March 2009 Newsletter


“Every Moment”

By: Craig Rippy

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 8th. It seems we just fell back an hour and now we are going to spring ahead an hour. We have covered four months and it only seems like a few weeks.

Time has been a formidable enemy to man's years on earth. From Adam's sin over six thousand years ago, to the present, we have all been ravaged by time. Wars, famine, political chaos, health problems, death, death, death, have followed the ribbon of time.

I don't want to get you depressed, but we must be realistic. Time can be our enemy or we can develop a perspective to help us utilize the moments of time for God's purposes.

God sits outside of time, but has involved Himself in time. He created time. In the beginning reveals time's origin. God created reveals the originator. To have time is to have purpose. God began a space and time universe for purpose. Creating an event- oriented universe with life that can be involved with moments and events must mean there is purpose.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven (NIV). When your mother conceived you, it was time for you to begin your existence. Your purpose is the same as everyone else. All people are to worship and serve God within the boundaries He has set.

Those living in communist countries are to worship and serve God as communist citizens. Those in socialist countries are to do the same thing. Fulfilling our purpose isn't dependent upon the worldly government we live under.

Those living in poverty or those living with wealth are under the same purpose. Those who are famous and those who are infamous are under the same purpose. Those with poor health and those with good health have the same purpose.

Living in this time- controlled existence means we perpetually enter into new moments of time. The past is completed and will never be lived again. Whether that means a past of pleasure or of pain, the past will not be lived again.

The future is yet to be determined. God knows the ending from the beginning, but we are oblivious to what can occur in the next moment of time, except that God will be there.

The present is being lived by each of. As you are reading, the words flow by, understanding is taking shape in your mind, and the mystery of this article is being unveiled. Yet, the memory of the article is all you will have.

Moments are short. The past is thousands of years, and the future continues beyond time into eternity. What our moments will be in eternity are still a big mystery.

One thing for certain, each moment is to be used to worship and serve God. While Jesus was being tempted by the devil, Jesus said: "Away from me, Satan! For it is written Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." (Matthew 4:10 - NIV) Jesus worshiped and served God during the moments of time.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman Christians telling them they needed to serve and worship God. Paul's words also help us understand how we are to achieve the moment by moment adoration of God. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2 - NASU)

Our service is worship, just like our singing praises to Him, or fellowship with other Christians is honoring to God. To achieve this, we need to transform or renew our thinking. As we study God's Word, we grow to understand the Lord and His purposes for creation. We, then, can know His general purpose for all mankind.

Solomon wrote it this way, Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV)

Jesus even came to prepare all people who would accept Him to worship and serve God every moment of this time and into eternity. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6 - NIV) Time nor eternity is an enemy, but an opportunity to worship and serve God. Our purpose is simple: We are to worship and serve God!