Using Our Time Wisely
There lived a faithful wife and mother whose duties required hard work and endless toil. She loved her family and was conscientious in doing her best. She was a Christian and as a consequence did not allow her obligations at home to prevent her from reaching out to care for the needs of others. With sympathetic concern, she was always ready to be used by the Lord to help wherever she was needed. She spent many hours at her church, serving at the day school, doing visitation, and being faithful in attending all the services with her family.
In contrast, I think of other mothers I have known who, though diligent in their efforts to serve their families, found little or no time to serve others. How many times I heard the excuse that they were much too busy with family needs and could not get involved in church activities. These people miss so much in life by overlooking the joy and blessing of helping others.
Do you recall what the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 25:40? Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. It takes time to go to the hospital and call on someone who is sick. It takes time to work with little children at the church. It takes time to be a part of a visitation program. But this time is never wasted time. It is invested time. It is for the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins and provided our salvation.
People say, “I would like to help but I can’t find the time.” Of course they can’t! We don’t find time. We make time! We arrange our schedule, putting first things first, and somehow all the rest fits in. This is what Jesus talked about when He said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
So many times when faced with a number of obligations, as I prayed and trusted the Lord, He always got me through. Everything worked out and got done in good time. Remember, when we serve the Lord we are not alone; He is there to help us all the way.
I have found that some people don’t get involved in the service of the Lord because they feel they are not qualified. I have discovered that when God calls us to do a certain work for Him, He always supplies the wisdom, the time, and the strength to do the job. He never leaves us in the lurch. He is right there to give us all the help we need. That’s why Paul said, I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). I call that my “can do” verse. If I am faced with a task that appears to be too much for me, I simply go to my “can do” verse and trust the Lord to get me through. It is simply amazing to realize how God responds.
I don’t know your circumstances, but let me suggest that you analyze things. If you are not doing much for the Lord, look around and consider what you could do if you would. Ask the Lord about it, and I guarantee you it won’t take Him long to respond to your need.
I heard of a policeman who became a Christian. After a while he and his wife became upset because of the conditions in which he had to work. Sin affected him as never before and what he saw disturbed him. He began to pray that God would get him out of that location and put him in a better environment. God did not answer that prayer, for He does not do things that way. As time went on and the Lord did not answer his prayer, the policeman did some more thinking about the matter. He and his wife realized that he was where God put him so he could be used of the Lord. He was not to run from it. He was not to look the other way, but use it as a mission field. He did, and God blessed him abundantly.
Maybe you are on your mission field and you haven’t realized it. Pray about it. God didn’t save you simply so you could be happy. He saved you to be useful. I read in 2 Chronicles 29:11, My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him. Are you serving the Lord and doing what He wants you to do? People need Him desperately. You and I have the answer, the only answer. If we live for ourselves and do only the things we want to do, how will they hear?
Gladys Nash has written about the time when her car broke down on the highway. After waiting a long while, a service vehicle happened to come along. The driver stopped, got out, and examined her car. Very quickly he discovered the problem and said the car needed a new water hose. He promised to get a replacement and come back. Gladys waited and waited but he didn’t return. Finally, she concluded either he had forgotten or he wasn’t interested. After quite a while, he finally showed up.
Somewhat exasperated, Gladys asked, “Where have you been all this time?” He said, “Well, I had to go home and eat dinner.”
What kind of service is that? A girl is stranded out on the highway and the serviceman is home eating dinner. That is the old “me first” attitude that prevails among many of God’s people today.
The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37). I urge you to take time, not only to care for your family but also to care for the work of God. He will use you if you give yourself to Him to be used. Serve the LORD with gladness and you will be surprised at what God will do through you. Whenever we serve the Lord faithfully in the power of God, for the glory of God, according to the Word of God, there will be no lack of the blessing of God. Jesus said, Occupy till I come (Luke 19:13). One of these days He will return. If we don’t go to Him before, we shall see Him when He returns. Will we hear those wonderful, consoling words, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord (Matthew 25:21). If this is our desire, let’s grasp the opportunities to do our best for Him who gave His all for us.
But let’s think about your relationship to God. Do you really know Him? Maybe you know about church or morality. Maybe you know about religion. But do you really know God through Jesus Christ His Son? If you have never trusted in Him for your eternal salvation, do it now.
J. Allen Blair
Worry all you want, it won' t change anything!
Useless Worry is the title of this month's message in print that's free for a letter or call.
Glad Tidings Music CD
A new CD features vocal music by Sammy Poole, who has given his talents for this project. He sings music with a message. Most of his selections are heard on the Glad Tidings radio program. 25 selections - Cost of CD $10.00.
Science and Sin
(The following is a response to a journalist who criticized the Grand Canyon Gift Shop for offering a book by Tom Vail which promotes the creationist view of our world.)
“What is not squarely acknowledged is that science is a belief system too. It is a belief as to how things work and came to be, based on how it looks from here. I know. I embraced it for years – public school, law school (Ann Arbor), and years as a Citibank lawyer (NY and DC) – all without the Bible and thinking it rational and sufficient, but it didn’t hold up. Science doesn’t address the sin problem. And, although I didn’t know to call it sin, I knew I had made errors in my personal life; that error exacts a price; that the natural painful consequences to me, though useful, did nothing to redress the harm. The penalty must be still to come.
Years later I was told the Gospel of Christ crucified. I believed and have been forever changed. I learned that while I was still at odds with Christ, He who was without sin became sin for me; paying the penalty for all, that whosoever believes on Him receive access to Heaven. And I learned that Jesus of the Bible does just what He says: He gives believers a new heart and transforms our mind. The new mind is rational and equipped to live in a world filled with the sciences and still hold on to Bible truths. Though I have not read Mr. Vail’s book, I am encouraged by his (and the park official’s) willingness to encourage others to think Bible: The Bible is trustworthy. Take God at His word. Start with the sin question.” Leslie C.
(Leslie has worked for years as a volunteer with Glad Tidings, typing the daily message transcripts to make them available to listeners. We thank her for her work and for the above article which was published in a local paper.)
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