone answers to Him for their actions. However, for those who have the right to be called children of GOD (John 1:12), the Father Himself gives you absolution so you can escape eternal damnation and death.

You have a great High Priest Who chose to bear all your sin before GOD, so you don’t have to. Hebrews 4:14-15

JESUS lived here on earth as the GOD Man Who was tempted in all the ways you were but He never sinned.  Fully righteous, with no stain of sin, JESUS went to the cross as the perfect Lamb of GOD to atone for the sin of the world. The moment you repented of your sin and trusted in JESUS as Savior and LORD, you were reconciled back to GOD and are now His righteousness in CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:21.)

But even in His righteousness, you’re vulnerable to sin while in the world. You mess up. You think and behave in ways that are inappropriate for a child of GOD. Scripture declares we all sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8.) The great New Testament teacher and apostle Paul admitted that he struggled to do what was right over what pleased his flesh. But Paul found assurance in GOD’s promise of his eternal deliverance as one united with CHRIST. (Romans 7: 19-25.)

GOD will deliver you too.

CHRIST JESUS is the open door through which believers can boldly approach GOD’s throne of grace when they fall. "...approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. 

Christian author Robert J. Morgan defines the terms mercy and grace used here this way:

“Mercy is God’s attitude of forgiveness in not giving us what we do deserve. Grace is His attitude of blessing and benevolence in giving us what we do not deserve.”

GOD has but one response to your honest repentance – forgiveness. But then GOD does what a loving parent does when their child shows true remorse and repents for disobedience. He enfolds you in His loving embrace – His grace.

Grace that gently and patiently encourages you to do better next time; grace that lovingly and with compassion reaffirms your position as a loved and cherished part of His family; grace that opens the storehouse to all the richness of your Father’s provision to you for the asking, and as you need it. 

More than any earthly father, GOD wants you to experience the best life, not just now, but for all eternity. As a part of His Body, the Church, GOD is after your eternal soul. He wants to present you to Himself without spot or wrinkle, holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:27)

And you have the ability to be intentional in making godly choices (Romans 6.)

In CHRIST JESUS you can.

“…consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to GOD in CHRIST JESUS.” Romans 6:11

To be continued...

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Omniscient Father of mercy and grace, we thank YOU for your continuing presence in our lives. Forgive us when we stray from YOUR goodness and go our own way. Thank YOU for YOUR loving-kindness and JESUS our High Priest by Whom we can be reconciled with YOU. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray in the name of JESUS, our LORD and Savior. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Happy New Year 2020!

“For I am about to do something new.”  Isaiah 43:19

In Isaiah 43:1-17 GOD is reminding Israel of the many wonderful and miraculous acts He’s done and describes some others He will do: He chose them over richer and more powerful Nations; He rescued them from exile and slavery in Egypt; He’s fought battles for them and will deliver them from every adversity; He’s going to return the diaspora to the promised land...and more.

But then GOD says something that should give you and me pause: “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new…” Isaiah 43:18-19

The old is gone...embrace the new

Matthew Henry’s Commentary tells us that Isaiah 43 is looking far beyond GOD’s miraculous acts on Israel’s behalf then to “the great work of man’s redemption by Jesus Christ, and the grace of the gospel, which through Him believers partake of.”

Isaiah 43:25 supports this, “I (GOD)—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”

The blotting out of sin, total forgiveness, came to us through CHRIST’s atonement – His death on the cross and resurrection; the greatest of all miracles, no comparison. And GOD did it for the same reason He kept rescuing Israel. Love!

"Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you." Isaiah 43:4

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8

As you enter this new year, fret not about things past. Despite yesterday’s failures, GOD’s plan for you is relevant today and everyday of your life. If you belong to GOD, He authored that plan and He is able to finish that which He started. 

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where GOD is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever." 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Message (MSG)

Stay in the game…GOD gives grace for each new day!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: All glory and honor to the KING of kings and LORD of lords. For He has done great things for us and we are glad! Father, we thank you for the miraculous exchange which provided us with a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for despair. Thank YOU for YOUR great grace that forgave our failures in 2019 and we look forward with great excitement and anticipation to each new day of year 2020. In the name of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD. Amen

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!

“…She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

On December 25, Christians everywhere will gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of CHRIST, our LORD and Savior. Often, there’ll be someone among us for whom CHRIST is totally absent from CHRISTmas. Someone who's there just to enjoy some good food, the excitement of the gift exchange and the general camaraderie. 

How about taking this opportunity to make this Christmas a truly life-altering experience for that someone? Find a quiet moment and place to tell them about the real reason for the celebration – JESUS, GOD’s indescribable Gift to the world (Ephesians 2:4-5). Talk honestly about your own personal experience and how vastly different your life would be but for GOD and His SON. 

