A retired missionary frequently told the following story to illustrate the importance of time and not delaying the seeking of God's salvation.

"One of the natives, who had learned some English, became interested in my watch. He was fascinated by how it could tell me what time it was minute by minute. As he continued to study my watch and to ask questions about it, he heard its faint ticking. Putting his ear next to it, his eyes grew large in amazement. Turning to me, he said, 'It keeps saying, quick, quick, quick!' "

What application can be made from this story about the passing of time? How do the following warnings fit with this application: "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart" (Psalm 95:7b-8a); "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him" (I Kings 18:21a)?

Does your use of God-given time reflect God-given priorities or man-made ones?

When preaching, Denise's minister made the following statement which struck her. He said, "We read of the salvation of only one thief on the cross in the Bible, of one who was saved in the last hours of his life. We read of one so that nobody should despair, but of only one so that nobody should presume."

What two-fold lesson is contained in these words?

Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

-Isaiah 55:6-7