Living The Intentional Life | Edmund Chan

Devotional

Day 1: Examine Your Life: Live Carefully and Intentionally

To live an intentional life, one must pay close attention to the direction and conduct of their life, not drifting aimlessly or being distracted by trivial pursuits. Each step we take matters, and we are called to be attentive, sensitive, and deliberate in how we use the time and opportunities God has given us. Life is not to be taken for granted; we have only one chance to live it well, and the choices we make today shape the legacy we leave behind. Ask yourself: What are you truly living for, and are you exchanging your time for things of lasting value? [07:40]

Ephesians 5:15-16 (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."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been living on autopilot or distracted—how can you intentionally redirect your focus toward what truly matters today?

Day 2: Redeem the Time: Seize God-Given Opportunities

Time is a precious gift, and within it are God-given opportunities—kairos moments—that must not be wasted. The days are evil, and if we are not vigilant, these opportunities can slip away or be lost to distraction and destruction. We are called to steward each moment, making the most of every opportunity for God’s purposes, knowing that the present is all we truly have in our hands. By using today well, we build a redeemed and beautiful past, one day at a time. [17:58]

Ephesians 5:16 (ESV)
"Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Reflection: What is one God-given opportunity before you right now that you have been neglecting or postponing, and how can you take a concrete step to seize it today?

Day 3: Determine Your Purpose: Understand and Pursue God’s Will

Understanding the will of the Lord means seeing the big picture and connecting the dots of our lives so that we live with purpose, not just for our own desires but for God’s sovereign, redemptive, and perfect plan. God’s will is not always easy to grasp, but it is always for our good, and we are called to make His will—not our own—the center of our lives. When we anchor ourselves in God’s Word and seek His will, we are empowered, inspired, and transformed to live with true meaning. [29:44]

Ephesians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to pursue your own will over God’s, and what would it look like to surrender that area to His purpose today?

Day 4: Be Filled with the Spirit: Embrace Daily Surrender and Empowerment

The key to living an intentional, empowered Christian life is not found in our own strength or determination, but in being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. This is a daily, ongoing surrender—allowing the Spirit to guide, lead, and fill every part of our lives. The filling of the Spirit is not about having more of Him, but about giving Him more of us, so that our lives are marked by wisdom, strength, and the power to do God’s will. [39:46]

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can surrender more fully to the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life today—perhaps through prayer, confession, or a specific act of obedience?

Day 5: Anchor Your Life in God’s Word, Not in Double Loyalties

Many struggle with living a double life—giving lip service to God’s Word while actually following their own beliefs and desires. True transformation and intentional living come when we anchor our lives in the truth of Scripture, allowing it to shape our worldview, choices, and priorities. We must not settle for compromise or distraction, but instead, let God’s Word be the foundation that guides us to live for His glory with single-minded devotion. [35:57]

James 1:22 (ESV)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Reflection: Is there an area where you have been giving lip service to God’s Word but not truly living it out? What is one step you can take today to align your actions with God’s truth?

Sermon Summary

Time is one of the most precious gifts God has given us, and how we use it reflects the value we place on our lives and our relationship with Him. Through the story of Jack Bennett and Uncle Harold, we see that what truly matters is not material possessions or worldly success, but the time we invest in relationships and in things of eternal significance. Uncle Harold’s golden pocket watch, inscribed with gratitude for shared time, reminds us that our days are limited and should be stewarded with care and intentionality.

Ephesians 5:15-18 calls us to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. This means examining the direction of our lives, being attentive to where we are headed, and not allowing distractions or trivial pursuits to consume our days. We are urged to move beyond the pursuit of mere success and instead seek a life of significance—one that is aligned with God’s purposes.

Practical steps include setting aside regular “think time” for reflection, journaling, and prayer, as well as creating “buffer time” in our schedules to avoid being overwhelmed and to allow space for meaningful conversations and growth. Life can be seen in three seasons: the discovery years (birth to 30), the defining years (30 to 60), and the deepening years (60 and above). Each season carries its own opportunities and responsibilities, whether it’s learning, contributing, or leaving a legacy.