Lead them gently down the “Roman road:”

Tell them that–

• We are all sinful, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23
• Our sin condemns us to an eternity without GOD’s love but GOD would rather we have that love and did something about it on our behalf. “…the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of GOD is eternal life in CHRIST JESUS our LORD”. Romans 6:23
• No one has to clean up first to be accepted into GOD’s Family – we never could. A loving GOD and Father decided to save us by sending His sinless SON to die for all sin. “But GOD demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. Romans 5:8
• All the Father asks is that we believe the Scriptures, confess that we’ve sinned and receive His free grace. “if you confess with your mouth JESUS as LORD, and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Unwrap for someone the most priceless Christmas gift of all - CHRIST JESUS and His righteousness unto eternal life.

Do this in the spirit of the season – do this with love!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, thank you for sending the CHRIST Child to give us new birth and new life with YOU. With gratitude we rejoice and add our praise with the heavenly hosts, “Glory to GOD in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom GOD is pleased.”  In JESUS’ NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Give Thanks All Year

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1); Always use the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST to thank GOD the Father for everything. (Ephesians 5:20)

An estimated 55 million people in the U.S. will take to the air and roads this week to be with family on Thanksgiving Day .

Thanksgiving is the one American Holiday when people will fly or drive across the country to reunite with close relations and rekindle familial bonds. Throw in the traditional turkey dinner with all the usual trimmings and a football game on TV and you have a traditional American Thanksgiving. For parents and grandparents, especially, to have the entire family under the same roof all at once, (for some in the same city or state) is more than enough to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving ought to be much more for the children of GOD. This season should remind us of all the many miraculous ways that GOD has worked, and continues to work, in our lives. We must make thanksgiving a year-round lifestyle.

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation…. Psalm 79:13.

No matter the season, our thanksgiving is offered to our GOD and Father – our sacrificial worship for all eternity.

Too often in our prayer we thank GOD for our creature comforts only – food, clothing, shelter, our new car, children’s health and academic progress, careers, etc. Without question, GOD is our Good Shepherd who provides these things for us and our loved ones. But there’s much more.

GOD gave us many Bible verses to inspire us to more thoughtful and meaningful ways to thank Him throughout the year. Here are a few.

Thank GOD because:

• He’s CREATOR of everything and it’s all good. (Genesis 1) “Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of GOD and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5
• His LOVE is perfect and enduring. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
• He gives GRACE for life and godly living. “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in CHRIST JESUS. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge.” 1 Corinthians 1:4
• He SATISFIES our every need. “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9

Thank GOD anytime and in all circumstances.

• In our private or corporate prayer and worship settings. – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4
• As we engage in our daily tasks and leisure activities, and raise families. – “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
• In good times and bad. – “Give thanks in everything, for this is GOD’s will for you in CHRIST JESUS.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18;
• As overwhelmed and troubled. – “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in CHRIST JESUS.” Philippians 4:6-7
• Feeling inadequate and unable to cope. – “But thanks be to GOD! He gives us the victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

From Genesis to Revelation we have learnt that GOD works all things together for the joy and deliverance of His people but ultimately for His glory and His Name. So even when life is hardest for us, we continue to give thanks to GOD. “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.” Psalm 50:23.

We obey His commands for thanksgiving, not just for our good, but for His Glory!

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your Name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we acknowledge you as GOD Most High, Creator of Heaven and earth and everything on it. You are perfect and you do all things well; we thank you that every good and perfect gift come from you. We thank You because You are holy, all wise and all good; we thank You for Your perfect plan ordained before the beginning of time and the indescribable gift of JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR and LORD that gives us victory over sin and eternal life with You. Teach us to love You only and obey Your word. To you, Father, be dominion and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Some Things are Inevitable

I was walking through my neighborhood this morning and was just past this tree when something made me stop and take a step back.

As you can see from the picture this tree has already lost more than half of its leaves. But it seemed to me that this poor tree was fighting with everything to hold on to what was left, trying to prevent the inevitable even as one leaf after another broke away and fell to the ground as I watched.

And a thought came to mind, this is how we must look in GOD’s eyes in our foolish and prideful struggles to hold on to things that are useless and dead rather than yield to His will and plan to give us the Kingdom.  

Thank GOD, our Father knows who belong to Him and Whose will prevails in the end. So, He waits patiently, knowing that it’s only a matter of time before we wear ourselves out, come to our senses like the prodigals we are, let go of the rot and accept our divine fate.

Then, GOD will be right there waiting to take us into His season of rest, restoration and renewal – just as will happen with this tree.

The Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you… Isaiah 30:18

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back this Sunday!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, YOU wait to give us the Kingdom because it pleases YOU to do so, for YOUR Name and YOUR glory. We give thanks to YOU who have all dominion and power for ever and ever. In JESUS Name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile