Christ-follower, Husband, Dad, Pastor

time

April 27, 2013

Work with the Time You Have

Time is fleeting. Life on earth is brief. Don’t spend your time foolishly. “To waste time is to squander a gift from God.” (John Blanchard) Do you have God’s perspective on time?

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”  (Psalm 90:12 NLT)

  • “There is nothing [which] puts a more serious frame into a man’s spirit than to know to know the worth and preciousness of time.” (Thomas Brooks, The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, Volume 5, p. 11)
  • “Time lost can never be retrieved. Time cannot be hoarded, only spent well.” (Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, p. 94)

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The story is told of a man’s return to the doctor for a diagnosis. Sitting down, the doctor abruptly announced, “I have bad news and worse news.”

“What’s the bad news?” the bewildered patient blankly responded.

The doctor paused, “The bad news is that you only have twenty-four hours to live.”

The man leaped, spun around, arms flailing. “I can’t believe this,” the man shouted, “I’m not ready; I don’t have enough time! No! No! . . . If that’s the bad news, what could possibly be worst?”

“I forgot to call and give you the report yesterday.”

“Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right.”  (Ecclesiastes 8:5b NLT)

You can’t just WANT to do something with your time; you must DISCIPLINE yourself to do something with your time. “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.” (Proverbs 13:4 NASB) I always smile when I read Old Testament passages equating “fatness” with prosperity and success. American society reveres skinniness; Hebrew culture valued body fat. Here is Proverbs 13:4 more dynamically translated for today’s mindset, “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” (NLT)

“The lazy person claims, ‘There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!’” (Proverbs 22:13 NLT) Unless there REALLY IS a lion out there! Or a shark?

“If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 GNT)

Don’t wait until the conditions are “perfect” or you are in the just the right mood. Feelings are unreliably fickle. Don’t let your emotions – anger, bitterness, sadness, insecurity, etc. – hold you hostage. Choose a constructive frame of mind; choose your attitude; choose to be productive now.

“Our task is not to bring order out of chaos, but to get work done in the midst of chaos.” (George Peabody) Work with the time you have.

This is part two of God’s Perspective on Time. To view part one, click “God Owns ALL – including Your Time“.

April 26, 2013

God Owns ALL – Including Your Time

Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 4:2 isn’t optional or simply a suggestion, God REQUIRES us to be faithful with the things He’s given to us. “Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2 NLT) What’s been entrusted? Treasure, Talent, and Time!

  • “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.” (Psalm 24:1 NLT)
  • “Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 10:14 NLT)

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Ultimately, God owns ALL – including your time. Do you have God’s perspective on time?

“My times are in Your hand.”  (Psalm 31:15a NASB)

Time is a valuable earthly asset given by God but wise management requires God’s perspective on time. Without appropriate assessment, time is recklessly wasted. Like other assets, your time is owned by God, and you will give account for how you manage His stuff.

“No one has more time than you have. It is the discipline and stewardship of your time that is important. The management of time is the management of self; therefore if you manage time with God, he will begin to manage you.” (Jill Briscoe, Before You Say Amen, p. 15)

Most would easily agree that every giving decision is a spiritual decision, but do you realize every financial decision, every possession decision, and every time management decision is just as important as your giving decisions.

Of today’s 86,400 seconds, how many will you surrender to His Lordship? Sincere submission to Christ’s Lordship is more than simply asking “Lord, what do You want me to do with my time?” A more compelling question is “Lord, what I do with YOUR time?”

April 12, 2013

Working Hard or Hardly Working? (Stand Out part 3)

Poise, focus, and work (1 Thessalonians 4:11) draws the respectful attention of even non-believers. “The Christian life is not a nonstop parade of miracles and astonishing answers to prayer and extraordinary visions and angelic visitations. Much of it is low-key, tame, and ordinary.” (Charles Stanley, Life Principles Bible, 1 Th 4:11) However, you can do ordinary things in an enthusiastic, extraordinary way that elicits esteem. You can be a respected STAND OUT.

“Try your best to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work hard, just as we taught you to do. Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won’t have to depend on anyone.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 CEV)

Poise, focus, and work will cause you to STAND OUT. Check out “Calm in Chaos?” or “Minding Your Own Business?” for more insight into the first two areas. This post aims at the third question.

#3  WORK: Are You Working Hard – or Hardly Working?

Get to work and STAND OUT. You will earn no respect from onlookers mooching and sponging and depending on others to pay your bills.

  • “Be honest and work hard, so you will have something to give to people in need.” (Ephesians 4:28b CEV)
  • “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23 HCSB)

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You are working for the Lord. Laziness or a refusal to work hard insolently insults the Lord for whom you serve.

Unfortunately, some of the new believers in the church misunderstood the doctrine of Christ’s return and gave up their jobs in order to wait for His coming. This meant that they were supported by other Christians, some of whom may not have had sufficient funds for their own families. It also meant that these fanatical people could not pay their bills, and therefore they lost their testimony with the unsaved merchants. (Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, 1 Th 4:11).

