More Than We Ask

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)

This morning, Dr Tan Kian Lee preached that a Christian's greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayers, but unasked prayers. God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. He is not limited by us.

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. (Psalm 81:10 ESV)

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 ESV)

Redeeming The Time

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:16 KJV)
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5 KJV)

Greek
Redeem: ἐξαγοραζόμενοι (exagorazomenoi) - redeem, making most of
Time: καιρὸν (kairon) - time, right time, convenient season, opportunity

We must make full opportunity to do God's work. We have to redeem (i.e. buy back) time, because the days are evil. There is a price to pay. Choosing wisely among the good things, the good things that are temporal and the good things that are eternal. At the end of our lives, we must make sure that our time is used wisely, to buy gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, stubble. Live, as we wish to live, when we die.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (1 Corinthians 3:12 KJV)

"Everything is permissible," but not everything is helpful. "Everything is permissible," but not everything builds up. (1 Corinthians 10:23 HCSB)

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 KJV)

Inspired by JSM 2013 New Year's Message "The Christian Walk" preached by Dr Tan Kian Lee on 1st January 2013.

Walking The Spiritual Tightrope

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV)

Circumspectly - Greek: ἀκριβῶς (akribōs), from which we get the word acrobat.

5 Occurrences, translated in KJV as follows:
Matthew 2:8 diligently
Luke 1:3 having had perfect
Acts 18:25 diligently
Ephesians 5:15 circumspectly
1 Thessalonians 5:2 perfectly

Walk circumspectly in our Christian walk, as an acrobat walking on the tightrope, carefully, step by step, taking note of the following:

The tightrope is straight and narrow;
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14 KJV)

The acrobat must be focused, must not carry unnecessary weight, follow the principles of physics in his walk;
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 KJV)
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5 ESV)
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV)

The acrobat must finish his walk, from beginning to end, he cannot stop in the middle;
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV)
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9 KJV)

The acrobat cannot look down, but always look ahead at the end point.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 KJV)

Inspired by JSM 2013 New Year's Message "The Christian Walk" preached by Dr Tan Kian Lee.