Friday... These three really will make a difference.

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians gives some very practical advice. My dad used to say, "Advice not asked for, stinks" but I still get up each morning and strive to give some practical and hopefully uplifting advice because God's Word is always faithful and some will find it useful. So here are three verses in Ephesians that are great advice.

Here in chapter 5, verses 15-17 (NLT) Paul writes, "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."

Verse 15 in the Amplified Bible says, "Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people]," Now that is really good. It really is.

Yes, we need to be really careful in this day in which we live. Let's be wise, not unwise. So let's walk carefully.

Then verse 16, "making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil."

Oh, I strive to get up each morning with a positive attitude but this really is an evil world so we need to make the most of our time and use it and use it and use it with wisdom and diligence, even in retirement or whatever moment in life you are experiencing.

So let's walk carefully and make the very most of our time not wasting our time and then verse 17, "Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is." and this is so very, very important isn't it?

Where do we find the will of the Lord? or as the NIRV says it, "understand what the Lord wants." Well, that comes from being in God's Word, meditating on it and also connecting with God through prayer. In any relationship, we need to spend time with them to really know them. and know what they want and need. As The Message says it this way, "Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants."

And those will for sure make a difference in making a difference in our life and those around us.

So let's be careful, make the most of every opportunity and don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants us to do. Now that is a lot to do but it will definitely make a difference in this evil world in which we now live. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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