“The fact that we are Christians and are looking for Christ’s coming does not relieve us of the practical responsibilities of life. We should remember that the world is watching us. Men judge our Savior by us.” (William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad, Believer’s Bible Commentary : 1 Th 4:11.)

Failure to work results in lost blessings. “But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?” (Proverbs 6:9 NLT) Paul bluntly states, “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10b NLT) Don’t waste time; wasting time is really wasting your life. Winston Churchill warned, “Time is neutral, but it can be made the ally of those who will seize it and use it to the full.” Use your life wisely. Get to work!

You have heard this kind of message before? Great! Hear it again! Paul repeats his admonition to the believers at Thessalonica in his second letter: “Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work . . .We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 NLT)

Paul’s words are directed to a Greek culture that generally despised manual labor. Menial or hard labor was considered a slave’s work. Paul’s decision to work as a tentmaker in Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2:6; 2 Thess. 3:6) unsettled the philosophic sensibilities of the world around him. Paul definitely was a STAND OUT. “It was folly in the world’s opinion that a learned teacher should work with his hands.” (Ronald Trail, An Exegetical Summary of 1 Corinthians 1–9, p. 177) Yet, Paul modeled a willingness to work with his hands and commanded the believers to follow his example.

Valley Fellowship Church believes in the benefit of working with your hands. I am honored to be partnered with such as awesome bunch of believers who are glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in the Tennessee Valley and around the world. We are showing God’s love in practical ways – letting our hands be His tools. Locally and globally, we are reaching out. Below are two examples – building a water treatment center in the Amazon and cleaning up chairs after a recent egg hunt in Huntsville.

To STAND OUT, try the trifecta of poise, focus, and work! Every accomplishment in life starts with a decision. What is your ambition? Will you make the decision to STAND OUT in the world?

February 13, 2013

7 Ways to Wrap the Gift of Encouragement

“The right word  at the right time—beautiful!” (Proverbs 15:23b MSG) The gift of encouragement is a beautiful thing.

A pastor was once asked to give an impromptu message to elementary students. The pastor selected and read: “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.”(Ephesians 4:29 GNT)

Then he asked the children, “How can we make our words help others?”

Several kids shouted out suggestions: “Tell the truth! Say nice things. Laugh! Don’t say, ‘stupid’! Don’t lie. Say, ‘I’m sorry’. Give compliments. Smile when you talk. Say, ‘I love you’!”

Pointing to a little girl waving her hand high in the air, the pastor asked, “How do you think  we can make our words good for other people?”

Her thoughtfully articulated answer surprised the pastor, “Our words should be wrapped like pretty birthday presents with ribbons and bows.”

I have been the recipient of such gifts of encouragement. Over the last twenty-five years, Elmer and Reba Hollingsworth encouraged me – with words, gifts, compliments, prayer, and love – far beyond my ability to count. Moments after Brother Elmer departed this earth to join his wife in heaven, I was talking with his daughter. Gail spoke of the praise he directed toward me. She repeated a phrase that I had heard Brother Elmer say to me many times: “You are one of the good ones!” His words were a gift to me.

I hope God adds more people like him into my life – people who understand the power of encouragement and who make their words a beautiful present.

“An encouraging word cheers a person up.”  (Proverbs 12:25b NLT)

There are so many ways to encourage the people around you and God’s Word offers plenty of practical advice for how to give encouragement. Experiment with these seven ways to wrap exquisitely the gift of encouragement.

#1  Do it today; don’t wait for tomorrow.

The right time to give encouragement is NOW! We are to “encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today.’” (Hebrews 3:13a NASB) “Encourage each other every day while you have the opportunity. If you do this, none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn.” (Hebrews 3:13 GW)

#2  Practice loving accountability.

Spur one another NOT to sin. “If you do this [encouragement], none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn.” (Hebrews 3:13b GW) “Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:15 HCSB)

#3  Be sensitive to those around you.

“Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14b CEV)

#4  Be honest about what is going on in your own life.

Paul’s didn’t hide his imprisonment but used it as a public platform. “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” (Philippians 1:14 NIV84)

#5  Exercise your spiritual gifting.

“If it is to encourage, then give encouragement!”  (Romans 12:8a NIV)

#6  Show appreciation for people who minister or serve well.

The enemy loves to discourage God’s servants, especially after success or victory. Learn from Hezekiah’s example: “Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good insight in the things of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 30:22a NASB)

#7  Connect suggestions with unconditional love.

Wise parents know great patience is required in order for children to perceive and to receive advice. The old adage is right, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Paul modeled this type of compassion, “We were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NASB)

For another message spurred by Elmer Hollingsworth, check out 5 Principles from Jesus’ Prayer Life.

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