So with tomorrow being Friday how are you going to live out your today? Are you over the hump of Wednesday and coasting? Are you flying because Wednesday was a ramp and you are pressing in and pressing forward towards the goal for the glory of God? Are you focused? Are you prioritizing things so that what is most important is getting done? Let’s pause and consider the prioritization quadrant for a moment.
or another way to look at it would be
So, tomorrow is Friday so consider the things pulling for your time and let’s press in and press forward to accomplish what needs to be done now and plan for the things that will need to get done. Let’s choose to not be distracted by the things that aren’t important, especially those that aren’t important but are coming at you like they are in crisis.
As I reflect on things on my plate I see family things, like celebrating my daughter’s graduation including a party planned for tomorrow. I also see calling things like prepping the final details for camp to bless a bunch of teenage girls that are coming up soon. I also see a huge project for work with many tasks that need to get done. There are some things that are needing me to action today. There are some things that I need to plan out today. There are some things that I need to say no to and others that I will need to delegate.
How about you? What are you pressing in on? What are you pressing forward on? How are you prioritizing all the things pulling at your time?
Let’s choose to thrive for the glory of God!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ‘
So where are you at today? What is it that you are facing? What is it that you need to prioritize? What is it that you need to evaluate? What detour has entered the picture? What will you do? Where will you turn? How will you respond? Invite Jesus into your heart! Invite Jesus into the situation! Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment to help you decide and move forward for the glory of God!
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email.
After a long weekend it’s time to get back to it. It’s time to get it done! It’s time to finish the month strong! So let’s get ready and come with a plan. Let’s use our time wisely living to glorify God by getting the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do done! Let’s get ready! Let’s be ready! Let’s be prepared! Let’s plan! Let’s execute on the plan! Let’s choose to thrive today for the glory of God!
TODAY’S VERSE OF THE DAY:
‘Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. ‘
So are you ready? Are you willing? Are you able? Will you prepare? Will you plan? Will you love? Invite Jesus into your heart to help you on your journey today! Invite Jesus into your life to help you navigate and know what it is you must do! Invite Jesus into your life and allow the Holy Spirit to provide you with wisdom and discernment! We each get a choice, a decision to make, and need to make it for ourselves! Could today be your day?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email.
The week only has 7 days, yet time seems to be going so quickly. In this new place for 5 weeks and today will be day 3. It’s Wednesday and some call it humpday as it is the middle of the week. So will you have enough momentum to make it over by mid-day? Will you have more than enough momentum and so be able to launch into tomorrow? Will you just make it over and coast to the close of the week or will you launch into tomorrow in order to finish the week strong? We all get to choose how we will live today! This is the day that that Lord has made, so let’s rejoice and be glad in it! Let’s make the most out of today because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed! God has prepared good works for us to accomplish today! Let’s choose to receive it and get it done according to His purposes! Let’s choose to store up our treasures in heaven! Let’s choose treasures that will last through eternity rather than the things that are temporary and will get consumed in the fire! Let’s choose to be looking for ways to bring others with us into eternity with God! Let’s choose faith, hope, and love as our treasures for we know they will last and that love is the greatest!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ‘
Are you prepared for today? Are you wondering what today will bring? Are you ready to accomplish all the good works God has prepared in advance for you to accomplish? Are you wondering how to get started? Are you looking for a way to keep going? Invite Jesus into your heart! Invite Jesus into your life! Allow Him to work in and through your life! Make time to be with Him and build your relationship with Him! Let today be the beginning of something new and powerful!
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email.
Have you taken count of your inventory? What have you collected over the last little while? Do you understand it? Have you been able to consume it? Are you able to take that information and now press forward with it in order to thrive for the glory of God?
Check through the handwritten stuff. Check through the published stuff. Check through the newly captured notes. Any questions or do you understand? Get answers to any questions so that you do understand. Now you have understanding, make a plan to be able to move forward and thrive for the glory of God!
THRIVE – living for the glory of God!
Today’s Verse of the day:
‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. ‘
Are you taking inventory? Are you watching the lights on your dashboard? Are you digging in to understand? Are you ready to consume it and walk with God’s wisdom and discernment? Are you ready to invite Jesus in to help you navigate the situation? Are you ready to invite Jesus in to make sure things are all set?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
What do you see when you look in front of you? Do you see visions and dreams? Do you see plans and purposes? Do you see hope and a future? How does it look when you see what is before you? How does it make you feel? How do you explain it to others? How do you express it to others? Are you able to grasp the way it will help you to thrive for the glory of God?
THRIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
Verse of the Day:
‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ‘
Are you facing any concerns or worries that you need to cast on or give to God? Are you facing any fears or anxious thoughts that you need to cast on or give to God? Let’s grab a hold of God’s Word and God’s promises! Let’s allow God to pour His love into our hearts and our lives to the point of overwhelming fear and overflowing into the way we live our lives! Let’s invite Jesus into every situation and choose to walk out our today with Him!
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
What an incredible week with some incredible successes and incredible moves of God. What an incredible week of getting to dig deeper and understand more. What an incredible week of getting to meet more people and hear what not only takes place internally but how our customers engage too. What an incredible week of gathering details and setting up templates and processes. What an incredible week of news and announcements. What an incredible week when the Holy Spirit not only led a player to reach out to a coach but a coach and team were reciprocating and receiving a player. What an incredible week to see a prophecy about a school and a team come true as God’s hand was moving in both the heart of the school (academically and athletically) as well as the student-athlete. God is good! God is on the move! God’s faithful! God’s trustworthy! God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine!
Ever been prompted by the Holy Spirit to do something? Do miss the opportunity! It could change your life! It could change the life of someone else! It could be the step of faith needed for transformation and open the door to being able to thrive!
Let’s choose to make it about God rather than being pumped up and making it about ourselves because we know that pride comes before the fall! So let’s find ways to praise God through it all! Let’s thrive for the glory of God!
Verse of the Day:
‘The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ‘
Where are you today? Are you searching? Are you seeking? Are you asking? Are you knocking? Are you wondering what is next for you? Are you wondering what is going on right now? Are you wandering? Are you going? Why not invite Jesus into your situation? Why not allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and be your comforter and your guide? Why not start a journey with God so that you won’t have to go through this life alone?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
Oh, the testimonies that can be shared. Oh, the testimonies that will be shared. Oh, the hand of God in action. Oh the hand of God over my family. Be it the story of my oldest daughter. Be it the story of my younger daughter. Be it the story of my youngest son. God has a plan and a purpose for each of them and each of us! Imagine writing a Press Release (PR) for what it is you are hoping is about to happen and then getting to see it happen! It’s an interesting practice Amazon does as part of their product development lifecycle called PR FAQs. What would you write today as your week is finishing and you consider what is to come over the next week or two in your life? It will be so amazing when my younger daughter is able to share hers. As I reflect on the past two weeks and how fast it has gone, how much I have gotten to learn, all the people I have gotten to meet, and the incredible opportunity that is in front of me, wow. So as this day begins and I look to finish the week strong, preparing for the week to come and wanting to put to paper a PR document for my first 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days I turn to God for inspiration, wisdom, and discernment to lead and guide me forward. God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good! Let’s choose to finish the week strong! Let’s choose to trust God in order to be able to thrive for His glory!
