“see then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the...

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” – Eph: 5: 15,16

Mahesh Bandarupalli

ObjectiveThis talk won't give you an extra hour in your day

or an extra day in your week. But it will help you think through why you feel so busy and what you might do about it.

It will show how faith in God can make a real difference to the way we live in a high-pressure world

How to manage your time and not let it manage you

The Challenge of BusynessNewest problem of the church…or, is it not?

Business : And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Luke 2:49

Whatever your degree, add BA to that: Busy Always!

Why bother?Defeats the primary purpose of our creation :

Fellowship with God! I Cor 1:9, I John 1:3, Rev 4:11Personal disaster

Family disaster Fellowship disaster

Witness disaster Evangelical disaster

EpidemicRebellions

Moral victory to satan!

You wish you could ignore!God will not leave you : Moses, David, JonahChurch will not leave you Family needs youUnsaved souls need you

Isaiah 6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me.

Do you need help?Greater EfficiencyClearer boundariesAttending time management courses or

conferencesAsk others to pray for you Working on a plan to tackle

Allow Bible to re-shape your worldview and redirect our hearts.

What is the main problem?We believe lies!We believe lies!We believe lies!We believe lies!We believe lies!We believe lies!

What do scriptures say?

Haggai’s story1st of the post-exilic prophetsReturn from captivity 538 BC

Chapter 1, Haggai

The temple ruins may have looked like this!

Time 520 BC

The temple rebuilt!

Time 516 BC

Effects of Busyness

INSIDE

OUTSIDE

Busyness

Filling spiritual vacuum with world

Depression

Dissatisfaction & Discontentment

Inhibiting relationship with God

Non-productive for God

Breakdown

Desperation

Stroppy & Irritable

Change in temperament

& attitude No Joy

Spat out!!

Nominal / Lukewarm Christian

What have we learnt so far?24/7 living comes at a cost. Often the answer is to examine our hearts and

see what is really driving us : PRIORITIESWhat does your temple look like? Understand

the consequences!Rebuilding temple vs Satisfying responsibilities

with excellenceGod shaped voidBusyness is a costly habit and establishes a

vicious circle

What must we do?• Use your time efficiently • Sort out your priorities • Glorify God all the time • Getting to the heart of busyness • I'm busy because I need to prove myself • I'm busy because of other people's expectations • I'm busy because otherwise things get out of control • I'm busy because I prefer being under pressure :

Sabbath • I'm busy because I need the money : Proprietorship• I'm busy because I want to make the most of life

Remember!Living with the confidence that what God promises for

the future is better than what we see in the present - Heb 11:1

Rebuilding your temple needs commitment; there’s no substitute..meaningful, private & non-negotiable time

We have a liberating God; Is 28:16 says :!the one who trusts will never be dismayed!

Labour is good, but labour which betrays a lack of trust in God’s ability to provide is idolatrous.

Why worry? Lk 12:25 !Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? – GOD IS IN CONTROL

He requires of us no more than we can do in the time He gives: this truth liberates us from unrealistic expectations

Before you go….• Look at God’s response to His children

v13: I am with you!• God has promised His rest to all who are weary

and burdened (Mt 11:28). It is up to us to accept it!

• 24 days to response by Zerubbabel, you can surely do better!

• Avail the treatment to busyness disease before slavery to time consumes us and handicaps us.

• Priorities Purposed faith Pruning