{"id":35431,"date":"2023-06-04T03:30:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-04T10:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=35431"},"modified":"2023-06-03T17:44:12","modified_gmt":"2023-06-04T00:44:12","slug":"june-4-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2023\/06\/04\/june-4-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"June 4, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Redeeming The Time<\/h2>\n

\u201cA little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep \u2013 so shall your poverty come on you like a robber, and your need like an armed man.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0Proverbs 6:10-11<\/p>\n

After having worked at a full time job all my adult life and finally cutting back to part time work, I was so looking forward to spending my precious time being fruitful in different ways \u2013 visiting people who can\u2019t get out much anymore, spending time with a lonely friend, and enjoying doing things with my husband in our \u201cgolden years\u201d before our physical bodies completely fall apart! Things that were important, but I never seemed to have enough time for.<\/p>\n

At first I was like a fish out of water, not sure just how to use this time \u201cproductively,\u201d at times even feeling guilty for being off the \u201chamster wheel.\u201d But eventually I gave myself time to read a book or two, and then somehow got \u201chooked\u201d on a couple of solitary card games on my Kindle (free downloads, of course).<\/p>\n

These games are not bad in themselves, but they need to be used in moderation. It is kind of like sugar or dessert; those \u201ctasty little morsels\u201d take away my desire for real food (the Word). They leave me craving more, but they never satisfy. Those empty calories do me no good nutritionally, and they kill my appetite for what is good and healthy for me. That\u2019s why we should eat dessert last. I need to \u201cwith joy, draw water from the wells of salvation\u201d <\/em>FIRST (Isaiah 12:3), then I can allow myself to enjoy a little \u201cdessert,\u201d some down time or recreation.<\/p>\n

Ephesians 5:14-17 tells us to redeem the time because the days are evil.<\/p>\n

When I spend time with Him in His Word, He will give me my marching orders. It may be a season of enjoying time with Him, but when He says \u201cMove!\u201d or \u201cGo!\u201d I want to be ready to act on it. I don\u2019t want to have the mindset \u2013 \u201cJust one more game first!\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord, I can see how spiritual poverty can come on me like a thief, and rob me of the precious time that You have given to me. Help me to redeem the time I have here on this earth. I know that being \u201chooked\u201d on anything that is not of You is idolatry, and I confess it as sin and repent of it. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness and for letting me see my need. In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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