Redeeming the Time Ephesians 5:15-16; Psalm 139

Living on God’s schedule Tell Him that you want to live on His schedule. Psalms 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, & know my heart; try me & know my anxious thoughts; 24 and see if there be any hurtful way in me, & lead me in the everlasting way. (“Have Thine Own Way”: hold o’re my being Absolute say. Rom 12:1-2)

Living on God’s schedule Plan your daily schedule carefully. January - plan for the year: 1st day of each month - plan for the month: Beginning of the week - plan for the week: Night before - plan for the next day:

Living on God’s schedule Plan your daily schedule carefully. Psalms 90:10-12 10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride is but labor & sorrow; for soon it is gone & we fly away. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Living on God’s schedule Accept interruptions wisely. Mark 7:24-25 24 Jesus got up & went away from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice. 25 But after hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came & fell at His feet.

Living on God’s schedule Accept interruptions wisely. Mark 6:45-46 45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat & go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. 46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. (NEXT? Disciples caught in a storm. The whole country brought Him their sick)

Living on God’s schedule View your disappointments as God’s appointments. “Don’t go that way, go this way instead.” (cf. James 4:15) Satan may be the cause, but God will overrule him (1 Thess 2:17- 3:1-2).

Living on God’s schedule Look for open doors. 1 Corinthians 16:7-9 7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; 9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, & there are many adversaries.

Living on God’s schedule Look for open doors. Acts 17:16-17 16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews & the God-fearing Gentiles, & in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. (The Philosophers mocked him.)

Living on God’s schedule Do the small works gladly. Colossians 3:17, 23 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. … 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men

Living on God’s schedule Do the small works gladly. Ecclesiastes 9:10 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. 1 Corinthians 10:31 31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Living on God’s schedule Remember that God will manage what you cannot (get done). Acts 10:38 38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit & with power, & how He went about doing good & healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (But even Jesus couldn’t be everywhere)

Living on God’s schedule Father, lead me day by day, Ever in Thine own sweet way; Teach me to be pure and true; Show me what I ought to do.   When in danger, make me brave, Make me know that Thou canst save; Keep me safe by Thy dear side; Let me in Thy love abide. When I’m tempted to do wrong, Make me steadfast, wise and strong; And when all alone I stand, Shield me with Thy mighty hand.   When my heart is full of glee, Help me to remember Thee, Happy most of all to know That my Father loves me so. John P. Hopps, 1877.