WEBVTT 00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:10.720 Well, I'm going to imagine that most of us in this room are going to gather together with our families for a Thanksgiving dinner sometime on Thursday. 00:00:11.679 --> 00:00:15.419 If you're like me, you've been doing it all your life. 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:24.039 But have you really thought about how those family gatherings have changed over the years? 00:00:25.560 --> 00:00:29.719 We, in my family, we've lost some family members to death and divorce. 00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:36.700 But we've gained family members through marriages and births. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:42.280 There was a day when I was one of the younger ones to gather at the table. 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:51.019 But today, I know I don't look it, but I'm one of the older ones that's going to get together on Thursday. 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:56.120 Many of you have the same, have had the same experience. 00:00:56.119 --> 00:01:03.059 You've had the same kind of changes at your family Thanksgiving table. 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:08.879 One way to describe all of this is time has passed. 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:14.719 You know, as time passes, change happens. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:20.260 Nothing stays the same because time never stops. 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:24.980 Now, if you don't like change, the only way you can avoid it is to die. 00:01:26.340 --> 00:01:34.599 Because every moment of every day, time is passing and life is changing. 00:01:34.599 --> 00:01:39.799 Now, time does pass at the same rate for everyone. 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:45.039 Although, the older we get, the more we say, time just flies. 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:46.739 It seems like only yesterday. 00:01:47.019 --> 00:01:48.719 It was Thanksgiving last year. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:55.840 Well, it seems that way, but regardless of our age or situation, there's 24 hours in everyone's day, isn't there? 00:01:56.500 --> 00:01:58.620 There are seven days in everyone's week. 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:01.420 And there are 52 weeks in everyone's year. 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:15.159 Time may really be the only thing in life that we all have the same exact amount of in terms of the hours of our day. 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:17.520 That's what we're going to look at today. 00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:19.640 How we use our time. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:25.780 Or more precisely, how we steward or manage our time. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:32.580 What we're going to look at and be thinking about is we manage our time differently. 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:36.540 Even though we have the same amount, we manage it. 00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:39.300 We use it very differently. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:43.160 Now, we're involved in an actual series on stewardship. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:53.379 We're looking at how God has entrusted to our care time, talents, treasures. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:03:01.400 And He intends for us to wisely use it, manage it in a way that will please Him. 00:03:02.039 --> 00:03:07.340 In a way that will enable us to do His will for our lives. 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:11.659 We've already looked at our stewardship of money. 00:03:11.659 --> 00:03:18.240 And then we've also looked at the first of two studies on our stewardship of time. 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:21.159 We interrupted the series last week. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:28.519 But two weeks ago, we looked at how we are managing our time in terms of the season of our life. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:34.980 I put it up on the screen how we can think of our lives in terms of the four quarters of a football game. 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:38.820 Some people, right now, you're in the first quarter of life. 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:40.719 Some are in the second quarter. 00:03:41.020 --> 00:03:41.900 Some are in the third. 00:03:42.260 --> 00:03:43.180 Some are in the fourth. 00:03:43.180 --> 00:03:49.300 And there's some people in this room, you are in overtime in terms of the number of years that we live on this earth. 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:59.080 Well, today I want us to think about how we're using our time chronologically in terms of hours, our days, our weeks. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:05.860 We're going to begin looking at Ephesians chapter 5, two verses, verses 15 and 16. 00:04:07.020 --> 00:04:08.219 I want you to look with me. 00:04:08.260 --> 00:04:09.260 I'm going to put it on the screen. 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:13.299 Paul is writing to Christians. 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:23.180 He has been describing the importance of growing as a Christian, developing Christ-like character, 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:33.420 putting off some of the old sinful habits that we had, putting on new God-honoring character traits. 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:35.639 Here's what he says. 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:39.199 Look carefully, then, how you walk. 00:04:39.259 --> 00:04:40.439 Or how you live. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:50.719 Not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 00:04:51.099 --> 00:04:54.959 He's talking about Christians living in a sinful world. 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:57.099 That's what he's basically talking about in general there. 00:04:57.279 --> 00:04:58.319 The days being evil. 00:04:58.740 --> 00:05:03.360 We live in a world that is anything but the way God designed it to be. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:13.580 And we need to be careful how we live and make the best of what God has given us in terms of our time as we live in this evil age. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:20.020 I want us to emphasize, or I want to emphasize, two things about our stewardship of time from these verses. 00:05:20.400 --> 00:05:24.439 First, we need wisdom to make the best use of our time. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:31.800 We all need God-given wisdom to make the best use of our time. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:36.379 Wisdom, it says in verse 15, requires that we live carefully. 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:39.199 He says, look carefully, then, how you walk. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:42.659 The NIV says, be very careful, then, how you live. 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:44.920 The word carefully means to be accurate. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:47.139 To be precise. 00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:51.180 God wants us to pay attention to how we live. 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:53.360 To how we use our time. 00:05:54.159 --> 00:05:59.199 How we manage the days that God gives us. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:08.620 God wants us to be wise and seek to live our lives in a way that clearly says we belong to Him. 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:11.240 That we're His children. 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:16.819 And we have a resemblance to our Heavenly Father. 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:22.599 That's really what Paul's been writing about from chapter 4, verse 17 to this point. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:28.899 That word, then, look carefully, then, in light of what he's been saying. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:34.039 He's talked about living an intentional Christian life. 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:37.479 Developing Christian character. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:39.240 Learning to control your tongue. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:42.539 Learning to be sexually pure. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:44.860 Learning to love one another. 00:06:44.979 --> 00:06:46.419 Learning to forgive one another. 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:47.480 Things of this nature. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.439 A good summary of what he's been talking about. 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:52.980 We can put it together in verses 8 through 10. 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:53.800 Look. 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:57.300 He says, walk or live as children of light. 00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:01.600 For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:06.360 And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:18.060 The only way that we can live a life that truly pleases God is to conduct ourselves in a way. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:18.960 Look on the screen there. 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:21.439 In a way that is good. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:23.800 That's right. 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:26.460 That is true. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:31.079 Ways that God would consider are good, right, and true. 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:40.839 Now, what I want us to understand is we're not called to live as Christians by just doing the best we can. 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:48.719 The Christian life is not about just trying your hardest not to do bad things but to do good things. 00:07:49.219 --> 00:07:51.479 Not to do what's wrong but to do what's right. 00:07:52.099 --> 00:07:53.539 Certainly we have a responsibility. 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:58.660 But the Christian life is not a do the best you can life. 00:07:59.460 --> 00:08:07.040 When we become Christians, when God does a work to change us, to save us, he puts his spirit in us. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:10.420 If you're a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives within you. 00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:15.420 And he is the one who gives us the desire to please God. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:18.420 To do what is good and right and true. 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:24.400 And he is the one who will enable us to actually do it. 00:08:25.420 --> 00:08:27.500 Speak the right kind of words. 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:30.420 Close our mouth and not say the wrong kind. 00:08:31.340 --> 00:08:35.399 Treat one another the way we would want to be treated. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:37.200 The golden rule. 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:41.060 Rather than treating people the way that they treat us. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:45.500 The spirit of God lives within us. 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:54.580 And if we will be sensitive to his presence, he will convict us about what is wrong. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.299 What is false. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:58.980 Not to go there. 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:00.360 Not to be that. 00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:02.080 Not to say those kind of words. 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:05.759 But he's the one who will prompt us to do what is right. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:06.679 What is good. 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.279 What is true. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:10.000 And we have a responsibility. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:14.519 Not just to be sensitive to his presence but obedient to his leadership. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:21.879 What I want us to see at the outset is Paul is saying more than just use your time wisely. 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:28.139 He is telling us to make sure you please God by living like a Christian. 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:32.720 And then use your time wisely. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:41.840 Now, if we really want to use our time wisely, we've got to think of practical how-to ways to do that. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:43.519 So here's the second point. 00:09:43.820 --> 00:09:49.100 Wisdom requires that we find practical ways to make the best use of our time. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:58.060 You can find some good how-to books, pamphlets, so forth, how to better manage your time. 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:07.300 Some Christians have, you know, written some good things that will help us better manage our time in a way that will please God. 00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:16.839 I put on the front page of this week's newsletter, the bulletin you have in your hands, a little article by R.C. Sproul that I think can be helpful. 00:10:16.939 --> 00:10:17.839 I hope you'll read it. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:22.539 Think about what he's saying about better managing your time. 00:10:22.819 --> 00:10:31.099 But I want to call attention to the first thing he says that will help us to get serious about the way we manage our time. 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:32.059 Look at it. 00:10:32.059 --> 00:10:32.879 It'll be on the screen. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:43.620 First, Sproul says, I realize that all of my time is God's time, and all of my time is my time by his delegation. 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:56.740 God owns me and my time, yet he has given me a measure of time over which I am a steward, a manager, and for which I must give an account. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:11:09.360 Now, when you leave here today, the rest of this day and this week, you're most likely going to follow your regular routine. 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.620 You're going to go to work. 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:13.759 You're going to go to school. 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:16.899 You're going to do these things that you do after school, at night, all these kind of things. 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:18.100 You're going to follow your routine. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:37.100 Well, as you go through your routine this week, think about, in light of what Sproul is saying here, think about, am I really managing my time with the understanding that God has given it to me? 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:57.340 God has entrusted me with my life, my time, and this season of life, and am I managing it in a way that I'm going to be ready to stand before him on judgment day and explain to him what kind of manager I was? 00:11:57.340 --> 00:12:04.120 As you go through your routine this week, evaluate how you spend your time. 00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:13.000 And it may be, if you'll do that, you may even make some serious changes in your routine. 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:19.660 Because some of the things you may do every day or every week may be a total waste of time. 