"A farmer was having trouble getting his old mule to work when he heard it was qualifying day for the Kentucky Derby. Deciding to try a different approach, he took the mule down to the track where beautiful million dollar race horses pranced about.
As the farmer approached the gate, a race official scornfully asked, “You want to enter him?” The farmer replied, “Well, I don’t figure he could win, but I thought the association might do him some good.”
The farmer understood a good time management principle. We tend to become like those we associate with. If we spend time with people whose focus is on immediate pleasures and the things of this world we will often pick up their values and priorities. Spending time with Godly people on the other hand fulfills the scripture, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.”
Is there someone you could have lunch with tomorrow who could inspire you to focus more on the things of God. Spending time with the right people is a way to redeem the time.
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"School bell rings
TEACHER: Attention class! Welcome to time management 101. Today’s lesson is on priorities. As you see I have on the table a jar and several large rocks. (Sound of rocks going into jar begins) As I put the rocks into the jar. I want you to tell me when you think the jar is full.
STUDENT: OK, the jar is full professor
TEACHER: Yes, looks full, but what you didn't realize is that under the table I also have some gravel which I will now (sound of gravel pouring) add to the jar to fill in the empty space around the big rocks.
STUDENT: It must be full now!
TEACHER: But wait, I also have some sand which we can pour over the gravel. (sound of sand pouring) Now is it full?
Crowd mumbling
TEACHER: You're catching on because I also have (Sound of water pouring) a pitcher of water which I will pour over the sand to make the jar full. Now students, the jar is finally full!
STUDENT: But what does that have to do with priorities?
TEACHER: Suppose I had tried to put the gravel, sand and water in first. Could I have ever gotten the big rocks in?
STUDENTS ALL TOGETHER: No way!
TEACHER: That’s why Jesus said seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness They have to be the big rocks that go in first or they don’t get done. Seek God FIRST today. It’s the way to redeem the time."
"Is there any such thing as an unimportant person? If you’re a Christian the obvious answer is no. Everyone is important to God and should be important to us as well.
But there are some important people who will waste your time on some very unimportant activities. If we’re to redeem the time, we need to find tactful ways of encouraging important people to end unimportant visits. One way to gently nudge an overtime visitor toward the door is by using the phrase, “Why don’t we have a word of prayer before you go?” This allows you to show the importance of the individual and to acknowledge the Lord, while tactfully bringing the visit to an overdue close. Have prayer with your visitor and once the amen is said, quickly stand to your feet and thank them for their visit as you walk them toward the door.
Using the phrase, “ Why don’t we have a word of prayer before you go,” is an excellent way to redeem the time.
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"Wife: Henry dear, don't you think its time you took another bath?
Henry: Listen Alice, I had one when I was 18. That`s only been 32 years. I'll let you know when I need another one.
Narrator: Most of us realize that bathing is not a once in a lifetime experience. It is something we have to do on a regular basis. That same principle holds true for managing our time.
Some people think that just the right seminar, new technique or key insight will be all they need to put them on the right track for life. They soon get discouraged when things still fall through the cracks or they find themselves slipping into old time wasting habits. They give up and say “what’s the use?”. But that’s like saying you aren’t going to take any more baths because the last one didn’t last a lifetime.
The truth is that learning to redeem the time is a lifelong process. We are all students when it comes to finding effective ways to accomplish God’s best with our time. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it all down pat the first time. Continuing to learn better techniques is itself an excellent way to redeem the time.
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