Verse of the Day:
‘But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. ‘
So are you looking for peace? Are you looking for rest? Are you looking for answers? Are you looking for direction? Are you looking for instruction? Turn to God! Invite Jesus into your very situation! Allow the Holy Spirit to be your comforter and your guide!
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
You have made the decision. You have decided. Now what? You are out of the boat and on the water. You hear the others splashing and screaming and yet you are on the water, looking at Jesus and wanting to stay focused. You hear the others splashing and screaming, trying to get your eyes to shift or lose focus and yet you are on the water, looking at Jesus and wanting to know how fast to move, how slow to move, which direction is His will and His way. You quieted two larger groups who were trying to pull you in and are standing on the water, looking at Jesus and wanting to move forward in and with and through Him. You get a message in relation to your request to use someone’s devotional as part of your calling and blog and they approve but add an extra layer, asking to have time to hear about what they are doing. Be The Dads is the cause, the calling, and the purpose. So how do any or all the voices call out while I stand on the water, looking at Jesus and not wanting to lose focus, lose faith, lose hope, and sink? Being on the water is where I am supposed to be, I know that is where God has called for me to be now. So trusting Him and leaning in on Him rather than my own understanding and not leaning on my own understanding in order for Him to make my path straight!
Who will I talk to? Who will I hear from? Who will God speak to? Who will God speak through? How will it help me to be the dad and continue to lead the Be The Dads cause, calling, and purpose? God is God and I am not and so today as I step into a new series/devotional, I turn to God and wait to hear what He will say in and through His Word! With every sigh and every groan, I know the Spirit is praying for me even though I can’t find the words to speak.
Romans 8:26 (ESV)
THRIVE – not just in any direction. THRIVE – not just doing anything. THRIVE – for the glory of God. What will it take? What will it be? What will it look like? Where will it be? I am so thankful for the books on chasing the lion and being in the pit with the lion on a snowy day by Mark Batterson as it has transformed my prayers into 2 simple pieces: wisdom and discernment and protection and health. Wisdom and discernment so I know what it is God desires for me to do! Protection and health so that I have the courage and the strength to step up and step out and do what He is calling me to do. So today as I prepare to jump over and write today’s post for BeTheDads.com I turn to God, patiently waiting for Him to turn and hear my cry so that I will be lifted up from the slimy pit and be put back on the solid rock so I can continue to climb with the sturdiness of the ground below me and my focus on moving forward with Him and for Him and through Him today.
Verse of the Day:
‘I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. ‘
Are you on solid ground? Are you looking for answers? Are you needing wisdom and discernment? Are you looking for protection and health? Are you ready to invite Jesus into the situation and allow Him to learn and guide you?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
What have you seen so far this week? What have you learned so far this week? What have you heard so far this week? What have you experienced so far this week? What are you needing to do to get over the hump today and thrive?
Need more data? Need more information? Need direction from God? Need specifics from God? Need to know God’s plan? Need to know God’s will? Need to know God’s purpose? Is it a speed bump to the weekend or are you climbing a mountain to get to see what’s next?
What does thrive mean to you? Is thriving something you do for yourself? Is thriving something you do for others? Is thriving something you do for the glory of God? Based on that what does it mean for what you should do next?
‘Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. ‘
So let’s cling to God and His Word today! Are you ready to step up and step in to be all that God has purposed, created, and is calling you to be? Are you ready to learn more about God? Are you ready to learn more about your purpose? Are you ready to answer or learn about the calling on your life? Let’s invite Jesus into the situation right now and then lean into all He has planned for us!
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
Let’s finish the week on a high note! Let’s finish the week getting things done! Let’s finish the week aligned with God’s plans and purposes! Let’s finish the week strong, leaning in and on God! Let’s finish the week strong, trusting in and on God! Let’s finish the week strong, not giving up, and persevering in the midst of it all!
Ever had a week where you quote scripture and nobody realizes you are?
‘See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”’
Ever looked around and thought about how everything is up in the air because they are being shaken? Ever wondered what things aren’t moving and so will remain unshaken and unshakable? Ever thought things were settling down and then the next thing happens? Be it civil unrest. Be it a pandemic. Be it politics. Be it war. So where are we at today? Are we coming to the end of a season and the beginning of a new one? Are we about to see such a change that it will feel like time travel? Are we about to experience a time when we lose time while we are sleeping? Are we about to experience something new where we have to let go of the things of the past and reach for what God is putting in front of us? Are you ready? Are you prepared? Do you have measures or criteria to help you know, help you choose, and help you move into it? Do you have a min-bar? Are you being a leader who stands up for something rather than falling for everything? Are you being a leader who will step up to the call God brings your way? Are you ready to be the ________________ God is calling and needing you to be? Are you ready and willing to pause and ask God what ________________ is? Are you ready to embrace it and pursue it? It’s the close of another work week, so let’s decide today to finish the week strong and press into what God has planned and purposed for you! Let’s get the framework done! Let’s get the wheels turning! Let’s be prepared for what God is about to do in and through our lives!
Verse of the Day:
‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ‘
Are you ready for today or are you ready to invite Jesus into your situation? Are you prepared for today or are you needing to get wisdom and discernment from God? Are you getting filled up with God’s Spirit to overflowing or are you leaving room for sin and temptation to sneak in? Are you ready to thrive in spite of your circumstances?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
Let’s Pray!
Dear God I admit I am a sinner and need your forgiveness; I believe that Jesus Christ died in my place paying the penalty for my sins. I am willing right now to turn from my sin and accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. I commit myself to you and ask you to send the Holy Spirit into my life, to fill me and take control, and to help me become the kind of person you want me to be. Thank You Father for loving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
What a week. What a week as a dad. What a week as a husband. What a a week as an employee. What a week as a manager. What a week to have behind me.
It makes me think of the quote I have used many times over the years “mom said there would be days like, she didn’t say how many though”.