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:31.839 May be involved in something that truly dishonors God because it is anything but right and good and true. 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:43.159 Another Christian leader, Eric Raymond, he offers us some, what I think is some very good, wise counsel to help us manage our time. 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:52.500 I read an article by him and he started off talking about how he has a real problem wisely managing his time. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:55.019 He talks about being easily distracted. 00:12:56.360 --> 00:13:02.100 He talks about how just the least little thing gets his attention, takes him off track. 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:09.019 One of the things he said that really distracted him was social media. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.459 But that wasn't the only thing. 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:12.480 That wasn't his major emphasis even. 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:24.240 But he said one of the things he has found helpful to help him to stay on task more is what he calls patrol your borders. 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:29.639 Other people write about this and talk about establishing boundaries. 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.299 Listen to what he says. 00:13:32.579 --> 00:13:33.339 I'm going to put it on the screen. 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:35.199 It's rather lengthy, but I've chopped it up. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.319 I want you to look at what he says. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:47.060 The problem, as I see it, is a life that does not have either well-defined or properly enforced boundaries. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:58.140 However you may feel about illegal immigration, we need to properly secure the border of our life and responsibilities. 00:13:58.139 --> 00:14:04.759 To do this, we need to identify what we are supposed to do and then do it. 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:06.460 It sounds so simple, doesn't it? 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:08.720 Well, why don't we do it? 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:18.580 I think it's because we are often lazy, undisciplined, and lack the priorities in the moment to govern us. 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:24.800 It takes discipline to apprehend the impulse to check email or social media. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:29.000 When it is jumping over the wall into your family time. 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:32.800 We're the ones who have to say, no, this is not the time. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:39.980 Nobody is going to protect our family time, rest, or specific work tasks for us. 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:45.680 A tool for me in this process was to do an in-depth diagnostic of my schedule. 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:51.600 When you go through this process and see what you have to do, and when you have to do it, 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:56.139 you become less likely to have porous borders. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:00.399 He says, I can have a few hours per day with my kids. 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:03.279 He said, I only have a few hours per day with my kids. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:09.720 Why would I be checking my email or allowing other mental intrusions? 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:17.120 Each week on the first day of the week, I spend about an hour looking at projects, tasks, and schedule. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:22.659 I try to reasonably plan for the week in order to get the most important things done. 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:32.560 Over time, I've learned that a major tool to help ensure that these things get done are clear and enforced borders. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:37.460 Do you have boundaries set up in your life? 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:47.360 Do you have borders around certain blocks of time with your family? 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:59.100 Do you have borders around when you are working and need to be focused and cannot, do not need to have distractions? 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:10.920 It may be that you need to ask God to give you the wisdom to find ways to focus. 00:16:11.920 --> 00:16:20.259 Give the right people the right attention by helping you to set up the border. 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:22.600 Set up the boundary. 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:29.299 Say no to some people, to some new things. 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:35.740 Keep in mind, like Sproul said, we are stewards. 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:41.500 God has entrusted to us the time that we have in each season of life. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:50.600 And one day, keep in mind, we're going to give an account of how well we've managed what God's given us. 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:54.240 Let's look at the second thing about the way we use our time. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:57.600 We need discipline to make the best use of our time. 00:16:57.779 --> 00:17:01.840 Or we need to learn to discipline ourselves to make the best use of our time. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:06.759 That's really what verses 15 and 16 together are saying. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:16.000 He says, look then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time. 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:23.740 You've got to, I've got to discipline ourselves. 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:25.920 Wisdom requires it. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:29.720 Wisdom requires us, forces us. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:45.460 Discipline ourselves in order to wisely manage the time, the blocks of time for each thing in your life that you've got to do. 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.299 Or that you need to do. 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:50.620 That's what Eric Raymond's talking about. 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:53.059 Look at it one more time, this part. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:58.079 He says, to do this, we need to identify what we are supposed to do and then do it. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:59.799 It sounds so simple, does it? 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.960 Well, why don't we do it? 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.119 Look again. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:04.220 I think it's because we're often lazy. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:10.119 What he means lazy, he's not necessarily talking about somebody who just sits back and never does anything. 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:12.159 Some people are lazy. 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.079 They work. 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.539 They're active. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:18.240 But they have a hard time starting something. 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:21.939 They have a hard time finishing something. 00:18:22.699 --> 00:18:24.199 Some people are lazy. 00:18:24.379 --> 00:18:25.419 They're busy people. 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:27.380 They're not just taking naps all the time. 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:33.380 But they're busy doing things that are of little importance. 