Understanding God’s will is central to living intentionally. Rather than operating with two conflicting belief systems—God’s Word and our own preferences—we are called to anchor our lives in Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. The filling of the Spirit is not about having more of Him, but about surrendering more of ourselves to His leading. This daily surrender empowers us to live with purpose, wisdom, and strength.

As we approach the final days of history, we are entrusted with the gospel and called to “run” with everything we have for the glory of God. The challenge is to avoid living a double life or wasting our days, but instead to mean business with God, living each day intentionally, anchored in His will, and empowered by His Spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. Time is a Sacred Trust The story of Uncle Harold’s pocket watch teaches that the most valuable thing we can give is our time, especially in relationships. Time is a non-renewable resource, and how we spend it reveals our true priorities. We are called to steward our days as a gift from God, making our lives a meaningful offering back to Him. [03:44]
2. Intentional Living Requires Reflection and Margin Living wisely means regularly examining the direction of our lives and not drifting aimlessly. Setting aside “think time” for reflection and “buffer time” to avoid busyness allows us to make thoughtful decisions and invest in what truly matters. Without intentional reflection, we risk being swept along by distractions and missing God-given opportunities. [13:38]
3. Redeem the Present—The Power of Today We cannot change the past or control the future, but we can steward today. By using each day well, we build a redeemed past and a hopeful future. The present moment is where God’s opportunities are found, and faithfulness in the “now” shapes the legacy we leave behind. [26:47]
4. Anchor Your Life in God’s Will, Not Your Own True wisdom is found in seeking and doing the will of God, not merely knowing it. When we operate with two belief systems—God’s Word and our own preferences—we live a compromised life. Surrendering to God’s will, even when it is puzzling, leads to transformation, empowerment, and a life of significance. [33:32]
5. The Spirit-Filled Life is a Daily Surrender The key to intentional, empowered living is being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. This is not about acquiring more of the Spirit, but about yielding more of ourselves to His control. Daily surrender to the Spirit brings wisdom, strength, and the ability to live for God’s glory in every season of life. [39:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - The Story of Jack Bennett and Uncle Harold
[03:44] - The Value of Time and Relationships
[04:13] - Time as God’s Gift and Our Response
[05:21] - Four Principles for Intentional Living
[06:07] - Examining the Direction of Your Life
[08:19] - The Importance of Paying Attention
[10:08] - Don’t Take Life for Granted
[12:28] - Practical Steps: Think Time and Buffer Time
[16:33] - Redeeming Your Time and God-Given Opportunities
[20:17] - The Three Seasons of Life
[25:16] - The Power of the Present Moment
[27:39] - Determining Your Purpose: Understanding God’s Will
[33:32] - The Danger of Double Operating Systems
[36:42] - The Key: Be Filled with the Spirit
[41:17] - Run for God’s Glory
[44:18] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer
[48:25] - Anchoring in God’s Word and Reprioritizing Life

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 5:15-18 (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. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 5:15-18, what are the four key instructions Paul gives about how we should live?
In the story of Jack Bennett and Uncle Harold, what was the most valuable thing Uncle Harold left behind, and what message did it carry? [[03:44]]
The sermon describes three “seasons” of life. What are they, and what is the main focus of each season? [[20:17]]
What does the phrase “making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil” mean in the context of this passage? [[16:33]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Time is a gift from God. What we make of our life and our time is our gift back to God.” How does this perspective challenge the way people usually think about their schedules and priorities? [[04:13]]
Why does the preacher warn against living with “two operating systems”—God’s Word and our own preferences? What are the dangers of this double life? [[33:32]]
The sermon talks about the importance of “think time” and “buffer time.” Why are these practices necessary for living intentionally, and what might happen if we neglect them? [[13:38]]
What does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit” according to the sermon, and how is this different from simply trying harder to be a good Christian? [[39:30]]