What a week. To have your oldest daughter pass her final test and get a title change – such a proud moment. To have your younger daughter come home sad, disappointed, and in tears from a trip that should have been over the moon in preparations for many years ahead – sad, mad, and disappointed that the people who we had trusted would make sure she had a great time failed us. To have a son have his first driving class and to hear how well he is doing as his journey to drive has begun – such a proud moment. To learn that things weren’t as they were portrayed and facts were omitted or hidden from me created a night earlier when sleep was a challenge while trying to deal with all the data points and that my thoughts on how to deal with it weren’t being considered to taken seriously. To be told not to help, not to go outside of my lane, when most of my career and life I have been a connector, a helper, when seeing a problem and understanding who can help being able to say something and being told now that I shouldn’t. To hear how I am one of but a few managers who gets what servant leadership is and looks like was a word of encouragement and wind in my sail as the week was coming to an end.
So I choose to trust God! I trust that God knows what is going on and has a plan. I trust that God is good even when my circumstances are not. I trust that God can take what was meant for evil and turn it around and use it for evil. I trust that God uses all things for our good and His glory. I choose to press in and press on, to persevere in the midst of the struggles. I choose to consider it pure joy because it is building my faith and knowing that when perseverance has finished it’s work that I will be complete and lacking nothing. I choose unity in health. I choose to work with my wife and kids to ensure unity in our household and dealing with the consequences of decisions that had been made. I choose to work with my management and team to ensure unity in our workplace and dealing with the changes and disruptions that have come our way. My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus’s blood and righteous! Jesus is the foundation and the power source for my hope! I turn to God for wisdom and discernment to help me make the right decisions and choices as I move forward in faith trusting in His perfect timing and believing that He is working all of this for my good and His glory, in Jesus’s name.
So where are you at today? Are you needing to be purposeful and wondering where to start? Are you needing to be intentional and looking for ideas or direction? Are you needing wisdom and discernment about how to respond? Are you needing wisdom and direction in order to know which way to go? Are you ready to be bold and courageous when God says go?
If you pray today’s prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email or text.
It is nice to have confidence in my eternal future thanks to Jesus and Him having made a way for me. Today as the day starts and I reflect on yesterday’s events, activities, and conversations, it causes me to wonder. It triggers questions about what might be next. It triggered concerns about what others are thinking, saying, or doing and the impact it could have. It triggered intrigue into when more news will become available to help bring clarity for this year. There are many things I internalize because they shouldn’t be externalized. There are many things people share believing they can trust and hence they become internalized in order to ensure the trust isn’t broken. There are others who gossip without having the details in hopes of getting more details or even fake news that can get incorporated into the future distribution of the gossip. Gossip is something I prefer to avoid as I prefer to find the truth, for the truth will set us free. So today let’s decide to seek the truth, seek God’s plans and purpose for this year, seek God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength in love so that we will find it. Let’s ask so that we may receive answers. Let’s seek so that we may find answers. Let’s knock so that we may find the right opening.
‘ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ‘
So what are you facing today? Are you trying to go it alone? Are you looking for answers? Are you seeking the plan? Are you knocking on doors in hopes of finding the one you are supposed to go through? Today, let’s turn to God and invite Him into our situation. Let’s not go it alone but instead invite Jesus into our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us through it.
Are you living a purpose-driven life? Have you searched for, sought, asked what your purpose is, and gotten an answer? Have you received a call and answered it and started to pursue it? As 2021 is coming to a close, I had read a book through this pandemic time which got me searching and seeking and wondering what my calling, purpose, mission, and reason for being was. It was interesting as it brought me back to when I had to get my priorities straight and make sure I was living my priorities? It was interesting as what came to me was being a dad. It was being a dad for my 3 kids. It was serving kids in the foster care system through camps where there was a need to help dads be the dads their kids need. It went from me being the dad to a larger calling of looking to help others so that we can be the dads that God created us to be, that our wives need us to be, and that our kids need us to be. When the aha of this mission kicked in I started to search and see if there might be a name available for such a mission, such a cause, such a purpose, such a reason for being and I found that bethedads was available and so I picked up many domains as I prepare to step up and step into this mission that God has given me. God has started to give me ideas and plans to get going like starting small groups for dads to come together, prison ministries for dads who made decisions that took them away from their kids but need to still be the dads God created them to be, and even the possibility of starting to go out into the schools and traveling to different locations to help encourage and motive dads and boys and men that we need to take a hold of the calling on our lives to be the dads God created us to be so that our kids and wives and society have the men they need. Going into 2022 the question of who are you going to be? Going into 2022 the focus for me in my devotionals and extracurricular times will be around being the dad. I will be looking to post daily from various devotionals about dads. I will be looking to put together resources for dads to use be it in small groups at churches, small groups in prisons, small groups in schools, and even in and through presentations to men around the country and around the world.
So what about you? Why are you here? What is your reason for being? What is the purpose you are to fulfill? What is your mission to accomplish?
Let’s get more details and context for this by expanding the verses to check out the surrounding verses as well as using the Amplified version.
‘Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (member of the Sanhedrin) among the Jews, who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), we know [without any doubt] that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles] that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be possible? ” Jesus replied, “You are the [great and well-known] teacher of Israel, and yet you do not know nor understand these things [from Scripture]? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, we speak only of what we [absolutely] know and testify about what we have [actually] seen [as eyewitnesses]; and [still] you [reject our evidence and] do not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things [that is, things that happen right here on earth] and you do not believe, how will you believe and trust Me if I tell you heavenly things? No one has gone up into heaven, but there is One who came down from heaven, the Son of Man [Himself—whose home is in heaven]. Just as Moses lifted up the [bronze] serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life [after physical death, and will actually live forever]. “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].” ‘
As we continue through December we have finished the readings of the Tanakh and I thank Sefaria for their resources in helping me to see the Old Testament in a new way and my friend Lionel for having shared this tool with me. As we kicked off December the idea my wife brought up came to mind about going through the book of Luke (who was a doctor) which happens to have 24 chapters so that we can read one a day and complete it in time for Christmas. To get as many details from this I am going to use the Amplified version to try and grasp all the details Luke gives us to consider and learn.
So today we will read Luke 21:
‘Looking up, He saw the rich people putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in [proportionally] more than all of them; for they all put in gifts from their abundance; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” As some were talking about the temple, that it was decorated with beautiful stones and consecrated offerings [of magnificent gifts of gold which were displayed on the walls and hung in the porticoes], He said, “As for all these things which you see, the time will come when there will not be one stone left on another that will not be torn down.” They asked Him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to happen?” He said, “Be careful and see to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name [appropriating for themselves the name Messiah which belongs to Me alone], saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and disturbances [civil unrest, revolts, uprisings], do not panic; for these things must take place first, but the end will not come immediately.”