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:37.300 Way down on a priority list. 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:47.640 I think it's because we're often lazy, undisciplined, and lack the priorities in the moment to govern ourselves. 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:50.480 You may have a great system mapped out. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:56.599 You may know all the right priorities and you say those are your priorities. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:19:07.519 But in the moment, when you're supposed to be giving your time and attention to your spouse, to your child, to your job, 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:13.299 someone calls you, texts you. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:17.759 Something comes into your mind that will take you away. 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.220 And you allow it. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:32.419 It takes discipline to apprehend the impulse to check email or social media when it is jumping over the wall into your family time or whatever time. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:45.800 Another reason why it's so important to discipline ourselves is because we live in a world that is sort of like there's unlimited distractions. 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:50.360 The New Testament scholar Clinton Arnold describes it this way. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:56.440 Never before in history have so many potential distractions been offered to Christians. 00:19:56.440 --> 00:20:03.380 You think about how many distractions pop up throughout your day. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:11.700 Most likely the number one distraction in most Americans' lives has something to do with a smartphone. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:16.059 People are addicted to their smartphone. 00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:19.059 And some of you are saying, now he's going to jump on young people. 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:23.720 No, I'm jumping on everybody of every age who's addicted to their smartphone. 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:35.140 And I honestly, I know some people who are retired, one in particular in their 80s, 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:43.279 who is absolutely addicted to the smartphones, social media, news, all this kind of stuff. 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:48.539 I want to ask you, how many of your smartphone apps, 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:54.159 do you have the notifications turned on? 00:20:56.159 --> 00:21:02.960 If I spent 15 minutes in a quiet place with you, just you and me, quiet, alone, 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:07.039 in a 15 minute period of time, 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:14.119 how many times would we be interrupted by a ding of some kind? 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:21.279 I've been around a lot of you and there's this quite often. 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:25.099 I want you to listen. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.500 I want you to think. 00:21:27.739 --> 00:21:32.219 Do you really need to know every time somebody adds a comment on Facebook? 00:21:35.459 --> 00:21:40.979 Do you really need to know every time somebody likes something stupid that you posted on your Facebook? 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:52.759 Do you really need to be interrupted by every breaking news story or update on Fox News? 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:56.440 What if you do get an update? 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.519 What if you do get the breaking news? 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:00.860 What in the world are you going to do about it? 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:05.160 How does it affect your life, really? 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:09.580 I want you to listen to this one closely. 00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:15.720 Did you really need to check your phone during this service? 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:22.940 You not only distracted yourself, but you distracted the people near you. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:28.040 And if the people near you don't have a phone and they don't normally do that, 00:22:28.100 --> 00:22:29.600 they like to shove it down your throat. 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:35.179 And I'm being serious. 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:43.139 Now, I'm not in any way saying it's wrong to have a cell phone, smart phone. 00:22:43.219 --> 00:22:44.000 I've got one. 00:22:44.719 --> 00:22:45.759 And I'll be honest with you. 00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:50.480 I probably need to delete my ESPN app. 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:56.180 I'd be ashamed if it could be put on the screen how much time I spend on it, 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:58.799 especially on Saturdays looking at football scores. 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:02.740 I've got my own smart phone demons. 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:06.360 And if you've got a smart phone, you probably be too. 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.880 Probably do too. 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.860 I know that I do. 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.620 Do you know that you do? 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:24.459 And are you conscious of how much time it is taking away from things that truly matter, 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.699 people who truly matter? 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:30.199 And are you aware of how much it is distracting you 00:23:30.199 --> 00:23:33.299 and keeping you from concentrating on your work, 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:36.199 focusing on people who matter, 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:41.559 people who want your eye contact, 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:43.759 people who want you to listen, 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.859 who want you to engage with them? 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:52.579 I hope and pray that Lisa outlives me. 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:55.159 That's the most selfish thing that I pray is, 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.679 I don't want to die first. 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:01.419 But if the worst case scenario happened, 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:03.599 and I was relatively young, 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:05.960 which I am a real relatively young now, 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:09.879 and I ever dated again, 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:14.260 and I was with a woman at a table, 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:16.800 and all she was doing was looking at that phone, 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:19.620 I would say, excuse me, 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.720 like I was going to the bathroom, 00:24:22.300 --> 00:24:24.560 and I would leave and go home. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:31.079 And I would encourage you girls and guys who are single here, 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:38.619 don't put up with such rudeness as to be with someone, 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:40.720 but they're not with you. 00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:42.299 Just tell them, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.019 if I'm so boring, 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:45.559 let me just take you home now. 