Daily Devotional

Today we are living in troubling times. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that statement. The Apostle Paul in writing to his son in the faith Timothy, said that the last days would be characterized as “difficult.” (2 Timothy 3:1) This word describes “evil that causes pain and sorrow.” This evil will try to draw or suck you in. It is not content unless everyone is participating in its anti-God activity.

With this in mind, we need to ask ourselves, “How are we living today?” “How can we invest our lives to further God’s kingdom?”

The Apostle Paul answers these questions as he writes…

1. Live life with wisdom…vs. 16
Only the unwise drift with the wind and tide. A wise man knows how to get to where he is going. When he builds a house, he first draws up his plans, determines the cost and purchases the right materials. As God’s children we need to plan our days to make the most of every opportunity. Often, the  opportunities are right there, but we never take advantage of them.

In contrast there are those who so plan their days, that the opportunities God presents are seldom seen because they are so busy following their own agenda. Today we need to plan our days as we sense God leading us but also leaving openings for flexibility as God adjusts and presents opportunities to invest our time and energy.

2. See the opportunities…vs. 16
Paul encourages us to redeem the time. The word “redeem,” means to buy up the time. It speaks of seizing the opportunities and taking advantage of them. So, as we redeem our time, we are making the most of every opportunity. Opportunities for ministry present themselves to us throughout each day. The word “opportunities,” comes from a Latin word which means toward the port. It suggests a ship is taking advantage of the wind and tide to arrive safely in port. We need to be sensitive to what God is doing around us. He will show us what He is doing, and we need to take advantage of these opportunities to get involved in His work.

Pray that God would open our eyes to these opportunities so that we might use them for His glory. What is God doing around you in which you need to invest your time and gifts?

3. Recognized life is short…vs. 16
The brevity of life is a strong argument for making the best use of the opportunities God gives us. All of us have experienced lost opportunities that have never presented themselves again. Time is short. Invest it wisely! Paul encouraged the Ephesians to use every opportunity for the
glory of God.

Today, we have unique opportunities of ministry that have not existed before. We should use these God-given opportunities for investing in the lives of others and in eternity.

4. Make the right decisions…vs. 17a
Paul tells the believers at Ephesus not to be foolish. The word for foolish has the idea of knowing the truth or facts but choosing not to make the right decision. (Don’t confuse me with the facts!) God has revealed His will and He desires for us to know it. We can make wise daily decisions to walk in His design for our lives.

5. Follow God’s plan...vs. 17b
Paul tells us to, “understand what the will of the Lord is…” God has prepared a plan for our lives, and He has made it possible for us to walk in it. We will find fulfillment as we do His will. We need to make the fulfilling of that plan a priority in our lives. Every decision we make needs to be made with that reality in mind.

Prayer: Lord, I give You, my life. Open my eyes to see the opportunities around me to serve You. I want my life to glorify You. Amen

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.