RACING THE CLOCK!

 

Monday, June 29, 2026

 

RACING THE CLOCK!

 

Eph 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

          Paul sensed it and tried to instill a sense of urgency in the people of Ephesus. Jesus certainly understood the race against the clock when He said in the Garden: “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matt 26:40-41

 

          Teachers sense it but drill sergeants probably sense it more keenly. Raw recruits with trendy clothes and haircuts must be reshaped into soldiers. I feel it too. Tick Tock! My time as teacher and leader was limited. There was a race against that inevitable time when I must announce to some Timothy that “I have fought a good fight and have finished my course.” I wonder if the instructor ever feels confident in the learners! It is that serious.

 

          Was I ever as uncommitted as I feel some are? Probably! I was as lazy as I dared to be, distracted by glitz and glitter, and weak in resolve. I did not change until my heart broke and even now the struggle continues.

 

          What is my hope then? It is the powerful, personal, and formative nature of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Listen to the encouragement of Jesus when he said: “when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” John 16:13

 

Ps 71:18

18 Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

 

Dear Lord, help me to make good use of my allotted time. AMEN

 

CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR!

 

Sunday, June 28, 2026

 

CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR!

 

Phil 4:10-13

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

          Paul was a vagabond preacher with no certain income. The Philippian believers had, once again, sent money and supplies. He wanted to say thank you and he did.

 

          Whether he had little or much, Paul was determined to do what God wanted him to do. It was a choice based on obedience and not on resources. That choice took him into the depths of want and up to the mountain peak of plenty. Whether feast or famine, it was all the same to Paul.

 

          Notice that he said, “I have learned.” Coming to terms with the ebb and flow of material supply is a matter of trust. It is a process and often slow. He had experienced abuse and he knew how to abound. It was part of his instruction. But Paul learned one very important thing. He learned that he could count on God.

 

Dear Lord, I know down deep that my contentment is not based on my resources but on my relationship with You. Thank you for daily bread and daily supply. AMEN

 

CONSEQUENCES!

 

Saturday, June 27, 2026

 

CONSEQUENCES!

 

Gal 6:7-9

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

          A consequence is the penalty or the reward we receive from a decision we have made. We are free moral agents and not puppets of a God who pulls all the strings. While we are free to make choices those choices have accompanying consequences.

 

          Our text uses an agricultural analogy. If you plant corn, you can’t expect watermelon as a crop. By the same analogy, we can determine your choices by observing your fruit. This is exactly what Jesus said in Matthew 7:20. “By their fruits ye shall know them.”

 

          This truth should cause us to be cautious regarding which life force we obey. The flesh is always demanding attention and pampering. We may give ourselves completely to the demands of the flesh but there are consequences. The Spirit – God’s Holy Spirit – is always cooing and wooing us to do right and to do well. If we listen and obey there are consequences.

 

          Verse 9 seems to indicate that “well doing” requires much more forethought and energy than wrongdoing. We are advised not to grow weary of the effort because there are consequences and rewards.

 

Heb 11:24-26

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

 

Dear Lord, help me to keep my wits about me when I make choices. AMEN