Making the Most of Our Time

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


Observations:
We need to take care in how we walk, with wisdom, using our time wisely. Because the days are evil this cannot be stressed enough- that we need to watch the way we walk.

It is foolish not to understand the will of the Lord

Application:
This verse never ceases to convict me.  There are even more good time-wasters available to us today with the internet and television, the ease with which we can obtain reading material.  I am not saying those things are bad.  I have a couple of shows that I love to watch.  I love to sit down with a good book.  I enjoy connecting with my friends via the internet.  But I also waste a lot of time on activities that are not fruitful, or that bring things into my life that Paul has clearly said in these past verses are not good for the believer.  How many times have I sat down just to check my email, blog, or facebook and found an hour or more has disappeared?   I better not do that and then tell the Lord I did not have time to do what He has asked of me, I did not have time to spend with Him.  Did I rush through my quiet time to get to my writing?  Is that a wise use of my time?  Not if I believe, and I do, that I have nothing worth writing if I do not spend quality time with the Lord first.  Let's make the most of our time.

Blessings,
Deb

Walk as Children of the Light

Ephesians 5:5-10
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of the Light (for the fruit of the Light consists of all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.


Observations:
We know for certain those that have no inheritance in the kingdom.  (and our hearts should be grieved for them.)  Let's not deceive ourselves into thinking otherwise.  We live a world among people who are lost and without Christ.
We are to have nothing to do with their immoral actions- while this was our former state it is no longer who we are in Christ.
We are light and need to walk as children of the Light- being diligent to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Application:
I need to remember that many of the people I meet are walking in darkness.  My walk should not resemble theirs.  My walk needs to be marked by the fruit of the Light.  It will not come naturally, I need to learn what pleases the Lord.  Just like I am constantly learning the likes and dislikes of my husband so that I can be a wife that brings him pleasure.  I need to invest time in learning the likes and dislikes of God.

Blessings,
Deb