Redeeming the time
Last week, we talked some on redeeming the time. The call for scriptures was made, and it was neat to think about some of the many completely different angles to this huge topic.
We started off in Psalm 107, observing the repetition in verses 1, 8, 15, 21 and 31.
We started off in Psalm 107, observing the repetition in verses 1, 8, 15, 21 and 31.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
In our search for figuring out what the Lord wants us to to do with our time, that is a pretty compelling reminder. We are to always give thanks - 1 Thess 5:18, Eph 5:20, Col 3:17.
We also had the reminder of the emphases of Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 in gaining an impression of where our focus should be.
One older sister shared the familiar "time" verses in Ecclesiastes 3
Then we discussed the idea that christian families can be used of God at any stage, as we dedicate ourselves to obeying God's plan. Even a family with only young children can be a light to the world as we ignore "wordly wisdom" and "common sense" and follow God's Word.
We agreed that there was no wisdom in the idea that in order to serve God, we must neglect our God given responsibilities to our family. 1 Tim 5:8:
In Mark 7:10-12, Jesus addressed the faulty logic of "ministry" keeping us from our God-given responsibilities to our parents (and the same principle seems to apply to our own children!)
Man's ways are not God's ways. When our hearts are tugged by various needs all around us, of which there are many, we need to really look to God's Word for direction, and not our feelings.
Colossians 1:9-12 was suggested as a way to see the desired end-result of our time usage:
We also had the reminder of the emphases of Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 in gaining an impression of where our focus should be.
One older sister shared the familiar "time" verses in Ecclesiastes 3
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Her encouragement to the younger sisters was to keep priorities straight and invest in the lives of our young children, because the time goes by so fast. Slowing down and caring for little ones is the right thing to do. Isaiah 40:11:He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.
Then we discussed the idea that christian families can be used of God at any stage, as we dedicate ourselves to obeying God's plan. Even a family with only young children can be a light to the world as we ignore "wordly wisdom" and "common sense" and follow God's Word.
We agreed that there was no wisdom in the idea that in order to serve God, we must neglect our God given responsibilities to our family. 1 Tim 5:8:
But if any provide not for his own,
and specially for those of his own house,
he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
and specially for those of his own house,
he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
In Mark 7:10-12, Jesus addressed the faulty logic of "ministry" keeping us from our God-given responsibilities to our parents (and the same principle seems to apply to our own children!)
For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and,
Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother,
It is Corban, that is to say, a gift,
by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother,
It is Corban, that is to say, a gift,
by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
Man's ways are not God's ways. When our hearts are tugged by various needs all around us, of which there are many, we need to really look to God's Word for direction, and not our feelings.
Colossians 1:9-12 was suggested as a way to see the desired end-result of our time usage:
... that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,
unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
A warning of how to spend time and how to not spend time, 1 Timothy 5:13-14:
Again, we see the value of our conduct as christian women to our testimony to non-believers. Even those who would otherwise scorn the Bible see that a wife and mom should be caring for her husband and family primarily. While there may be danger in turning this into just conspicuous, superficial, material things, if our hearts are truly sensitive to the Lord, the outworking must affect our priorities and yield spiritual fruit.
Lord willing, we will continue our discussion on redeeming the time next week!
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,
unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
These verses are neat, because you can kind of infer the kinds of things that contribute to bringing these qualities about -- namely thanksgiving, trusting the Lord in trials, and serving.
A warning of how to spend time and how to not spend time, 1 Timothy 5:13-14:
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house;
and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not.
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house,
give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully
and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not.
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house,
give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully
Again, we see the value of our conduct as christian women to our testimony to non-believers. Even those who would otherwise scorn the Bible see that a wife and mom should be caring for her husband and family primarily. While there may be danger in turning this into just conspicuous, superficial, material things, if our hearts are truly sensitive to the Lord, the outworking must affect our priorities and yield spiritual fruit.
Lord willing, we will continue our discussion on redeeming the time next week!
I have enjoyed all the posts on scheduling. I just read through them for the second time. Almost every year that we homeschooled, I made out a schedule. My children always thought that was funny because we would then live through our days without looking at it. Every once in a while, I would look at the schedule and tweak it or simply see how we were doing. It gave us an order to our day but left room for interruptions (which were many)and the Holy Spirit's guidance.
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