Then Jesus told them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven. “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. This will be a time and an opportunity for you to testify [about Me]. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be betrayed and handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be continually hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls. “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her complete destruction is near. At that time, those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city (Jerusalem) must get out, and those who are [out] in the country must not enter the city; for these are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For great trouble and anguish will be on the land, and wrath and retribution on this people [Israel]. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed).
“There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves, people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory. Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”
Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put out leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is near. So you too, when you see these things happening, know [without any doubt] that the kingdom of God is near. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [those living at that definite period of time preceding the second coming] will not pass away until everything takes place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. “But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].” Now in the daytime Jesus was teaching in [the porches and courts of] the temple, but at night He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people would come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.’
So where are you at? Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart? Are you ready to allow Him to lead and guide the rest of your life? Are you ready to accept the calling? Are you ready to accept the purpose? Are you ready to accept the reason you were put on this earth? We were all created on purpose, with purpose, and for a purpose! So let’s accept the gift of grace and forgiveness of God through receiving Jesus into our hearts and lives. Let’s make today count! Let’s allow today to be the beginning of something amazing. Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Ever watched a relay race where they have to pass the baton within a certain area to another person who is already running in order to complete the race? Do you realize how important it is to have someone to pass the baton to? Do you realize how important it is to have someone ready to receive the baton? Do you realize the impact of making the transition smoothly? Do you realize the benefit to the outcome when we have planned, practiced, and are prepared for the transition? Let’s pause and review the analogy of a race and passing the baton before we consider how this applies to our lives.
Jamaica getting the world-record victory in the 4×100 meter race
It’s not just about how you start. It’s about the connection. It’s about the training. It’s about practice and repetition. It’s about perfecting the pace. If you are too fast then it will mess up the transition. If you are too slow it will mess up the transition. If you are in sync the transition is smooth and the pace forward won’t miss a beat.
If you want each year better then the transition needs to be smooth. If you want each area of focus to get better then the transition needs to be practiced and repeated. If you want to pass the baton to the next generation then you need to make sure they are ready to keep up the pace, receive it, and move forward. So we need to have succession planning! Do you have someone you are mentoring? Do you have someone who is ready to take the baton and keep moving forward without missing a beat? Do you have someone who has been training and preparing for such a day and such a time?
Ever considered how the word success is a part of succession?
Definition of Succession
Ever considered that it takes planning for succession to work? Ever considered that it takes planning for succession to succeed? Ever considered that if you want succession to be a success you need to be planning in advance? How are ahead do you think it needs to be? How long does it take to help someone get ready and be ready to take the baton? It probably depends on the race you are asking them to run and the skills and talents required to do it. So what role(s) do you have? What is/are your succession plans? Do you know or have candidates to pass the baton over to?
Succession planning is a process of developing the talent of the employees to meet the needs of the organization now and in the future.
Succession Planning can be defined as a purposeful and systematic effort made by an organization to ensure leadership continuity, retain and develop knowledge and intellectual capital for the future and encourage individual employee growth and development.
Succession: a number of persons or things following one another in order or sequence.
Success: The favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one’s goals. A performance or achievement that is marked by success.
Succeed: to thrive, prosper, grow, or the like
Succession Planning:
Strategic, systematic and deliberate effort to develop competencies in potential leaders through proposed learning experiences such as targeted rotations and educational training in order to fill high-level positions without favoritism.(Mathew Tropiano, 2004)
Deliberate and systematic effort by an organization to ensure leadership continuity in key positions and encourage individual advancement. (St-Onge, Mercer)
A structured process involving the identification and preparation of potential successors to assume a new roles.
Do you realize the importance? Do you realize the biblical application and examples? Do you realize that you need it? What are you going to do about it? What will you do if it happens before you are ready? What will you do if you don’t have someone in place? Why not consider it and get started today? What is the process? What are steps to have? Dig in and see what you can find. Succession Planning…
‘Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.’
Let’s look back and get some additional context from this story and see what we can learn through it. Let’s expand on it too using the Amplified version.
‘After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers and sisters (believers) in every city where we preached the message of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” Now Barnabas wanted to take [his cousin] John, who was called Mark, along with them. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take along with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. And it became such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took [John] Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas [who was again in Antioch] and set out [on his second journey], commended by the brothers to the grace and favor of the Lord. And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.’
Where are you today? Are you preparing to move up or move on? Are you preparing to step up or step in? Are you preparing to hand off or hand over? Are you ready? Why not invite Jesus into the situation to help you both be ready to pass the baton and also to receive the baton. Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Do you realize that you are a vessel with a plan? So what are you allowing to fill you up in order to help empower you to accomplish and arrive what you need to do and where you need to go? How are you making sure you are filled up and fueled up to be able to accomplish your purpose? How are you making sure you are filled up and fueled up to be able to make it to your final destination?
Yes, we are all different. Yes, we each have our individual purpose and plan. Yes, we each have our own look. Yes, we each have our own skills and talents. So how are you making sure that you are in good shape on the inside and out? How are you making sure that you are ready for the good work God has prepared in advance for you to accomplish? How are you preparing yourself and living your life so that you will be able to give and get a good report on that final day?
Are you ready? Are you ready to get ready? Are you prepared for today?
This is the day that the Lord has made, so let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Let’s make sure to take time to get filled up with love from God’s love!
Let’s make sure to take time to stay connected in order to not run dry!
Let’s make sure to stay attached to the fountain of life so as to be able to overflow into the lives of those God brings across your path!
No matter what type of vessel we are, what style of vessel we are, what material we are made of, let’s remember the creator, God, and let’s choose to be ready to accomplish our purpose for today!
‘But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ‘
Let’s expand on this to make sure we get additional context on what is being said and get some additional details using the Amplified translation:
‘Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good, and [upsets and undermines and] ruins [the faith of] those who listen. Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their teaching will spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth. They claim that the resurrection has already taken place, and they undermine the faith of some. Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.” Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common). Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels. The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone [even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be], skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged. He must correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth [accurately understanding and welcoming it], and that they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.’
So how much value are you wanting to produce from your life?
How much value have you decided will come from living your life?
God has given us the opportunity to choose!
Will you choose to live a life that is valuable or worthless?
Unlike the items we buy at the store that don’t get a choice of how they will get used, we do, we get to choose if we will live our lives to be valuable or worthless!
So are you going to choose to live a life that is honoring and useful to God?
Are you going to choose to live a life that is dirty and broken that doesn’t serve any purpose?
Let’s take hold of the truth from God’s Word! Let’s grab hold of what Paul shared about how we can choose to cleanse ourselves and become useful to God!
