Torch, Fall 1983

It sounds idealistic, does it not? Yet Scripture records that Jesus Christ left us an example. He fit His lifetime of ministry into just three years. In John 4:34, Jesus said, My food is to do the will ofHim that sent me and to finish his work . And 13 chapters later Jesus concluded I have glorified Thee on earth, I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do (John 17:4). The Bible distinctly teaches that all believers are to be like Jesus (Romans 13:14) . Would our Heavenly Father ever command us to do something impossible? Clearly not! Then it is possible to work God's schedule for us and to complete it each day! But how? The Psalmist again gives us insight. He prays, So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (Psalm 9: 12). And in the 16th verse he continues , Let thy work appear unto thy servant. We need to ask God for wisdom to know His assigned schedule . Do not forget that James I :5 assures us that If any man lack wisdom, let him ask ofGod who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not. Once we are on wisdom's trail, we discover that Ecclesiastes 8:5 says , A wise man's heart discerns both time and judgement. Yet there is a sober warning. Some individuals will experience a constant robbery of time. If we serve not the Lord with joyfulness and gladness of heart for the abundance ofall things, therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies .. .in the lack of all things [time included] and He shall put a yoke ofiron upon thy neck (Deuteronomy 28:47). God has a schedule for each of His children and if we are wise we will be able to discern how to use our time to complete His work. "But my schedule calls for a 26 hour day and an eight day week ," you say. Actually , God knows exactly how you feel. But did you know that He promises to "prolong" your days– so you can accomplish aU of' His work each day'! I have found eight promises in the Bible that guarantee a prolonged day for all of us . But they are conditional. As we harmonize our Christian lifestyle with performance of the following Biblical directives, we will be amazed . We will discover that indeed a Christian can complete all of the work God wants us to do each day. I. Honor parents. Deut. 5:16; Ex . 20:12; Eph. 6:23 A. Fear. Lev. 19:3 B. Reverence when corrected . Heb. 12:9 C. Don't curse. Lev. 20:9 D. Don ' t lightly esteem. Deut. 27: 16 2. Hate covetousness. Prov . 28 :16 A. Covetousness is idolatry . Eph. 5:5 B . The slothful are guilty of coveting. Prov. 21 :26 C. Coveting angers God. Isa. 57: 17 D. Coveting is not to be once named among us. Eph. 5:3 E. Do not keep company with coveting Christians. I Cor. 5: 11 F. If we covet, God takes away the good things He has given us. Jer. 8: I 0 , 13; Luke 12: 16-21 3. Be honest. Deut. 25: 15 Weights and measures were used daily in Hebrew living. These stones had flat bases and were inscribed with their weight. The stones were carried in a pouch or wallet in order that the purchaser could check the weights of the merchant . A. God hates dishonesty. Prov. 11 :1 B . God avengeth dishonesty . I Thess. 4:6 C. God rewards honesty. I Thess. 4:12 4. Set your heaa·t on God. Deut. 32:46,47 A. By prayer, sorrow for sin, and fasting. Dan . 9:3 B. By awareness that God is near. Ps. 16:8 C. By not forgetting the works and commandments of God. Ps . 78:7 ,8 D. By not being stubborn or rebellious. Ps. 78:8 E. By being steadfast. Ps. 78:8 F. By remembering God will help me. Isa. 50:7 5. Cultivate a generous spirit. Deut. 22:6,7 God uses an example from nature to show us generosity. If a mother bird was found, the mother was to be released. But the young could be kept. God will know our faithfulness by little things (Luke 16: 10). That is why He chooses a bird's nest as an example of generosity. 6. Fear God. Deut. 6:2 A. Hate evil. Prov. 8:13 B. Hate pride and arrogance . Prov. 8:13 C. Hate evil way . Prov. 8:13 D. Hate perverse mouth. Prov. 8: 13 E. Keep tongue from evil. Ps. 34:11, 13 F. Keep lips from speaking guile. Ps. 34: 11, 13 G. Depart from evil. Ps. 34: 11, 14 H. Do good. Ps. 34: 11, 14 I. Seek peace and pursue it. Ps. 34: 11, 14 J. Receive and lay up commandments . Prov. 2:1,5 K. Pray for knowledge and understanding. Prov. 2:3,5 7. Obey commandments. Deut. 11 :8,9; 5:33 A. Of God . John 14:15 B. Of husbands. I Pet. 3:1 ,6 C. Of employers . Col. 3:22 D. Of government. Titus 3: I 8. Show no partiality. Deut. 17:20 A. Toward the rich. James 2:1 -4 B. Toward the poor. Lev. 19: 15 C. Toward the mighty. Lev. 19: 15 Rebekah is a 1970 graduate of Cedarville College and is the mother of three children. She co-authored, with her husband Ron, a series of 24 children's booklets entitled "Character Builders". She occa– sionally gives seminars and has been heard on Christian television and radio. 13