July 6, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- REDEEM THE TIME
LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, July 6, 2020
REDEEM THE TIME
Read: Ephesians 5:8-21
Ephesians 5:8-21 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
MEMORISE: Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16)
EXPOSITION
Time is defined, among others, as “the amount of time available to work …during which something happens …period of history connected with particular events, or experiences in people’s lives.” How do you want to spend the next 12 months, i.e. 1 year; 52 weeks; 365 days; 8,760 hours; 525,600 minutes; and 31,536,000 seconds? Whichever way you look at it, this is too precious an asset to waste. However, in the next 12 months, most people will WASTE their TIME, many will SPEND it, while only a few will INVEST it.
Somebody said, “Immediately the day breaks, sundown follows, or is imminent.” Apostle Paul knew the preciousness of time. He wrote to the Church at Ephesus, … the days are evil (5:16). This is the number one reason for us to redeem our time.
The writer to the Hebrews makes it clear that the end-times began since the first advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, (cf. Heb. 1:1,2). Jesus is said to be God’s Spokesperson to the world these last days. And, among His enduring commands, as regards time management are: Men ought to pray and not to be weary (1 Thess. 5:17; cf. Mark 14:22-38; Lk. 18:1ff). Also, Go into all the world and PREACH the Gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15ff). Furthermore, if your brother offends you, go and tell him his fault (Matt. 18:15; cf. Rom. 12:18ff; Heb. 12:14). Paul adds, Speaking to yourselves in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:16).
The Lord Jesus emphasises the importance of prayer and fasting to make these things (evils) to go. James and Peter command that we resist the devil, (cf. Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8,9; cf. Lk. 22:31,32). Endeavour to redeem the time. Check CACGHB 735. Remember, there is time for everything (Eccl. 3:1ff). Remember to PLANT something good and godly every moment.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the entire time allotted to me in this life.
2. I receive Your help to redeem my time according to Your Will, O Lord.
3. We dedicate our lives and time to You, Lord God our Maker and Saviour, in Jesus’ name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 2 Chronicles 32 – 33; 2 Timothy 1