Redeeming The Time

Time seems to slip away from us so easily, yet we are called upon to focus our energy towards being disciplined and productive with our time - not just in getting things done, but in getting the right things done. We all need reminders about this often, and more than this, practical help and advice as to how to go about the task. Eph. 4:15-17 tells us, See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. The Scottish preacher Alexander MacLaren (1826–1910) once observed: "No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it." Today we are to buy back the time or redeem it, until the Lord's return. In the book of Luke we read the following. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. We are not to neglect the gifts and callings which are without repenting of. Or in other words, work diligently by faith unto the end and expand the kingdom of God by preaching the Gospel to every creature. This is Paul's advice to Timothy. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." How does one make the most of their time? Jesus said it himself in Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. We are to love God with all our being. With the promise that God will meet all our needs in Christ Jesus. I said needs and not wants. Phillipians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Psalm 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. We are in the good hands of God. He will not fail, nor forsake us at any point. Every place where we adventure to he has already given it to us. Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. There is no lack to them that fear him. Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. God is our salvation and protection. There is a true story of one unit of United States soldiers who read Psalm 91 daily together. Not one of them died as result of combat during World War 1. A few died of non combat sickness, but not one perished in combat from the enemy's hands. Here is Psalm 91 in it's entirety. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge

and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. We are to cast all our care upon God because he cares for us. The very hairs on our heads are numbered. God named all the trillions of stars by name. This God is more powerful than anything created or is known to be since before time began. Surely he can be trusted and counted on to help with all with our problems and concerns. The good news is even if you do not know him as Lord of your life you can. As long as you are willing to trust and obey him, then he will be your Saviour. We all must believe and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. No exceptions to this rule. The thief on the cross died before Jesus died and arose again. Jesus had the power to forgive sins while on the earth. Since the day of Pentecost all are required by their active faith to repent, and then be baptized in the name of Jesus solely. Which is for the remission of sins. Paul was told to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus to wash away his sins. And it is through his faith he obeyed. Many discount and disregard baptism. Now Jesus walked 70 miles to have it done by John at the Jordan. He did so to fulfill all righteousness. If you want to do the righteous things of God, you will indeed be saved by faith in baptism. We read throughout the Gospels it was done only in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Read the book of Acts chapters 2 through 22. In fact read Paul's letters to the saved Churches. He advocates baptism in Jesus name alone. No title or description of God ever healed, saved, or cast out a demon. But the name of Jesus does. Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Lastly, John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The scriptures tell us that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be established. Jesus name is the family name. These scriptures support this: Ephesians 3:15, John 5:43/14:26, and Matthew 1:21. You alone must save yourself from this untoward or ungodly generation. Nobody can be saved without the grace of God that is shown at Calvary through the cross; or without their own active faith as their response to his invitation to eternal life, which is given without charge. Have a blessed day in the Lord Jesus Christ!