Well here was are again back in Ephesians 5:15-17.  I'd memorize this if I were you because we are going to be sticking around here for a while.

Ok think for a second about a SWAT Team, a Fireman, or a Soldier.  Why in the world do they go through all the training, all the preparations, and all the scenarios before anything actually happens?  Because they understand one thing, they are about to head out into danger and they need to use their time and skills to the best of their abilities so as not to get hurt or worse.  This is exactly what Paul is talking about in our verse for the week.

He says that we need to be careful, that means we need to watch out to whats around us and be ready to react correctly to any diverse situations.  It reminds me of I sign I saw, I think it was in TX but I'm really not sure.  It was placed in rattlesnake country, it said.  Were boots, were gloves, be careful where you step, and be careful where you reach.  Paul knows that there are many traps that can fall into as Christians that will hurt us, slow us down, or worse and he call for us to be careful.

Not only does he call for us to be careful, but he calls for us to make the most of every opportunity.  Picture here a farmer at a farmers market, he really wants to rest, but he sees a potential buyer walking toward him.  Now this man only wants to buy an apple, but the farmer waits and sells the man a single apple.  He made a very small profit, but he stayed and made the most of his time.  That's what Paul calls us to do, we are to make the most of every second of every day.  We are to do it for Christ (Remember the Whatever club, that's what we are talking about here.)

So why do we need to be careful & make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Now evil in this sense really gives us a picture of a disease.  A disease that will take over someone, now that person can be healed, they can be damaged forever, or they could even die, but the fact remands that no matter the outcome they will be slowed down.  Guys (and  Gals) there is so much in this world that will do this to a person.   Paul knew that there are a ton of stumbling blocks for a Christian and then the Christian falls into the pit, they are slowed or even stopped in their walk with Christ.  He knew the damgers of the world so that's why he warned us to be careful and make the most of every opportunity, but he also gave us the solution to the problem.

 "...Understand what the Lord wants."  It's that easy, you want to make sure you stay away from these traps in your life?  So you want to walk a wise walk?  Do you want to continue to walk with God?  Then use the barriers God has given us to surround those temptations, those evils, those sins, so that you can keep from falling into the traps.

So here are some verses that will help you understand what the Lord wants.

Philippians 4:8

Colossians 3:2

1 Corinthians 10:23

1 Peter 2:11-12

1 Corinthians 8:9-13

2 Timothy 2:22

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

After you read these verse, think about a couple of different parts of your life.  The movies you watch, the music you listen to, the TV shows you watch, the things you say, the people you date, what you do during a date.  Think about your life in general, but look it all you do not through what you think is Ok and not Ok, but through the eyes of scripture.  I'm sure you will find your standards and God's standard don't always meet.

And just remember just like an oil change, if you find something that needs fixing and don't fix it, your just asking for trouble down the road.