Time
Psalms 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Time is the most precious commodity we have.
We each have the same minutes, hours, days, weeks, months & year to work with.
All of us have a piece of time that has been committed to our charge. Some people manage time well and accomplish much. Others squander & waste the time they have, accomplishing little.
I.) It may seem as though we have all the time in the world
Psalms 39:4 “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.”
Young people might think: Because I am young, because I have my whole life ahead of me. Time does not appear to be as valuable as it really is. (I have all the time in the world).
But the reality is time is short and it is so valuable.
James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
1 Peter 1:24 “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:”
These verses suggest time is short and that we have a limited amount of time that we need to take advantage of.
e.g. Banks / Lenders not only look for assets but actually the most valuable commodity you have is your ability to earn income. The time in the future to work and make money to repay those loans.
II.) What does the passing of time tell?
Whether you wasted it or not
Isaiah 55:2 “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”
***Luke 12: 16-21 The Rich Fool***
John 6:27 “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”
Matthew 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Ex: Those moments in your life when you step aside and reflect back. Where has time gone? What have I done with that time?
Ex: People on their death beds. Some with regret, others at peace having done what they could. (Paul said “I am ready”)
III.) Enjoy the special moments God gives you
Time moves quickly and many events cannot be brought back. So cherish them while they are here.
Ill: Your children won’t be small much longer
Your grandchildren
Your wife/husband
Your parents/family
Romans 1:8 & 11 “… I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all…” “For I long to see you…”
IV.) Make time for Christ and your family
Too many people look back and wish they had served the Lord.
Too many people wish they had spent more time with their family.
2 Timothy 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
Use care in managing your time. Know your limits. Stick to your priorities.
V.) Now is the time to serve God
Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;”
Ephesians 5:16-17 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
Romans 13:11 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
Find time for doing good Find time for the Lord, for church, for prayer, for bible study, for witnessing. Serve God while you have time and the strength to do so.
John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”
VI.) Why waste time on foolish things?
Luke 15:13 “…wasted his substance with riotous living.”
So many people waste the time God has given them. Families who pass their time arguing, holding grudges and bitterness toward each other. Those who waste their time on sin (Bars, drugs, party life) Use your time for good
Proverbs 31:18 & 27 (the virtuous women) “..her candle goeth not out by night.” “She…eateth not the bread of idleness.”
Acts 9:36 & 39 (Dorcas) “… this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.”
“…and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”
What a testimony to have at your funeral. To have people testifying of all the good you did while you were alive. Rather then wasting your time use your time for good.
***Matthew 25:14-21 Using what God has given us***
What are you doing with the precious talent of time that God have given each one of us?
VII.) Observations of Time
The older you get the faster it moves.
The older you get the more valuable time becomes.
Time always tell whether the path you chose was right or wrong (take God’s advice and follow him. His way is time tested).
Time always shows what was really valuable (It’s not money or possessions)
Time tells if we are truly committed to the Lord (or just a passing trend or phase in our life).
Time always proves God to be right.
Time
I have only just a minute,
only sixty seconds in it,
forced upon me –
can’t refuse it, didn’t seek it,
didn’t choose it, but it’s up to me to use it.
I must suffer if I lose it,
give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny little minute but eternity is in it!
Be good, get good,
and do good.
Do all the good you can;
to all the people you can;
in all the ways you can;
as often as you can;
as long as you can.
What Really Counts!
Don’t tell me what you’ll do,
When you have time to spare.
Tell me what you did today
To ease a load of care.
Don’t tell me what you will give
When your ship comes in from far sea;
Tell me what you gave today
A fettered soul to free.
Don’t tell me the dreams you have
Of conquest still afar;
Don’t say what you hope to be,
But show me what you are.