May 9, 2025 Brethren Letter
Dear Brethren,
Tonight, I’m sending part three of my series of letters on the subject of “priorities.”
So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
When we look closely at this verse, we see that God expects us to be using time wisely. The Believer’s Study Bible describes Psalm 90:12 this way: “The emphasis here is upon the frugal use of years and not upon the number of years. Usefulness surpasses longevity. The psalmist pleads for discernment in ordering his days.” God expects us to keep our priorities straight!
Toward the latter years of Mr. Armstrong’s life, he admonished us to SIMPLIFY our lives! Life can seem so complex. The days get started and then they’re over. The question is, did we accomplish all we should have accomplished?
During the 1960’s there was a television commercial that promoted a brand of chewing gum. The advertisement humorously showed different people putting a piece of gum in their mouths and within seconds they would begin dancing the “The Teaberry Shuffle.” Well, doing the “Teaberry Shuffle” for FUN is one thing, but, if you’re doing some sort of “shuffle” every day, struggling to get everything accomplished, then it’s time to make changes and stop procrastinating.
In the book of Colossians, we’re told to make the MOST of time. “Let Christian wisdom rule your behaviour to the outside world; make the very most of your time” (Colossians 4:5 – Moffatt). In the book of Ephesians, we are admonished to REDEEM the time. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). The Greek word for “redeeming” in verse 16 means, “to buy up, to ransom, rescue from loss, improve opportunity, redeem.” We are instructed to redeem the time and rescue it from loss!
As I mentioned earlier, the first two priorities we must have in our lives are GOD, then FAMILY! Everything else follows behind those two priorities. If we’re putting God first, we’ll be praying to Him, and studying His Word EVERY day. We’ll also be meditating on His royal law and seeking the Kingdom. (Psalm 1:2; James 1:25; Matthew 6:33.) Growing spiritually and having a right relationship with God should be a top priority above all else (Matthew 5:48; Romans 8:15-16). It doesn’t happen passively; it takes direct action!
Secondly, our families should be another priority. Not only should we PROVIDE for them, but SPEND TIME with them… husbands, wives and children. If you do have young children at home, remember, they only grow up once! Time lost, can never be regained.
Mr. Armstrong wrote the following in the Plain Truth magazine, November 3, 1980:
You know, we become so engrossed in our day-to-day activities that we sometimes do not fully realize what is happening to this civilization in which we live.
If FAMILY LIFE breaks down, all civilization will break down and go into anarchy. A solid FAMILY structure is the foundation and backbone of any healthy and enduring society!
Our family and the nurturing of it, should be a major priority after God!
Next week, I plan to finish this series on “PRIORITIES.” Please have a wonderful Sabbath.
Your Brother in Christ,
Gary Liebold