s Your Time!

One of the greatest examples in the Bible of a man who had life changing faith is David. First, David wasn’t afraid to face Goliath. He was younger and smaller in stature, but Goliath’s intimidation tactics didn’t work on David. Second, David was confident. David’s job as a shepherd equipped him to be confident when facing Goliath. How different would things look in our lives if we entered life altering situations with a confident mindset instead of a negative mindset? Third, David was prepared, He went to fight Goliath with a slingshot and five smooth stones in hand. Turns out, David only needed one stone to defeat Goliath. Fourth, David didn’t trust in his abilities, He trusted in God. When we trust God, we know everything will work out for the good in our lives. Fifth, David turned his victories over to the Lord. He knew the battle wasn’t his. The victory in this battle would soon prove to the people the mighty power God has in our lives. David could’ve thought about all of the reasons why he couldn’t possibly defeat Goliath, but instead, David knew the Lord was with Him. It was David’s time. Nothing in this world could stop David because God had an appointment for him. If David didn’t have faith he would’ve missed his appointment.

I think what a lot of people fail to realize is that God will fight all of our battles; all we have to do is trust in Him. As people, we have situations that seem like giants in our lives. Giants of fear, sickness, condemnation, loneliness, and insecurity, but what a delight it is knowing we serve a God who never fails. God’s faithfulness in the past is the basis for our strength in the present. David remembered God’s faithfulness and it gave him courage. Another passage that comes to mind when facing trials and tribulations is, 1 Peter 5:10-And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. We serve a God, who is our way maker. God is our refuge and strength and our help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Priority vs. Option Priority vs. Option

By By Reginal G. Lyerly Reginal G. Lyerly

In life, we are expected to have a set of priorities. We ask ourselves “What are priorities?”.

In life, we are expected to have a set of priorities. We ask ourselves “What are priorities?”. In the simplest of terms, priorities are the things or people most important to us. The word In the simplest of terms, priorities are the things or people most important to us. The word priority derives from the Latin word “prioritas” meaning first in rank, order and/or dignity. priority derives from the Latin word “prioritas” meaning first in rank, order and/or dignity. Many prioritize a good decent lifestyle over what would be considered a debaucherous Many prioritize a good decent lifestyle over what would be considered a debaucherous one. We prioritize our loved ones getting a good education or vocation over not making the one. We prioritize our loved ones getting a good education or vocation over not making the most of those opportunities. People of faith prioritize their relationship with their higher most of those opportunities. People of prioritize their relationship with their higher power and the impact of the relationship in everything they do. Men and women prioritize power and the impact of the relationship in everything they do. Men and women prioritize the people in their lives who are the most important to them. Many of us prioritize being able the people in their lives who are the most important to them. Many of us prioritize being able to earn a sufficient financial amount over not being able to do so. to earn a sufficient financial amount over not being able to do so.

Priorities are set by every nation, company, university, political party, group, club or any Priorities are set by every nation, company, university, political party, group, club or any individual. A great example of this is any legislature at every level possible. Those priorities individual. A great example of this is any legislature at every level possible. Those priorities are set on what the populace regards as priorities in their lives. This could be better roads, are set on what the populace regards as priorities in their lives. This could be better roads, better healthcare and so many other things. better healthcare and so many other things.

We talk about priorities. What are options? An option can be best defined as something We talk about priorities. What are options? An option can be best defined as something that one can choose to do in preference to one or more alternatives. Most of us use the word that one can choose to do in preference to one or more alternatives. Most of us use the word

“choices”. We are often taught in life to never make options what should be priorities.

“choices”. We are often taught in life to never make options what should be priorities. In today’s world, we are often faced with competing priorities. For some people, the In today’s world, we are often faced with competing priorities. For some people, the pressure to provide for the household may be compete with an equally important priority of pressure to provide for the household may be compete with an equally important priority of spending time with the loved ones. For others, this may mean considering themoral/ethical spending time with the loved ones. For others, this may mean considering themoral/ethical responsibility to do something as it competes with the legal responsibility to do something responsibility to do something as it competes with the legal responsibility to do something else. else.

We often have the decision making power to keep a priority as it should be and to keep an

We often have the decision making power to keep a priority as it should be and to keep an option as a choice. What we must be careful about in this area is not falling from grace from option as a choice. What we must be careful about in this area is not falling from grace from things that should never happen in the first place. The reality is that we as humans can things that should never happen in the first place. The reality is that we as humans can temporarily lose sight of our priorities. Once we discover that we have lost sight, then we temporarily lose sight of our priorities. Once we discover that we have lost sight, then we shall get back on course in the quickest manner possible. For some things we will not know shall get back on course in the quickest manner possible. For some things we will not know until we learn them. The late Doctor Maya Angelou famously stated “Do the best you can until we learn them. The late Doctor Maya Angelou famously stated “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”