Good morning,
In scripture, there is a verse “redeem the time for the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). The Greek word for “redeem” means “rescue from loss”. To rescue something from loss implies that we make use of it like adopting an animal or rescuing something from the trash. In the same way, when we make the time we have with the people we love, count, we have rescued that time from being a total loss. Last night, people came to the house to celebrate Christmas and one person wanted to play cribbage. Normally I would decline because I get anxious however, the spirit of the Lord said, “do it anyways” so we played 3 games and had a good time. It is very easy and convenient to fall back on our fears and allow them to drive our attitudes and behaviors. When Jesus walked the earth, he could have hidden in fear of the Sanhedrin and never healed anyone, and would have wasted the precious gift the father gave him for the world; if he had done that, he would have been another king “who lived and then he died”. My encouragement for you this Christmas season and into the New year is, “redeem the time at all costs” because the people we love are not around forever and neither are you and I.
Verses: Ephesians 5:16, Matthew 13:45-46, Matthew 26:36-45
Famous Quote: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is those good men do nothing” – John Stewart Mill
Father,
Please help me today to redeem the time I am given. We are not told how long we have or when we will or someone else will be called home. The hardest thing for me is to listen to people who bemoan the loss of a spouse, friend, or child and wish they could talk with them for just a few moments – in essence, they live with regret. So help me today to live for you and cherish those you have given to me to pray for. I pray for my family Lord that you would watch over them and keep them safe. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).
IHS
MK
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