How Will I Prioritize My Time and What Can I Achieve Today?

At this precise moment, I am sitting at my desk, trying to figure out the best words to communicate my thoughts about time and success. After all, God is the one who gives us precious time in His Creation. Consider the very first verse in the Bible, “In the beginning (refers to time) God Created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen.1`:1)

We do so many things with our time, such as sleep, being with our family, going to work, playing and relaxing. None of these are inherently evil. In fact, they are simply a part of everyday living if we keep them in a proper perspective.

If we want to spend our time wisely, then God must be our priority in all that we do. Colossians 3:2 NKJV  “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” The sad reality is, most people have no desire to focus their attention on God. It’s just not that important because the here and now is what controls them. “Live and let live” we are told.

Remember the words of Hebrews 3:12-13 NKJV  “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;  (13)  but exhort one another daily, while it is called “TODAY,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

What can I achieve today? Well, that depends on my character and service to God. I am reminded of what Paul told the young man Timothy, 2 Timothy 3:14-15 NKJV  “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,  (15)  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

I can achieve a greater spiritual understanding and growth today if I apply my self. My faith and conviction can become stronger if I have the right heart and determination.

Well, by the time I finished this article a whole bunch of moments passed by. I will never get them back. The good news is, I benefited from writing the article and I hope you get some benefit by reading the article.
Terry Starling

UNSTRUCTURED worship is “in” again. Someone awakens to the need for something more “spiritual” and “truly worshipful” than the traditional three songs and a prayer; and sets out to unstructure the “service.” If strongly into the “Spirit thing” (as one reformer put it) we may be told genuine worship must spring spontaneously from each individual’s heart — so if any “hath a psalm,” “hath a doctrine,” let him speak forth. Paul missed a golden opportunity to encourage such (1 Cor. 14:26-40) when he actually commanded some order in the public worship — even among those who truly had miraculous spiritual gifts.

We frequently write on public worship (See V.10, N.3, p.4-5; 15-2-7; 16-11-4) and acknowledge the error of ritualistic, sacramental, liturgical “services” — which we may unwittingly approach by rigidly traditional patterns of song, prayer, preach, etc. Changing the order of our services may help avoid these errors: have the Lord’s Supper before preaching, or after, if this is a change. We may have more songs, less songs, change the time of contribution, change even the emphasis of some services (make a genuine prayer service, for example); BUT — change for change’s sake is gendered by the same wrong concept that makes ritual an error. AND — no amount of changing order can produce true spirituality or make the gathering more “worshipful.” Frequently — and I do mean frequently — changes made without full preparation of the worshipers, and without their being well informed of the why and wherefore, will confuse, disorientate, and will destroy the worship once there.

We have no right to say members do not sincerely worship in their familiar three songs and a prayer; and it is rank folly to think that jolting them with a prayer and two songs will prostrate their hearts before God. A reformer may have adequate knowledge of God’s word but abysmal ignorance of human nature, and the patient nurture and instructions necessary to lead people to new and better ways.

No doubt there are new and better ways of implementing public worship and work — expedients wholly within scriptural authority. We do tend to follow traditional patterns — which may be the best way, long tested. But such changes as we make must be with the consent of the worshipers, must be thoroughly understood so all can follow without confusion, must “be done decently and in order.” Attempts to “organize an unorganized service-structure an unstructured worship” become mechanical devices, manipulating the people outside, but doing no good for the heart where it really counts.
Robert F. Turner

It is thinking the worst of somebody. That is a pretty good way to define evil surmising in everyday language. The lexicons define surmise as “to suppose, conjecture, suspect” (Vine, I:284; Thayer, 644; Moulton, 418). The Greek-English Interlinear by George R. Berry translates the word huponoia in 1 Timothy 6:4 as “wicked suspicions” (the NKJV translates it, “evil suspicions”). It is conjuring up, by way of conjecture, evil and injurious suspicions against another person. According to 1 Timothy 6:4 evil surmising is the product of pride and obsession over disputes and arguments. Its companions are envy, strife, reviling and wrangling (1 Tim 6:4-5). Without question, evil surmising is a divisive and destructive sin.

At times we are tempted to think badly of others. We know we should not do it. But, we judge a person’s motives, charge him with evil purposes and impugn his character – merely on the basis of conjecture and suspicion. “Evil surmising” names that sin. It is assuming an evil motive, attitude and/or character upon a person without sufficient evidence or accurate information. “Why did she say that?” and “Why did he do that?” can be heard, and before we know it, we answer ourselves and unjustly assign an evil intention to the person. We must abstain from this evil (1 Ths 5:22).

Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (Jno 7:24). We must be careful not to make a judgment about a person, thing or event unless and until we have the proper information from which to make a “righteous judgment”.

So, the next time you wonder why someone said or did something, instead of letting evil suspicion form your judgment about that person, do what Jesus commands and judge righteously.

If it involves a personal issue between you and another, go directly to that person to verify the facts and resolve every sin and disagreement in a godly way. Reconcile and if necessary, warn and admonish him of his sin (Matt 5:21-26; Matt 18:15; Gal 5:13-15).
If it is a public matter, get the correct information and if necessary, withstand the sinner to his face to save him and others (Gal 2:11-14).

By all means, do not carry around in your heart wicked suspicions of others. To do so betrays prideful arrogance that damages your relationship with God and with the one you ought to love as yourself (Gal 5:14). Bitterness of heart will result from evil suspicions (Eph 4:31-32).

Give others the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. Such is an action of love that overcomes the sin of evil surmising (1 Cor 13:5).
Joe R. Price

I wish my mind was as clear today as it was thirty-five years ago. Back then, my memory was stronger than it is today and it was just easier to put the puzzle pieces of information together. Now, things like balancing the checkbook, reading and understanding instructions, or being able to make a quick and sensible response can be quite challenging.
POOR ME!

You know what, I would really like for my body to be as strong and vibrant right now as it was when I was twenty. Playing tennis, running up and down a basketball court, playing in a baseball tournament when it is 108o outside. But now, anything that involves real running is pretty much out. I can’t even keep up with my two year old granddaughter.
POOR ME!

Nothing seems to go well in my life. I’ve been passed over for a promotion three times over the last two years. People don’t like me, I am not included when they get together and if I do get lucky and someone invites me, they act as if I have the plague.
POOR ME!

How can anyone possibly have a good, happy, and fulfilled life with the mindset described above? Yes, there are times when life seems unfair because of how others treat us or the unforeseen events that happen to us all. I get that. But please realize we determine our outlook and how we will react in all circumstances.

Remember:
David said…I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
(Psalms 34:1 ESV)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19 ESV)

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
(James 1:12 ESV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

If you want to rise above self-pity, If you want to rise above blaming others, and if you want the best life possible, then count your many blessings. Put your trust in God.
Terry Starling

One day last summer I was on my way to lunch when I drove by a house that was having a rummage sale. Even though I did not stop for the sale, I could not help but notice the display closest to the street—what caught my eye was a table filled with old trophies that were now for sale on someone’s driveway.

I had to wonder why anyone would be interested in purchasing a used trophy. What could they possibly do with it? The trophies for sale probably had the name of the recipient engraved on it, along with a brief description of their meritorious actions. Who would want to put someone else’s trophy on their mantle?

Later, I began to wonder why the seller wanted to get rid of their old trophies in the first place. I am sure that at one time those trophies held a lot of value, or at least some emotional attachment. Trophies usually signify some accomplishment—they serve to remind us of some success in our business or personal life. Maybe a bowling trophy loses its luster when one stops bowling. That trophy from a winning high school football season might not seem as important thirty years later when your own children are in college. What we value today might wind up in the trash or on a table at a rummage sale tomorrow.

The truth of the matter is that there is nothing in this life we can carry with us into the next. The trinkets and knick-knacks we treasure here on earth will be of no value in eternity. This being so, it makes one wonder why we spend so much time acquiring earthly possessions, but so little time preparing for the life which is to come.

Suppose you gained all that this world has to offer—what would you really have? A handful of tinsel? Jesus told His disciples: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:24–26).

David Padfield

The apostle Paul told Titus to “remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). Part of the work of a gospel preacher is to remind Christians to do good deeds. There are several reasons why you and I need to be “ready for every good work.”
First, there is always a shortage both of good works and of those who will do them. There are plenty of people doing bad things. We hear such stories on the news every day. Since the fall of man, this world has been characterized by sin and evil (Acts 2:40; Eph. 5:16). The world is always in need of good people who will do good things. This is what God expects from His people. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). We have been redeemed by Christ to be “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). If we don’t do the good works which God has prepared for us to do, who will? When Jesus looked upon the plight of those who were lost, He said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38).
Second, if we aren’t ready to do good works, we will miss the opportunity. Think about it. How many times have opportunities passed us by because we were not prepared? Sometimes Christians are heard to say things like, “I just don’t know how,” or, “I never have the opportunity.” What a shame. There are plenty of opportunities to do good deeds; we just have to find them. Sometimes we have to make these opportunities ourselves. Paul looked for opportunities. He asked the Colossians to pray “for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains” (Col. 4:3).
Third, readiness is a state of mind. Sometimes opportunities pass us by because we aren’t looking for them. Christians are to live in a watchful, alert state. “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:6). Paul told Timothy, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:4). We all have busy lives, but we should never become so distracted that we lose sight of what is important – serving the Lord. We must never let an opportunity to do good pass us by.
“Ready for every good work.” Does that describe us? According to the Bible, it should. Paul’s continued admonition to Titus applies to us today as well: “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14).
Heath Rogers

