The Biggest Waste Of Time!

For example:

(1) SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME

In the name of increased productivity, we humans have battled against time since the beginning of time. For example, if you look at the past 200 years, the invention of the cotton gin, the assembly line, the telephone, and the computer, have made it possible for the business world to increase productivity in a greater way.

The Business world knows these time saving devices will increase their productivity, and will put more money in their pockets.

(2) SUCCESSFUL FARMERS RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME

A farmer used to take his mule and plow all day in a field, and if he worked really hard, he might plow one acre. But today, successful farmers know that they can save all kinds of time by plowing with their tractors, and in one day, they may plow 10 to 25 acres. The time they save plowing with tractors will put more money in their pockets.

The point I want to make is this; those who are successful know they can not waste the time God has allotted them. Many folks know the importance of not wasting time.

But there are those who do not think twice about wasting hours, days, weeks, months, or years of their life.

• They think like some of these people that spend money foolishly; there is always much more where that came from.

• They will never be successful in life until they come to realize the important part TIME plays in being successful. One of the smartest things a person can do is take a course in “Time management,” and learn to use the time allotted to them wisely.

Illus: A man died and went to heaven. It's a slow day for St. Peter, so upon passing the entrance test, St. Peter says "I'm not very busy today. Why don't you let me show you around?" The guy thinks it's a great idea, and graciously accepts the offer. St. Peter shows him all the sights: the golf course, reading room, library, observation room, cafeteria and, finally, a HUGE room full of clocks. "What's up with those clocks, Saint Peter?"

"Everyone on earth has a clock that shows how much time he has left on earth. When a clock runs out of time, the person dies and comes to the Gates to be judged."

The guy thinks this makes sense, but notices that some of the clocks are going faster than others, and he asks why.

"Every time a living person tells a lie, it speeds up his clock." This also makes sense, so the guy takes one last look around the room before leaving and notices one clock in the center of the ceiling. On this clock, both hands are spinning at an unbelievable rate.

"What's the story with that clock?" "Oh, that," St. Peter replies. "That's Bill Clinton's clock. We decided to use his clock as a ceiling fan."

We have to be careful how we spend the time that God gives us each day. If we are not careful, others will plan our time (life) for us.

Illus: One wife felt that her husband was not spending his time wisely, watching the ball game on television. He thought differently. She said, “I think you should talk to me while I sew.” He said, “Why don't you sew to me while I watch the ball game?”

We can all be thankful that we live in an age when we can wear a wrist watch to help us know what time it is.

Illus: Did you hear about the man who was proudly showing off his new apartment to friends late one night? He said, “Did you know that I have a talking clock?” He showed them a large hammer against the wall, and the friend said, “How does it tell time.? He picked the hammer up and hit the wall, and a voice from the other side said, "KNOCK IT OFF, YOU IDIOT! It's two AM in the morning!”

All of us need to be TIME CONSCIOUS! There are many ways we can waste our time, but one of the biggest ways we can waste time is to pray an “Unacceptable prayer.” You see, prayer is like many things in our life, there are GOOD PRAYERS and BAD PRAYERS.

• Prayer, in and of itself, is not necessarily good

• Wrong praying is just as bad as not praying at all. Some prayers are no more then a waste of time

Let's examine some types of prayers that fall into the category of wasted time.

I. PRAYING WITH YOUR BACK TOWARD GOD

We see a example of this in Ezekiel 8:16, “Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, WITH THEIR BACKS TOWARD THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, AND THEIR FACES TOWARD THE EAST; AND THEY WORSHIPED THE SUN TOWARD THE EAST.”