TOPIC: HANDLING OPPORTUNITIES
MEMORIZE:
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happene th to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11
READ: Ecclesiastes 9:10-11
9 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
10 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
MESSAGE
The author I referred to in yesterday's teaching also said, "Life is an opportunity; seize it." l agree with this saying. Indeed, life is an opportunity, and you must grab it with both hands. I learnt a poem way back in 1957 which says, "There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries."
The above poem means that when people take an opportunity and make good use of it, they will attain higher heights; however, if they let it go, it might never be regained. Believe me, God is fair to all. He will, at one time or the other, present you with the opportunities you need to fulfil your destiny. The rest of your life will then depend on how you use the opportunities He has given you.
Today's memory verse says that time and chance happen to ALL. Everyone will have their time and chance, but some will not seize it. When some people are struggling, especially the elderly, it is likely that they misused their time and chance when they were younger.
Many people don't even recognize an opportunity when it comes. This is why you must always be spiritually alert. Imagine what would have become of me if I did not use the opportunity of being in The Redeemed Christian Church of God correctly, or if I had left the church at the slightest provocation. At that time, I wouldn't know it, but I would have walked away from my destiny.
People who are easily offended often miss their opportunities because opportunities sometimes come in unattractive packages. For Samuel, his opportunity came in the house of Eli and his wayward sons. If Samuel had gotten offended as a child and told his mother that he wanted to return home, he might have missed the opportunity to become the great prophet whose word never fell to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19). For David, his
opportunity came when he obeyed his father's instruction to take food to the battlefield for his brothers (1 Samuel 17:14-20). I pray that you will discern your opportunities and use them well, in Jesus' name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me see the opportunities You send my way, and please empower me to seize them, in Jesus' name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Nehemiah 11-13
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 15: PASS ME NOT O GENTLE SAVIOUR
1 Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
2 Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.
3 Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.
4 Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heav'n but Thee?
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