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Scriptures To Consider: Ephesians 5:16-20 & Judges 3:36-40 Ephesians 5:16 “Making the best use of your time…”

Today I pray that we make better decisions than weʼve done before in business, work, relationships, finances, and more. Iʼve done some evaluating and have realized that there were some ideas that Iʼve followed through with, out of desperation, to move fast, vulnerability, or to just try it and see if it works. Iʼve made time-investments that were a lesson and it came back to me. Some lessons were in Godʼs will and some were simply from my plan. Usually, the lessons that caused me to repeat unnecessary cycles have been out of my plan. But whenever it was a lesson from the Lord, I’ve received the time back in money, or as a way of preparation for the next thing.

You ever remember saying “there is not enough time in the day”? I found myself saying that way too often. It was almost like my time felt like money. Like I was mismanaging my time. I was spending too much of it but not investing it. I began paying more attention to where I gave my time. I realized that it was often in places, or on things, that couldn’t give me a return on my investment. In result, I gave more attention to who I had a desire to help but I gave it/them a deadline. Sort of like the 30 day trial period. I’d pray about these connections with Gideon- like prayers and ask God to show me. (Judges 3:36-40) I asked the Lord to show me if it was his will. Some things have just fallen off or have simply expired. I even wondered why some things hadn’t worked. I later realized it was God forcing me out of some things I didn’t know how to let go. Because I was poor manager of time i was late to promising appointments and on time to “trial period appointments”. According to God’s plan, some things were scheduled to expire.

Godʼs will, will protect us. He saves us time, heartache, disappointment, drought, and so on. Iʼve realized that sometimes my pride has gotten in the way. Iʼve not wanted to ask certain people for help, or honor my parents’ guidance when I was young because I wasnʼt mature enough to know that they werenʼt fussing but simply trying to guide me and develop me with wise life skills. The same things were happening with God and I. Very often I was too young to realize the benefit in having a safe village until I became older. There was a crew of people who Iʼd hang with that I no longer see in life. Theyʼre all alive but our decisions were different. What we did with our time determined our destinies.

Should you evaluate your time? Are you giving God time? What about loved ones? Who, or what, shouldn’t you be giving so much of your time to? What opportunities, or relationships, have you forfeited out of pride and a lack of patience? Be encouraged you have every right to tell yourself and others to NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. Time is your gift from God. So, what will we do with it?

Judges 6:33-40 New Living Translation (NLT)

Gideon Asks for a Sign

33 Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel.34 Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. 35 He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded.

36 Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, 37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.”38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.

39 Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.

Very often we worry of when things will happen for us. Maybe you’ve not gotten the job that you want, maybe you’ve had a miscarriage, maybe you’re waiting on a good relationship, the next big opportunity, the healing of a parental relationship, you’re grieving and have lost yourself due to your loss, or your child to develop and be better. Whatever it is, know that God is with you and to not wait for perfect conditions to enjoy the abundance of life. No, I am not saying "accept anything that comes and go". But find the strength that is already in you to GO FOR IT! God would never leave you out to dry. You actually may have all that you need, but maybe not all that you want. It could be the friend who may have the answer, your arm picking up the phone to actually make that call (lol), knocking fear down to do the first step of your vision/ business plan/ book, or you pushing pride aside and using your lips to say "I’m sorry" "I love you" or "talk to me". Why do we wait for the next person to make the move? Why do we wait on perfect conditions to be free? What have we done to say, "I’ve tried!"? Have we given the enemy a foothold to make us feel guilty due to us not taking action towards freedom?

While dating I’ve noticed that we immediately look for an attractive outward appearance, which I think we should. However, that’s not the end all be all. What if they’re okay lookin’ and not exactly what you’ve expected, or had on your list of requirements. I am asking because very often I have made the most promising friendships with people who I’ve once thought was "ugly". Maybe I didn’t agree with them on our first encounter. Or, I could even consider the small staff of mine that’s doing a heck of a job helping us to carry out a big vision/ business. Some would say that I need more people but in this season in my life I’d rather loyalty, quality, progress, over quantity and what "looks big". At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to "look" great, but to actually be "great". If it were left up to the enemy, I would have accepted the suggestions to stop what I am doing, end my career, until I have what I want instead of starting with what I have. Hence, having a future full of regret, lack, guilt, etc. giving the enemy more tools to fight against me, causing me to feel guilty for what I didn’t do.

So, in a nutshell, don’t wait on perfect conditions. You have to get started somewhere! I am also not encouraging you to settle. But what is it that you’re doubting that you’d ever be ready for? God is with you. Just because you miscarried once, doesn’t mean that you’ll always miscarry. Just because the relationship hasn’t come yet, don’t wait to take your trip to your dream place, or to have someone to LIVE with. Maybe you’re paying off some debt but have a dream to start your business. Create a plan of where you can pay it off and save a tenth to go towards your business; or simply get the word out that your business is now available. That could be a passive source of income. Start now! Go fo it! Don’t wait for perfect. Perfect make never come, but you may be the one to make it EVERYTHING!

