Time is of the Essence

 

Ephesians 5:15-16 "Be very careful then, how you live-not as unwise, but wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Time is of the essence. The Lord placed this phrase on my heart to write about for this post. I've heard this phrase before but to be honest, I wasn't sure what it actually meant. I looked up the meaning and this is what I found. Time is of the essence is used in contracts. Two or more parties agree on a set deadline to get a job done. If one or more of the parties causes a breech of contract, because they failed to get the job done. Then they will have to deal with the consequences stated and agreed upon in the contract.  

The scripture above (Ephesians 5:15-16) comes close to this phrase. Each of us have one life to live here on earth. We need to be careful to live our lives wisely, and make the most of every opportunity. In other words each of us only have so much time to do the work that God has called us to do. None of us know how many days/years we have before God decides that our time is up on this earth.

Job14:5 "A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed."

We need to make wise choices, and stay alert and look for open doors to be an example of Jesus by our words and actions. When the Lord has placed something on our heart to do, pray about it first to make sure its from the Lord, and wait for the Lord's guidance. 

When the Holy Spirit is leading you to do it, time is of the essence. Don't wait too long, because God has a plan, that person or group of people you are to speak to, may not have much time left. They may be getting ready to make a wrong decision, or maybe they are on their deathbed.

Jesus gave us the great commission to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. In a sense this is our "contract" with the Lord. In this "contract" if we cause a breech, then the consequences that we face are missed blessings from the Lord. The Lord knows our hearts, he knows what our intent is. But, its easy to get distracted and miss what the Lord wanted us to say or do.

Matthew 28:18-20  "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

It's important to remember, everyone makes mistakes. That's why Jesus Christ died for you on the cross. He is perfect, you are not. His blood cleanses you from all of your sins, your unrighteousness. Don't allow your mistakes to keep you from doing the work that God has placed in your heart. Confess your mistakes (sins) to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. God will bring you more opportunities to serve him. 

Useful or Useless

 

Philemon 1:11 "Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me."

In this passage of scripture Paul is talking about Onesimus. Onesimus was one of Philemon's slaves who escaped to Rome. I believe that it was God's plan that Onesimus escaped to Rome, the place that Paul was being held prisoner. God used Paul to lead Onesimus to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. 

Paul referred to Onesimus as his son, because he thought of each person that he led to salvation in Jesus Christ as his children. When we are saved we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible refers to Christians as the body of Christ, a family. (1Corinthians 12:27)

Paul referred to Onesimus as formerly being useless, then he became useful. What he meant by this was he was useless because he didn't have faith in Jesus Christ yet. So, he wasn't teaching others about Jesus. After Onesimus was saved, he became useful because he was now able to teach others about the message of Jesus Christ.

God has a purpose for your life. God has gifted you with skills and natural talents. When you are saved He will also give you spiritual gifts, through his Holy Spirit. It is up to you to decide if you will be useful to others with each of your skills, talents and spiritual gifts, that God has given to you. Or if you let those skills, talents and gifts lay dormant and become useless. 

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, and to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues. All of these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

It takes time to learn what your spiritual gifts are, and how to use each gift. Some gifts you will know right away, others will take some time to manifest. Pray and ask God to direct you in the right path to find out what your gifts are, and how to use them. 

Romans 12:4-6 "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us..." 

Try not to compare yourself with other people. For example, if a friend has the gift of healing, don't allow yourself to think you aren't as important or doing very much for the Lord if your gift is faith. Each gift is important. Just as the passage in Romans 12:4-6 states, God gives gifts to each of His children to work together as one body. The body of Christ. 

You are loved by God your creator. He wants you to live a life full of peace, joy and love. He has given you the skills, talents and spiritual gifts that He has chosen just for you. Pray for God to help you learn what your spiritual gifts are, and how to use them. Pray and ask that he helps you to be useful with your gifts and talents and not useless. 

Treasure

 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7  "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

The imagery of this scripture in my mind is beautiful. God has given us (jars of clay) His light. God loves us so much he has given us the best treasure. Earthly treasure rusts and fades away. But, God's treasure is precious, eternal. 

When we acquire this treasure we need to share it with others. God's light is to be seen through us, we should be like a beacon. A beacon that draws people in, so that they will experience the love of God; that pours out from us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Sometimes, as humans its easy to get caught up in our emotions. We will have confrontations with other people who will try to extinguish the light shining in us. We need to be careful to not allow that to happen, because that is exactly what the devil would love to do to us. 

Ephesians 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

There are many treasures that God has given to us to enjoy here on earth. Don't put your trust and hope in earthly treasures, where moth and rust can destroy. Seek the most precious, eternal treasure, that we have in Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also."

Trust

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." 

How do you handle hard times?

Some mornings are just "one of those mornings!" You slept through your alarm, accidentally spilled coffee on your lap, traffic was awful and you ended up being 5 minutes late for work. Your boss gives you that "look", the look that you know you are on thin ice. How do you handle those kind of days?

