**I'm preparing this lesson for my Bright Lights group tomorrow and I thought I would share some of the things the Lord has been showing me with you! Enjoy!**
It's hard to imagine life being short when you're young. I still have a hard time grasping this concept. But time and time again the Bible warns us that our time on earth is short. Why is it so important to realize how short life is?
"So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12
We must have the right perspective on time so that we'll search for wisdom in this area. Why is it so important to gain a heart of wisdom?
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Ephesians 5:15-17
It is so important that we make wise decisions because of the days we live in. Redeeming the time means (according the Websters 1828 Dictionary) "...to use more diligence in the improvement of it; to be diligent and active in duty and preparation."
James 4:14 says that life is vapor. Here today and gone tomorrow. In the span of eternity we really are just a dot on a number line. So how can we use our life, which is passing away, wisely for the King's glory?
First, we must give our time to the Lord. This is yet another area in our lives that I'm realizing must be surrendered to Him. We can trust Him because, after all, He's the one who created us and knows us better then we know ourselves. The Lord is the giver of life and He's the One who numbers our days. I think He knows how to best use our time for His purposes :)!
Second, we must do everything as unto the Lord!
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Colossians 3:17
I found this quote by Charles Spurgeon that I thought was very appropriate for this topic. He said,
"Serve God by doing common actions in a heavenly spirit, and then, if your daily calling only leaves you cracks and crevices of time, fill them up with holy service."
That sounds like doing "everything as unto the Lord" to me :)!
Lastly, we must try to always keep a heavenly perspective.
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
Colossians 3:1-2
When our mind is in the right place, then our heart will be in the right place, and then our actions will be right.
Quite frequently in Scripture we see the Lord telling us that He is coming soon. In this day and age it really could be any second! With this knowledge we should be all the more eager to use our time wisely for His glory (because He deserves it!).
I think of the story of the 5 wise virgins and the 5 foolish virgins who were waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. While they waited the 5 wise virgins prepared their lamps and used their time wisely anticipating the soon arrival of their master. Unfortunately the 5 foolish did not spend their time wisely and when the bridegroom finally did arrive they had to go out and buy oil for their lamps before they could join him. Finally prepared, the 5 foolish virgins knocked eagerly on the door of the house where the bridegroom was celebrating asking to be admitted. And what did the Bridegroom say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." Matthew 25:13
Don't let that be you!
Are you ready for the arrival of the King of Kings? Are we being wise or foolish in the way we spend our time before He comes? Will we hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant"?
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
It's hard to imagine life being short when you're young. I still have a hard time grasping this concept. But time and time again the Bible warns us that our time on earth is short. Why is it so important to realize how short life is?
"So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12
We must have the right perspective on time so that we'll search for wisdom in this area. Why is it so important to gain a heart of wisdom?
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Ephesians 5:15-17
It is so important that we make wise decisions because of the days we live in. Redeeming the time means (according the Websters 1828 Dictionary) "...to use more diligence in the improvement of it; to be diligent and active in duty and preparation."
James 4:14 says that life is vapor. Here today and gone tomorrow. In the span of eternity we really are just a dot on a number line. So how can we use our life, which is passing away, wisely for the King's glory?
First, we must give our time to the Lord. This is yet another area in our lives that I'm realizing must be surrendered to Him. We can trust Him because, after all, He's the one who created us and knows us better then we know ourselves. The Lord is the giver of life and He's the One who numbers our days. I think He knows how to best use our time for His purposes :)!
Second, we must do everything as unto the Lord!
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Colossians 3:17
I found this quote by Charles Spurgeon that I thought was very appropriate for this topic. He said,
"Serve God by doing common actions in a heavenly spirit, and then, if your daily calling only leaves you cracks and crevices of time, fill them up with holy service."
That sounds like doing "everything as unto the Lord" to me :)!
Lastly, we must try to always keep a heavenly perspective.
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
Colossians 3:1-2
When our mind is in the right place, then our heart will be in the right place, and then our actions will be right.
Quite frequently in Scripture we see the Lord telling us that He is coming soon. In this day and age it really could be any second! With this knowledge we should be all the more eager to use our time wisely for His glory (because He deserves it!).
I think of the story of the 5 wise virgins and the 5 foolish virgins who were waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. While they waited the 5 wise virgins prepared their lamps and used their time wisely anticipating the soon arrival of their master. Unfortunately the 5 foolish did not spend their time wisely and when the bridegroom finally did arrive they had to go out and buy oil for their lamps before they could join him. Finally prepared, the 5 foolish virgins knocked eagerly on the door of the house where the bridegroom was celebrating asking to be admitted. And what did the Bridegroom say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." Matthew 25:13
Don't let that be you!
Are you ready for the arrival of the King of Kings? Are we being wise or foolish in the way we spend our time before He comes? Will we hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant"?
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
