The Bible and Time

God is a God of Time.  Acts 17:24 states, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.” Since God was the creator of everything, He is the creator of time.  Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”  Time can be specific – as indicated in the Ecclesiastes passage above – or it can be a season of the year or a specific period.  Time can also be identified as a critical point when action needs to be taken.  I Chronicles 12:32 refers to a point in time by saying, “men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”

Time can be measured in many ways:  It can be marked by: (1) Seasons – summer, fall, winter, or spring; (2) By the Calendar System – years, months, weeks, and days; or (3) By Units – hours, minutes, and seconds.  Time can also be a specific period in which something happens.  For example, God does things in his time such as sending his Son, Jesus, to this earth.  The Bible says, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4).

Here are a few other things the Bible tells us about time.

1)    Time is valuable.  Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

2)    Time is brief and it can be lost.  Job 14:5 – “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”

3)    Time is a marker.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

4)    Time should be used wisely.  Ephesians 5:16-17 – “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

What are you doing with the time God has given you?  The time He has provided is valuable, it is brief, and it needs to be used with great wisdom.  Are you using your time to make a difference for your family, for others, and especially for God?

Your Image

The word “image” comes from a Latin word that means “to copy or imitate.”  That is exactly what a mirror does. In addition, “image” has been expanded to mean a vivid representation or description.  It has also come to mean a characteristic about how an individual is perceived by other people.  Our personal image is what sets us apart from other people.  It is important that the image we portray is a good image because it helps others feel that we are trustworthy, desirable as a friend or an employee, and more complete as a worker or a leader.

A Christian is a person whose personal image is extremely important – not just to make him or her look good, but to provide a positive message about the Lord whom they represent, worship, and serve.

H. B. London of Focus on the Family wrote this about image:

“What people imagine in their minds about your ministry and the environment in which you minister does make a difference.  The way your office looks when people come to visit, makes a difference.  How you look, makes a difference.  How you treat people, makes a difference.  How your family is perceived, makes a difference.  The sermons you deliver, make a difference.  How the non-Christian world sees you as you walk through the village, makes a difference.  What you think of yourself, makes a difference.”

I would add to the above that your personal image includes who you are, what you say, and how you act.  Matthew refers to image when he says, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Our image should:

1)    Be bright as a light that illuminates – “Let your light shine”

2)    Be Constantly shown to others – “before men”

3)    Reflect the good things we do – “see your good deeds”

4)    Point people to God – “praise your Father in heaven”

Our personal image is something we need to take seriously.  What image do you portray before people?  Are your words and your actions making a difference for the cause of Christ?  Maybe we ought to examine ourselves and make sure that the image we portray does not turn people away from Christ but directs them to our wonderful Lord.

Life After Christmas

Have you noticed that as soon as Christmas is over something disappears?  Christmas carols are no longer heard on radio or TV.  Everyone has stopped singing Christmas songs.  Holiday Decorations have been packed away for another year.  Hearing about the Savior’s birth is not expressed by anyone, including religious leaders.  “Merry Christmas” greetings are missing when someone addresses you.  And Christmas cards, letters, and emails are not found in mailboxes or on computers.

What happens when these things are gone?  People are unenthusiastic and they feel letdown.  They have lost their sense of expectation, and it seems as if their vibrancy has decreased.  But this is not the way it should be after Christmas.  Why?  Because Jesus should still be at the center of our thoughts and conversations.  His birth has taken place in what we call the first Advent, but there will be a second advent.  Jesus is coming again (John 14:1-3).

What we need is a transformation – a change in our thinking so our mind is aligned with God.  The Apostle Paul said, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).  We need a complete change in our mindset.  Christ died on the cross taking our place and paying the penalty for our sins.  He came not just to be born in a manger but to offer abundant life to us, to forgive us, and to provide eternal life through faith in Him.

What we need after Christmas is to focus on Jesus, and not just the things that are missing.  In our response to the good news of Christmas let’s allow Jesus to come into our life and make us a new and different person in all that we think or do.  The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (II Corinthians 5:17, TLB).  The Bible also points to other things which were lost including a lamb, a coin and a son (Luke 15:3-32).  However, the text tells us that each of these things were found and as a result there was much rejoicing.  When you receive Jesus as your Savior, you will experience great joy because He will provide just what you need.  The Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).  When we find Christ we discover what was really missing in our lives.  Inviting Him to come into your life will make your joy complete.  Jesus is with us.  He is not missing. Let’s be glad and rejoice.