13 Apr HAPPY NEW YEAR! (ARE YOU ADDING ANOTHER YEAR TO YOUR LIFE, OR LIFE TO ANOTHER YEAR?): PART 5

Many years ago, our Multi-Media Director was heavily involved in all kinds of dangerous drugs.  Well over a decade ago, he came to Joy Church and was touched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  He walked the aisle in our old building and gave his life to Jesus!  He then absorbed the Word of God and became a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ.  Now anything that has to do with our social media, videos or livestream ministry, Chad and his team are responsible for the efforts behind this fruitful ministry.  

When Chad Davis walked the aisle and gave his life to Jesus, I had no idea that this would be my future Multi-Media Director.  The Bible tells us, “I am God and I see the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10).  In other words, in life’s parade we just see the float that is in front of us…God sees the whole parade!  

This is very much like God sees your life!  He sees the end from the beginning.  He has a plan and you will ultimately win!  God has a specific and special plan for your life and it’s about time you discover it and fulfill it  

Let’s look back at our key verse from this series in Ephesians 5:15-17:

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

Please allow me to break this verse down a little bit.  Notice the word “walk.”  This is the Greek word “peripateo.”  It is a Greek compound word that comes from “peri” which means “around” (we get our English word periscope from it) and “pateo” which means “path.”  Put those words together and it means “to beat a path around” or to be preoccupied with something.  

The word “circumspectly” is the Greek word “akribos” which means “diligently, exactly or straight.”  The Greek word translated “fools” is “asophos” which means “one who has no wisdom.”  Paul by the Holy Spirit, is referring to unbelievers without Christ.  

In verse 16, you find the word “redeeming” which is the Greek word “exagarazo” which means “to buy back, ransom or rescue from loss.”

The Greek word translated “time” is “Kairos.”  There are two Greek words for time:  one is “chronos” where we get our English word “chronology” from.  This word describes normal time as we know it.  However the word “Kairos” is a divine opportunity orchestrated by God.  

The word translated “days” means “ages or time period” and is referring to the culture we now live in.

If you will allow me a little liberty, these verses could be paraphrased to mean this:

“See then that you are preoccupied with walking diligently in a straight line.  Not like unwise unbelievers that don’t know Jesus, but as wise (people who see life from God’s perspective).  Buying back all the Divine opportunities that you possibly can because this culture is evil.  Because of that, don’t be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is!”

In these powerful verses it is clear that God wants you (yes, you!) to clearly understand His plan for your life in 2021 and beyond! 

As always, let’s discover how! Join us next week as we continue in the how…