Aligning Our Time with God's Eternal Purpose
Summary
Time is a concept that is deeply rooted in our human experience, yet it is not a limitation for God. God exists from eternity to eternity, and thus, time is not an issue for Him. While we are bound by linear time, God operates outside of these constraints, orchestrating His eternal plan within our temporal framework. This understanding calls us to adjust our limited perspective of time to align with God's timeless nature. Often, we find ourselves in a hurry, feeling rushed by the demands of life, while God seems to move at a slower pace. In these moments, it is crucial to pause, reflect, and acknowledge that our time is in God's hands.
We are encouraged to position ourselves in such a way that when God's divine timetable intersects with our lives, we are ready to fulfill His purpose for us. This requires a conscious effort to redeem our time, ensuring that it is not wasted, neglected, or misused. By aligning our time with God's eternal plan, we can ensure that our lives have significance both in the present and for eternity. Inviting God's timing into our circumstances allows us to make our time matter, fulfilling the destiny He has set for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Timelessness vs. Our Timeliness: While we are bound by the constraints of time, God operates outside of these limitations. Understanding this difference helps us to trust in His timing, even when it seems slow to us. We must learn to adjust our hurried pace to align with His eternal plan. [00:26]
2. Positioning for God's Purpose: It is essential to position ourselves so that we are ready when God's timing intersects with our lives. This means being prepared to act when His purpose for us is revealed, minimizing unnecessary delays. [01:31]
3. Redeeming Our Time: We are called to redeem our time by not wasting, neglecting, or misusing it. By aligning our time with God's eternal purpose, we ensure that our lives have significance both now and in eternity. [01:47]
4. Inviting God's Timing into Our Lives: By inviting God's timing into our circumstances, we allow our time to matter for both time and eternity. This requires a conscious effort to align our daily lives with His eternal plan. [02:09]
5. Trusting in God's Eternal Plan: Trusting in God's eternal plan means acknowledging that our time is in His hands. This trust allows us to live with purpose and significance, knowing that our lives are part of a greater divine narrative. [02:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - God's Eternal Nature
[00:45] - Adjusting Our Timetable
[01:11] - A Date with Destiny
[01:31] - Positioning for Purpose
[01:47] - Redeeming Time
[02:09] - Inviting God's Timing
[02:49] - Trusting in God's Plan
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Peter 3:8 - "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
2. Psalm 31:15 - "My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me."
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Observation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the difference between God's perception of time and ours? [00:26]
2. What does the pastor mean by "redeeming our time," and how is it connected to God's eternal plan? [01:47]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of inviting God's timing into our lives? [02:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does understanding God's timelessness help believers trust in His timing, even when it seems slow? [00:45]
2. How can believers position themselves to be ready for God's purpose when His timing intersects with their lives? [01:31]
3. What does it mean to "redeem our time," and how can this concept be applied to ensure our lives have significance both now and in eternity? [01:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt rushed by life's demands. How can you practice pausing and acknowledging that your time is in God's hands? [01:11]
2. What are some practical steps you can take to align your daily schedule with God's eternal plan?
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel you might be wasting time. How can you begin to redeem that time for God's purpose? [01:47]
4. How can you invite God's timing into a specific circumstance you are currently facing? What changes might this require in your approach? [02:09]
5. Consider a situation where you struggled to trust in God's timing. What can you do differently next time to trust in His eternal plan? [02:49]
6. Think of a moment when you felt God's timing intersect with your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [01:31]
7. How can you ensure that your life has significance both in the present and for eternity by aligning with God's purpose?
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Timelessness
God's existence transcends the boundaries of time, operating from eternity to eternity. While humans are bound by the linear progression of time, God orchestrates His eternal plan within our temporal framework. This understanding invites us to trust in His timing, even when it seems slow or misaligned with our hurried lives. By adjusting our perspective to align with God's timeless nature, we can find peace in His perfect timing and learn to live with patience and trust. [00:26]
Psalm 90:4 (ESV): "For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel rushed or impatient? How can you practice trusting in God's perfect timing today?
Day 2: Preparing for God's Purpose
Positioning ourselves to be ready for God's purpose requires intentionality and readiness. When God's divine timetable intersects with our lives, we must be prepared to act without unnecessary delays. This means cultivating a heart and mind that are attuned to His will, ready to respond when His purpose is revealed. By being spiritually prepared, we can ensure that we are aligned with His plans and ready to fulfill the destiny He has set for us. [01:31]
Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to better prepare yourself for when God reveals His purpose in your life?
Day 3: Redeeming the Time
We are called to redeem our time by ensuring it is not wasted, neglected, or misused. Aligning our time with God's eternal purpose gives our lives significance both now and in eternity. This requires a conscious effort to evaluate how we spend our time and make adjustments that reflect our commitment to God's plan. By doing so, we can live lives that are meaningful and impactful, both in the present and for eternity. [01:47]
Colossians 4:5 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time."
Reflection: How can you better align your daily schedule with God's eternal purpose? What changes can you make today to ensure your time is used wisely?
Day 4: Inviting God's Timing into Our Lives
Inviting God's timing into our circumstances allows us to make our time matter for both time and eternity. This requires a conscious effort to align our daily lives with His eternal plan, trusting that His timing is perfect. By doing so, we open ourselves to the possibility of living a life that is both purposeful and significant, fulfilling the destiny He has set for us. [02:09]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's timing? How can you invite His timing into that area today?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Eternal Plan
Trusting in God's eternal plan means acknowledging that our time is in His hands. This trust allows us to live with purpose and significance, knowing that our lives are part of a greater divine narrative. By surrendering our timelines to God, we can find peace and assurance in His perfect plan, even when it is beyond our understanding. [02:49]
Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: How can you practice surrendering your personal plans to God's eternal plan today? What would it look like to trust Him fully with your future?
Quotes
time is in God's hands you see God exists from eternity to eternity and therefore time is not an issue for him now I know it is for us because we're linear and limited in our time but he is not and so therefore he can arrange time to accomplish an eternal plan and still operate within our time frame one day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day so since God is not in a hurry and we are we need to be willing to adjust our limited timetable to his unlimited timelessness because God seems to be slow sometimes when we are rushed pause Selah take a moment and take a deep breath and say okay God my time is in your hands [00:14:09]
I have a shall we call it a date with your destiny I want to position myself so that when your timetable and your clock rings out for your purpose for my life I have positioned myself to realize it and won't have any unnecessary delays because I know you've got time to wait and says I don't want to waste any of my limited time but I want to accomplish all that you have from your unlimited timetable and purpose for me I want to redeem my time to not waste it I throw it away not neglect it not misuse it I want to position it so that my time and your time cross at the precise moment that you have in mind for me to accomplish what you have created and called me to do time is in your hands God and I invite your time into my circumstances so that my time matters for both time and eternity [00:79:17]
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