‘Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ‘ — 2 Timothy 2:21
Are you able to see what needs to be cleaned up in your own life?
Ever found it easier to notice what others need to work on more than yourself?
Ever looked in the mirror of the Bible in order to be able to determine the things you need to clean up, wipe off, and throw out?
Let’s take hold of the reality that sin is sin, we missed the mark, rather than compare and contrast the size of the sin, how far we missed the mark, let’s instead focus on taking care of it and addressing it in a way that will cleanse our hearts and our minds so as to be available for use by God!
Are there any big items left to be taken care of like when you first had an encounter with Jesus and the Holy Spirit shined His light on you to show you things that needed to get changed?
Are you keeping an eye out for the smaller things that still need buffing and polishing to get things and keep things clean and ready for God’s use that the Holy Spirit is shining His light on today?
Have you taken care of the obvious items? Are you taking care of the more subtle and hidden ones like pride, jealousy, and resentment?
How do you respond to the Holy Spirit when He points out sin in your life?
We each get to choose our response!
Do you say yes and repent? Do you say no and keep doing it?
Will you decide today when prompted by the Holy Spirit to say yes in order that He can prepare you for every good work?
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
What does it mean to be usable to God? What are some ways He uses you?
Is the Spirit pointing out any sin in your life that you need to repent of? If so, how will you respond?
So where are you at today? Are you a vessel ready to take on God’s work? Are you a vessel cleaned up on the inside and out and ready to accomplish God’s purpose and plan for your life? Are you a vessel that is prepared to do the good works God has prepared in advance for you to accomplish? Are you ready to turn to Him and walk out your today with Him? Are you ready to be filled up with God’s love in order to overflow and live out your today for Him?
Are you ready? Are you prepared? Are you positioned? Are you cleansed? In order to be able to receive and to pour out?
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Many years back I had a big project that I was working on and it was through this experience I learned the importance of priorities, plans, and purpose. During that project for about 3 months I was running on approximately 4 hours of sleep per night. It took my regular / quarterly doctors appointment that told me my diabetes was out of whack to be the wakeup call that something was going wrong. It also helped me come up with the idea that it isn’t good to be burning the candle on all 4 ends, that’s right 4, not 2 which is the normal view but if you light the middle you get 2 more ends and the candle burns up even quicker. It was at that time I had to do some self-reflection on what were my priorities and how was the way I was living aligned or off kilter? I realized what I said my priorities were and how I was living were out of sync and so I needed to make some adjustments. So I came up with some plans:
The company hires smart people and so I should be able to delegate and verify rather than try to continuously monitor. The project being international meant I was working with people around the globe and making this decision made it so that I could get a normal and good night sleep as well as remove and reduce an extra layer of stress that I shouldn’t have been carrying anyways.
The association that I was leading had been setup for success and the various openings, agreements, and deals had been made and agreed to and as such were in the right place for me to be able to put more focus on my family and step down.
And it also helped me in my plans for spending time with God and with my wife and family.
It was amazing to me how many times I have gotten to speak life and truth in love to people who have been pushing themselves to the point of burnout over the years. Many people think they need to burn bright to their own detriment in order to make it and become a success. I have been able to share that by putting your priorities straight and living by them on purpose and with purpose, that God is able to take care of the rest. It is ok to shine brightly but you don’t need to be lighting all 4 ends or more of the candles in order to try and shine brighter to the risk and outcome of burning out.
So where are you at today? Consider everything that has been going on since 2020 and how our lives have been changed. For those of us who are now having to work from home, are you able to keep the work life balance? You need to realize it is a choice! It is a decision! And no matter what others do or say, it is in your hands to decide if you are going to choose to live your life with purpose, on purpose, and for a purpose that will help you shine brightly without burning yourself out. If someone asked you how your relationship with God is, how would you answer? If someone asked you how your relationship with your spouse is, how would you answer? If someone asked you how your relationship with your kid(s) is/are, how would you answer? With the reality being that those tend to be the top of the priority list, that would mean anything and everything else fall after this and that if those aren’t good it probably means there is a trouble light showing up on your dashboard of life. Be it your emotions, your responses, your temper, or even the words you use in conversation. From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. What is coming out of your mouth? What is that saying about the state of your heart?
Let’s take some time today to evaluate our priorities. Let’s take some time today to evaluate if we are living our lives in alignment with what we say our priorities are. Let’s take some time to consider what it would take to realign our lives to line up with our priorities. Let’s take some time to pause in order to decide how we can decide to live our lives in a way where our light shine brightly and yet that we don’t burnout!
‘When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”’
Let’s take a pause and look a bit deeper into this conversation. It is important that we remember our purpose and rather than just go, go, go, we go towards that purpose. It makes me think of a title I have heard from good to great. You might be able to do good by go, go, go and burning out but if you stop and move in your purpose you can go from good to great instead. Today’s verses show in the middle of verses 35-39, so let’s take a look at these or feel free to read the full chapter, using the Amplified translation:
‘ And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed. And Simon [Peter] and those who were with him followed Him [pursuing Him eagerly and hunting Him out], And they found Him and said to Him, Everybody is looking for You. And He said to them, Let us be going on into the neighboring country towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out. [So] He went throughout the whole of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.’
Like Jesus we need to get away and make time to be with and communicate with and be in relationship with God our Heavenly Father. Like Jesus we need to know our purpose and know when to stay and when it is time to move onward so as to accomplish our purpose. Where are you at? Where do you need to be? Should you stay? Should you go? What is God’s purpose and plan for your life and how does that impact your next step and your progress towards that end?
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
You popular? Is that impacting how you are living your life?
Jesus never let His popularity get to His head!
You being opposed? Is that impacting how you are living your life?
Jesus never let opposition get Him off track!
Do you know your priorities? your purpose? your plan? Are you keeping your eyes focused on that?
Jesus kept His eyes focused on the purpose God the Father had given Him!
No matter what phase of the journey you are in, don’t lose focus and don’t lose heart!
Remember how Jesus was popular up front with his miracles and healings?
‘At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.’ Mark 1:32-34
Can you imagine being one of the disciples and seeing this and how it must have made them feel? Can you imagine how they must have wanted it to continue and never stop?
Where is God wanting you to be? to go? What is God wanting you to do? to become?
Jesus knew and He knew when it was time to go in order to be able to do what God needed of Him!
Remember the call upon our lives “go out into the world and preach the Good News”!
It means more than just your house. It means more than just your neighborhood. It means finding a way to get others to know Jesus and make Jesus known!
Ever felt like you were burning out while you were succeeding?
Ever felt like you were burning out while you were failing?
