Surviving My Schedule

Walking In Wisdom
Surviving My Schedule 
Ephesians 5:15-16

“Our greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important ones.”  Charles E. Hummel

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, ESV)

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15–16, ESV)

Three Keys to Surviving My Schedule

1. Line up my Priorities

“The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24, ESV)

“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” (Proverbs 12:11, ESV)

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

I am going to live my life either by Priorities or by Pressure

The power of ‘no’ is in a stronger ‘yes’

How clear are my priorities?

2. Lighten up my Attitude

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” (Proverbs 12:25, ESV)

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” (Proverbs 14:30, ESV)

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22, ESV)

We must learn to practice Relaxed Concern

How is my attitude?

3. Look up to The Lord

“The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.” (Proverbs 10:27, ESV)

“In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26, ESV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, ESV)

If I give my time to the Redeemer, the Redeemer will Redeem my time!

How deep is my relationship with God?

The Challenge:  To manage our selves under the Lordship of Jesus Christ within the time frame granted to us.

Beginning Steps In Managing Myself

1. Seek the Lord
2. Set Priorities
3. Take Inventory
4. Cultivate the right partnerships
5. Develop a Plan (Write it down!)
6. Implement the plan
7. Evaluate the results
8. Celebrate the progress
9. Adjust the plan

“God has given us just enough time to do what we need to do moment by moment to respond to him. And his grace is there; it is eternally present. Every moment is a sacrament where time touches eternity and there is exactly enough time to do what God has called us to do.”  Bruce Hindmarsh

What am I giving my life for?

My Next Step Is To…

• Build my life on the foundation of Jesus Christ by repenting of my sin and placing my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the forgiver of my sin and the rightful leader and Lord of my life.
• Seek God about His priorities and plans for my life
• Prayerfully develop/modify a plan for managing myself under the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Commit it to writing).
• Invite other people to help me think through, evaluate and execute my plan.
• Spend time reviewing the teaching above. Begin making any adjustments that you sense God is directing you to begin to live out in your life and relationships.