Christians are disdained and hated for their strong convictions of faith, radical morality, and different ways of life. In a world of political correctness, it is still socially acceptable to mock and denigrate Christians. When Christians are maligned and mistreated, there is a natural tendency to play the victim card, have self-pity, and say, “Woe is me.” However, playing the victim has two major problems.
Firstly, being the victim will inhibit our growth and work in Christ. Our focus and energy turn inward, no longer focusing outward towards others and upwards towards the prize of the upward call of Jesus. We shrink away from things that cause mistreatment. We are silenced and have a tendency to try to ‘fit in’ and be conformed to this world. We have to stop viewing ourselves as victims and get back to work.
Secondly, we fail to rejoice in our sufferings for Christ. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy of suffering for Christ. Paul tells the Colossians that he rejoices in his sufferings for their sake. Jesus praised the church at Smyrna for standing firm in their tribulations. James tells us to rejoice when we meet trials. And here, John tells us not to be surprised. By being the victim, we fail to see the blessings that God has for us in those moments of hardship.
Don’t play the victim. Rejoice and keep up the good work for the kingdom.
by Chadwick Brewer

To dismiss God from our decisions is a most foolish thing to do. The reality of God is the most massive truth we’ll ever encounter, and the most consequential. It is folly to omit this truth from our thinking, as if we expected it to move out of our way.

Some individuals disregard God by adopting the intellectual position that He does not exist. These have thought the matter through and come to the conclusion that there is no God. In their conduct, they may live as if there were a God and may even adhere to a certain spirituality, but their position, at least philosophically, is that a personal God does not exist.

If God does exist, such a denial is obviously unwise. But many of us disregard Him in a way that is no less foolish. We do this when we simply conduct our lives without taking God into serious account. This is a more practical kind of atheism. We pay lip service to a God who “perhaps” exists, but we believe that this God can be safely set aside in the actual conduct of our day-to-day affairs. He has no real impact on our lives. In Psalm 14:1, it is this kind of “fool” who is described. He says “There is no God” not so much by his dubious philosophy, as by his disobedient lifestyle.

There is a sense in which this kind of atheism is more arrogant than any other. In Psalm 10, for example, we are shown how PRESUMPTUOUS it is to disregard God: “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts” (v.4). “He has said in his heart, ‘I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity’” (v.6). “He has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see’” (v.11). “He has said in his heart, ‘You will not require an account’” (v.13).

When we live in this manner, we trivialize God in the most blasphemous way. Unlike the atheist who believes there is no God to be dealt with, we believe that we don’t really have to deal with the God who does exist. We think that, for all practical purposes, He can be ignored. But if God is our Creator, our disregard only shows us to be foolish. It does nothing to diminish Him.
by Gary Henry

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael said to him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you’”(John 1:47).

I love this little story. On sight Jesus knows Nathanael, and knows him thoroughly. He knows there is no deceit in him—a description that Nathanael finds so fitting that he immediately asks Jesus how he knows this! Then Jesus astounds him further, saying that he saw him in a moment when he thought he was all alone.

My first impulse is to wonder how Jesus would describe me if he said just one sentence like this to me. Sadly, I don’t think “in whom there is no deceit” would fit me. But what would? How does Jesus think of me?

This passage reminds me of the tremendous biblical truth that God sees right through me. He is not influenced by my facades. He is not impressed with my bluster. He is not fooled by my tendency to blame others for my bad choices. He knows me inside and out. But it also reminds me that that’s not entirely bad! He also sees the good in me—the earnest desire to do right, to really obey, to be sincere, to treat others right. He sees when I try to make right what I’ve done wrong, as much as I can. He sees when I intend things to go well and they don’t. Like Nathanael, he sees things in me that bring him pleasure.

The Hebrew writer tells us, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account”(Heb 4:13). He sees right through us.

David praises God because “you know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether”(Psa 139:2-4). He knows me completely.

Yet in spite of all God knows about me, he still wants me. He still loves me, and calls to me. He grieves when I spurn him, and rejoices when I come home to him. What a God!
Jacob Hudgins