Time seems to slip away from us so easily, yet we are called upon to focus our

energy towards being disciplined and productive with our time - not just in
getting things done, but in getting the right things done. We all need reminders
about this often, and more than this, practical help and advice as to how to go
about the task.

Eph. 4:15-17 tells us, See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as
wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise,
but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

The Scottish preacher Alexander MacLaren (1826–1910) once observed: "No unwelcome
tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only
when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness
to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties
unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of
blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand
threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God.
If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up
to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it." Today we are
to buy back the time or redeem it, until the Lord's return. In the book of Luke we
read the following. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds,
and said unto them, Occupy till I come. We are not to neglect the gifts and
callings which are without repenting of. Or in other words, work diligently by
faith unto the end and expand the kingdom of God by preaching the Gospel to every
creature. This is Paul's advice to Timothy. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee,
which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy
profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that
hear thee." How does one make the most of their time? Jesus said it himself in
Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What
shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things
do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof. We are to love God with all our being. With the promise
that God will meet all our needs in Christ Jesus. I said needs and not wants.
Phillipians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus. Psalm 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the
hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. We are in the good hands of
God. He will not fail, nor forsake us at any point. Every place where we adventure
to he has already given it to us. Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall
not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the
still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest
my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. There
is no lack to them that fear him. Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and
shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from
them that walk uprightly. God is our salvation and protection. There is a true
story of one unit of United States soldiers who read Psalm 91 daily together. Not
one of them died as result of combat during World War 1. A few died of non combat
sickness, but not one perished in combat from the enemy's hands. Here is Psalm 91
in it's entirety. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge
and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from
the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with
his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield
and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow
that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the
destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten
thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes
shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the
LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil
befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give
his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up
in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the
lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him
on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer
him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long
life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. We are to cast all our care
upon God because he cares for us. The very hairs on our heads are numbered. God
named all the trillions of stars by name. This God is more powerful than anything
created or is known to be since before time began. Surely he can be trusted and
counted on to help with all with our problems and concerns. The good news is even
if you do not know him as Lord of your life you can. As long as you are willing to
trust and obey him, then he will be your Saviour. We all must believe and be
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. No
exceptions to this rule. The thief on the cross died before Jesus died and arose
again. Jesus had the power to forgive sins while on the earth. Since the day of
Pentecost all are required by their active faith to repent, and then be baptized
in the name of Jesus solely. Which is for the remission of sins. Paul was told to
call upon the name of the Lord Jesus to wash away his sins. And it is through his
faith he obeyed. Many discount and disregard baptism. Now Jesus walked 70 miles to
have it done by John at the Jordan. He did so to fulfill all righteousness. If you
want to do the righteous things of God, you will indeed be saved by faith in
baptism. We read throughout the Gospels it was done only in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Read the book of Acts chapters 2 through 22. In fact read Paul's
letters to the saved Churches. He advocates baptism in Jesus name alone. No title
or description of God ever healed, saved, or cast out a demon. But the name of
Jesus does. Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved. Lastly, John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The scriptures tell us that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word
be established. Jesus name is the family name. These scriptures support this:
Ephesians 3:15, John 5:43/14:26, and Matthew 1:21. You alone must save yourself
from this untoward or ungodly generation. Nobody can be saved without the grace of
God that is shown at Calvary through the cross; or without their own active faith
as their response to his invitation to eternal life, which is given without
charge. Have a blessed day in the Lord Jesus Christ!