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.819 Or if you're so boring, 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.619 you take me home now. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:51.439 Do that kind of stuff, 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:56.299 provided you don't have your face stuck in the phone yourself. 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:59.579 We need to understand, 00:25:00.479 --> 00:25:02.519 time is precious. 00:25:03.699 --> 00:25:04.500 Time is passing. 00:25:06.459 --> 00:25:09.579 And we never get any of it back. 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:12.799 In many ways, 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:14.480 time is more valuable than money. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:19.980 What use is money if you have no time to enjoy it? 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.980 An old Puritan writer, 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:23.919 Richard Baxter, 00:25:24.439 --> 00:25:25.220 said this, 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:28.960 place a high value upon your time. 00:25:29.419 --> 00:25:31.500 Be more careful of not losing it 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:33.159 than you would of losing your money. 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:36.699 Be more careful to escape that person, 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.299 action, 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.740 or course of life 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:40.960 that would rob you of your time 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:44.680 than you would be to escape thieves and robbers. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.900 There was no technology. 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.220 He wrote that. 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:51.819 Last thing in the world he was thinking about 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.360 was something like a phone or TV 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:54.620 or anything like that 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.799 that distracts us today. 00:25:57.840 --> 00:26:00.799 Eric Redmond describes the value of time like this. 00:26:01.340 --> 00:26:03.019 Time is the quiet oxygen 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:05.319 that allows us to breathe in 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.899 the joys of life. 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:08.279 We need it. 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:10.220 It's precious. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:14.200 Again, I want to remind us, 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:17.139 the point of this passage in Ephesians 00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:19.939 is not that we just learn 00:26:19.939 --> 00:26:20.879 to manage our time better. 00:26:22.919 --> 00:26:24.639 It's important to manage your time better, 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:27.319 but that's really not the point of Ephesians. 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:30.359 The point is that we make the best use of our time 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:32.139 and the seasons of life 00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:33.779 that God has given us 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:39.259 for the purpose of seeking to live a life 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.379 that pleases God 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:44.659 and prepares us to stand before Him 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:45.659 on Judgment Day 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:47.500 without fear 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:51.559 and actually hear, 00:26:51.959 --> 00:26:52.879 well done, 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:55.339 my good and faithful servant. 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.439 Some people will actually hear that 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:58.600 by the grace of God. 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:01.420 Are you headed in that direction 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:04.500 in the way that you are using your time? 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:07.240 If not, what needs to change? 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:12.380 Do you just simply need to draw closer to God? 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:17.440 Do you simply just need to draw, 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:22.060 take some time away from the busyness of life 00:27:22.060 --> 00:27:22.980 and any distractions 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:25.380 and just draw close to God? 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.680 Talk to Him. 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.820 Listen to Him. 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.880 Open His Word. 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:34.300 Is your main problem today 00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:39.140 that you are separated from God 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:40.480 if you're not a Christian? 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.800 That's what the case is. 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:45.240 Or could it be that you are a Christian 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:48.280 but you just don't feel close to God anymore 00:27:48.280 --> 00:27:49.060 because you're not? 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.480 There's too many people, 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.480 too many things, 00:27:52.580 --> 00:27:54.640 too many distractions in your life. 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.480 If that's the case, 00:27:56.540 --> 00:27:59.500 I want to encourage you to confess that to God. 00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:01.860 Change your mind. 00:28:02.080 --> 00:28:02.960 Turn from it. 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.680 Draw close to Him. 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.840 Spend some time with Him. 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:10.699 Just talk to Him. 00:28:10.699 --> 00:28:12.779 Explain what's going on in your life. 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.439 Explain the business of life. 00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:15.839 Explain the distractions. 00:28:16.199 --> 00:28:17.519 Ask Him to give you the wisdom 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:19.439 to know what to do to change things. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:26.379 How to make your time more useful. 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:29.960 How to develop a real relationship with Him. 00:28:30.060 --> 00:28:31.700 And if you don't know Christ as your Lord and Savior, 00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.540 that's what you need to do 00:28:32.540 --> 00:28:34.360 is to call upon Him to save you now. 00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:37.580 Could it be that 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:39.960 part of your problem is 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:41.060 you need to start focusing more 00:28:41.060 --> 00:28:43.240 on the people in your life 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:45.660 than the things? 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:48.880 And what I mean by that is 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.380 giving the people 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:51.720 who are important in your life 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.420 your attention. 