Remember the emotions in both cases?
Success: adrenaline rush, try to be more, try to do more, try to please more
Failure: fear, shame, worry
How do you keep your emotional gas tank filled up? fueled up?
How do you ensure you are filled with the right things in order to be able to overflow and pour out into the lives of the people around you?
To keep filled up with the fuel that allows us to shine brightly is to stay connected to God, to His purpose, His plan, and His priorities!
If we allow Jesus to be our well that never runs dry, we then can be people who overflow!
If we allow Jesus to be our fuel that fills us up then we can shine brightly like those old oil lamps where it is the fuel not the wick that is burning and hence we can shine brightly and not burnout!
As long as we can keep the fuel tank from going empty, we can keep shining our light for God!
We need to remember and keep ourselves connected and grounded to God’s plans, purposes, and priorities so that through the ups and downs of life, we can continue!
Psalms 120 (Cry out to God when you are in trouble or distressed)
Where are you at today? Are you feeling burned out and not sure what to do or where to turn? Are you getting to the end of your rope and wondering what to do and if you should hold on tighter? Are you wondering what to do in this moment in order to be able to refresh and rejuvenate? We need to put God first! We need His wisdom and direction! God is love and His love for us is eternal! We need His instruction and discernment for our current situation so that the joy of the Lord can be our strength! Not sure what to do or where to turn? Cry out to God! Invite Him into your very situation! Ask Him for wisdom because He gives it without finding fault! Seek Him with all of your heart, mind, and strength and you will find Him! Knock and He will open it for you! Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
How are you choosing to spend your time? Are you cautious with your time? Are you careful with your time? Are you guarded with your time? Are you watchful of your time? Are you alert of how fast time is going? Are you attentive to your time? With but a short number of hours in a day, how do you choose to use them? How do you choose to prioritize what you will spend your time on? You may have heard that time is money, showing the value of your time? You may have a job and are working for some of that time and getting paid. You may be married and should be spending time with your spouse. You may have kids and so you need to make time for them because as much as some think quality time is enough, quantity time is just as important. How do you spend your day and time with God? Are you walking through life with Him so that He is a priority and gets a lot of your time or do you schedule out some time for Him and so need to figure and balance out His time too? Rest, you need to make sure you have time for rest! Be it your evening of sleep of 6-12 hours, your body needs rest to rejuvenate and restore. So how will you spend your time?
There are similarities between time and money in that you need to be a good steward of both. There are differences between time and money too though as you can’t make more time. One is finite and limited and the other is able to be generated and produced. Both require good stewardship though. Both require prioritization too. So you need to make a plan for both your time and your money. Time may have a value comparable to money or demonstrated by the amount of money you make over time but it is limited as we only get so many trips around the sun before our time on earth is up. So we need to consider how to make the biggest impact with that time in order to glorify God by accomplishing the cause He has created us to accomplish.
How will you use your time today? this coming week? this coming month? this coming year? and those yet to come?
How will you use your time to show the value of others in your life? God? Spouse? Kids? Family? Friends? Neighbors? Coworkers? Strangers? Workers at the stores and restaurants? etc.?
What will it take for you to make the most of your time today?
I missed 2 days and when I went to post on the 15th, I just realized I grabbed the devotional for the 14th and so updated the date above. I am going to have to catch up on 13th and 15th at some point.
Keeping Track of Time
MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY:
‘See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’
Are you making the most of your time or are you wasting it?
Does your time have purpose or is it being wasted?
Are you using your time to the full or are you procrastinating?
Are you using your time to the full or are you putting off your chores or responsibilities?
Are you using your time to accomplish God’s purpose and cause for you and your life?
Are you using your time to accomplish something else? Are you using your time on the wrong pursuits?
Are you using your time to accomplish God’s purpose and cause or are you using your time to achieve selfish goals?
Are you using your time to accomplish your calling or are you using your time to get to the top and steamrolling over everything and anyone who gets in your way?
Are you using your time doing or worrying?
Are you using your time doing or worrying about what others are thinking?
Are you using your time doing or worrying about what might happen?
Are you using your time doing or worrying about things that were said in the past?
Are you using your time doing or allowing fears of what could happen to hold you back?
Are you using your time doing or just measuring your time by how full your calendar is?
Are you using your time building and strengthening relationships?
So will you use the time you have, in this battle of good vs evil, to accomplish God’s will rather than wasting it away?
Will you use your time for good in this battle through time?
Will you use your time to learn and know God’s will so that you can get it done for His glory?
How are you using your time?
Are you able to discern or analyze how well you are using your time?
Let’s use our time wisely! That doesn’t mean to use it all up so you can say you are busy!
Let’s use our time wisely! That does mean to accomplish God’s will in God’s timing!
Let’s use our time wisely! That does mean redeeming every moment we have as a gift from God!
Let’s use our time wisely! That does mean redeeming every moment in order to honor and glorify God!
Let’s use our time wisely! That does mean redeeming every moment with an eternal focus and purpose in mind!
Let’s use our time wisely! That does mean redeeming every moment to have a positive impact on those we love and He loves! That’s right let’s love everybody!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Wat are the most common ways you see people wasting time?
How would it change your life to realize that every moment is a gift from God to be redeemed and use to honor Him?
So where are you at today? How are you using time time? Are you using it for good or are you wasting it? Are you using it to do God’s will or your’s? Are you ready to invite God into your life to walk it out with you and help you to live it to the full like His purpose and plan for you are? Remember the plans from Jeremiah 29:11 to give us a hope and a future? Remember the plans from John 10:10 comparing the devil’s plans vs Jesus’s plans? (“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”) So how will you choose to live your life? Will you invite Jesus in so that you can enjoy the time you have left? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Remember how Jesus summarized the law? How we are to first love God and second love people?
‘Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”’
Do you realize that all quality ministry comes out of relationships? So if you want to be able to accomplish something then you need to be making time and taking time to start and build relationships. Not sure where to start? Look for a need and fill it! Not sure what to do or how to treat them? Let’s consider the golden rule from Jesus during His sermon on the mount:
‘Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’
Ever realized there were other verses in the Bible about the Golden Rule? Check these ones out:
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. — Luke 6:31
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Galatians 5:14
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. — Leviticus 19:18
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. — Proverbs 6:6
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. — Ephesians 4:28-32
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Romans 13:9
Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have rejected the law of the Lord, and have not kept his statutes, but their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked. — Amos 2:4
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” — Mark 12:31
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, — Matthew 5:44
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. — James 2:8
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. — Romans 13:8-10
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. — Matthew 18:21-22
So are you ready? Are you ready to build relationships with others? Are you ready to treat people like they matter and are valuable? Are you ready to show them how important they are to both you and God?
