18 May HAPPY NEW YEAR! (ARE YOU ADDING ANOTHER YEAR TO YOUR LIFE, OR LIFE TO ANOTHER YEAR?): PART 9
Over the last two months we began our series –
Remember our key verse for this series from 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.”
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!”
Over the last two months we began our series with the following “Three Plan Principles”:
- Acknowledge that God has a plan for your life (Jer. 29:11).
“Three Acknowledge Axioms”:
- God has a wonderful plan for your life…not a wonderful life for YOUR plan!
- Destiny is not to be decided. Destiny is to be discovered.
- What you were created for is connected to who you were created by.
- Accept God’s plan for your life (Mark 8:35).
Let’s review some of our “Eight Accept Axioms”:
- If we always do what we want to do, we may end up where we don’t want to be!
- If you get whatever you want now…you may not get what you really want later.
- Never trade in the ultimate for the immediate.
- Never trade in the valuable for the natural.
This week we continue with….
5. When you get older, you will want the respect of your adult children.
My son is now 18 and I have his love and respect. It is extremely valuable to me. I can honestly say I have always kept my word to him. I was not an absent father. I never neglected him at the altar of ministry. I am so thankful we have a great relationship!
6. Will your children choose to be with you when they don’t have to be with you?
No second job, extra overtime or boat that I can’t afford is worth jeopardizing this relationship.
7. No thing or fling is worth losing everything!
The Bible tells us in conjunction with the adulterous woman, “Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, Lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; Lest aliens be filled with your wealth and your labors go to the house of a foreigner” (Prov. 5:8-10 NKVJ).
I quote this verse almost every day as a reminder. I have been in ministry for 37 years and married to my beautiful wife for 30 years. I have been faithful to both for all these years. However, I want to finish strong as my last impression will be my lasting impression!
Next week we will continue our series…