00:28:53.300 --> 00:28:55.040 It's not enough just to be in a room with them. 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:58.980 But to give them you, 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:00.660 your eye contact. 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:03.420 Listen, talk, exchange, 00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:04.980 ideas, words. 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:10.120 You know, the seasons of life 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:11.279 don't last forever. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.320 They change. 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:17.740 If you've got children in your home, 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:20.299 they're only there 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.779 for a limited amount of time. 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.939 If you have little children, 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:26.079 teenage children in your home, 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:29.119 it's not going to seem long at all 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:30.240 that they're going to be gone. 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.019 So right now, 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.099 this is the only season 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.179 that you're going to have them 00:29:33.179 --> 00:29:36.480 close like you do right now. 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.740 If they are normal 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:40.500 and you want them to be, 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.819 they're going to grow up, 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:42.720 they're going to move out, 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:44.380 they're going to have their own family, 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.100 their own job, 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.740 they're going to have their own life. 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.500 And I don't mean this to sound 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.900 as bad as it actually sounds, 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.480 but you're not going to be 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:54.120 the major part of their life 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:55.279 like you are right now 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:58.339 if they're healthy. 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.579 Because they're going to love their spouse. 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.759 They're going to focus on their children. 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.660 They'll still love you, 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.880 have a good relationship, 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.560 but it will be different. 00:30:11.820 --> 00:30:12.880 I want to say this, 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.780 because I thought about this 00:30:13.780 --> 00:30:14.840 in the last month or so. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.880 If you've got older people 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.940 in your life right now, 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.900 you've got parents, 00:30:20.040 --> 00:30:20.700 grandparents, 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:24.900 spend some time with them 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.420 while you can. 00:30:28.300 --> 00:30:29.020 I have thought, 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.600 I've never really thought about it 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:32.100 until very recently. 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.980 I told a Sunday school class 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.460 this morning. 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.819 For some reason, 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.579 I've thought about, 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:39.420 I would love to ask 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:41.420 my parents or grandparents 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:44.039 some things about my family 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.180 from the past, 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:47.460 but I can't 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:49.400 because they've all died. 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:52.400 So I want to encourage you, 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.019 if you've got 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.319 not just younger people, 00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.940 but older people in your life, 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:59.360 this season is going to pass. 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.420 They're going to die. 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:03.299 It's just part of life. 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.579 So enjoy them. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.279 In fact, 00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:08.000 this Thanksgiving, 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.220 this, 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:13.440 don't go off 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.400 and just play with your phone. 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.339 Don't just go off 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.339 with the other children 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.620 if you're young. 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:20.019 Don't just go off 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.200 with people just like you. 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.759 Take some time 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.680 to look at 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.360 and listen to 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.519 the older people 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.299 who are there 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:27.960 at Thanksgiving 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:30.299 because one day 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.839 they won't be. 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:33.019 Take some time 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.420 to enjoy the younger people 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.039 at Thanksgiving 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:36.400 that might want 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:37.519 to throw a ball with you, 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:38.519 that might want 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.339 to do something with you 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:40.400 because the time will come. 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.859 They won't. 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:44.000 They've moved on. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:46.660 Do you need 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.460 to discipline yourself 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:47.980 this morning? 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:49.960 Do you need 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:51.400 to get organized? 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:53.759 Do you need 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.319 to establish 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:56.180 some borders, 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.779 some boundaries? 