Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
When I was a senior in high school, I took my girlfriend to the Senior Prom. We were scheduled to meet a group of friends for dinner at a nice restaurant in downtown Houston, about 25 miles from my house. It was going to be a great evening.
Being directionally challenged and unfamiliar with downtown, I got lost on the way to the restaurant. Being a hardhead, I did not quickly stop to ask for directions. I drove for miles and miles… and miles past the right exit. My girlfriend and I finally got to the restaurant about an hour late… just as our friends were ordering their dessert. We missed out on the dinner fun because we wasted time going in the wrong direction.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
The Bible warns us to make the most of the precious time we have on earth. It is really easy to get one’s priorities all messed up and end up going in the wrong direction. Remember, once our life on earth is through… then we have to stand before God and give an account of how we lived. We miss out BIG TIME if we waste our life on trivial pursuits, selfish ambitions and things that do not make an eternal difference.
GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
As we enter a new year and a time for new beginnings, it is good to ask yourself (and honestly answer) some important questions:
1. Where are you now? As you honestly evaluate your life, are you where you are supposed to be with the Lord? Are you on track with Him… growing in your obedience and dependence on Jesus (not perfect, but progressing)? Or have you gotten off track? Have you missed the turn? Are you driving down the highway of life knowing deep down you are not really serving God fully and doing His will? Honestly assess where you are right now… even if it is painful.
2. Where do you want to be? As bad as your honest answer to question #1 may be, question #2 is where you dream of what can be. You and I need to dream big because God is a big God. There is no limit to what He can do in a person’s life when that person is sold out and surrendered.
One of the great things about the Lord is the fact that He can restore the years that the locust has eaten. He can work all things together for good. He can take our wrong turns and turn them around for good… if we trust Him and depend upon Him.
Sit down and begin to dream big together with the Lord. Write down where you want to be at the end of 2007. Remember… “You are coming to a King, large petitions with you bring, for His grace and power are such, no one can ever ask too much.”
3. How are you going to get there? Dreams do not become realities because you wish for them. There are specific things you must start doing in order to realize change in your life. Time with the Lord each day is crucial. You will not move forward with Jesus unless you start making Him THE priority of your life.
Plugging in at a good, Bible-believing church is also critical. You need a good church family and a place at church to serve (Sunday morning bench warmers do not realize their God-sized dreams). This is the year for you to GET IN THE GAME!
BE ENCOURAGED
God has a great and wonderful plan for you and me! The sky is the limit with the Lord. As many as may be the promises of God, in Jesus they are YES!! Cash in on all that HE has for you and make this year the best ever!!
Love,
Jeff Schreve
Pastor
www.fromhisheart.org
jeff@fromhisheart.org
Telephone: 903.838.8329
From His Heart Ministries can now been seen on the Salem Website called LightSource. This is another opportunity to reach people throughout the world with the love of Christ.
Jeff Schreve is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. He and his wife Debbie have been married for almost 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful girls.
Jeff began From His Heart Ministries, a radio and television ministry, in January of 2005. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no salary from this ministry.
All gifts go to further the broadcast.
Click here to become a ministry partner.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works with us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21