Take Time to Live

"Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it...that he might present it to himself a glorious church" - Ephesians 5:25-27

I. Take Time to Listen

"Incline your ear, and come uto me: hear, and your soul shall live" (II Timothy 3:16).
Listen to others. Everyone needs a listening ear at times. Listening encourages, solves problems, brings comfort and healing to the brokenhearted and bereaved. Listen to God. We receive help from Him when we hear and heed His council; we receive His care and comfort when we take time to listen.

II. Take Time to Learn

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (James 2:15-16)
Learn from God. By reading and meditating on God's Word, through prayer and faith, we receive wisdom from above (Psalm 119:33). Learn from others. We can learn much from the knowledge and experience of others.

III. Take Time to Laugh

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Ephesians 5:19).
Many Christians do not take the time to laugh. Their lives are dreary and drab. We should learn to laugh at ourselves, enjoy others, and rejoice in the Lord. Counting our blessings and praising God for them enables us to be happy Christians.

IV. Take Time to Lift

"But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up." (Matthew 9:37).
Jesus forgave sin, gave sight to the blind, healed the sick, raised the dead. He took time to lift up others. Many are too busy with personal pursuits and pleasures to lift the less fortunate. As Jesus took time for others -- so we must do the same.

V. A Spirit-filled Church

"And be not drunk with wine...but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).
Spiritual failure results in church failure. Affluence and social aspirations cause many churches to lose their spiritual fervor. God must have first place in our lives and in our church. A scriptural church - serving, singing, soul-winning, and above all, spirit-filled -- is a successful church.