*Ecclesiastes 3:1* - "To everything there is a *season*, a *time* for every *purpose* under heaven."

 

*Time Quotes*

1. *A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." - Charles Darwin

2. *Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.* - William Penn

3. *Time is precious. Spend it wisely.* - unknown

 

 

*Ephesians 5:15-16* - “See then that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, 16 *redeeming the time*, because the days are evil.”

 

*Two Spiritual Truths* - Purpose: Why do you need to redeem time?

 

1. Time is the unit of destiny. If the devil can waste your time he can abort or destroy your destiny.

 

2. To lead a fulfilled life. The enemy has stolen time, resources, strength especially regarding your kingdom-related purpose (*John 10:10* - the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full).

 

Things that waste or steal time:

- Sickness

- Misplaced priorities

- Distractions

- Ignorance of purpose

- Procrastination

- Poor time management

- Gratification of the flesh

 

*The secret of redeeming (or gaining) time is in waiting*

 

 

*Isaiah 40:28-30* - "Have you *not known*? Have you *not heard*? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

 

29 He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. 

 

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall."

 

*Two Spiritual Truths*

 

1. Verse 28 - Your gaps in knowledge and experience can be detrimental to you.

 

The *Johari Window* is a model that helps to explain and improve self-awareness and self-communication. The window is divided into four quadrants: *open* (Information that is known to both you and others), *blind* (Information that is unknown to you but known to others), *hidden* (Information that is known to you but unknown to others) and *unknown* (Information that is both unknown to you and others).

 

2. You are made in the image and likeness of God. You are made to function like God (*Genesis 1:26*).

 

*Isaiah 40:31* - "But *those who wait* for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired." (AMPC)

 

*Spiritual Truths* - Four things you gain when you wait on the Lord.

 

1. *Supernatural strength to build capacity*. That is, those who wait shall walk and not faint, build expertise and perseverance. For example, Apostle Paul, who was not part of the twelve disciples headhunted by Jesus Christ, redeemed time by firstly isolating himself in order to wait on the Lord in Arabia. 

 

*Galatians 1:15-17* - "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; *but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus*.

 

Jesus Christ spent about *three years* with His disciples. Paul spent three years in isolation with the Holy Spirit.

 

*Galatians 1:18* - "Then *after three years* I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days."

 

2. *Supernatural transportation for acceleration*. If you have a destination in mind, you can choose to use different means of transportation to get there - trek, motorcycle, ride a horse. travel in a vehicle, train, ship, or you can fly in an aeroplane. Flying definitely gets you faster to your destination. Those who wait shall lift their wings (they shall fly) and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun. For example, Philip after baptising the eunuch was divinely transported to Azotus.

 

*Acts 8:39-40* - "And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

 

3. *Supernatural advancement*. Your running will outpace native systems designed to run. 

 

*1 Kings 18:45-46* - "Things happened fast. The sky grew black with wind-driven clouds, and then a huge cloudburst of rain, with Ahab hightailing it in his chariot for Jezreel. And GOD strengthened Elijah mightily. Pulling up his robe and tying it around his waist, Elijah ran in front of Ahab’s chariot until they reached Jezreel." (MSG)

 

4. *Supernatural wisdom*. 

 

*Ephesians 5:15-17* - “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools *but as wise*, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore *do not be unwise*...”

 

*1 Corinthians 1:30* - "But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who *became to us wisdom from God*."

 

*Isaiah 33:6* - "*Wisdom* and knowledge shall be the stability of *thy times*."

 

 

*Prayer Points*

1. Supernatural strength to build capacity.

2. Supernatural transportation for acceleration.

3. Supernatural advancement

4. Supernatural wisdom

A. Personal

B. Your loved ones: Spouse, children, grandchildren etc.

C. Body of Christ

 

*Taking Action*

1. Decide to set aside a time: at least one hour.

2. Create a praise and worship atmosphere and allow the Holy Spirit reveal an area the enemy has stolen time and opportunities from you. Also answer the question: "Why do I need my time redeemed?"

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal an area you ned your time restored.

4. Reflect on what life would look like if you were able to redeem your time lost or wasted.

5. Schedule a regular time you reflect and allow the Holy Spirit share His strategy with you.

6. Write out your strategy, be bold and courageous. Armed with God's word you have been meditating on, take the first practical pmall step towards what you need the restored time for.

7. Be accountable to God and to a fellow brother.