Wisdom in Christ 3

Hello Everyone,

Also Paul explains to have wisdom in Christ WE USE TIME WISELY.

Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

How do you spend your time? This is exactly what we do. We literally “spend” our lives and our time on certain things. And someone said, “You cannot kill time without injuring eternity.”

In other words, what we do here and now affects eternity. We prepare for eternity here and now. We must invest our time wisely every day and perhaps, every hour of the day.

Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

“Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise.” NCV

Time = Life, therefore, waste your time and waste your life, or master your time and master your life.

William Penn wrote: “Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.”

TRUE FOR MANY PEOPLE

Have you ever taken an inventory of how you spend your days? Try it some time and you might be surprised at how much time you waste doing things that count for nothing.

- Someone wrote: “Waste your money and you're only out of money, but waste your time and you've lost a part of your life.”
- “Don’t count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count.”

Another writer said: Do you know that a ten-minute coffee break five days a week amounts to forty-three-and-one-third hours during a year—over a week’s vacation in time?

TIME ADDS UP QUICKLY. And time leaves us quickly as well.

2 Corinthians 6:2 “For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

NOW is the day of salvation for all mankind. God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

BUT TIME WILL RUN OUT. It may have already run out for some people because they have continued to rebel against God.

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

This is the time of harvest but only if we work at sowing good stuff. How can we reap if we do not sow?

1 Thessalonians 5:3 “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

When is this time? IT COULD BE AT ANY TIME!

2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.”

What about you? Is it time for your departure? It could be and for me too. We could leave this world at any time!

This is why we need to be ready, to get ready and to use our time wisely for the Lord!

“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.”

“Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have - so spend it wisely.”

Greater Things Are Still To Come! 

Wisdom in Christ 2

Hello Everyone

Paul explains what it means to have wisdom in Christ.

First of all WE EXPOSE THE DARKNESS

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

How do we expose the darkness in this world? By shedding light wherever we go!

I read about a terrible accident years ago in which several youth were killed when their car was struck by a train. At the trial the watchman was questioned: “Were you at the crossing the night of the accident?”
“Yes, your Honor.”
“Were you waving your lantern to warn of the danger.”
“Yes, your Honor,” the man told the judge.
But after the trial had ended, the watchman walked away mumbling to himself, “I’m glad they didn’t ask me about the light in the lantern, because the light had gone out.”

God sees when our light has gone out.

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

How do we let our light (Jesus) shine? Several ways. We teach and preach but we also LIVE the life. Do you try to live the best you can?

And do you testify for Christ whenever you can? Do you speak up for Christ when the opportunity comes your way?

John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Romans 13:12 “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

ILL.- One person complained, “Why did God ever make such a world as this?” He added, “I could make a better world than this myself.” A friend suggested, “That is just the reason God put you into this world--to make a better world. Now go ahead and do your part.”

And we do our part by pointing to the true light! The wise person points to Jesus as the source of life and light!

Greater Things Are Still To Come! 

Wisdom in Christ 1

Hello Everyone,

Wisdom. Who doesn’t need it?

A preacher said: When I was a young minister, a funeral director asked me to hold a grave side service for a homeless man with no family or friends. The funeral was to be at a cemetery way out in the country. This was a new cemetery and this man was the first to be laid to rest there.

I was not familiar with the area and became lost. Being a typical man, of course, I did not ask for directions. I finally found the cemetery about an hour late. The back hoe was there and the crew was eating their lunch. The hearse was nowhere to be seen.

I apologized to the workers for being late. As I looked into the open grave, I saw the vault lid already in place. I told the workers I would not keep them long, but that this was the proper thing to do. The workers, still eating their lunch, gathered around the opening.

I was young and enthusiastic and poured out my heart and soul as I preached. The workers joined in with, "Praise the Lord," "Amen," and "Glory!" I got so into the service that I preached and preached and preached, from Genesis to The Revelation.

When the service was over, I said a prayer and walked to my car. As I opened the door, I heard one of the workers say, "I never saw anything like that before and I've been putting in septic systems for twenty years."

Everyone needs wisdom for life. Wisdom will help us keep from making certain mistakes in life and especially, if we receive the wisdom that is from above.

James 4:13-18 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

The wisdom from above is: goodness, humble, pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, sincere, impartial, and full of good fruit.

WHAT A LIST OF WISE THINGS TO DO OR BE!

Wisdom deals with how we live, not so much what we know.

There are plenty of educated fools in this world.

Without the wisdom of God we will make plenty of mistakes in life.

Here are the words of Wilbur Chapman, words of wisdom: “The rule that governs my life is this: Anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.”

THAT’S TRUE WISDOM!

Greater Things Are Still To Come! 

Life in Christ 4

Hello Everyone,

Paul also tells us in our Life in Christ WE PUT DOWN THE DEVIL.

Ephesians 4:26-28 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”

Ephesians 4:27 Do not give the devil a foothold.

Life in Christ is also a matter of putting down the devil. Don’t give the devil a foothold. Where? How? Don’t allow the devil a foothold in your life.

Don’t allow the devil a secure grip or place in your life.

The light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.
He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, so naturally....I assumed you had stolen the car."

Did that lady allow the devil a foothold in her life apparently, whether she realized it or not.

Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Wow! What a list of things not to do! We put down the devil in our lives by putting away sin from our lives! Stop stealing. Don’t talk in a rude and crude way. Get rid of bad stuff, rage and anger, bitterness, slander and malice. WHAT A LIST!

Whether we realize it or not, we give the devil a foothold in our lives when we do the things mentioned in our text and more. But to put down the devil is to rid ourselves of as much bad stuff as possible.

How do we put down the devil? By looking to the Lord! By clinging to the Lord in every way possible!

James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

The only way to put down the devil in life is by submitting to the Lord.

When we know what His Word says, we submit.

When we know His will, we submit.

There is great POWER in submission! Power over evil in this world and the evil one!

Preacher Dwight L. Moody met a man in his hotel one day and asked him, “My friend, are you a Christian?” The man stiffened up and replied, “Well, what do you think?” Moody said, “Well, not a red hot one.”

Are you a red hot Christian? Are you on fire for Christ? None of us will be until we put away the old life, put on the new life and put down the devil in life.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

That’s true life in Christ. We live by faith every day in the Son of God!

Greater Things Are Still To Come! 

Life in Christ 3

Hello Everyone,

Also in our Life in Christ Paul tells us WE PUT ON THE NEW LIFE.

Ephesians 4:23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Put on the new self. Put on your newer and better self. What’s this? Your better self in Christ we are better in Christ than we are without Him.

I think there are at least two good ways for us to put on the new life, created to be like Christ. One way is by imitating others.

I Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” The apostle Paul was saying, “Imitate me or follow me in the ways that I follow or imitate Christ.” “Follow my best example.”

There are so very many godly people in this world whom we need to follow or imitate in order to put our new self in Christ.

And then the other way and the best way is to look to Christ.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith....”

And what will happen if we fix our eyes on Jesus? Chances are we will eventually become more like Him. We will put on the new self created to be like Jesus.

Acts 4:13  “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

Greater Things Are Still To Come!