3-9-21   THOUGHTS

We are TIMED beings.  We have a beginning and we have an end.  I read the term the other day “SIMPLE LIFE MAINTENANCE”.   How much time do we spend taking care of our bodies?  
A time study says that in a lifetime we will spend 6 months waiting for a traffic light to turn green and 8 months reading junk mail.  I’m sure that last doesn’t include internet time!  An unsourced illustration says “Once we recognize that simple "life maintenance" can chip away at our time in such huge blocks, we will see how vital it is that we don't busy ourselves "in vain"   The illustration cites (Ps 39:6).

Ps 39:4-7     "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. 5  "Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah. 6  "Surely every man walks about as a phantom [shadow ESV, vain shew: KJV]; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them. 7  "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.”
Eccl 1:14   I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.
Jas 4:14   Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
1Pet 4:7-11   The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.  8  Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9  Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10  As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  11  Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1John 2:17   The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
Matt 25:10-13   "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11  "Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12  "But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13  "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

My Prayer:
Lord teach us to value our lives not by time and stuff, but by our service of love.  Cause the thrill of right and love and good to grow within us.  Only You can make us holy O God.  Make us holy we pray, that we may abide in your presence.  Thank you for the victory that is in Christ Jesus.  Help us to proclaim that victory of grace and love. Excite us Lord in the time you give us.
In Jesus name         Amen