Ever considered or heard people from various religions speak of the golden rule?
Do you realize how foundational this principle is to the world?
Do you realize how foundational it is to life?
Are you ready to lead and treat others the way you want to be treated first?
Are you ready to treat others with love and respect before they treat you that way?
Are you ready to lead the way rather than just responding in kind to how others choose to treat you?
Do you find the concept of treating others the way you want to be treated challenging?
Do you struggle to treat others the way you would like them to treat you?
Are you ready to accept others even before they are ready to accept you?
Are you ready to choose words that will build up rather than tear down?
Are you ready to tame your tongue in order to prevent the negative and painful words from coming out?
Are you ready to clean out your heart for it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks?
Will you choose to be someone who will build up instead of tear down?
Will you choose to be someone who will heal and repair instead of rip apart and crush?
Will you choose to be someone who will notice and acknowledge others instead of ignoring and ridiculing them?
Will you choose to be someone who steps up and stands up for others?
Will you be someone who lives with character rather than someone who abuses or subverts the golden rule by using gossip, sarcasm, and silence to bring pain and suffering into the lives of others?
The only way to live it is to choose to live it!
We have to decide on purpose that we will live by the Golden Rule!
We have to make the decision to treat people with kindness!
We have to make the decision to treat people with respect!
We have to make the decision to treat people with honor!
We have to make the decision to treat people with words of affirmation!
We have to make the decision to be people of love as it is defined in 1 Corinthians 13!
Are you ready to live your life in a way that even without words people realize that they are important to you and to God?
Are you ready to live your life in a way that even when you don’t speak people realize that they matter to you?
Will you choose today to live your life accepting others?
Are you ready to continue doing it even if it shocks people who have known you forever?
Are you ready to press in and double down on living a life that will glorify God in such a powerful way?
Are you ready to change your life in such an incredible way that it will trickle down and overflow into the lives of others and point them to God?
Are you ready and willing to live this life of acceptance even if it doesn’t come back to you immediately?
Are you ready and willing to persevere and press in and press on living a life that accepts others and loves them as God loves them?
Will you grab hold of and start to live your life in accordance to the Golden Rule today?
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Who is the person you know who most lives by the Golden Rule?
What can you do today to take steps to implement it for yourself? Be specific.
QUOTE(S) FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
“Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will – his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals.”
So where are you at today? Are you pursuing God’s will, purpose, and cause for your life? Are you running away from it? Are you treating others as you want to be treated? Are you building relationships or tearing them down? Are you leading with love? Are you ready to turn to God and pursue what He has planned for you? Are you ready to turn to God and pursue what He created you to accomplish? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Are you someone who takes hold of the words “pray without ceasing” and as such are living your life in total relationship with God? Are you someone who takes hold of the words “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” and as such are always looking for God’s will and God’s way for your life? Are you someone who takes hold of the words “lean not on your own understanding, trust God” and as such in every situation you are looking for God’s will and God’s way for your life? Will you trust God with the big things? Will you trust God with the little things? Will you trust God with everything? How much of your life are you willing to share with or give to God?
Do you distant yourself from God during the highs?
Do you draw closer to God during the lows?
Do you stick with Him through it all?
Are you someone who is relatively consistent?
Are you missing out on the excitement of the ride called life by missing out on the highs and the lows?
Are you missing out on the true joys of life?
What is your make up? What does your personality look like? What does your emotional state look like?
Do you realize no matter what it is, God’s will is to be with you through it all?
Do you include Him in all aspects of your life in order to be able to rejoice with Him?
Do you include Him in all aspects of your life in order to be in constant communication and prayer with Him?
Do you include Him in all aspects of your life in order to be able to thank Him?
Are you ready to experience true joy and let go of giving control to our emotions?
Are you ready to experience true joy and allow your emotions into your situations?
Are you ready to allow the joy of the Lord to be your strength no matter what circumstances come your way?
Are you ready to allow yourself to consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds?
Are you ready to allow your relationship with Jesus and connectedness with God to keep you from allowing circumstances to dominate your thoughts but instead focus on God’s grace, mercy, and love?
Are you ready to focus on God’s kindness and forgiveness rather than life’s challenges which can seem unfair?
Are you able to find contentment and be content in all circumstances? (like Paul?)
Are you able to focus on God who is greater than your problems than on the problems themselves?
Are you able to work with God to resolve the problem by casting your cares on Him rather than trying to handle it all on your own?
Are you able to go beyond yourself and your circumstances and pray for and over others needs?
Do you realize what you have so that in the good and the bad times you can be thankful to God?
Are you able to be thankful for God’s presence, never leaving you and never abandoning you in the midst of what you are facing?
Are you able to be thankful for God’s hope that is in your heart, because you know that with God all things are possible?
Are you able to be thankful for God’s hope that is in your heart, because you know that God works all things for good?
Let’s choose to allow God’s character to fill our minds today!
Let’s choose to allow God’s character to fill our hearts today!
Let’s choose to allow this everyday!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Rate yourself on a scale of zero (zip) to ten (doing great, thank you!) in focusing on God during difficult times in your life.
What are some situations you face today in which you need to rejoice, pray, and give thanks? What difference will it make?
QUOTE(S) FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
“The Bible does say, ‘Pray without ceasing’, but I don’t see where it says you have to stop working in order to pray. As a matter of act, I believe that anybody who can walk and chew gum at the same time can work and pray at the same time.”
So where are you at today? Do you trust God enough to include Him all the time? Do you include God through the highs and lows through rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks? Might you consider starting today? Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Faced with a situation do you try to break it down into its simplest parts? Faced with a problem do you try to break into simple parts? Face with a crisis do you stop, be still and evaluate, and then lean in on God for instructions, directions, wisdom, and discernment to help you get through it? Just because a problem is complicated doesn’t mean it can’t be broken up into simpler pieces.
In life you will find some people take something simple and overcomplicate it. You will find people take complicated things and overcomplicate it. You will find others who are problem solvers who will look to simplify in order to make progress and solve the problem. What do you do? How do you respond?
The devil wants to overwhelm you. The devil wants to keep you from achieving. The devil wants to rob you of what you have and what you could have. The devil wants to kill you, your dreams, and your goals. The devil wants to destroy you, your plans, your dreams, your success. But that isn’t God’s plan!
‘And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. ‘
We can’t earn salvation, we need to choose to receive it!
It is in our humility in realizing that we can’t do enough good things to buy salvation!
So we have nothing to offer and yet Jesus is offering us salvation!
