When I was a child I laughed and wept, and time crept.                         

When as a youth I dreamed and talked, time walked.                      

When I became a full grown man, time ran.                                        

When older still I daily grew, time flew.                                                  

Soon I shall be traveling on, time gone.  (Author unknown)

I certainly can identify with those words! Every year it seems time flies a little faster. Perhaps that’s why the Word of God says, “Teach us to number our days” (Ps. 90:12).

A British pastor by the name of Leslie Weatherhead wrote a book a number of years ago entitled, Time For God. In his book Weatherhead helps us to number our days by mathematically calculating a “twenty-four-hour lifetime” for a person living an average life span. His calculations are based on the waking hours of 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. For example, if you’re 15 years old, it is 10:25 am. If you are 20, it’s 11:34 am. If you’re 25, the time is 12:42 pm. It’s 1:51 pm for a 30 year old. At 35 it’s 3:00 pm. If you are 40, it’s 4:00 pm. At 45 the clock reads 5:16 pm. For a person of 50, it’s 6:25 pm. It’s 7:34 pm for those at 55. A 60 year old is looking at 8:42 pm. Retiring at 65 means it’s 9:51 pm. And it you’re 70, it’s 11:00 pm. Look at the clock and live each day to the fullest!

I heard somebody say that the trouble with turning over a new leaf is that once you’ve done it twice, you’re right back where you started! There’s a big difference between turning over a new leaf and turning your life over to Jesus Christ. I’d like to encourage you to turn your life over to Christ this year by giving him the first part of each day. Some people call it a daily “Quiet Time.” I simply call it time alone with God. Whatever you want to call it, it’s vital for every follower of Christ to get connected with him on a daily basis.

It’s not complicated. Just set aside some time every day to read Scripture. Whether you read through the books of the Bible or follow a daily reading plan, the key is to read slowly and allow the Word to soak into your very being. You can’t read the Bible in the same way you read a novel. You need to allow time for God’s Spirit to do his work in your heart as you read and study. After all, the Bible is not an end unto itself. It’s was given to us by God as a tool to change our lives and to draw us closer to Himself.

After reading Scripture and meditating on its meaning, it’s time to pray. What you’ve just read gives you something to pray about. Many believers like to use the ACTS model of prayer. That’s an acronym for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (praying for specific needs).

Whatever method you prefer, the important thing is to reserve some “alone time” with God each day. You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make in your life. Your level of stress will come down, and your level of peace and joy will rise. It’s like a little boy’s description of being on an elevator. He said, “I got into this little room and the upstairs came down!”

If you really want to put God first in your life in 2016 and for his blessings to come down upon your life, give him the first part of each day (time alone with God), the first day of each week (worship and Bible study), and the first part of each paycheck (the tithe).

I challenge you to do it, and tell me the difference it makes in your life!