Quality Time                                                        2-7-14

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NASB) ¹⁵  Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
¹⁶  making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

I have a brother-in-law that is a prophecy hound. I try and keep up with what's going on in the world, but I am mostly a headline reader. But, not Rick. He's a prophecy buff. He keeps up with the detail if you know what I mean. He keeps me abreast of what's going on. At any rate, it was something that he said to me last night that sparked this message. More on that shortly. If you follow the church news at all, then I am sure that you have heard of the book about the Harbingers. To go right along with that there is a book about the coming Blood Moons(this year and next on Passover and the Feast of  Trumpets) No detail here, you can Google and get a wealth of information. It is eye opening to say the least. That being said,Rick has been reading the book on the blood moons; and, he told me last night that there was a section in the back of the book dedicated to asking the reader whether they were ready or not. In a nutshell it simply asked "Are you ready?" That set me to thinking and the above verse came to mind. I could only remember the three words in the KJV. "Redeeming the time," was all that came to mind. I finally ran it down, and the Lord put that word "redeem" on my mind.
The phrase "making the most of your time" is literally "redeeming the time" KJV says it best.

Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV) ¹⁵  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
¹⁶  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

This verse has two applications The immediate context is speaking to our outward walk with God. You know, how the world sees us. But, the more important context is centered on our inward walk, or better yet, our personal relationship with God. "Redeeming the time." That word redeem has an interesting meaning.

Vine's Expository Dictionary says this.

" a strengthened form of "to buy"" it means to "buy out or buy up the opportunity." It denotes buying all that is available.

We spend time with people and things that are important to us. There are the demands of life that compete for our time. Work, family, inlaws,outlaws...the list is endless. They all demand and compete for our attention. If we aren't very careful, God can be put on the back burner, or worse, left completely out of the mix. That's what the Apostle Paul is warning against here. Look again.

  Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV) ¹⁵  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
¹⁶  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

Be careful, don't be foolish. Buy up all the available time and spend it with God.Why? Because the days are evil. I am reminded of the recent snow and ice storms that we here in the "sunny south" experienced recently. I doubt there was a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk to be had anywhere. You know it's true. Just the hint of snow or ice and the grocery stores become war zones.(smile) Why? Because at those times bread and milk become IMPORTANT! Listen, God understands that we have a lot on our plates. But, time spent in His presence is in our best interests. It makes us wise or at the very least wiser. lol How can we expect to "walk outwardly" if we haven't been renewed and strengthened inwardly. Five minutes spent watching and reading about what is going on in our world and we will realize just how important a few minutes with the KING OF KINGS actually is.

 Romans 13:11 (NASB) ¹¹  Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
We can't afford to let the times catch us unaware. KNOW THE TIME. Let me say something here. This may not be about salvation for you.You may know the Lord Jesus as Savior. But, brothers and sisters with all that is coming upon this earth, we NEED some time with the Lord God Almighty. There are many of you who don't need a harbinger to understand the world in which we live. To make it through the coming evil days, we NEED His presence in our lives. Heck, it's Him and Him alone that holds ANY hope for us. You feelin' me? Jesus is ALL that we have.The world has suggestions six ways from Sunday on how to spend our "quality time." I can promise you this, very few include Jesus on the short list. Amen? Redeem a little time with Him today. Buy it up. Make it important. All He wants to do is love on you a little bit. He will buy some time with you and me, if we will be willing to spend a little time with Him. Amen.

Psalm 107:2 (NASB) ²  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary

Psalm 119:114 (NASB) ¹¹⁴  You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.




God Bless