32-A-Step-Of-Faith-No-Time

The speaker discusses the issue of not having enough time to pursue important goals and dreams. He gives examples of people who want to start businesses, get fit, or further their education but struggle to find time amidst their busy lives. The speaker emphasizes the need to prioritize and make time for these endeavors, using the story of Issachar from the Bible as an example. He concludes by encouraging listeners to make time for what is important and to trust that God will help them succeed. Hello, we welcome you to join this chariot for a 5-minute Bible study. This 30-second episode on A Step of Faith is titled No Time. My name is Greg Alabi and I'm inviting you to come let us study the Bible together. Now here you are wanting to take a step of faith to start something that will advance your life and eventually benefit you and several other people, but you do not have the time to commence, sustain and finish it. What then should you do? I know people who desire to quit their regular employment and start their private business but have little or no time to follow up on their dreams. Some want to keep fit and lose weight but no time to go to the gym. Some even started up but dropped out. Some others desire going back to school to challenge a professional exam that could eventually put them in a better position in life but going to work 8-12 hours 5 days a week plus looking after their family with little kids at home and possibly grandpa or grandma living with them plus seemingly endless church activities leaves them with little or no time. Some others already started a worthwhile program, they know what to do but have little or no time to dedicate to the growth and completion of their goal. Going abroad on vacation is a good idea but where is the time? Some pastors and leaders are so busy with programs, projects and meetings and have no adequate time for their family replacing their absence with presents, gifts. Dear friends, nothing is new yet everything is possible. It's only a matter of choice and priority. Now let us learn some valuable lessons from Genesis 49 verse 14-15 describing Issachar, one of the sons of Jacob and indeed a tribe in Israel. It says, Issachar is a strong ass or a donkey couching down between two bodies. The message translation says, Issachar is a tough donkey. The lesson, although he is strong but the double load he is already carrying are two separate bodies heavy enough that he could not stand up on his feet. My point, this guy is already visibly overloaded. We know he is a strong donkey but it's challenging carrying double load. The next verse, verse 15 says, when he saw that rest was good and learned that it was pleasant, he bowed his shoulder to bear and became a servant unto tribute. The Good News Bible puts it this way. He sees that the resting place is good and the land is delightful so he bends his back to carry the load and is forced to walk as a slave. The message translation says, he gave up his freedom and went to walk as a slave. The New International Version puts it this way. He will bend his shoulders to the burden and submit to forced labor. Now here are some valuable lessons. First lesson here, there is no shortcut to greatness. People who became successful in life gave it what it took. So should we too. Second lesson in verse 14, Issachar was already overburdened carrying double load. The lesson, strong people go the extra mile carrying double load. That is normal. Third lesson is in verse 15. Issachar saw into the future that rest is a good thing and the land is a pleasant place. But to connect himself and plug in to enjoy the pleasant and restful future, despite his current overload carrying double burdens, he went to walk carrying extra load upon his shoulders, walking so hard like a slave so that in future he will enjoy rest and a pleasant life. The lesson, let the reward of a promising future make us create the time for what is going to be relevant towards that goal and make our future a better life to live. Finding time is a choice. It is a matter of priority. When we understand the importance and the benefits, we should make the time for it. Now can I tell you something? If God can stretch you, then he can increase you. If he can expand you, then you will contain more. I pray the Lord to give us grace to prioritize and the wisdom to do so. In Jesus name, Amen. Please visit our website, gregalabee.com. You will find the podcast there. Listen to current and past messages. God bless you.