“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV)

Are you redeeming your time or regretting your time? We all have the option as to how we use our time. Redemption or regret? Wise people redeem their time. One way to redeem your time is to ask yourself this question:

Is this use of my time a Divine opportunity or a beautiful distraction? This is the principle of discernment. That’s why the Bible says to “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise….” It takes wisdom to discern between a good opportunity and a God opportunity.

If you want to use your time wisely, ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 (HCSB) says, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.” Wisdom enables us to see life from God’s point of view. It gives us an eternal perspective we couldn’t get on our own. It answers the question: Will this last for all eternity? Only two things will last for all eternity. They are the Word of God and people. This puts a priority on relationships - our relationship with God and others. When it comes to those relationships, we know what the will of God is. In Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV), Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

If you want to live a life of no regrets, ask God to give you the wisdom to redeem your time. Then look for those Divine opportunities to love God and love others. Be discerning. A lot of the things we think are important are really distractions and some of the things we think are distractions may just be Divine opportunities. We need wisdom to discern between the two.

Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.

Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.

Using Your Time Wisely, Part 2

Using Your Time Wisely, Part 3

Using Your Time Wisely, Part 1