Scriptures to Consider:

Judges 6

2 Timothy 3:17

Ecclesiastes 11:4

Habukkuk 2:3

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

I remember being in the the doctor’s office for my annual visit and being in the waiting room was annoying. I had gone through a few magazines, surfed my phone, and thought to myself, “I’ll just reschedule.”. I walked to the reception desk and asked about how much longer they thought the doctor would be. They said that they didn’t know but that I wouldn’t have to wait forever. I thought to myself, “Well, what’s forever to you? Because the way I’ve been waiting, sure feels like its been forever.” So, I sat down and I kept thinking, “I’ll just reschedule.” However, I began reasoning with myself and started thinking that I should get this done and over with, so that I won’t have to make another visit. If I get my annual check-up and ensure that all is well, this visit with the doctor will hold me over until the next year unless I have to come back for other reasons. The nurse came out and said to the room of patients waiting, “Hang tight. The Doctor HAS to see you. It’s her job to see you. She’s just giving each patient un-rushed time to make sure you’re WELL.” When she said this, it dawned on me that I have “a waiting problem”.

I have learned that when I’m waiting I get anxious and nervous. Even in my walk with the Lord, I’ll start questioning if He has forgotten about me. I often question Him and will have asked, “Why is it happening for them, but not happening for me?” However, God has corrected me about this. What’s happening for them, shouldn’t be my business and shouldn’t determine the space that I’m in with God nor His ability/integrity of what He’s doing for me.

However, this weekend I’ve realized that I’ve been waiting for some things to happen to further my career. I’ve met my deadlines and have submitted all of what is necessary but it just seems like I’ve been hitting ceilings or more stop signs. I’ve been praying and seeking God. Doing everything I think I’m suppose to do and even making major sacrifices for all of the work that I’m putting out. However, I have also been working and doors have been opening as if the deadlines won’t make or break me. It’s like God has built me a bridge to carry me over into good time. He’s shown me that I’m on time when I’m in His time and on His schedule. (2 Peter 3:8-9) He doesn’t want things rushed. God is never in a hurry. I’ve not had a dry season and my career is still moving forward. He’s working and having other meetings on my behalf while I’m in the waiting room. When you’re in His will, you’re always safe; even in His waiting room. With His training of budgeting, my team has still been paid on time, mortgage paid, and I’ve even had some to give. Maybe you’ve been in the same space. God hasn’t forgotten you. We get exhausted but He doesn’t. He’s infinite and we are finite. What’s good timing to Him, isn’t always the best timing to us. So, “Hang tight. The Doctor HAS to see you. It’s HIS job to see you. He’s just giving each patient un-rushed time to make sure you’re WELL.” He’s a good father, and no good father would bring a child in the world to leave you to worry and figure it out on your own. He’s there to teach you, guide you, and make the way easy.

Keep waiting!

Scriptures To Consider:

Habukkuk 2:3

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

2 Peter 3:8-9 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

This week I haven’t been feeling well but I’ve worked through it. Very often my asthma flares up and I have a bronchial cough. The treatment that my doctor immediately suggests to me is, rest and maybe an antibiotic. I have so much to do and promises that I’ve made. “I don’t have much time to give to sit down”. I’ve noticed that I haven’t been waking up praying like I usually do. I’ve been going through some changes at work. I’ve not been avoiding certain kinds of vibes in my personal space. I’ve not even worked out in the last 2 weeks. I’ve eaten whatever I wanted to and in the end I’m seeing that it’s all costing me something. My health, my peace, delayed purpose, and I’ve even gotten out of character!

Our health must be in tact! Spiritually and physically. I’ve mentioned it before but how we fuel our bodies is also a form of worship. I’ve been saying that I’ll consecrate but kept pushing it off. Giving people more time than I’ve given God. This too has cost me something. It’s caused me to be confused and make wrong decisions. I told the Lord that I would consecrate and do raw fruits and veggies only. In a result, yesterday the first meal that I ate, I couldn’t keep down. It was almost like God was saying to me, “don’t keep pushing me off” or “don’t keep rescheduling your appointment with me”. It dawns on me very often, “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” and “honor God with your body”. (1 Corinthians 6:19-21) Boy oh boy, people say God doesn’t speak to us…He truly did this week. Also, he dealt with me on fueling my soul with His word. If I don’t digest it often enough, He won’t have it to bring back to my memory for revelation of answers. Everything that I put into my body, is me saying “live off of this” or “thanks God for this body”. (1 Corinthians 10:31) This then had me to reflect what’s in my social media timelines, my music, etc. The Word even says to honor Him with your time.

Today is the first of the month. (I started singing Bone Thugs & Harmony’s “first Of of the month” LOL). What is it that you need to get back to? As your sister, I encourage you to get back to your first love. (Revelation 2:4) Be sure that your mental health is in tact and no one is driving you up a wall. Be more conscious of your words. Don’t say people, or anything, is making you sick. You built for this life. We may fall off but it’s always in you to get back to it. Remember your words create your atmosphere. Pay close attention to your soul, as it has the ability to impact your physical condition. If your body is aching then you won’t be able to move when God says too. You need your body to fulfill purpose. As long as we aren’t in good health, it becomes a domino effect. We get tired, miss deadlines, procrastinate, then doubt that we’re capable of doing something that’s apart of our destiny, then have feelings of inadequacy, have a mental pitty party with ourselves, settle for less, in result believe the lies of the enemy, and step out of God’s will. No more of that! I believe in you. Self check with me and get rid of what is a weight and get back to whatever it is that sets us free. Take care of yourself! What do you need to get back to? Heal yourself.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. – Jeremiah 31:25