Teach Us To Number Our Days

"Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Kari Beougher

There are so many different endeavors that fill our time. For me this week, I feel as though every single moment of my day is accounted for- church activities, work, school, social events, family, relationships- all these occupy our days. I love this verse because I am reminded every time I read it of how much I truly do need the Lord to teach me to purpose my time and to make sure I am honoring Him with my use of it.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." The days are evil. None of us know how much time the Lord has ordained for us. James reminds us, "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. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that" (James 4:14-15). On our own, we do not have the wisdom to appropriately plan our time or make proper use of it. We need the Lord's help in structuring and filling our time in a way that glorifies Him and accomplishes what He has planned for us.

Today, may we seek the Lord for wisdom in how to manage our time and "number our days." May we entrust our time, days and endeavors to His keeping. Today may we make the most of our day and purpose our time well to the glory of God.

Living and Active

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Kari Beougher

 
I absolutely love the truth of this verse. As an avid reader who often re-reads books, I love that no matter how many times I may read a passage of Scripture, I learn new truths from it. Growing up in a devoted Christian home and attending Christian schools all my life, I have had the extreme privilege of reading the Word of God often. Yet, no matter how many times I read a passage or think I know it, some days it speaks to me or affects me in ways it never has before. The Word of God truly never grows old. It’s  never outdated, and it will never become meaningless.It is living and active. I love that I will never stop learning through reading and that God will continually communicate to me through the Bible, His revealed word. What a beautiful truth!

 I also continually experience the second part of this verse, able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Reading the Bible not only teaches me more about who Jesus is or what He wants for my life, but it also convicts me of my sin and shows me when I am wrong- which unfortunately, is often.While other books may lose their significance, the Bible will always be relevant and absolutely necessary to the Christian life.It is a means through which we learn more of who God is and who we are called to be.

Is reading the Word of God a priority in our life? Are we allowing God's Word to teach us new things? Are we allowing His Spirit to convict and correct sin in our lives? Trust in the power of God's Word today. It never returns to Him void but always accomplishes what He intends!

The Holy Spirit teaches us what to share

"'When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say'" (Luke 12:11-12, New American Standard Bible).

Will you zoom into view this point of time with me? Jesus was speaking to His disciples. In case they would be arrested and questioned in court on the account of following Him, He encouraged them to not fear what to say. The Holy Spirit would give them the words to say.

We may never be questioned in court about who we believe Christ to be, but we may be questioned by others. We may suffer in this world, but the suffering only lasts a moment (Romans 8:18, John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:13). We can rest in knowing God's truths last forever (Isaiah 40:8). God cares for all living creatures (Luke 12:6-7). He will be faithful to speak through His people at the right time, when we trust in His Word and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. He will help us know what, how, and when to say something.

It may be a suffering feeling, sharing who Christ is, since not everyone believes that He is Lord and Savior over all (John 3:3). No doubt - people may question the validity of our faith. As believers, we can rest in knowing that God will give us the words to say in such a situation through the Holy Spirit. He has been faithful to keep His Word in the past, so we can trust it for the future (Psalm 100:5). As we rely on the truth of who He is, He will teach us what to say as we share who He is with others.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to speak truth to us and the world. Help us to be willing for You to speak through us, to proclaim Your glory to the world. Give us the words to say. Make us a living witness to what sort of change You can  make in a life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from www.access-board.gov.
Recommended reading: the book Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce W. Longenecker; the verses Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11, Matthew 6:25, 1 John 5:1

We pray for the words to say

"'Do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.'" -Luke 12:11b-12 (New American Standard Bible)

With the U.S. presidential elections approaching, I remembered an old video clip I saw once in high school with presidential bloopers. You can find a similar, more updated video at www.youtube.com - presidential bloopers video. Even our nation's leaders, who speak so often, can make mistakes in their speech. 

God asks believers to share Him and spread His good news, as we can read from Matthew 28:19-20, but sometimes we can wonder what exactly we would say. When God asked Moses to speak to Pharaoh, Moses was pretty raw in expressing his doubt that he was the man for the job. God pointed out that He is the Creator of all things - He made the mouth, and He gives people the ability to speak. He said, "'Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say'" (Exodus 4:12, New American Standard Bible).

God asks us to trust Him and follow His lead. He will help us follow His will. As believers, God has given us the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say as we witness to who He is. So, there is no need to fear. When we are His, we are not walking alone. As we try to explain this relationship we have with Him to others, He will give us the words to say.

Lord, thanks for being Immanuel, God with us. Be with us as we explain who You are to others. Give us the words to say through Your Spirit. Amen.

Image - http://blog.keepstream.com

Study based on the workbook, HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Teach the Word

"Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, that good thing entrusted to you" (2 Timothy 1:13-14, HCSB).

It is an honor to be able to teach and to speak the Word of God.

God sent Jesus to show us how to live, show us how to teach, and to save us from ourselves. God could have just sent the Bible, but He didn't. He sent Jesus - to show us the way.

God uses us to present the Word of God but He uses us to show others how to live, model how to teach, and to save us from ourselves. We must share the Word of God (Bible) in such a way that others can understand it. We must teach by using stories and examples just like Jesus did. We must show others, with our lives, how to live.

Whether we are doing a women's retreat, girls' retreat, or sharing Christ one-on-one, we are called to open up the Word of God in such a way that the hearer will understand it. We are to not only speak, but to live out what we are speaking about.

Lord, help me to hold to your pattern of teaching. Guard my life. Make me teachable. Help me to open up the Word of God so that others will understand it. Help me to live it out before them.