Redeeming The Time

said, "You can’t drown your sorrows, they float.
C. Remember the song, Touch of the master’s hand? It was about an old violin at an auction. The auctioneer didn’t even think it was worth much so he started the bidding at one dollar and he got the bidding all the way up to three dollars. Then an ole man took the violing and the bow and played a beautiful song with it. The bidding took a different turn $1000, $2000 and then $3000. What made the difference? The old violin in the master’s hands. We have made many mistakes in our life but if we would put our lives in the Master’s (God’s) hands, our life would begin to count for so much more. Yes we need to cry about the past but crying is not enough. We need to use this time wisely. Giving our lives to God is a great way to begin. Why not put your life in the Master’s Hands today.
2. It is time to CONTROL the present. In the old hymn, Take time to be Holy, there is a line that says, "Each victory will help you some other to win." In other words each victory will help us with future victories. Taking control over the parts of our life that we do control is a very wise thing. Like the Grandma Motorcyclist, "We just need to get off our duff and go."
Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Matthew 23:37
The religious people of Jesus day were so focused on the petty internal things that they missed the Messiah. We get so busy with the same little things that we see an entire generation headed for Hell. Times have not really changed in that regard. So the time we have is precious. The Lord would still like to gather us under His wings. Think about that, "Under His Wings."
1. He knows we live surrounded by DANGER
2. He gives us an OPPORTUNITY FOR REFUGE
3. He gives us access to His POWER.
4. He does all of this because of His COMPASSION.
5. He makes SALVATION AVAILABLE.
6. We have a RESPONSIBILITY TO RESPOND.

3. It is time to CONSIDER the time that lies ahead.
I read about a bumper sticker that said, "If you want to run with the big dogs, you have to get off the porch." The porch is obviously safer at least for the time being. There is tremendous risk to getting off the porch with no apprarent guarantees. There are three guarantees though:
* You will always reap what you sow
* You will always reap more than you sow
* You will always reap later than you sow

We need to press on - Philippians 3:13-14
We need to spend less time worrying - Philippians 4:6-7
Pause and stop your worrying
The Remedy Is to Pray
The absolute promise is Peace

As you look at the future SET GOALS. If you shoot an arrow in the air it will land somewhere but you might not accomplish much in mastering the art of archery. But if you set a target up and you begin to practice hitting the target, over time you may be quite successful at shooting arrows. The key is to have a target. For Paul it was the resurrection of the dead. For me it is to live a full and abundant life in Christ. What is it for you?

As you look toward the future MAKE FEWER PROMISES - Most people overcommit. By doing this they do not have the time to do the best things in life. Learn