00:31:57.779 --> 00:32:00.019 You know, 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:01.000 if your life is full 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.559 and most people 00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:01.879 in this room, 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:02.599 I know you'd say, 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.759 my life's so full 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.279 right now. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.559 That's another reason 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:06.980 why you need 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.940 to add these borders, 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:09.180 these new walls. 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.619 Don't take 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:12.139 new things 00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:13.240 into your life 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.899 if your life's 00:32:13.899 --> 00:32:14.559 already full 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:16.200 or if you do, 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:16.579 if you take 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.279 something new in, 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.759 get rid of something else. 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.720 It's good 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.920 to change 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.319 some things 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.879 in your life. 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.399 Let go 00:32:23.399 --> 00:32:24.519 of some things 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:26.319 especially if you're 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.639 going to do 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.180 some new things. 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:27.820 But it's also 00:32:27.820 --> 00:32:28.420 it's good to learn 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:29.180 to tell people no. 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.340 No, 00:32:31.540 --> 00:32:32.720 I can't do that 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.380 today 00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.060 or I can't do that 00:32:34.060 --> 00:32:34.500 tomorrow. 00:32:35.620 --> 00:32:36.259 I'm committed 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.440 to so and so. 00:32:37.560 --> 00:32:37.880 You don't even 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.360 have to tell them. 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.160 Just say no. 00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:41.040 Learn to say no. 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:41.720 Learn to accept 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.720 people saying no 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:44.340 because they may 00:32:44.340 --> 00:32:44.940 be protecting 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:46.360 their family time. 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:46.800 They may be 00:32:46.800 --> 00:32:48.120 protecting their sanity 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:51.160 by saying no. 00:32:52.520 --> 00:32:53.220 Ask God 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.220 to give you wisdom. 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.140 Be the best 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.700 steward 00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.240 or manager 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.860 of the time 00:32:57.860 --> 00:32:59.380 he has given you 00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:01.259 for a lot of reasons. 00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:02.500 One, 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.080 so that you 00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:05.259 won't look back 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:07.240 at the previous 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.140 seasons 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:09.520 of your life 00:33:09.520 --> 00:33:11.180 with a whole 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:12.140 lot of regrets. 00:33:15.060 --> 00:33:15.200 You know, 00:33:15.280 --> 00:33:16.380 my boys are grown 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:16.740 now. 00:33:17.340 --> 00:33:17.940 30 something 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:18.580 years old. 00:33:19.300 --> 00:33:19.740 And there's a lot 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.720 of things I would do 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.380 different. 00:33:21.800 --> 00:33:22.480 Some things I'd do 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.180 different if I could. 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.460 But I don't have 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.400 a whole lot of regrets. 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:26.519 Because 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:28.420 I was there 00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:28.759 with them. 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.280 I told people 00:33:31.280 --> 00:33:31.720 in the church 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.519 a lot of times 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:32.840 no. 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.680 Because 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.740 I was going to 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.600 go to their games, 00:33:37.780 --> 00:33:38.320 coach their 00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:39.180 sports. 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:40.920 I have absolutely 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.740 no regrets. 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.460 You need to do 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:45.019 stuff like that. 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:48.360 Enjoy who you have 00:33:48.360 --> 00:33:49.160 while you can. 00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:54.480 during this season 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.040 of life. 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.400 But another reason 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:57.180 to ask for the wisdom 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.779 and this is 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.440 the bottom line. 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.220 We are all 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:02.600 going to stand 00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:03.320 before the Lord 00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:04.100 on judgment day. 00:34:05.840 --> 00:34:06.240 Thankfully, 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.279 if we're Christians, 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.320 the penalty for our sins 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:08.940 have been paid. 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.980 But we are going 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:10.579 to give an account 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.659 of how we've lived. 00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.700 How we've used 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:14.619 our time. 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.179 God, 00:34:17.739 --> 00:34:18.359 we are, 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.179 knows that we are 00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:19.920 sinful people 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.539 so we're never 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.420 going to be perfect, 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.500 never going to be flawless. 