Time

By Bethany Lashbrook

This week’s verse: Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (NIV)

“All we have is time”. “What time is it”? “I just don’t have enough time!”

Have you ever said any of these? We live in a society totally focused on two things: time, or money. Lately, it’s not so much the money that is bugging me but the time (it has to be one or the other, it seems).

Jesus talked about time because he understood his time was short here on Earth. John records him saying, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. (7:33, NIV) Jesus knew that time spent needed to me more focused on quality not quantity.

In Ecclesiastes 9:12, it says “People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy.” (NIV) This is true for all of us.

Sometimes, I find myself so rushed, I forget about the time I need for simple things. Time for a bubble bath sure helps me de-stress at night. Time kneeling before the Lord sure helps my problems seems miniscule compared to problems I could be facing. Time playing, listening, and talking with my children and husband ensure a happy, healthy day for them as well as for me! Time reading the bible helps me to remember simple instructions given to us from our Father.

Matthew records in 24:36, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (NIV) Am I ready for this? Am I ready for the time that Jesus is returning? Have I spent my time here on Earth so when the day comes, I will say “yes, Father – it is time, and I am ready!”

Dear Father, help us to remember time is precious. Even though it seems we never have enough of it, help us to learn to use it properly and always for you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Power Verses:

Matthew 4:17, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (NIV)

James 5:7, “Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.” (NLT)

Daniel 11:36, “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.” (NIV)