Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV) — Walk in Wisdom¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil.¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

 1 Kings 2:3 ³ And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;

Jeremiah 17:7 declares, "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him" (NIV). This verse contrasts with trusting in human strength, promising that those relying on God are like deeply rooted, fruitful trees that do not fear drought or heat. It highlights that placing confidence in God brings stability and divine blessing.

Proverbs 14:23²³ In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 13:4 ⁴ The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 (NIV) ⁹ What do workers gain from their toil? ¹⁰ I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ¹² I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³ That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Introduction: The Chaos of Unfocused Living:

• The Problem: We live in a world full of distractions. We feel overwhelmed, productive but not effective, and spiritually drained.
• Humility Cures Worldliness (James 4:7-8) ⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
• The Goal: To move from chaotic activity to "divine productivity"—doing the right things for God's glory
  • (Colossians 3:23-24. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.)
• The Framework: Proverbs 16:3 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

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1. S - Situation: Where Am I Now? (The Audit)

• Bible Focus: Haggai 1:5 (NKJV) ⁵ Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! – Reflect on your Direction and Priorities!!
  Psalm 90:12 ("Teach us to number our days"). – We need wisdom we don’t have time
• Application: We cannot improve what we do not evaluate. We must look at our current habits, distractions, and time-wasters.
• Key Question: Am I running on fumes or running in purpose?

2. O - Objectives: Where Do I Want To Be? (The Goal)

• Bible Focus: Colossians 3:1-2 ("Set your minds on things above") and Matthew 6:33 ("Seek first the kingdom of God").
• Application: Our goal is not just "getting things done"; our goal is to glorify God. Define what spiritual, relational, and career success looks like through a biblical lens.
• Key Question: What has God called me to do in this season?

3. S - Strategy: How Do I Get There? (The Big Picture)

• Bible Focus: Proverbs 16:3 ("Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established").
• Application: Our strategy is not "hustle culture." Our strategy is abiding in Christ (John 15:5). The "Big Picture" is organizing life around Christ as the central vine, aligning our efforts with our calling. John 15:5⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
• Key Question: What is the main priority (The "One Thing")?

4. T - Tactics: What Specific Steps Do I Take? (The Details)

• Bible Focus: Proverbs 6:6-8 ("Go to the ant... she prepares her bread"). Proverbs 6:6-8⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, ⁷ Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,⁸ Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.
• Application: Tactics are the concrete habits that support the strategy. Examples: Scheduling daily quiet time, turning off social media notifications, using a physical planner to block time, and practicing biblical rest (Sabbath).
• Key Question: What small, consistent steps will I take?

5. A - Action: Who Does What, And When? (Execution)

• Bible Focus: Nehemiah 4:6 ("So we built the wall... for the people had a mind to work").
• Application: Action is putting feet to faith. It is assigning time for prayer, work, and family, and actually doing it. It is moving from intention to action (1 John 3:18).
• Key Question: What will I do today?

6. C - Control: How Do I Measure Success? (Review)

• Bible Focus: Galatians 6:4 ("Each one should test their own actions").
• Application: At the end of the week, review your time. Did your actions match your objectives? Did you prioritize the Kingdom? (Control isn't about guilt; it's about pruning to bear more fruit - John 15:2).
• Key Question: What needs to be adjusted next week?

Conclusion: The "Why" Behind the "Do"

Productivity is not to make us rich; it is to maximize our impact for the Kingdom and to serve others (Ephesians 4:28). When we apply this, our lives become a "watered garden," productive and peaceful (Jeremiah 31:12).

Charge: Take a few days to do a "Situation Analysis" (S) and set one "Objective" (O) for your spiritual life this week.

Key Takeaways for the Congregation:

• Focus is not about saying "no" to things, it's about saying "yes" to God's priorities (Matt 6:33).
• Productivity is stewardship of time (Eph 5:16).
• Rest is part of the system, not an escape from it (Exodus 34:21).
  
  

Mr. Edward Muwanga Barlow.

• Gratitude (25th Jan 2026)