Using Time Wisely

Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are upon us.  I trust that you have had a great time enjoying the warm weather and the beautiful colors that abound in the summertime.  But summer is almost over.  Well, at least it is already 2/3 over with just the month of August to go. Fall is right around the corner and soon children will head back to school.  I am sure you have heard comments such as: “Time sure flies” and “Where has the time gone?”  Yes, these comments seem to be true.  Maybe that is why the Apostle Paul decided to share important insights about time with the people to whom he was writing.  He said, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). In these verses Paul suggests several things:

1)      Pay attention to how you live.  The challenge to “Be very careful” suggests the importance of being alert and cautious about how we act and live.  Wise thought needs to be given to the way we live because time does pass quickly and if we are not sensbile we can live in ways that do not please God.

2)      Be wise in the use of time.  The comparison of “Not as unwise but as wise” becomes a word to the careful person since we can so easily waste our time by letting it escape without accomplishing anything worthwhile or godly.

3)      Make sure to do what is important. The idea of “Making the most of every opportunity” suggests that we ought to seriously consider using our time to focus on things that are positive, purposeful, and productive.  Our activities should benefit God’s kingdom and help people bring glory to God.

4)      Recognize that foolish endeavors can easily emerge. The phrase “Because the days are evil” helps us realize that there is wickedness all around us which can so easily draw us and others into involvement in things which do not please God.

People want, desire, collect, and yes, even demand “things.”  However, once things are accumulated it usually does not take long to discover that those things do not provide satisfaction.  What people need is a right relationship with God.  When people become rightly related to God through personal faith and trust in His Son Jesus Christ, they discover real purpose in living.  With a right relationship with God people will delight in doing things right as well as in doing the right things. When we do things that are right, our actions and attitudes please God.  God is delighted and glorified when we pay attention to the time that He has graciously given to us.  Ask yourself: Am I spending time in God’s Word?  Am I investing my life in people?  Am I allowing God’s Spirit to direct me in living my life for God?  Time does pass quickly.  Let’s use our time wisely.

Summer's Lesson

When people think about “summer” the name seems to conjure up different meanings.  For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is the season that falls between spring and fall, from late May to late September.  To others summer is the three months of June, July and August.  Still others consider summer to be the months of July and August – the hottest months of the year.  Can you believe that some people consider summer as just the month of August? The Bible has a lot to say about summer and here are some of the things it explains.

1)      God created the summer.  “It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).

2)      Summer will always bring heat.  “For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:4).

3)      As the earth exists there will be summer.  “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22).

4)      Some people use summer for saving food.  “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!  It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8).

5)      Wisdom considers summer a time to gather produce.  “He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son” (Proverbs 10:5).

6)      Living water will one day flow in both summer and winter.  “On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter” (Zechariah 14:8).

All of these things are interesting; however, think for a moment about another idea regarding summer.  Summer and harvest represent God’s opportunities for us to repent. That is an interesting concept, but even those times will pass as the scripture states.  “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).  How would you answer these two questions: (1) Have you repented?  The Scripture says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).  (2) Are you ready for the Lord’s return?  The Bible says, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). So, let’s learn a lesson from summer and take the action that God suggests in His Word.

Summertime

Warm weather, bright sunshine, fragrant flowers, and green grass all point to summertime.  When we think of summer most of us think of these things as well as vacation – whether we travel to some distant place or stay at home.  When we think of vacation we may also think of rest, relaxing, exploring, or participating in some adventurous activity.

To be sure, summertime (and vacation time) is a time for all of us to rest and be refreshed.  Rest is important for our lives because each one of us needs a breather and time for refreshment and rejuvenation.  However, sometimes we have a “summertime attitude” with actions that keep us away from God.  We may find ourselves involved in lots of activity but at the same time we easily forget about the usual disciplines of the Christian life that keep us in touch with God.  As a result, we draw apart from God rather than coming closer to Him.

If this mind-set becomes part of our lifestyle during the summertime, we may find that we become physically refreshed but we will also discover that our spirit begins to dry up.  That is why we need to rest in God.  The Psalmist clearly proclaimed, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).

This verse suggests three points of encouragement that are extremely helpful to us and should be practically applied to our lives. Obviously, the source of the encouragement in this verse is God himself who is referred to as “the Most High”.

