Regardless of how time was used before, becoming a follower of Jesus means we use our time differently. We are probably used to spending time on ourselves, but we now want to now make time for two new activities:
First, Christians are called to devote Time for God
Yes, God is present everywhere, all the time, but we want to have specific time laid aside for God. Jesus did this himself:
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone… (Matthew 14:22-23 ESV)
This isn’t the only example, there are many examples like it. Today, people focus time on God by reading his Word, the Bible. A key part of our community is that we base all our teaching on the Bible, and encourage you to read daily. Secondly, focus on God in prayer. We encouraged you to start this in our Becoming like Family series, but don’t forget!
Second, Christians are called to devote Time for others
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-38 ESV)
Jesus dedicated enormous amounts of time to serving the needs of hurting people around him. Following Jesus means we are meant to focus our lives outward as well.
If all this sounds really busy, you are probably thinking we have to add these to our schedules. These are not additions, but are meant to replace, refresh, renew, or as we have named this series, reset our use of time. Some of the things we used to do were wasting time, and now we are invited to redeem that lost time.
What will you let go? Budget your time. Think of it as a limited resource, sine we can’t create time, and can only manage it.
Challenge: Watch your schedule next week. Write down how much time you spent on each activity, then categorize it as me, God or others. What’s out of balance?
Read the Bible in Sync Today
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We saw on Tuesday the story of Simeon, and what he said about Jesus bringing salvation available for all people. He picks up Jesus and says:
“for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
Simeon was considered a righteous and devout man. It would have been easy to rely on his good works for his salvation. Instead he goes and picks up a baby boy, and says this is the source of his salvation.
For him, that was a life-changing experience. We pray that Jesus’ arrival on earth is lifechanging for you too.
Through this series, we’re seen Jesus’ impact on the religious, powerful, poor, and next week, the wise.
If you are religious – beware of trying to earn your salvation, you will find yourself falling short every time and in despair. For you, Jesus’ birth brings hope. God came to you, you don’t have to get to God.
If you are powerful – beware of feeling like there are threats all around, and falling into fear. Jesus is your comfort. He is the true source of all power wherever it is exercised, and he can live in you and work through you to build kingdom of god, rather than your own kingdom.
If you are poor – you are probably aware of your reliance on God and God alone. It is easier to know you are spiritually poor when you are materially poor, as material wealth can obscure our need for help and salvation. Jesus represents spiritual riches offered freely to all of us, rich and poor, but so often rejected by the wealthy and accepted by the poor.
Whoever you are, God coming to earth reresents grace – a free gift from God you didn’t earn, didn’t force, and didn’t buy. It was a turning point in world. Will it be a turning point in your life?
Challenge: Explore Jesus this coming year – take Christianity 101 (info below), or get in touch with me for personal coaching.
Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community - so check out today's reading at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/readingplan
Reminder: The best way to grow spiritually this year is to join our Christianity 101 in the Cafe Course in Pickering starting January 22nd. Register for you and a friend today at https://www.redeemthecommute.com/events/!