00:34:23.279 --> 00:34:24.359 But by His grace, 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.859 we can be good 00:34:25.859 --> 00:34:26.579 stewards 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.420 of our time. 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.319 And we can 00:34:29.319 --> 00:34:30.319 stand before Him 00:34:30.319 --> 00:34:31.259 on judgment day 00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:33.099 without regrets, 00:34:33.859 --> 00:34:34.920 without guilt. 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:37.059 because by His grace, 00:34:37.680 --> 00:34:40.240 we sought to do 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:41.079 what we thought 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:42.680 would please Him 00:34:42.680 --> 00:34:45.720 and best use 00:34:45.720 --> 00:34:46.780 the time 00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.780 and the season 00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:49.700 that He gave us. 00:34:50.740 --> 00:34:51.519 Think about it. 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:52.760 Let's pray together. 00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:54.280 Dear God, 00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:01.760 help us all right now 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:02.260 to think 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:05.140 we have 00:35:05.140 --> 00:35:06.040 now. 00:35:08.080 --> 00:35:09.000 We have 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:10.140 this time 00:35:10.140 --> 00:35:11.200 that we are 00:35:11.200 --> 00:35:13.000 right here 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:13.540 before You. 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.660 Show us, 00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:17.060 dear God, 00:35:17.120 --> 00:35:18.340 if we are wise 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:19.540 time 00:35:19.540 --> 00:35:20.560 managers. 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:23.080 Not just 00:35:23.080 --> 00:35:23.980 in terms of 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:26.060 our schedules, 00:35:28.060 --> 00:35:29.220 but in terms 00:35:29.220 --> 00:35:29.560 of 00:35:29.560 --> 00:35:31.400 are we 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.260 pleasing You? 00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:35.460 Are we 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.160 growing in a 00:35:36.160 --> 00:35:37.000 relationship with You? 00:35:37.780 --> 00:35:38.180 Are we 00:35:38.180 --> 00:35:38.780 growing in 00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:39.200 meaningful 00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:39.820 relationships 00:35:39.820 --> 00:35:40.599 with people 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.380 that we should 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:41.880 be growing 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.579 in 00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:44.539 in our lives? 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.000 Help us to 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:47.240 thank you, 00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:47.380 God. 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:47.940 Are we doing 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.720 the work, 00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:50.079 the jobs 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:52.519 that You've 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.220 given us, 00:35:53.340 --> 00:35:53.559 that we're 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.039 getting paid 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.579 to do 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.539 to the best 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:56.139 of our ability? 00:35:56.220 --> 00:35:56.900 Are we wise 00:35:56.900 --> 00:35:57.980 managers of time 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:58.420 there? 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:58.500 Are we 00:35:58.500 --> 00:36:01.800 just show 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.940 us, 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.380 dear God, 00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:05.719 what we 00:36:05.719 --> 00:36:06.380 need to do. 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:07.320 If there's any 00:36:07.320 --> 00:36:08.119 changes we need 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:08.500 to make, 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.320 if there's anything 00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:10.119 we just need to 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:11.219 keep on keeping 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:11.559 on. 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.440 Show us, 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:13.840 dear God, 00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:14.340 if there's any 00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:16.219 boundaries or 00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:16.820 walls, 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.619 borders we need 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.199 to put up 00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:21.079 and help us 00:36:21.079 --> 00:36:23.659 to want to 00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:24.000 do it 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:25.419 and help us 00:36:25.419 --> 00:36:25.839 to take it 00:36:25.839 --> 00:36:26.619 step by step. 00:36:27.759 --> 00:36:28.399 Help us to 00:36:28.399 --> 00:36:29.579 discipline ourselves 00:36:29.579 --> 00:36:31.579 to do it 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:33.579 each day. 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:35.679 And in an 00:36:35.679 --> 00:36:36.460 attitude of 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:36.699 prayer, 00:36:36.799 --> 00:36:37.219 let's just 00:36:37.219 --> 00:36:38.519 do what God's 00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:38.960 telling us to 00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:39.139 do. 00:36:39.879 --> 00:36:40.739 Make some new 00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:41.339 priorities. 00:36:43.779 --> 00:36:44.539 Call upon the 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.119 Lord to save 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:45.519 you if you're 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.039 not a Christian. 00:36:46.859 --> 00:36:47.379 Draw back 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.019 close to the 00:36:48.019 --> 00:36:48.740 Lord if you 00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:50.400 are distant. 00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:52.140 Just do what 00:36:52.140 --> 00:36:52.619 God's calling 00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:53.019 you to do. 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:53.420 And I'd be 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.019 happy to pray 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:54.640 with you about 00:36:54.640 --> 00:36:55.599 it here at the 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:56.099 front in these 00:36:56.099 --> 00:36:56.660 next few minutes 00:36:56.660 --> 00:36:56.940 if you would 00:36:56.940 --> 00:36:57.260 like. 00:36:58.760 --> 00:36:59.480 Let's listen 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.119 and obey the 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:01.160 Lord. 00:37:01.160 --> 00:37:01.579 Let's listen and 00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:01.660 obey the Lord.