Application Questions

Uncle Harold’s pocket watch was inscribed, “Thank you for our time.” Who in your life would you want to thank for the time you’ve shared together? Is there someone you need to be more intentional about spending time with this week? [[03:44]]
The sermon encourages us to set aside regular “think time” for reflection, journaling, and prayer. What would it look like for you to schedule even one hour this week for this purpose? What might you need to say “no” to in order to make this happen? [[13:38]]
The preacher divides life into discovery, defining, and deepening years. Which season are you in right now? What is one specific way you can embrace the opportunities and responsibilities of your current season? [[20:17]]
Are there any “distractions or trivial pursuits” that are consuming your time and keeping you from living intentionally? What is one step you can take to reduce or eliminate one of these distractions this week? [[07:41]]
The sermon challenges us to “anchor your life in God’s will, not your own.” Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to surrender your own preferences to God’s direction? What would it look like to take a step of surrender this week? [[33:32]]
The preacher says, “The filling of the Spirit is not about having more of Him, but about surrendering more of ourselves to His leading.” What is one area where you need to yield more to the Holy Spirit’s control? How can you practice daily surrender? [[39:30]]
The message ends with a call to “run with everything we have for the glory of God.” What does “running for God’s glory” look like in your daily life? Is there a specific action or change you feel prompted to make after hearing this sermon? [[43:34]]

Sermon Clips

Do not take your time or your life for granted. Because we have only one crack at the bat, as it were, only one life to live. We don't have two, three lives or a hundred lives to live. Only one life. And what is past, past is already gone. So we have to be careful how we steward this life that God is giving. What are we living for? Don't take life for granted. [00:10:17] (39 seconds) #OneLifeStewardship

You cannot change the past. It's already gone. Today, I want to give you the secret how you can change the past. You imagine you are transported five years into the future. If you are transported five years into the future, what is today? Today is the past. Listen to this secret. It's simple. If you use today well and every day else, you use today well, today well, in the next five years, by the time you enter five years into the future, all this today you have used well become your past and your past is beautiful. [00:26:20] (50 seconds) #TransformPastThroughToday

The wise will make the will of God the purpose. The foolish will make my will the purpose. The problem with my will is I can't see the future. I don't know the future. But God not only knows the future, He holds the future. He commands the future. So He knows what is best for you and I. So if we are wise, we will lean upon Him who knows the future and holds the future and commands our destiny. [00:28:29] (37 seconds) #WisdomInGodsWill

God's will is totally sovereign, gloriously redemptive, sometimes puzzling, but always perfect. That is why the wise will walk in the will of the Lord. Because it redeems us, it empowers us, it inspires us, and it transforms us as we walk step by step in His will. [00:29:34] (25 seconds) #WalkingInDivinePurpose

Because the filling of the Spirit is not how much I have of the Holy Spirit. It's the reverse. The reverse is how much the Holy Spirit have of me. How much I'm surrendered to the Holy Spirit. How much I'm guided by the Holy Spirit. How much I'm led by the Holy Spirit. How much I'm being filled with the Spirit. The key to the Christian life, the key to discipleship, the key to walking in that empowerment in our life is through the filling of the Holy Spirit. [00:39:24] (33 seconds) #IntentionalSpiritLed

Oh, my beloved brothers and sisters, don't waste your life. Live it intentionally under God. Four basic principles. Examining your life, redeeming your time, determining your purpose, and embracing the priority of being Spirit-filled, Spirit-led. And when we're able to do this, we're able to be guided to live an intentional life under God because our life is short. Because Jesus is coming again. Don't play games with God. Mean business with God. [00:40:24] (43 seconds) #RunForGodsGlory

``Today, we are living not in the final minutes of a football game. We are living in the final days of world history. And we have in our hands something more precious than just a football. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ that's the power to change human destinies and human lives. And with that gospel in our hands, we hear the father say to us, run, son, run, run, daughter. Run, we got to run for the glory of God by living a life that is intentional because you and I have only one life to live. Run for the glory of God. [00:43:11] (53 seconds) #SingleDevotionRun

Don't live a double life, double loyalty, a double operating system in your life. It doesn't work. It doesn't give you true joy. Have that single eye, single devotion, single master. Follow Him and run for His glory. [00:46:41] (18 seconds) #AnchoredInGod

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