We come with empty hands and an open heart and accept the gift of God, Jesus Christ, into our hearts which provides us with salvation!
So let’s put all of our hope and trust in Jesus who paid it all! He paid it once for all when He gave His life, His sinless life, on the cross as the payment for you and me to be able to receive salvation!
Will you accept the gift of Jesus and His gift of eternal life with God, as a member of God’s family?
Will you turn from your own ways, turn back to God, and embrace Jesus and live out the rest of your life in relationship with Him?
John’s message today keeps things plain and simple!
Don’t get fooled by the devil trying to tempt you or cause you to become prideful!
So when we have Jesus in our hearts, the overflow is good words, good works, good service, fellowship with other believers. Not in order to check boxes or get good grades but rather because of the love that is in our hearts is overflowing into the world around us!
So can you be confident of your final destination? Have you invited Jesus into your heart?
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
How can someone know that he or she “has the Son”?
It is a decision they make to invite Jesus into their hearts and follow Him all the days of their lives.
We can see evidence of it by the fruit that is produced
Do you? How does your grasp of the simplicity and humility of your faith in Christ affect your attitude and actions?
Yes
It helps me through the good and the rough days
It helps me to lean in and spend time in God’s Word
It helps me to serve others better
It helps me to stand firm upon the rock of Jesus Christ!
Ho, all who are thirsty, Come for water, Even if you have no money; Come, buy food and eat: Buy food without money, Wine and milk without cost.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, Your earnings for what does not satisfy? Give heed to Me, And you shall eat choice food And enjoy the richest viands.
Incline your ear and come to Me; Hearken, and you shall be revived. And I will make with you an everlasting covenant, The enduring loyalty promised to David.
So are you ready to simplify things and keep it plain so that people can understand it? Are you ready to take hold of the reality and the truth in order to keep things plain and simple? Are you ready to accept and receive eternal life? Could today be your day?
Heavenly Father I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven. and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the day’s of my Life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
![raison d'être
[ˌrāzôn ˈdetrə]
NOUN
raison d'être (noun) · raisons d'être (plural noun)
the most important reason or purpose for someone or something's existence.
"an institution whose raison d'être is public service broadcasting"
synonyms:
responsibility · duty · concern · province · aim · activity · assignment · obligation · charge · task · chore · job · role · errand · mission · detail · undertaking · commission · capacity · post · situation · office · occupation · employment · business · operation · line of country
ORIGIN
French, literally ‘reason for being’.](https://from2005toeternity.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/image-4.png)
![mission
[ˈmiSHən]
NOUN
mission (noun) · missions (plural noun)
an important assignment carried out for political, religious, or commercial purposes, typically involving travel.
"a trade mission to Mexico"
synonyms:
assignment · commission · expedition · journey · trip · errand · undertaking · operation · task · job · labor · work · chore · business · duty · charge · trust · message
a group of people sent on a mission.
"by then, the mission had journeyed more than 3,500 miles"
synonyms:
delegation · deputation · commission · task force · legation · representation · delegacy
an organization or institution involved in a long-term assignment in a foreign country.
"the head of the West German mission"
an operation carried out by military aircraft.
"he was shot down on a supply mission"
synonyms:
sortie · operation · raid
an expedition into space.
"NASA has approved a mission to investigate the atmosphere of Mars"
synonyms:
journey · voyage · tour · odyssey · undertaking · enterprise · project · quest · operation · commission · assignment · exploit · exploration · safari · trek · hike · survey · peregrination
the vocation or calling of a religious organization, especially a Christian one, to go out into the world and spread its faith.
"the Christian mission" · "Gandhi's attitude to mission and conversion"
synonyms:
vocation · calling · pursuit · goal · aim · quest · undertaking · purpose · function
a building or group of buildings used by a Christian mission.
synonyms:
mission post · mission station · missionary organization
a strongly felt aim, ambition, or calling.
"his main mission in life has been to cut unemployment"
synonyms:
aim · goal · purpose · objective · object · grail · holy grail · target · intention · intent · design · motive · aspiration · wish · desire · ambition · raison d'être
ORIGIN
mid 16th century (denoting the sending of the Holy Spirit into the world): from Latin missio(n-), from mittere ‘send’.](https://from2005toeternity.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/image-5.png)
![purpose
[ˈpərpəs]
NOUN
purpose (noun) · purposes (plural noun)
the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
"the purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee" · "the building is no longer needed for its original purpose"
synonyms:
motive · motivation · grounds · cause · impetus · occasion · reason · point · basis · justification · intention · aim · object · objective · goal · end · plan · scheme · target · ambition · aspiration · desire · wish · hope · advantage · benefit · good · use · usefulness · value · merit · worth · gain · profit · avail · result · outcome · effect · behoof · boot · function · role · raison d'être
a person's sense of resolve or determination.
"there was a new sense of purpose in her step as she set off"
synonyms:
determination · resoluteness · resolution · resolve · firmness (of purpose) · steadfastness · backbone · drive · push · thrust · enthusiasm · ambition · initiative · enterprise · motivation · single-mindedness · commitment · conviction · dedication
(purposes)
a particular requirement or consideration, typically one that is temporary or restricted in scope or extent.
"pensions are considered as earned income for tax purposes"
VERB
formal
purpose (verb) · purposes (third person present) · purposed (past tense) · purposed (past participle) · purposing (present participle)
have as one's intention or objective.
"God has allowed suffering, even purposed it"
synonyms:
intend · mean · aim · plan · design · have the intention · have in mind · have a mind · decide · resolve · determine · propose · have plans · set out · aspire · desire · want · wish · expect · hope · set one's sights on · have in view · contemplate · think of
ORIGIN
Middle English: from Old French porpos, from the verb porposer, variant of proposer (see propose).](https://from2005toeternity.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/image-6.png)
![succession
[səkˈseSHən]
NOUN
a number of people or things sharing a specified characteristic and following one after the other.
"she had been secretary to a succession of board directors"
synonyms:
sequence · series · progression · course · chain · cycle · round · string · train · line · lineup · run · continuation · flow · stream · concatenation
geology
a group of strata representing a single chronological sequence.
"the Cretaceous succession"
the action or process of inheriting a title, office, property, etc..
"the new king was already elderly at the time of his succession"
synonyms:
accession · elevation · inheritance of · assumption of
the right or sequence of inheriting a position, title, etc..
"the succession to the Crown was disputed"
synonyms:
line of descent · line · descent · ancestral line · blood line · ancestry · dynasty · lineage · genealogy · heritage · pedigree · extraction · derivation · stock · strain · background](https://from2005toeternity.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/image-2.png)
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 
You must be logged in to post a comment.