Maximizing Time: Embracing New Beginnings and Purpose
Summary
### Summary
As we stand on the brink of a new year, it's essential to reflect on the past and plan for the future. The most common gift God has given to every human being is time. Regardless of our differences in race, economic status, or background, we all share the same 24 hours each day. How we use this time determines who we become. Time is unstoppable, but it is controllable. We must ask ourselves if we have used the past year effectively and how we can better utilize the coming year.
A new year offers us the opportunity to redefine our purpose, reassess our vision, and set worthwhile goals. Time is a measure of life, and life is defined by how we use our time. God created time to give us a piece of eternity, allowing us to live life in manageable portions. Time is a blessing that helps us mature and grow, but it also has its limitations. Our days are numbered, and we must use them wisely.
Time is a commodity that we all possess equally, and it must be managed, protected, and invested wisely. It can be stolen, abused, lost, or squandered, just like money. Therefore, we must be intentional about how we spend our time. We should document our plans, establish priorities, pursue our passions, and protect our time from distractions. We must also review our associations and investments to ensure they align with our goals.
To redeem time means to make up for lost time by being more focused and disciplined. It involves re-controlling, reclaiming, and converting time into value. As we enter the new year, we must design our days to create value in our lives and fulfill our divine purpose. By planning and managing our time effectively, we can make the most of every opportunity and live a life that honors God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Time is a Universal Gift: Every human being, regardless of their background, has been given the same 24 hours each day. This commonality underscores the importance of how we choose to use our time. Our success and growth depend on our ability to manage this precious resource effectively. [01:46]
2. A New Year is an Opportunity: The transition into a new year provides a chance to redefine our purpose, reassess our vision, and set new, worthwhile goals. It is a time to bury the past and move forward with renewed focus and determination. [05:07]
3. Time as a Measure of Life: Life is measured by time, and how we use our time defines our existence. Time is a slice of eternity given to us by God to live out our purpose. It is essential to recognize that time is temporary, but life is eternal. [06:54]
4. Managing Time Wisely: Time can be stolen, abused, lost, or squandered, just like money. Therefore, it is crucial to manage, protect, and invest our time wisely. We must be intentional about our daily activities and ensure they align with our long-term goals. [19:13]
5. Redeeming Time: To redeem time means to make up for lost time by being more focused and disciplined. It involves re-controlling, reclaiming, and converting time into value. This requires planning, setting priorities, and protecting our time from distractions. [26:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:46] - The Common Gift of Time
[03:21] - Reflecting on the Past Year
[05:07] - Opportunities in a New Year
[06:54] - Understanding Time and Eternity
[08:29] - The Creation and Purpose of Time
[10:26] - The Limitations of Time
[12:15] - The Determined Nature of Time
[13:49] - The Proper Use of Time
[15:27] - Time Changes Everything
[17:16] - Time as a Currency
[19:13] - Managing and Protecting Time
[20:54] - Revaluing Your Time
[22:35] - Measuring Time in Life
[24:47] - Redeeming the Time
[26:34] - Making Up for Lost Time
[28:00] - Making the Most of Every Opportunity
[29:26] - Taking Ownership of Your Time
[30:55] - Designing Your Year
[32:37] - Protecting Your Priorities
[34:39] - Reviewing Your Investments
[36:40] - Forgetting the Past and Designing the Future
[38:40] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11: "I have seen the burden God has placed on all men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
2. Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
3. Ephesians 5:15-16: "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ecclesiastes 3:10-11, what has God set in the hearts of men, and how does this relate to our understanding of time? [06:54]
2. In Psalm 90:12, what does the psalmist ask God to teach us, and why is this important for managing our time? [13:49]
3. How does Ephesians 5:15-16 instruct us to live, and what does it mean to "make the most of every opportunity"? [24:47]
4. The sermon mentions that time is a common gift given to all humans. How does this concept challenge the way we view our daily activities? [01:46]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 speaks about God making everything beautiful in its time. How can this perspective help us trust God's timing in our lives? [06:54]
2. Psalm 90:12 emphasizes the importance of numbering our days. How can this practice lead to a wiser and more intentional use of our time? [13:49]
3. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity. What are some practical ways we can apply this in our daily routines? [24:47]
4. The sermon suggests that time can be stolen, abused, lost, or squandered. What are some common ways people misuse their time, and how can we avoid these pitfalls? [19:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the past year. Can you identify specific areas where you feel you have not used your time effectively? What changes can you make to better manage your time in the coming year? [03:21]
2. The sermon encourages us to document our plans and establish priorities. What are some specific goals you want to set for the new year, and how will you prioritize them? [30:55]
3. Consider your current associations and investments. Are there any relationships or activities that are not aligning with your goals? How can you adjust these to better support your vision for the future? [34:39]
4. The concept of redeeming time involves being more focused and disciplined. What are some distractions in your life that you need to eliminate to make better use of your time? [26:34]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of protecting your time from distractions. What are some practical steps you can take to safeguard your time and ensure it is spent on meaningful activities? [32:37]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of numbering your days (Psalm 90:12) into your daily routine to gain a heart of wisdom? What specific actions will you take to remind yourself of the brevity of life? [13:49]
7. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to make the most of every opportunity. Identify one opportunity you have been neglecting and create a plan to seize it in the coming week. [24:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Universal Gift of Time
Time is a precious gift given equally to all, regardless of our differences. Each of us has the same 24 hours in a day, and how we choose to use this time determines our growth and success. Time is a resource that can be managed, protected, and invested wisely. It can also be stolen, abused, lost, or squandered, much like money. Therefore, it is crucial to be intentional about how we spend our time, ensuring that our daily activities align with our long-term goals. Reflecting on the past year, we must ask ourselves if we have used our time effectively and how we can better utilize the coming year. [01:46]
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: How can you be more intentional about managing your time this week to align with your long-term goals?
