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Key Bible Verse: "Awake, O sleeper …" Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days (Ephesians 5:14, 16). Bonus Reading: Ephesians 5:14-17

"Redeeming the time" is how [today's Key Bible Verses] were traditionally translated. The Greek word for "time" used here isn't chronos, referring to the passing of time in hours and days. Instead, kairos is employed, which in the Bible refers to the time between Jesus' first and second comings. An appropriate rendering would be, "As you go about your life in this in-between time, use it to its fullest to display the grace of Christ to others." What is Paul urging?

Seize the little moments of life (where 95 percent of your life is lived). Suppose a husband and wife are upset with each other. Will they turn toward each other or remain angry? This redemptive moment is huge! Imagine if this couple misses thousands of these over the course of their marriage. Where will their marriage be in 20 years?

See the context in which the details of life take place. Paul says, "Because the days are evil." You live in a war zone. Every morning as you get out of bed there's a battle raging for your soul, your life, your friendships, and your marriage. You can't afford to waste these moments. The war is won in the little skirmishes that take place throughout your life. "Wake up!" Paul says, "you're at war."

—Tim Lane & Paul Tripp in Relationships: A Mess Worth Making

My Response: What "redemptive moments" have I been failing to take advantage of?

Thought to Apply: We speak of spending time; the Bible speaks of buying it.  —source unknown

Adapted from Relationships: A Mess Worth Making (New Growth, 2006) by permission.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

I want to devote my life to Your purposes, Lord. Help me work that out in my responses to the situations I face every day.

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