WHAT AN AMAZING TIME TO BE ALIVE!
Pastor Mark Shook
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:15-21(NKJV)
• Evil days are not obstacles, but opportunities.
Hinge points in history usually come when the days are evil.
“Evil times, therefore, are not to be feared. They are times of unparalleled opportunity. That's why we must make the most of them.” —David H. Roper
Redeem – To exchange for something, to buy up, to bargain hunt
Circumspectly – To be awake to the moment, not careless or preoccupied
If we don’t understand what God is doing, we will live foolishly.
• Walking is a series of 2 steps repeated over and over again.
The two repeated steps of the spiritual life:
o Emptying out of our own selfish ways
o Being filled with the Holy Spirit.
• To deal with the pressures of the evil days, you must use the Law of Equilibrium – Equalize the pressure.
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything done on it shall be exposed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Live your lives in holiness and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. In that day the heavens will be dissolved by fire, and the elements will melt in the intense heat. But in keeping with His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, loved ones, while you are looking for these things, make every effort to be found in shalom, spotless and blameless before Him...” 2 Peter 3:10-15 (TLV)
