Talk Tuesday-Redeeming The Times

As Easter Sunday approached, the following passages jumped out at me during my personal devotions:

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time."

Colossians 4:5

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16

When I looked up the Greek in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, the definition I found was; exagorazō-to redeem; to make the most (of the time). Why is there an air of urgency and purpose in Paul's message?

"For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night." 1 Thessalonians 5:2

"Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation." 1 Thessalonians 5:6

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to be mindful of the times we are in and to use it wisely. We are being reminded that while no one knows at what hour our Lord Jesus Christ will return, the fact remains that He shall return. How we spend our lives here on earth is not measured by the quantity of our possessions, but by the way in which we live in honour of the One who gave life. When I think of 'Redeeming the Times' the following scriptures come to mind:

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. " Matthew 28:-18-20

What do you think of? What does it mean to you, to 'redeem the times?' We want to hear from you. Please click the comments link below to share your thoughts with us here at BGO. God bless!

Talk Tuesday-Happy Easter!

As we approach Easter Sunday, we would like to leave you with a few scriptures that describe what GOD has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ. His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead means redemption, restoration, salvation and victory for all who believe!

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7

"But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13

"But GOD demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 6:8-9

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:13-15

"Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." Romans 8:34

"but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to GOD through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:24-25

So let us march ahead, armed with this attitude, that we might bring glory to the One who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

God bless you all this Easter!
Andrew & Natasha

Movie Monday - O the Blood - Kari Jobe

Bible Talk - April 18-24 -- Genesis - Exodus

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The scripture reading for this week:

Apr 18: Gen 48-50
Apr 19: Ex 1-3
Apr 20: Ex 4-6
Apr 21: Ex 7-9
Apr 22: Ex 10-12
Apr 23: Ex 13-15
Apr 24: Ex 16-18

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Talk Tuesday-Denial of the Flesh

Jesus wisely warns us about what to expect as we soldier on through the pilgrimage of life.
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" John 16:33.

King David reminds us that, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all" Psalm 34:19.

Suffering, in its nature, is truly abhorrent to the flesh. It denies our carnal nature the comfort of appeasement. When we fast, we lay aside our earthly desires in order to pursue communion and fulfillment with the LORD. As one sense decreases, the other increases. It is like that as we wait upon the LORD. We choose to TRUST HIM, despite our circumstances. We choose to tell our flesh-our physical sight-that we do not allow it to lead our FAITH, but our FAITH will guard our hearts. It is a denial of the flesh and inherent in that DENIAL, is the subordination of our sense of entitlement to the WILL OF GOD for our lives. As I sit here, journalling before the LORD, I wonder about Job and Jesus.

How was Job able to say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" Job 13:15 or Jesus able to concede, "Not my will, but Yours be done?" John 22:42.

I cannot explain these things to the non-believer. I cannot explain them to one who does not know the Son, because without the Son it is impossible to know the Father. Yet, once you know the Father and the Son, you know the Holy Spirit. You step out of the realm of the natural, into the spiritual. As Paul writes, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

So let me encourage you, as I seek to encourage myself. Let us spur each other on, to finish the race, and to finish it well. If you are suffering, know that it is not in vain. If you are waiting, know that it is unto a purpose. And if you are fasting, know that you are exercising your spiritual discipline. The DENIAL of the FLESH for the sake of the LORD will result in sweeping rewards. Continue to tenaciously hold to His promise, because GOD DOES NOT LIE!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Bible Talk - April 11-17 - Genesis

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The scripture reading for this week:

Apr 11: Gen 30-31
Apr 12: Gen 32-34
Apr 13: Gen 35-37
Apr 14: Gen 38-40
Apr 15: Gen 41-42
Apr 16: Gen 43-45
Apr 17: Gen 46-47

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Bible Talk - April 4 - 10 - Genesis

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The scripture reading for this week:

Apr 4: Gen 8-11
Apr 5: Gen 12-15
Apr 6: Gen 16-18
Apr 7: Gen 19-21
Apr 8: Gen 22-24
Apr 9: Gen 25-26
Apr 10: Gen 27-29

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Share - April

Share what God is speaking to you.  Give a word of encouragement.  Bless someone today.  It's time to Share.

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Prayer Wall - April

Post your prayer request and we will pray for you.

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