1)    Stay.  First, an important place for us to stay is next to God.  To “dwell” means to stay, to reside, to settle, or to live.  If we are not in the position of staying, we miss out on the best that God desires for us.

2)    Protection.  Second, we can enjoy the “shelter” that becomes a sanctuary, a haven, or a refuge for us.  In that shelter we are shielded by God from the forces that would destroy us and we are guarded by the Almighty.

3)    Relaxation.  Third, to be refreshed and recover the physical strength that has been depleted we need to “rest”.  The place where it is easiest for us to enjoy the rest that we need is right next to God.  In that position we can reside in God’s shadow where we are safe from harm.

As you and I enjoy the summertime this year let’s make sure that we do not forget God.  When we abide in God’s almighty power, let’s not forget to praise Him for standing by us and providing the rest and refreshment that we enjoy.

Heat and the Trusting Person

What do you know about summer heat?  Most of us who live in the upper Midwest know that heat always seems to be greatest in the month of August.  We know that it can scorch and parch the earth.  We know that shade gives us a welcome relief from the sweltering summer heart.

As the prophet Jeremiah described the person who puts their trust in Christ, notice his reference to heat.  “But blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

A person who trusts Christ does not have to fear the problems and difficulties that may arise in life.  Look at Jeremiah’s quote one more time and notice 5 things about the trusting person. The trusting person (1) Will be blessed; (2) Has a constant source of nourishment and refreshment; (3) Remains alive and vibrant; (4) Does not have to live in fear; and (5) Bears fruit.

My question to you today is, “Are these five things true of your life?”  When problems and difficulties of life (that might be consider a scorching heat) arise, are you protected?  If not, what is it that you need to help your anxiousness and fears subside?  The Scripture gives us the answer.  It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  To trust the Lord is to rely on Him completely—in every way and at all times.  Put your trust in the Lord today.  Then you can address the heat of daily living with confidence and without worry because God’s protection and strength will be your experience.

Growth, Celebration and Freedom

July is always a fun month.  It is the middle month of the summer – a time when we see plants, gardens and crops growing and producing.  It is a month during which we celebrate the independence of our wonderful country.  And of course, independence means that we enjoy the freedom that comes with it.  Let’s take time to personally apply growth, celebration, and freedom to us from a Biblical perspective.

Growth.  God wants us to grow in our knowledge of Him and in appreciation for what he has done for us when He says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever!  Amen” (II Peter 3:18).

Celebration.  God wants us to be joyful and observe with celebration who He is and the good things He has done for us.  “They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness” (Psalm 145:7).

Freedom.  Real freedom is spiritual freedom and it is available to us through the Lord Jesus Christ.  “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

This summer as you view God’s creation growing and producing, as you celebrate the wonderful independence that is yours, and as you enjoy your personal freedom, I encourage you to think about these blessings and the spiritual application of them to you.

Awesome Lessons About Summer

The month of June traditionally begins the summer season, although the actual first day of summer is in mid-June.  Summer is one of the seasons of the year that is defined by the position of the earth in orbit around the sun.  In summer the northern hemisphere of the earth is tilted toward the sun resulting in longer and warmer days because of the more direct rays of sunlight.  Consider this from the Bible:

1)    God created summer.  “It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).
2)    Various signs in the natural world point to the coming of summer.  “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near” (Mark 13:28).
3)    As long as the earth endures there will be summer.  “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22).
4)    One day there will be an end to summer.  “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).

Here are some spiritual lessons based on point #4:
1)    Summer should remind us about the urgent matters in life.  Many times we get so busy with all kinds of activity that we forget about that which gives meaning and purpose to life.

2)    There will be a time when we can no longer make spiritual decisions.  If we do not take care of the needful things in life we will soon find that it is too late to take action.  Physical life will come to an end whether we are ready for it or not.
3)    We must be diligent to take care of spiritual matters.  If we wait too long we will lose out.  Of course, the most important spiritual matter is our salvation in Christ.

As you think about “summer” and your life, here are some things to consider: Turn your life over to God.  Receive into your life Him by faith.  Tell Him that you love Him.  Repent of your sin.  Remember, the Lord is “Patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).  Make this summer a significant milepost in your life by beginning and developing your relationship with God.