Making The Most Out Of 2013

MAKING THE MOST OF 2013

Ephesians 5:15-17

Since our time on earth is limited, let’s live wisely as Spirit filled people.

INTRODUCTION:

Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house, nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I’d nibbled, the fudge I did taste, all the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number! When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I remembered the marvelous meals I’d prepared, the gravies and sauces and beef nicely rare.

The pies and the cakes, the bread and the cheese, and the way I never said, "No thank you please."

As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt, and prepared once again to do battle with dirt---

I said to myself, as I only can "You can’t spend the winter disguised as a man!"

So away with the last of the sour cream dip, get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished, ‘till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won’t have a cookie, not even a lick, I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie, I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore --- But isn’t that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot ... Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

Between now and next week people will be making their traditional new years resolutions. They will range from losing weight, to exercising more, to quitting smoking and the list is endless. Unfortunately only a small number will have followed through on these well-meaning commitments to self-improvement.

We all want a better life. We want to be successful and get as much as we can from life.

Jesus said that His promise to those who place their trust in him would be ABUNDANT LIFE. IN fact Jesus promises an overflowing life of joy and contentment and power.

So, the question is not how can I get more of this. Rather if you are a follower of Jesus, the Question should be how am I experiencing the Life which is already mine ? What am I doing with the life and time which God has blessed me with now?

Paul exhorts believers to be ‘very careful’ to live wisely as spirit filled people. The word ‘careful’ contains the meaning of exactness or accuracy. It is hitting the mark or bullseye.

Paul is saying to these believers, “Pay attention to how you live.” There is a right way to proceed in life and there is a wrong way to proceed in life. How many of you have discovered that you don’t accidentally do it right? You can accidentally do it wrong. You can drift with the current of society and mess up your life without much planning. But if our lives are going to be meaningful and wholesome and rewarding we will have to exercise some thought and diligence.

P.S. Since our time on earth is limited, let’s live wisely as Spirit filled people..

In 2013, Paul gives us three practical ways to living wisely as Spirit filled people.

1. We need to live DILIGENTLY( 16)

making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

I wonder what good things God has planned for us in the year 2013? I look back over 2012 and realize a lot of good things happened.

My family was able to travel out west and be part of Phils graduation from Bible college. We welcomed a new daughter in law to the family as Phil and Katy were married. Sue and I celebrated 25 years of marriage.

Our church has been blessed with new families, and being able to continue to bless our community through our VBS, community Family events such as Halloween, and Christmas. Last Sunday what a thrill it was to bless several of the seniors in our community with the Christmas stockings.

It’s a real joy to sit back and think of how the Lord blessed our church, and how we were able to be a blessing to the town of Havelock.

But isn’t it also exciting to think about what God has planned for us in 2013?

In Ephesians 2:10 the Bible says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” NIV Did you catch the significance of those last few words concerning the good works God has for us to do? It says, “…which God has prepared in advance for us to do.” God already knows the opportunities He is going to give us in 2003. He’s made all the preparations for it to happen. He is preparing us as well. We are His workmanship. He has prepared the opportunities. And what is our part?