The Key to Leadership: Priorities
The Test of Time
Introduction
The way we use our time will determine whether or not we count for God!
The quality of a person’s leadership depends on how he spends his time!
The effectiveness of our leadership depends on how effectively we use time!
Many of us have schedules that cannot be adjusted. What we do before and after those hours will determine whether we live in mediocrity or develop into a prophetically powerful people.
“Life’s value is not its duration but its donation!”
How long you have been saved is not as important as what you have done with your salvation.
A) Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, …
Greek word: Manah, MAW-NAW … to weigh … to take seriously
Be accountable with time …
“Pastors window shopping…”
If we are careful with the minutes, the days, and the years will take care of themselves.
In John 19:30 … Jesus says …”It is finished…”
I have asked God many times how to I get to the end of my life and be able to say that…
I believe God said… the only way is to live each day in such a way that at the end of the day, you are able to say, “It is finished.”
“Today Lord it is finished … everything you asked of me for this day is done.”
B) …That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Wisdom and effectiveness will be the result of time well spent.
Each of us has enough time to do the full will of God for our lives.
The problem is not too little time but making better use of the time we have
George Bush
Nelson Mandela
Big Churches
Team
Dudley
They all live within the same 24-hour time envelope.
Luke 19:12-27
Talent can be equated with time
Just like they were given the same amount of talents.
We are given the same amount of time.
Time is talents
The question is how will we invest it?
Time can never be retrieved
Time can never be hoarded
It can only be spent … wisely or unwisely
Our entire contribution to the advancement of the Kingdom of God hinges on how we use the hours allotted to us.
Friends asked a lifelong reader:
“How do you get time to read?”
“I don’t get time … I make time.”
Jer 12:5 … this opportunity we now have is the only one we will ever have to count for God
Distraction is the weapon of the enemy
We must be focused and self-disciplined if we are going to count for God
1. Time with God
Acts 3:19 … Times of refreshing …
Mature enough to refresh yourself
Mature enough to encourage yourself
Train yourself to be aware of the presence of God
2. Time to Pray
Different from time out/devotional time
Individual and corporate
Illustration
I am so busy today and have so much to do - I think I’ll spend the first 2 hours praying.
3. Time to be married
Being married and growing a marriage takes time and effort
Our time together cannot be the dregs of the day when the kids have finally fallen asleep at 11PM and we are totally frazzled
Create time to be alone together
Have a regular early bedtime for the kids
Develop community childcare … swap kids so as to give each other time out
A romantic dinner and candles is often more romantic at home
Sandy is great at getting the kids involved in helping her setup for such an occasion. It teaches them that Mom and Dad place a high value on marriage and a high value on being together.
Train and teach your kids … make them part of it
4. Time for your kids
We are the only people responsible for the next generation
Train them
Use roll play
Quality time … not giving instruction and doing homework
5. Time to read
Reading broadens our perspective
Reading should be selective and disciplined
Read secular and sacred
6. Time to evangelize
Give me your checkbook and your calendar … and I’ll tell you what is really important to you
7. Time for recreation
Refreshes more than sleep
Refreshes more than TV
8. Time for regular exercise
Stress is the disease of our time
With it come all kinds of negative stuff
Get out … get some sunshine
9. Time to study
Sacred and secular
Learn a language
Take a computer class
ITCC
10. Time to dream dreams
Dreaming is part of our Godly inheritance
11. Time to be yourself
Chill time
12. Time for friends
Not good for man to be alone
