Opportunity - The Right Time Can Only Come Once!

“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

We all have opportunities but it is what we choose to do with them that counts. As we grow in our friendship/relationship with Jesus, more opportunities come our way. Often the Holy Spirit prompts us to do something for a person – if we don’t act quickly the moment is gone. As our character grows as men of integrity, we should be more aware of others and be able to follow Christ’s example.

Looking back over this year, how have you responded to opportunities? How can you prepare to seize opportunities next year?

A message given at church made these points:
-	Opportunity never comes at an opportune time
-	Opportunity is not opportunism (self interest)
-	Opportunity always faces opposition
-	Opportunity requires outlay – consider the cost
-	Opportunity is seldom obvious
-	Opportunity of a lifetime only exists for the lifetime of the opportunity
How do we prepare for opportunity?
-	Deal with your character now! It will never be easier to make a change than it is today.
-	Develop skills now! You get what you train for. David needed to learn about slingshots before he fronted up to Goliath!
-	Store resources now! Be prepared. Even a bargain is not a bargain if you have no money.
-	Get wisdom now! – Proverbs spells out the need for wisdom.

I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings. I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbours. I will not endure conceit and pride. I will keep a protective eye on the godly, so they may dwell with me in safety.

Ed Cole says this about opportunity and time:

Time can be our greatest ally, or our worst enemy. Time can only be used when it is available; it can never be stored for later use. “I’ll do it later” is trying to store time. The right time can only come once. Seeing something you want and telling yourself, "I’ll get it some other time" is deceptive and a euphemism for, “I want it, but I don’t want to pay for it right now”. The opportunity never comes the same way twice.

Scripture says Jesus came “in the fullness of time”. Or “when the time was ripe”. “But when the right time came, the time God decided on, He sent His Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew…”


Worldscope Newsletter 16 Nov

If you are prepared then you have no regrets. Again from Ed Cole, the importance of keeping short accounts with those we love.


LETTER TO NANCY
ED COLE SPEAKS

I wrote the following about my Nancy at 2:30 a.m. one day in June this year. I read it recently at a men's event at the Navajo Nation in Shiprock, New Mexico, then again at our men's event in Phoenix. It impacted them so much I though I'd just send it to you. Here it is:

"I wish I could hold you one more time.

Just one more time to feel those arms around me--those fingers lightly traipsing through what hair I have left, so soft, tender and wonderfully caressing.

I wish I could hold you just one more time.

To touch that tender rose petal complexion that never showed age, and was the wonder and envy of every other woman growing in years. Pressing my cheek to yours, and just loving every moment of such rich pleasantry.

I wish I could hold you just one more time.

To tell you all the things that I now know in retrospect, that never seemed as important then as they do now. Saying all those endearing words that so easily come to me now, but were almost foreign to me then.

Forgive me for every moment I took you for granted. It was never my intention or purpose, but life seemed to be there forever, and some day I would do it. That day has come now and it is too late. Just so late.

I wish I could hold you one more time.

Then I wouldn’t have to cry so hard and so long, trying to compensate by sacrifice for what I lost by ignorance and supposition.

I wish I could hold you one more time.

To listen to you pray for our children, weeping over their souls, interceding for their eternal welfare and blessing. Feeling your intensity as you sought God for our son and daughters, lying on the floor of the bathroom or closet with a small blanket over you, waiting for God to hear and answer your petitions.

Listening to your recounting to God the condition of our grandchildren, telling God how you believed they would be all right if He would give them enough grace and time. Your faith in Him and them was precious and priceless.

I wish I could hold you one more time.

Just to be able to share with you the passion and energy I am feeling about the new thrust of the ministry, the excitement over the new Training and Resource Center, and our plans to teach ten million men the curriculum, and hear you say one more time, 'Go, Edwin, give them heaven!'.

But I can’t.

Death is so damnably final."

After reading this, if there are things you need to say to your wife, children, relative or others, then say it today. DO IT NOW!!!!