What about when you experience hard times for a month, or even a year. It could be a variety of challenging things such as, you or a loved one has a major health issue, financial problems, a death of a loved one, relationship issues or being personally affected by a tragedy. How do you handle those hard times?

Trust in the Lord

The scripture above is the perfect answer. Trust in the Lord. When you trust in the Lord do it with all of your heart, and all your mind. Acknowledge God through everything and He will direct your path. If you place your trust in anyone or anything other than God, the solution to your problems will not be what you expected or hoped for.

Jeremiah 17:5  This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord."  

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."

When you trust in the Lord your life will be blessed. You will still have troubling times arise in your life, but because you trust in the Lord he will give you the strength to get through it. He will lead you in the right path of provision, protection, joy and peace.

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace when you trust in him. So that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

Seek Me

 

Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Seek God Through Prayer

God wants us to seek him. In the scripture above, it clearly says that when we seek God with all our heart we will find him. How amazing is that? God our creator, tells us how to find him! God knows your heart. He knows if you are truly seeking him, or if you are just going through the motions and not truly believing that you will hear from him. 

Seek God Through His Word

The Bible is the word of God. It has all the answers for life that we need. I have heard people say that the Bible is the greatest love story ever told. I agree, because God is love. He loves us so much, he is our Heavenly Father. Just as our earthly fathers teach us, he also teaches us how we should live, and how to gain eternal life with Him. 

1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Seek God Through Good and Bad Times

All of us will experience good times, and bad times in our lives. Some things in life are so overwhelming that we need help to get through them. God has the all the answers and gives us the strength to get through it all. We need to seek God in good times and in the bad times of our life. We should always be thankful and grateful to God each day no matter what the day brings us.

Ecclesiates 7:14 "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad consider this: God has made the one, as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future."

Seek God Instead of Yourself

A downfall for humans is we think we can fix all our problems on our own. That we don't need help from anyone else, including God. We seek for answers, but in the wrong way. We don't have the same knowledge of God. God knows what is happening in our lives now, and what will happen in the future. Don't allow pride to creep into your mind, thinking you can do everything on your own. 

Some people go to extreme measures such as seeking out mediums, psychics, and using tarot cards, but all of those are dangerous. They are all forms of witchcraft. They will lead you down the wrong path, into darkness instead of the light of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 10:4  "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God."

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride comes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Leviticus 19:31  "Do not turn to mediums or seek spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God."

Seek God through prayer and through the Bible. Seek him during good times and bad times. Don't allow pride to takeover your mind and make decisions that you may regret. God loves you, he wants you to seek him. When you seek him with all your heart, you will find him.

Most Important

Matthew 22:36-40  "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

We all have people in our life that we love, things we love to do, and places we love to go. Our first and most important love needs to be the Lord. As Christ followers we need to love the Lord before our spouse, children and other people in our life. When we spend more time with the Lord, His love will fill us and it will overflow to everyone around us. 

Colossians 3:1-2  "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."

John 15:5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. if you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing."

Keep your mind focused on things of God, not earthly things. Study and store the word of God in your heart. By doing this you will be able to live a life pleasing to God. You will be an example of Jesus to everyone around you, which will plant seeds in the hearts of others to lead them to the path of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The most important thing in your life, is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Set your heart and mind on things of God and keep God first, then everything else will fall into place.  

Wait for It

Psalm 27: 14  "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

I don't know of anyone who particularly likes to wait. It seems like there are many things in life we have to wait for. Most of us don't mind waiting for a short period of time, but I think it also depends on what we are waiting on. 

I think a lot of people don't like waiting in traffic jams, at the Dr., in checkout lines, at the BMV. Waiting on these things feels like a waste of our time. We start thinking of many other things we could be doing instead of waiting!

Some things in life are easier to wait on, such as waiting on the birth of a baby. Even though we are excited, we know that it is better for the baby to develop and grow to full term, nine months. But, what about when God makes us wait?

When we ask God for something, we don't always get an answer right away. Sometimes we have to wait for it. We have to remember that God's timing isn't our timing. We have things that we want and think we need. But, God knows what we really need. 

 2 Peter 3:8-9  "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness."

When you come to the Lord in prayer, with your requests. Pray with expectation and believe that God will answer. But, be ready to wait for it. If you don't wait on the Lord, and do it your own way. The outcome may not be what you expect. You will miss out on the blessing that God had planned for you. Just like waiting on the birth of a baby, you need to be patient and wait on your "baby". God's answer(s) to your prayers.

Waiting on God is definitely worth the wait. God's ways are not like our ways, as well as our thoughts are not like His thoughts. So, God's answers are far better than anything we could could even fathom! Pray and ask God for your needs. But, remember we may not receive our answer right away, we may need to wait for it. 

Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."