10.7.7 "What are you waiting for?"

"What are you waiting for?"

Jeremiah 8:8 - 9:26
Colossians 3:1-17
Psalm 78:26-58
Proverbs 24:27

Yesterday our family joined another and went to an apple orchard. We took a hayride, picked apples, made carmel apples... it was a lot of fun. I consumed more apples yesterday than I had to this point this year! The workers there were saying that next week will probably be the last weekend of harvest for these apples. While there were many trees picked over, you could see there was plenty more work to be done. Many apples had already fallen to the ground and were placed in this HUGE pile. It probably would take 3 of those large dump trucks to haul it away.

Jeremiah 8:20 paints an incredible picture: "The harvest is finished; the summer is over and we are not saved." How sad is that?

So often we plan to do, and yet put off the most important things in life. "I really should read my bible every day, but if i could just get through this busy season, then I'll start." "as soon as I pay off these bills, then i'll focus on spending more time with the family..." "I really should call Sam, because I can see he's in trouble, but I don't have a lot of time..."

In fact, let me lay out the procrastination in DREAM format:

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - "I know there are things that God is wanting me to surrender to him, but I'm not ready to. I will soon, though..."

Relationships Devoted to Unity - "Yeah, we need to patch that up, but I'm surely not going to be the one to apologize first!"

Empowered through Biblical Training - "Sunday's our 'family' day. We don't want to waste it in sunday school or evening service. maybe when the kids are older."

Active Ministry Involvement - "I'd like to use my gifts in the way I know I should, but the schedule's too busy right now..."

Mission to Reach Our World For Christ - "i know I'm supposed to reach out to my neighbor, but I don't want them to think I'm weird..."

"the harvest is finished; the summer is over and we are not saved."

We so often are wasting away the incredible opportunities we have. Scripture commands us to "Make the MOST of every opportunity", not to squander it.

First, don't waste time getting right with God. "Away then with sinful, earthly things; deaden the evil desires lurking within you; have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust and shameful desires; don't worship the good things of life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger is upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still part of this world; but now is the time to cast off and throw away all these rotten garments of anger, hatred, cursing, and dirty language. Don't tell lies to each other; it was your old life with all its wickedness that did that sort of thing; now it is dead and gone. You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you." Col. 3:5-10

Don't waste time delaying in making things right with others. "Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Col 3:13

Get into the word. "Remember what Christ taught and let his words enrich you lives and make you wise." Col 3:16

Use what he's given you for HIS glory. "Now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven... Let heaven fill your thoughts; don't spend your time worrying about things down here. You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God." Col. 3:1-3

And put every effort into bringing in the harvest while it is still in season!

What are you waiting for?


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