Thursday, December 12

7 ways to seize an opportunity …

Ephesians 5:14-21 NLT “AWAKE, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil DAYS.
17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

We will seize opportunities by :

1. Being alert (vs 14)

“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”Benjamin Disraeli

Word is ‘Be Ready’. Don’t go off the boil and miss the moment when it comes.

What you are expecting to happen this year is what you will get. Therefore expect well and be ready for it!

2. Being focused (vs 15)

When we get distracted we miss the real thing!

Paul tells us in verse 18 if you get distracted by too much wine you will miss out on what the Holy Spirit has for you! No distraction is usually a problem in itself, it only becomes a problem when its become a distraction. Stay focussed.

3. Being bold (vs 16)

Make the most– simply take the opportuni when you see it. A bold person just does it!

Procrastination will cause you to lose the opportunity. If we wait for perfect conditions we will never ‘go’.

He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.Ecclesiastes 11:4

Be bold!

4. Being clear (vs 17)

Know what you’re about – be clear who you are and what you are to do.

Know your personal uniqueness, be clear and confident of your contribution to this world – you are a gift from God.

5. Being connected (vs 18,19)

I cannot put enough urgency on this point– be connected

To the Holy Spirit, to an environment of praise, to Church, to others. Our connection to Church would be the greatest factor of all when it comes to our the opportunities of our future.

6. Being in Christ (vs 20)

We miss opportunities sometimes because they don’t look like opportunities – In Christ we realize a mountain can be an opportunity. Stay in prayer, in the Word, in Christ.

7. Being ONE (vs 21)

Submit to one another. Knowing how the wheels of life turn best will always present opportunities. Seeking unity, being willing to serve, seeking the success of others as much as your own will open huge doors.

Listen online. See you in Church.