Time: December 6, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 6, 2012.

TIME

DEFINITION:

A continuous duration as that in which events succeed one another; a limited period or interval as between two events; a particular period.

SCRIPTURE:

To everything there is a season, a time for every person under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but TIME and CHANCE happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Near the end of his life Solomon reflected back on his life and wrote down his analysis of his life in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is known as the wisest man who ever lived. He not only had wisdom but he had fame and fortune. However, he recognized that there was one thing that he had no more of than anyone and that is “TIME.” In Ecclesiastes he wrote, “Time and chance happen to them all.” (Second verse above)

God has given time to us on this earth so that we can come to know Him and then to be a witness of Him to a world that needs to know Jesus. Time to God is different than time to us. In Psalm 90:4, the Psalmist says that “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night.” (A “watch” was four hours long.) One day on God’s calendar is like a thousand years on ours.

With all the evil present in our world today it is no wonder that people wonder why God withholds His judgment. There is a reason. God wants everyone to have TIME to repent and be saved. God’s time table is not our time table.

After analyzing his life, Solomon came to his conclusion as to what is the most important priority of life for him, and not only for him, but for all of us as well. Solomon said, “Here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

One of the major reasons we made a decision early in our ministry to work with children was because we felt that reaching a child for Jesus at an early age gave that child a lifetime of opportunity to serve the Lord.

The question for us as Christians: “How do we spend our time when we know the Lord?” One of the great failings of Christians today is not making adequate time to give to God. In order for us to be in tune with God it demands time on our part. Specifically, it demands that we spend time daily reading God’s Word, the Bible. This is how God communicates to us and how we learn how God wants us to live.

Secondly, God desires us to communicate with Him through prayer. Most Christians do not take the time to pray each day. Oh yes, some will say that they pray before each meal and before they go to bed each night. God wants more than that from us. He wants us to give Him time with our prayers so we can make known to Him our requests and our needs. And more importantly, He wants us to thank Him and give Him our praise for all that He has done for us. 

Time is a valuable asset to each of us every day. How we spend our time depends on our priorities and we all have different priorities.  Choosing how we use our time becomes a moral and spiritual issue. We always find time to give to what is important to us.

One of the major reasons for the breakdown of family unity is because parents and children do not spend time together. Time needs to be spent together talking, praying, and reading God’s Word. Time also is needed for a family to play and relax together. We urge all parents to reevaluate today how you spend your time.

We are reminded of the life of George Mueller. He was used of God in a very special way, establishing orphanages for children. He spent at least six hours each morning in prayer asking God for His leading and direction for the day. Some might say that spending six hours in prayer was a waste of time. George Mueller saw it differently. He saw prayer as preparation of his heart for God to use and bless him and to give him strength and wisdom to go and knock on doors asking for assistance for his orphanage. George knew that he could not do it alone. Through prayer God not only prepared his heart but the hearts of those he would visit. As a result of George Mueller’s faithful prayers God blessed him and supplied what he needed to establish and maintain the orphanages.

We encourage you to make communication with God a priority. Make time to pray to God and read the Bible daily so God can respond to you through His Word. If you do this you will be surprised at how God will change you and work in your life.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the time You have given me to live on this earth. Help me today to reevaluate how I spend my time. Give me the will and dedication to spend more time with You. Help me to take time daily to study Your Word and to communicate to You through prayer. Honor our family with Your blessing and help us to rededicate our time to better serve You.