Daily Devotional for Tuesday August 27, 2013

Take the Time and Effort to Spend One Day with Those You Love

(Ephesians 5:28; Ephesians 6:2; Ephesians 6:4)

***ASK BILL: Pastor Bill, I am doing a Bible study on man's immortal soul. what Bible verse can I use?

ANSWER: "And this is the witness: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have eternal life." (1 John 5:11-12)

One of the greatest tragedies in this life is the time that we don't spend with those we love the most, those who God has given us to share this journey with. I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU TODAY TO MAKE THE TIME AND EFFORT TO TAKE ONE DAY, AND SPEND IT WITH THOSE THAT YOU LOVE!!! The fact is, you HAVE the time. With the upcoming holiday weekend MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

It may be a day alone with your wife or husband. It may be a day with your children. It may be time with your father and/or mother. It may be a day with a grandparent, or an aunt, or an uncle. It may be a day with a close friend. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT GOD GIVES US PEOPLE TO INTIMATELY SHARE THIS BRIEF JOURNEY OF LIFE WITH. SADLY, THESE ARE OFTEN THE PEOPLE THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED THE MOST!!!

One thing I can guarantee you. EVERY person one day will die. Only God knows when that day is. When a person dies, they are not coming back, so we must NEVER neglect this brief time that we have together. THE TIME YOU HAVE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE IS A GIFT FROM GOD!!!

Listen, I understand the day to day reality of life, work, deadlines, responsibilities, commitments. I UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT. But let me ask you a question. If you get sick today, maybe serious enough that you have to go to the hospital for a day or two, what will happen? When you get out, get better, you catch up and keep moving forward at work, at school, in the various responsibilities and commitments that you have in your life.

Several weeks ago when I found myself in a hospital, that same day I also had a busy schedule as every day is for me. For the next two days, my schedule didn't matter, the things I needed to get done didn't get done when I had planned. Once I was able to get back into my office, I did eventually catch up with everything that needed to get done. THE POINT IS, WE HAVE THE TIME IF WE WANT TO MAKE THE TIME!!!!

Here is what I am advising you to do. TAKE ONE FULL DAY. FORGET WORK, FORGET SCHOOL, FORGET WHATEVER YOU WOULD NORMALLY DO THAT DAY AND SPEND IT WITH SOMEONE THAT YOU CARE DEEPLY ABOUT. Go take a drive somewhere, do something you both want to do, goof off, LEAVE THE CELL PHONE AND THE TABLET AT HOME!!!

Take one day and simply spend it with someone that you love. It won't destroy your career; it won't destroy your schooling; it doesn't make you irresponsible!!!

My friend, this life is very short. We only have a limited number of days to live. God gives us a few people who we love and are close to, to share this journey with. It is critical that we pick our spots and spend time with them. Trust me, one day they will be gone and you will wish they were here!!! So enjoy those people that God gives us to walk through this life with while we can!!!

I love you and care about you so much. I have preached too many funerals, I have been in too many hospital rooms over the last 14 years when people were wishing that they had more time to spend with those they love. WE TAKE TIME FOR GRANTED. WE TAKE THE PEOPLE WE ARE CLOSEST TO IN THIS LIFE FOR GRANTED. This is a chance for YOU to be in control, for YOU to take some of the precious time God has given you, to enjoy those that He has given you to share this life with.

I will be praying for you today. I pray that these words do not fall on deaf ears, or go unheeded. Life always has emergencies that make us change our normal daily schedule. SPENDING ONE DAY WITH SOMEONE THAT YOU LOVE WHO WILL ONE DAY BE GONE IS AN EMERGENCY!!! Don't take them or the time God gives you for granted. When they are gone, it will be too late. So do it NOW!!!

We can say, "I love you" very easily. However, it takes time and effort to SHOW someone that you love them. TAKE THE TIME, MAKE THE EFFORT TODAY, THERE MAY NOT BE A TOMORROW!!!

In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller