This is a great challenge to us men. We cannot sit and ask what happened? We have to do something about it. Arise O Men, Arise O men.

1. Every Man Must Arise and Seize the Moments
Ephesians 5:14-17
For it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake
up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very
careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of
every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord's will is. (NIV)
Here in Ephesians 5:14-17, we are being encouraged to awaken, arise, and take
the favorable opportunities God is giving us. We should no longer miss the
opportunities God gives us. We all have limited time here. Our days are
numbered. This world’s days are numbered. Considering that time itself is
limited, certainly God’s favorable opportunities are even more limited.
God-given opportunities are offered to us at a specific time for a specific purpose.
We can either take these opportunities and seize them, or we can ignore them
while they quickly pass away. The choice is ours. How do we recognize and
then redeem these God-given moments?
Hence you need to identify your purpose in life and what moments you are
in.Nothing in life can take the place of knowing your purpose. If you don't try to
discover your purpose, you're likely to spend your life doing the wrong things. I
believe that God created every man for a purpose. Every man has his own
specific vocation or mission in life. Every man must carry out a concrete
assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his
life be repeated. Thus everyone's task is as unique as his specific opportunity to
implement it. Each of us has a purpose for which we were created. Our
responsibility - and our joy - is to identify it and then do something about it.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you identify your purpose:
For what am I searching? All of us have a strong desire set in our hearts,
something that speaks to our deepest thoughts and feelings, something that sets
our souls on fire.
Why was I created? Think about the unique mix of abilities you have, the
resources available to you, your own personal history, and the opportunities
around you.
Do I believe in my potential? No one can consistently act in a manner
inconsistent with the way he sees himself.
When do I start? The answer to that question is "NOW."
1

2. We must then learn to seize every minute of the day, and make the most of it for
the Lord while living in the present moment. When you seize divine moments . . .
you become a human catalyst creating a divine impact. Sometimes you can slip
into an attitude of thinking that life would be better if you could just arrive at your
destination, whatever that might be.
It is easy for men to get in a hurry and forget to cherish the present moment.
They forget to realize that there is joy in the journey, and they can become so
time-oriented that they forget to be God-oriented and God-centered. Most people
today seem very busy and always in a hurry.
Every man must learn to seize every minute and every second of the day, and
make the most of it for the Lord while living in the present moment. Do not forget
that you have to go through the hard times before you can come out victorious on
the top of the mountain. Believers love to worship God when things are going
their way, but they must never forget to give Him their time when life is difficult.
Many men are able to recognize an opportunity after it's already passed them by.
Seeing opportunities coming, that's a different matter. Opportunities are seldom
labeled. That's why you have to learn what they look like-and how to seize them.
There have been many defining moments in the lives of many men that changed
their lives forever. These defining moments often set the course for the balance
of their lives. The secret of a great life is often a man's ability to discern the
defining moments given to him, understanding them, and learning to walk in the
path that leads him to his ultimate destination and seizing those moments. We
cannot just seat and expect things to work for themselves. We have to arise and
do something ourselves.
It is time we awaken from our sleep and arise to God’s favorable opportunities.
We must seize the opportunities God is giving us.
When we are faithful to our word, we are seizing the moment and redeeming the
time. Each time we make the choice to be faithful to our word, we testify of
God’s faithfulness.
What you do for God is never more important than how you live your personal
life, your family, or your marriage.
Finally
It is my prayer that we arise from our current situations that we find ourselves in
and do something. Let’s stop the blame game. I believe we have the foresight,
abilities, potential and all the might to do something for ourselves, families,
communities and the world at large. One has to go an extra mile and see the
great results that you can get.
2