Make Every Minute Count

Make Every Minute Count

"These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do."
Ephesians 5:16 NIV

"Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.
Wake up from your sleep. Climb out of your coffins. Christ will show you the light!
So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!"
Ephesians 5:11-16 The Message

The Message paraphrase is almost a devotion in itself, isn't it?

Dear ones, it only takes the pressing of your thumb on the television remote for even the dull of mind to see that we live in desperate times. The news is full of war and rumors of war. Families are being torn apart by so many external and internal forces.

May I encourage you in one thing? Draw near to God! Much of what we see and hear is outside the realm of our human control. But what happens within the walls of our homes after dark...all of that is ours to control.

Is there anyone under your roof who is perishing? Have they turned from faith in Christ, in an effort to find their own way, on their own terms? Has the enemy of your soul and theirs told you that there is nothing you can do about it?

Guess what? He is a liar! And there is something you and I can do about it! We can begin with confession and repentance and leap face first into a position of fervent prayer. Ask God to show up and show us how we may be wasting our own time on useless busywork and empty, vain pursuits. Ask Him to rip the covers off any deeds of darkness that exist under our roof.

Then with full authority as given to you by the Lord, kick the enemy to the curb like the mangy dog he is. No more whining and crying in the corner! No more sniveling and woe is me! Stop listening to yourself!

WAKE UP!
STOP IT!
TAKE OFF THOSE DEAD MANS CLOTHES!!
THE CHRIST OF CALVARY IS ALIVE IN YOU!!
HE IS NOT DEAD!
DRAW NEAR TO HIM AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU!
TRUST GOD TO BE GOD!
PUT ON THE OIL OF GLADNESS!
REJOICE IN THE LORD AND LET YOUR COUNTENANCE REFLECT THE JESUS IN YOU!

Dear sisters, we are all in this together and we all, every one of us needs the other! Let's leave the work of changing those loved ones in the Lord's capable Hands. Let's continue or begin, to speak and more importantly live The Truth that we believe and know.

Selah...

Stephanie