Making the Most of every opportunity

Ephesians 5 v 15-16
Ephesians 5 v 15- 16 – there is emphasis on how we live, not as unwise but as wise. “See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the times because the times are evil.”
Circumspectly – cautiously, vigilantly, watchfully

Ecclesiastes 11 v 4
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

Opportunity means a time when a particular situation makes it possible to do or achieve something.

What opportunities did you come across today or this week?
Making the most

Opportunity is always presented to you.
Making is a doing word and action is needed to make the most.
For an example this is a rainy season. A farmer looks for the seed and fertilizer before the rains come and prepares the land.
When it has rained he then plants his seed
Even in the spiritual you have to plant something...
Proverbs 31 v 13 – selects wool and flax and works eagerly with it.
You do something to get hold of the opportunity. You move towards the opportunity.
The most is the highest value. In making you need action towards getting the opportunity.
Proverbs 20 v 4 – the opportunity was there but did not plant in season.
Sluggard – lazy and reaps where he did not sow. Always begging.
While making the most you should do it in the right season.
Opportunity comes in season so you should act immediately. Do not procrastinate.
No-one knows God’s season so you should do it on time.
The most is the maximum. Take diligent and timeous action.
Opportunities are different so as the season.
You don't get results if you do the wrong things. You do not do what others are doing.
If you put action in the wrong direction you will not benefit anything.
Align action with the right opportunity. Do not be like someone chasing the wind. One needs to focus on realism and trust in God

God creates an opportunity for you to be blessed and it’s up to you to see the opportunity.
1 Chronicles 12 v 32
And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
– as a Christian you need to understand the time you are in.

Many Christians do not want to listen or hear about the negative.
If you understand the time you don’t listen to what people say, we should understand the will of God.

God said he will prosper you but he did not say only when things are ok. We should not be lazy to think. We should be a blessing to somebody.

People always hide on their tithes but tithes opens doors and offerings give blessings.

You should take this opportunity to bless someone this year. Help others succeed, for in their success you will find yours. The go-givers become the real go-getters. Give and it shall be given unto you is still the greatest success principle.

Self renewal is a must. Renew your mind with fresh and new information. Learn new skills improve on your talent and knowledge.

Be creative – see the world with a fresh air of spectacles.

Compete with no-one but yourself – measure yourself against your stated vision.
Opportunities that are presented in
Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood in our spiritual life.

Crops planted are different depending with the regions.

1. Look where you are and do the corresponding action. Opportunities are not the same for everyone
2. Look for the right time to do your action. Look at the time and align it with your action. One may ask, How do you know it’s the right time? The answer is, The holy spirit should lead you!

Ecclesiastes 11 v 4-6 – always rely on the Holy Spirit to make the right action at the right time and in the right way.
If an opportunity continues to come always you should always grab it.
The cost of neglecting opportunity
Opportunity is missed by many because it comes dressed in an overall and seen by many as work.

The story of the builder who was asked by his master to build a house….And the house ended up being given to him

Wherever God puts you it’s an opportunity.
Take time to love and pray for others. It’s an opportunity to prove you.
In your marriage it’s an opportunity to show God can deliver and change things.
If you are alive today it’s an opportunity to care for others.
What kind of a daughter-in-law / son-in-law are you in that family? It’s an opportunity to make a difference everywhere you go. We are better people through teaching and counseling.
Opportunity has got nothing to do with money but many always think of money when they hear of the word opportunity.
We should learn to take everything as an opportunity. For a shortage of bread may be an opportunity for someone to sell sweet potatoes.

Acts 16 v 25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
– when Paul and Silas were thrown into jail they took it as an opportunity to praise and worship God and show other people to Christ.

Genesis 4 v 4
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. [1]

– God gave Cain a chance to repent and receive counsel from him but he did not use the opportunity. That cost him his lineage and he became non-existent because he refused to receive counsel.
There are things we are destroying in our marriages because we are not taking the opportunity to receive counseling to save or revive our marriages. Sometimes you are carrying a burden for too long and that is killing a lot of things in your marriage – that burden becomes a barrier to opportunity.
Every Opportunity

Opportunity comes like fashion, it comes and goes and needs you to look for it.
At times it does not repeat itself and it has no negotiations when it comes.
It also does not need procrastination. Its never too late or too early but right on time.
It comes as bad and good. It needs the Holy Spirit to help you identify the opportunity.
Some opportunities come from the enemy and needs you to stand in the gap for your family. Pray for the spirit of discernment for you to be able to tell if the opportunity is from the right source (good or evil). If good then pursue it.

