02/23/21 REDEEM THE TIME...

02/23/21 REDEEM THE TIME...

Folks need to be eager, obedient students of God's word because... His word reveals Him; His word reveals His will; His word reveals our need and His provision for salvation; His word instructs us in righteousness; His word evangelizes (tells the good news), encourages, enlightens, edifies and equips us for life and service.

If you have not been studying for years, you have already wasted precious time. Better get busy and serious NOW. There is coming a time when you won't be able to study, to learn, to grow.

You should be taught and led in the Bible by a God called, Blood washed, Spirit born and led, Christ trusting and following, gifted, holy walking and holy talking, totally surrendered man of God.

Though folks wasted years, God will help them NOW if they will turn and seek Him with the whole heart. FAINT HEART never became champion. Think about this... those, in oppressive countries, who are weak in the faith do not endure the persecutions and hardship that go with oppression. If you want to be faithful in the coming difficult times, then you need to shore up your faith in the mean time.

Here are just a few passages to encourage you.
Ephesians 5:14-17
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Colossians 4:5-6
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

2 Timothy 3:12-17
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Deuteronomy 4:29-31
29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jude 1:20-21
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.