HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME
TEXT- EPHESIANS 5:15-17

Ephesians 5:15-17  Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

INTRODUCTION

DURING THE FIRST 25 DAYS OF DECEMBER OUR LIVES AND MINDS ARE FILLED WITH CHRISTMAS PLANS AND THE EXCITEMENT THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT HOLIDAY.

BUT AFTERWARDS THERE IS A SUDDEN SHIFT BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND New Year.

AS WE DRAW CLOSER TO THE New Year OUR MINDS GLANCE BACKWARDS TO THE YEAR THAT HAS PAST.

NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AS WELL AS TELEVISION AND RADIO ARE FILLED WITH KEY EVENTS REMINDING US OF WHAT TOOK PLACE.

BUT ALSO OUR MINDS LOOK AHEAD AND AS WE DO WE PLAN, DREAM AND ANTICIPATE THE New Year AHEAD OF US.

I AM SURE THAT AS WE REFLECT UPON 1987 WE WOULD ALL CONCLUDE THAT THERE WERE THINGS THAT WE HAD PUT OFF DOING.

ALL OF US ARE PROCRASTINATORS TO SOME DEGREE OR ANOTHER.

SUPPOSE YOU HAD A BANK THAT CREDITED YOUR ACCOUNT EACH MORNING WITH $1440 WITH ONLY ONE CONDITION. WHATEVER PART YOU FAILED TO USE DURING THE DAY HAD TO BE ERASED FROM YOUR ACCOUNT WITH NO BALANCE CARRIED OVER TO THE NEXT DAY. WHAT WOULD YOU DD? IF WE WERE GIVEN $1440 A DAY MOST ALL OF US WOULD DRAW OUT EVERY CENT AND USE IT. DID YOU REALIZE THAT EACH ONE OF US HAS SUCH AN ACCOUNT. IT'S CALLED A TIME BANK. EVERY MORNING IT CREDITS YOU WITH 1440 MINUTES. WHATEVER PORTION YOU FAIL TO USE YOU LOOSE. NOR CAN YOU DRAW ON IT TOMORROW.

IF YOU HAD TO BUY TIME, WOULD THERE BE ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY YOU WOULD SPEND IT? WOULD YOU USE THE MINUTES, HOURS, AND DAYS OF YOUR LIFE MORE WISELY?

OF COURSE, WE CAN'T PUT A PRICE TAG ON THE MINUTES AND HOURS WE POSSESS. THEY ARE GIVEN TO US FREELY. BUT THAT DOESN'T EXCUSE US FROM USING THEM CAREFULLY AND WISELY. THE GIVER OF TIME IS GOD HIMSELF, AND THAT PLACES A FAR GREATER VALUE ON OUR TIME THAN ANY MONETARY FIGURE COULD SUGGEST. WE MUST THEREFORE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TIME PROVIDES TO SERVE THE LORD AND TO DO HIS WILL.

THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO BE WORKING EVERY SINGLE MOMENT. IT'S NECESSARY TO TAKE A BREAK EVERY SO OFTEN, TO STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES ALONG THE WAY, OR TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF A SUNSET. WE USE OUR TIME WISELY WHEN WE COMBINE THE APPROPRIATE "STOPS" WITH THE PROPER "STEPS." ACCORDING TO SOLOMON, THERE IS A TIME FOR ALL OF GOD'S PURPOSES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED (ECCLESIASTES 3:1).

I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT THE LORD DOESN'T SELL TIME. HE PROVIDES IT AS A GIFT OF HIS GRACE. SO LET'S SPEND OUR DAYS "REDEEMING THE TIME," USING THE OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE FOR GOD (COLOSSIANS 4:5).

YES, TIME IS PRECIOUS. HANDLE WITH CARE!

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN EPHESIANS S:15-17 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME."

THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE US TO EXAMINE SEVERAL WAYS GOD WOULD WANT US TO USE OUR TIME.