Day 2: A New Year is an Opportunity
The transition into a new year provides a unique opportunity to redefine our purpose, reassess our vision, and set new, worthwhile goals. It is a time to bury the past and move forward with renewed focus and determination. This period allows us to reflect on what we have accomplished and what we need to change. By setting clear and meaningful goals, we can ensure that we are moving in the right direction and making the most of the time we have been given. [05:07]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What new goals can you set for yourself this year to better align with your purpose and vision?
Day 3: Time as a Measure of Life
Life is measured by time, and how we use our time defines our existence. Time is a slice of eternity given to us by God to live out our purpose. It is essential to recognize that time is temporary, but life is eternal. Understanding this helps us to prioritize our activities and focus on what truly matters. By using our time wisely, we can create a life that is fulfilling and honors God. [06:54]
Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Reflection: How can you better prioritize your activities to focus on what truly matters in your life?
Day 4: Managing Time Wisely
Time can be stolen, abused, lost, or squandered, just like money. Therefore, it is crucial to manage, protect, and invest our time wisely. We must be intentional about our daily activities and ensure they align with our long-term goals. This involves documenting our plans, establishing priorities, pursuing our passions, and protecting our time from distractions. By doing so, we can make the most of every opportunity and live a life that honors God. [19:13]
Colossians 4:5 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to protect your time from distractions and ensure it aligns with your long-term goals?
Day 5: Redeeming Time
To redeem time means to make up for lost time by being more focused and disciplined. It involves re-controlling, reclaiming, and converting time into value. This requires planning, setting priorities, and protecting our time from distractions. As we enter the new year, we must design our days to create value in our lives and fulfill our divine purpose. By planning and managing our time effectively, we can make the most of every opportunity and live a life that honors God. [26:34]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Reflection: How can you reclaim and convert your time into value this week to better fulfill your divine purpose?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The most common gift that God ever gave any human is time. And when I use the word common, I'm referring to the fact that all humans on earth, the only thing that we are given, that is common to everyone is time. All of us are different heights, different weights, different colors, pigmentation, different economic strata, different families from different ethnic backgrounds. We are from different cultures. But one thing we all have in common, and I'm talking about 7.2 billion people on earth, have the same gift. We all have the same common commodity, and that's time." [01:46] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What you are and what you become depends on how you use your time. You and I have the same amount of time. The billionaire and the beggar both have 24 hours every day. The old and the young, the black, the white, the Indian, and the Asian are all given the same amount of time every day. So really, point number three becomes very logical. And that is, time cannot be stopped, but humans can control it." [03:21] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "A new year is an opportunity to refine your purpose, to go back and check it. Secondly, a new year is an opportunity to redefine your life's vision, to see if you are still on course, or if you need to adjust. Thirdly, a new year is an opportunity to re-establish worthwhile goals. And I use the term worthwhile because some of our goals may not be worth pursuing anymore. Fourthly, a new year is an opportunity for you to bury the past and move into a new future." [05:07] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Time is the only commodity on earth given equally to every human being. Time is therefore the only commodity every human possesses. We don't possess the same amount of money we possess the same amount of time. So the key to life is what you become in life is determined how you use the time you have and that's why we use terms like spending time. Time is a currency every human has the same amount every day and time like currency must be spent." [17:16] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Time changes everything nothing is permanent in time. Time is the only commodity on earth given equally to every human being. Time is therefore the only commodity every human possesses. We don't possess the same amount of money we possess the same amount of time. So the key to life is what you become in life is determined how you use the time you have and that's why we use terms like spending time. Time is a currency every human has the same amount every day and time like currency must be spent." [15:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Redeeming the time means you got to work a little harder to redeem time means that you got to actually be more focused and more disciplined to redeem time means that you may need to throw off some things that were so nice and pleasurable to do some things that are important redeem the time I like this one here it means to re-control time it means to repossess and reclaim time it means to fill the pledge that God promised you to fulfill to redeem time means to convert time now into value to redeem time means to fulfill or pay an outstanding debt." [26:34] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The devil's greatest weapon to a disciplined woman and man is distraction not sin the devil knows you're too smart to commit sin so he does something more dangerous he distracts you to do things that you're supposed to be doing even though they're good matter of fact the enemy of doing the right is doing a good thing and not everything is good is right." [32:37] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You can revalue your time by just adjusting your relationships the books you read I mean I've seen people read them love novel books a love novel book don't take you to your goals you know Sam kissed Susan and they went for a cruise along the river listen man you broke you need a book clap you got to revalue your time change your library go dump some books when you go home tonight and buy all of my books in the name of Jesus amen praise God not one of my books is a waste of time." [20:54] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You can never stop time you can also never control it you can't resist it you can't compromise with never compromise with time time doesn't adjust for you or nothing you never tell anybody you know uh tomorrow wait till I reach no tomorrow coming anyhow you can't you can't touch it uh you can never buy time can't buy it you can never slow time down down you can never speed up time until debt you are stuck in time you are victims and therefore all you have to do to make time your friend is to manage it." [22:35] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You can measure time in life I read this verse and this bless me uh Psalm 90 verse 10. out loud read it together go the length of our days is 70 years this is God is saying now you got 70 years then what or 80. if we have the strength yet which is 80 then what or maybe we're span is but trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass and we fly away he's okay the average age of a human god says would be between 70 and 80 okay so if you're 30 guess how much you got left and 10 10 of them gonna be able to walk in today." [22:35] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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