Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (KJV)
Happy (and Blessed) New Year everybody! Notice in our reading, “the worlds were framed by the word of God”. Here the Lord in his letter to the church is teaching us how we can change the direction of our lives and become builders of the kingdom of God. The elders “framed their times” for the Lord. The book of Ephesians gives us a similar word.
Eph 5:15-21
15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. [Prov 23:20.]
19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,
20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one).AMP
Make your life count! That is the admonition from the scripture. “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33)
We have the choice to build ourselves or to build the kingdom. We have a choice to get all we can to “can all we get” or we can choose a lifestyle of living to give. We have the choice to live our way or to live his way.
All the men and women spoken of in Hebrews chapter eleven took God’s Word and changed their lives and “times” for his kingdom. Think about it, we have just celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. A young teenage girl changed the world by submitting to the Word of God when the Angel declared, “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment”. (Luke 1:37AMP)
Moses took his faith and chose the people of God rather than Egypt. God used that faith to set his people free. Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees looking for God’s city. And God took that faith and made him the “Father of many nations“.
What about you? Are you living for yourself or are living for God? Have you submitted your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Do you have God’s Kingdom in your eyes or is everything about you and your personal desires and comfort.
In the book of Hebrews “framing your times” had to do with living by your faith rather than your circumstance. Every time God has dealt with me to do something for him it was always a stretch for me. I had to use my faith. When I shared a word with someone or witness to a person I had to step out in faith. When being used in the gifts of the spirit I had to step out in faith. I’m usually never comfortable in sharing a Word from the Lord. When God has asked me to give it has always been a stretch demanding my faith. He uses our obedience to bring growth in our lives. And he uses our obedience to build his kingdom.
Secondly notice our second reading. Redeeming your time is associated with being filled with the Spirit. We will never be able to fulfill God’s will apart from the Spirit of God. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs may be a little strange to the world but it is the vehicle to staying full of the spirit. Tongues and prophesy is controversial in some churches but it is God choice for the believer to keep themselves in the love of God. We are called to be God’s habitation in the Spirit. And we will never “frame our times” for God without receiving his enduement from on high.
I am praying for every member at FLFF to be full of God’s Spirit, for every member a working member, a praying member, a giving member. I am praying for every member living their full potential for Jesus. Instead of serving with a half hearted service, I praying that the whole church family will choose to serve God with all their heart, mind, and strength.
I leave you with the will of God for the church.
Acts 4:32 Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all. AMP
It is time to put away the excuses we give for not fully yielding to the Lord. It is time to be a part of changing and framing our times with our faith. All of heaven is watching us run our race for the Lord!