Be Wise in How You Spend Your Time
Rev. Tse Amable | October 11 2024 | John 18:15-18

KEY VERSE:
“It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. PETER ALSO WAS STANDING WITH THEM, WARMING HIMSELF.” John 18:18 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In our key verse, Apostle Peter did very well in following his Master to the courtroom in the residence of the High Priest. But where he failed was how he spent the time. The scripture says, “PETER ALSO WAS STANDING WITH THEM, WARMING HIMSELF”. He was emulating what the people were doing. He forgot the caution of the Master to “watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). Maybe, if Simon Peter had spent those hours hiding somewhere, praying and interceding for Jesus Christ, he would not have had the occasion to be tempted to deny his Master.
In the popular story of King David and Bathsheba, we read: “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. ... BUT DAVID REMAINED IN JERUSALEM” (2 Samuel 11:1). If King David had accompanied his troops to the battlefield, he would have escaped this temptation which led him to commit double sins - adultery and murder.
The times we are living in are indeed perilous times which call for vigilance – watchfulness through prayer. One of Apostle Paul’s admonitions to the Ephesians says, “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Let us heed the warning of the Lord which says, “WOE TO THEM THAT ARE AT EASE IN ZION” (Amos 6:1). Be wise in how you spend your time.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
How do you spend your leisure hours? Do you spend them glued to your television, computer, tablet and smartphone watching entertainment content, chatting on social media, etc. or sleeping instead of praying, studying the Bible, listening to recorded sermons, going out on evangelistic outreaches, etc.?
PRAYER:
Help me, Lord, to watch and pray so that I will not be overtaken by temptation which will lead me to sin against you. I commit my time into your hands. Help me to be a good and faithful steward in how I spend my leisure hours. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: WARMING
The word "warming" in our key verse comes from the Greek verb θερμαίνω (thermainó), meaning to warm or heat oneself. It reflects a search for physical comfort and ease, often in the context of difficult circumstances.
The act of warming oneself symbolizes the pursuit of temporary comfort at the expense of spiritual vigilance. Just as Peter sought warmth in a dangerous environment, believers today may be tempted to prioritize ease and entertainment over prayer and spiritual discipline. This calls us to examine how we spend our time and whether we are using it wisely, in line with God’s will, or whether we are allowing distractions to lead us away from Him.
Reflections
Are you using your time wisely, or are you spending it on things that provide temporary comfort but weaken your spiritual vigilance? How can you better prioritize your time for prayer and spiritual growth?

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