Ephesians 5 v 15- 16 – there is emphasis on how we live, not as unwise but as wise. “See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the times because the times are evil.”
Circumspectly – cautiously, vigilantly, watchfully

Evil is rooted from the devil to counterfeit the good and destroy you.
V 17 – the things of God are plain and smooth sailing.

Pray always to have God’s guidance.
Opportunity is based on time.
There is an opportunity to repent, serve, invest, sympathize and accept Christ
Not everything that looks like an opportunity is, at times it will be a trap. Not all that glitters is gold. We should look at opportunities in the eyes of Jesus.

Repentance – makes you acceptable before Christ. At times we are stubborn so we need to live in repentance.

Service – Matt 25 v 6 the ten virgins. But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.[2]

Were given a situation to serve but you don’t do it and maybe God wants to use that situation to unlock a door. Serve when the time comes.

Investment – Matt 25 v 26 what do you do when God gives you a talent. Investment comes in different situations. How do you invest your time, money, talent etc?

Sympathetic service – Matt 25 v 44-46 maybe you have a fat wardrobe and can’t give away. You should take the opportunity and give to the needy. It is in giving that we receive. Remember that God delights in a cheerful giver. Be empathetic to the situation of others.

Accepting Christ – given the opportunity everyday to love Christ. What are you doing about it? We are given the opportunity to spread the word everyday. How many times have you taken time to speak to someone about the Christ? Charity begins at home, minister to your children, wife/ husband neighbor etc

Conclusion
Lets be on the look-out for opportunities that God presents to us so that we will be blessed and extend our coast. Not only will we be blessed but we will also be a blessing to others. Jabez prayer 1 Chronicles 4 v 10 is a very important prayer to keep in mind as it sums up all that we have learnt today.
1 Chronicles 4 v10

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it be not to my sorrow! And God granted him that which he requested.[3]

Be a blessing and be blessed!!

Patience and Greenfield
[1]American Standard Version. 1995 (Ge 4:4-5). Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA
[2]American Standard Version. 1995 (Mt 25:6). Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA

Year of Celebrating Success & family Fulfillment

The Couples group theme has been defined for the year 2008 and it reads “The year of celebrating success and family fulfillment”. What does this mean from a Christian perspective, what is there to celebrate in a world where pain and suffering are the order of the day, where disease and hunger is the news which congests our daily lives? What is success in our lives if we have failed to reach our goals and what is Family fulfillment when the family unit has become the source of our stress?

With this theme the Anglican couples group sets out to define Celebrating as the Joy and Happiness within us because God loved us so much that he sent his only begotten son, that who ever believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life and for that celebration we give thanks to God all mighty for such great love that sees us enjoying the abundance of life.

We define Success as the bonding of the man and woman in marriage to show the world what God intended for us to be, the Blessings he so abundantly gives us in our children, our work places and those we interact with and the health yes health we take for granted but we enjoy everyday.

We define Family Fulfillment as the love we are able show one another at home and in the group and the world over that we truly are one family, on top of that we add the Unity which moulds us as a source of strength which ultimately gives us a Purpose in our lives.

With the amour of God and this bold theme for 2008 we set foot into the world as examples and boldly declare that THIS IS THE YEAR OF CELEBRATING SUCCESS AND FAMILY FULFILLMENT.

Michael .S. Mushunje

Lets make things happen

2008 has begun and through all the struggles we have and may continue to have we put all our hopes towards God. Indeed we have had tough times through 2007, but never , not once has God left our sides, we had decent meals through out the tough year some of us have even put on a few extra KGs too. With all that in mind we give 2008 to God first before we make our plans and God will bless us in all amazing ways, prospering where failure seems evident.

Let us not forget too that we are instruments of God and all the blessings we receive should be extended to our neighbours , giving when others are in need and assisting when others need assistance. So as the year is still in its infancy, I urge you all to look ahead not through your eyes but through Gods eyes because he will see us through yet again.

Have a Blessed 2008

Michael .S. Mushunje