This morning's worship was led by Yamil Rosario. Even though I have been learning lots of amazing information, it is still school, so these past three days, the morning worship has been leaving a more lasting impression. Does that make sense? Yamil spoke on "Time" for Thursday worship. He quoted from Christ's Object Lessons, Ephesians 5:15 and Rev 12:12.
Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time. – {COL 342.1}
Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time. – {COL 342.1}
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, (Ephesians 5:15 NKJV)
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. (Revelation 12:12 KJV)
Time is very important. It is our responsibility to use this time that God has given wisely, and not only wisely, but commited to God - don't waste the time "as fools but as wise". I've always known that procrastination is bad, especially from a school/studying perspective. I was always the one cramming the night before the test or finishing up a paper at 5 in the morning. It was not a good way to live. But when I look at it from God's view, He has tasked us Christians with a life-saving message. The urgency to get God's Word out to the world has not changed, but we have. And here, Yamil reminded me that I need to refocus my time and efforts because as he pointed out in Rev 12:12, even the devil knows that time is short. And I can guarantee that Satan has not slowed down his efforts to make us complacent, lazy or think that there is still plenty of time to tell the world. If you are aware of even 10% of what is going on in the world, you know we don't have long to go. So, what are you doing with your time today?...
Ok, so I also want to share Wednesday's worship thought. This was brought to us by Brandon Schroeder. He started with a question: Do you think the Pharisees were right? Momentary silence from the crowd and then a couple responses. Some might be quick to say "no", but think again and read Matt 23:2-3. Here, Jesus is speaking to the disciples, "Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." Brandon pointed out that there was an element to them that was right and a part that was wrong. The Pharisees accepted and preached the truth but they neglected and censored The Truth (Jesus). "There is in human nature a tendency to run to extremes and from one extreme to another entirely opposite. Many are fanatics. They are consumed by a fiery zeal which is mistaken for religion, but character is the true test of discipleship. Have they the meekness of Christ? have they His humility and sweet benevolence? Is the soul-temple emptied of pride, arrogance, selfishness, and censoriousness? If not, they know not what manner of spirit they are of. They do not realize that true Christianity consists in bearing much fruit to the glory of God. – {5T 305.4}". The Pharisees were more concerned with being right than what was right and doing right. As Brandon so nicely stated, you can be wrong in your rightness. He went on to quote from Desire of Ages (309) and John 13:35. God is asking us to be a blessing to the people around us. By focusing on being right, we only become a curse, and not a blessing. Are you one who likes to always be right, even right to the point you are wrong? Definitely left me thinking.
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