Encouragement
Last Sunday morning, our eldest son Craig called and asked, "What time is it Dad?"
Craig was getting ready to leave for church and noticed that his clock seemed wrong.
Sure enough, it had automatically fallen back an hour!
I told Craig the correct time and that we wouldn't 'fall back an hour' until this coming weekend.
Yesterday we noticed an article in the paper stating that several electronic devices nationwide had experienced the same problem as Craig, causing much frustration.
Spiritually, there are a lot of people who do not know 'What time it is'.
God's Word speaks to this a number of times:
1) Galatians 4:4-7:
Christ came in the fulness of time, so we can trust Him concerning the present....
and future times, even the time of our death.
2) Mark 1:15:
"The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand, so repent and believe the Gospel".
3) Hosea 10:12:
"It is time to seek the Lord".
4) Matthew 16:3:
"Jesus said, 'O ye hypocrites, you can discern the signs of the weather...
but you can not discern the signs of the times".
5) Matthew 19:43-44 speaks of the time of God's Visitation.
Jeremiah and others also speak of this subject.
6) Romans 13:11:
"It is high time to awake out of sleep".
7) Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5 speak of 'redeeming the time'.
In other words, make the most of every day!
8) Psalms 90 tells us to 'number our days' that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (Will of God).
Here are some descriptive words about the 'shortness of life':
1) Life is like a shadow
2) Life is like a flying shuttle
3) Life is like a hurrying messenger
Vance Havner is a favorite author of mine and my 'preacher brother' Keith...
so we enjoy sharing about Dr. Havner's life and writings when we get together.
In 1969, Dr. Havner wrote a book entitled 'In Times Like These'.
In the preface he wrote:
"Sin has gotten us into a wilderness that science can not get us out of.
Our boasted progress has landed us not in paradise, but in pandaemonium.
Modern man is a prodigal, feeding swine in a far country, but too proud...
to go home to the father and confess that he has sinned".
He also quotes Joseph Wood Krutch:
"We are like Alice in Wonderland where she had to run as fast as she could...
to stay where she was."
Havner goes on to say:
"We have invented so much that our factories are polluting our air...
and some places are suffocating in smog.
We are being devoured by our own devices.
We have a 'bear by the tail' and can't let go.
Many countries have fallen because the morals do not keep step...
with the material progress."
Scripture and Prayer go together, in trying to live a life that someone put this way:
"I lived and it mattered"
"I loved and it mattered"
"I lasted (length/quality of life) and it mattered"
Bill Bright was a man of God who believed this, passing away in July 2003.
He founded Campus Crusade, which has made a difference in many lives.
His wife, Vonette continues to carry on his ministry around the world.
In Decision Magazine she told how God sustained her through her husband's illness...
and passing, and also what she is doing today.
"I'm doing amazingly well. I believe I'm experiencing God's supernatural grace.
I'm rejoicing, because I know my husband is rejoicing in Heaven.
In June 2000, God gave me a verse that helped me all through Bill's illness and even now. Jesus is telling His disciples that He is going to be leaving them...
"If you really love me, you will be very happy for me because...
now I can go to the Father who is greater than I am". (John 14:28)
I took that as God's direction that I should be happy that my husband was going to be with Jesus. I'm accepting this as a new phase and as an adventure.
God is meeting me at every corner. I never dreamed that I would be as happy as I am.
I miss my husband terribly, but I am happy for him...
and happy that the Lord is good to me...and is so real to me.
I have lots to do and I am challenged and feel loved and cared for.
Bill and I had 54 yrs. 6 months and 20 days together.
That is so much more than many couples have.
I feel very very blessed and I don't have anything to complain about."
La Moyne and I have been married for 54 years and one of the songs that we sang as a duet many times is entitled "In Times Like These". It always meant a lot to us...
but means even more as we age!
"In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Chorus
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these you need the Bible,
In times like these O be not idle;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Chorus
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
~Words and Music by Ruth Caye Jones~
As has happened many times when I'm seeking to know what to write each week,
we will receive an e-mail or read a devotional that will underline my thoughts.
After completing this article, we rec'd two e-mails, each talking about 'TIME'.
These came from our friend, Iris Ginoza, on the Island of Maui:
"Realize Time"
To realize the value of a sister or brother, ask someone who doesn't have one.
To realize the value of four years, ask a graduate.
To realize the value of one year, ask a student who has failed a final exam.
To realize the value of nine months, ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one minute, ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of one second, ask a person who has survived an accident.
Time waits for no one! Treasure every moment that you have!
**************
'Life is Short'
They say it takes:
A minute to find a special person....
An hour to appreciate them....
A day to love them....
But an entire lifetime to forget them.
****************
We know also that our TIMES are in His hands (Psalms 31:15).....
and that even though we fall...
we “shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds” us by His hand. (Psalms 37:24)
"Therefore let us come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy...
and grace for the TIME of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
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Thank you so much for this beautiful and comforting article Travis. Yes indeed we need to be anchored to the solid rock for our times are in His hands. I love you and La Moyne, Sharon
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