Verse of the Day 3/16

Through the Bible - Job 28-29, 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

 

Good morning,

Yesterday we considered earnestness, devotion, and persistence in prayer and the impact it has in our walk.  It revolves around commitment.

 

In his sermon this past weekend, Pastor Bob encouraged and challenged us to "guard our time,  commitments, and time investments.  He referenced Proverbs 17:24:

Prov 17:24  The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.  ESV

The sensible, discerning person will "set his face" towards God in prayer and in His Word.

 

For today's verse we'll return to the passage in Colossians 4 and consider the phrase redeeming the time.

 

Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.   NKJV

Most likely we've all redeemed coupons with an expiration date.  If you don't use them during the appointed time period they are no good, they can't be used, the opportunity will be past.

 

Drawing from yesterdays theme, we are to be in prayer, it is to impact our walk, and our walk should establish the credibility of our Christian faith so that we may make the most of every evangelistic opportunity that comes our way.  Actually, I should say that God sends our way.  If we are praying, God is sending the opportunities.

 

All of this requires some time alone with God.

 

I'll close with a quote posted by Ray Ortlund on his blog.

 

"No one seems to want (and no one can find) a place of quiet — because, when you are quiet, you have to face reality.  But many in the present generation dare not do this because on their own basis reality leads them to meaninglessness; so they fill their lives with entertainment, even if it is only noise. . . .

The Christian is supposed to be very opposite: There is a place for proper entertainment, but we are not to be caught up in ceaseless motion which prevents us from ever being quiet.  Rather we are to put everything second so we can be alive to the voice of God and allow it to speak to us and confront us."   Francis Schaeffer, "Walking through the mud," in No Little People

May we guard our time commitments and investments and see that there is room for God.  May it keep us from "walking through the mud" and tracking it along our walk.  If we fill our lives with "entertainments" the opportunities to redeem the time will pass.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Col 4:2-7

 

Christian Graces

 

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

 

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.   NKJV