Be it a child visiting for the weekend. Be it a child graduating from high school. Be it a child heading off to college in a couple months. Be it your parents leaving in a couple days. Whatever the case, we need to be good stewards of our time and make the most out of it.
Ever heard from people with terminal illnesses and how they start to live each day like it could be their last? Ever considered living every day like it will be your last in order to make the most of it? Do you think it would change your priorities? your schedule? your focus? your life? Realistically we all have a limited time left here on this planet, no matter if we are a baby or a senior, none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and are called to make the most of our today!
So here we go, it’s Saturday morning! How will you choose to live out your today? What is a priority to you that you want and need to accomplish? What things are within your control and what things aren’t? What things would make it the best today ever? What would it take to make it a reality? What if you could do that every day?
Let’s make good choices today, being a good steward of the time we have, and choosing to thrive for the glory of God in and through it all!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. ‘
Where are you at today? How will you use the time you have left today? How will you choose to use the time you have? Are you ready to ask God for wisdom and direction? Are you ready to ask God for discernment and instruction? Invite Jesus into your heart! Invite Jesus into your life! Pursue Him and His will and His purpose for your life and decide to live life to the full!
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.
Can you believe we are there already? We’ve made it to the day many call humpday. The day people think is the obstacle or bump in the road to the weekend. To thrive based on the definition means we continue to grow vigorously, to flourish, to prosper no matter what situation we are facing – in spite of them or because of them. So a bump in the road shouldn’t stop us from thriving for the glory of God! Let’s make sure our priorities are right! Let’s avoid the obstacles that will prevent us from accomplishing the good works God has prepared in advance for us to accomplish! Let’s decide today what is important, what God has prepared for us to do, and go and get it done! Let’s be the mentor and manager we need to be! Let’s get the details hammered out and planned out! Let’s get the plans rolling! Let’s do it in a way that is helpful, not harmful! Let’s do it in a way that builds up rather than tears down!
This is the day that the Lord has made, so let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let’s live out the priorities God has given us! God first! Wife/Spouse second! Kids/Family third! everything else comes after this and so we need to live our lives in a way to honor this!
Is there anything getting in the way of completing what God has prepared? Do you know what to do or how to get through it, over it, or around it? Ask God for wisdom and discernment to help you! Ask the Holy Spirit to give you direction and instruction to get it done! Be bold and courageous and step up and step out to finish the good works God prepared in advance for you to accomplish today!
TODAY’S VERSE OF THE DAY:
‘And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. ‘
As we talk about obstacles a word that comes to mind is things that cause us to stumble. As I was grabbing today’s verse of the day the next topic spoke to our discussion for today and so before continuing I wanted to reflect on what it tells us about how to live our lives.
‘ “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. ‘
So what are you facing today? What is being asked of you? Are there obstacles you need to overcome? Are there asks of you? Invite Jesus into your heart to help you process it! Invite Jesus into your life to help you be an overcomer by going over, around, or through the obstacles that come your way! Invite Jesus into your situation so that you can be bold and courageous enough to finish the good works prepared in advance for you to accomplish!
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.
As I wake up this morning I see a list of todos in front of me with excitement and energy. As I look ahead and see how busy work is and how busy life is I am excited to see God’s hand at work across all the areas of my life. Be it work with planning and preparing, meeting and learning, driving and executing. Be it life with training plans, camp plans, college plans, family plans, travel plans, and graduation plans. Both are busy and as I like to joke with people it helps me stay balanced. So as we get today going, let’s be focused, putting first things first, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that we can get it done in alignment and accordance with His perfect will and plan and purpose for our lives and allow God to help carry the load and get it done for His glory!
Today’s Verse of the Day:
‘The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. ‘
Are you ready to go beyond just being a hearer of the Word to being a doer for the Word? Are you ready to get your to-dos into to-dones? Are you ready to invite Jesus into your situation and ask Him for wisdom to help you live your life to the full as He desires? Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart and allow Him to lead and guide you through 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.
Are you doing your part and staying focused? Are you playing your role in order that the handoff to the next person will be clean? Are you making sure you are ready when your turn comes up?
Are you setting your priorities straight? Are you putting God first in order than in all that you do He can take care of the rest? The paraphrase I like to use when I think about it is “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will take care of the rest”. God’s Word puts it this way:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So let’s make sure we are getting things straight. Let’s make sure we put first things first and let the other things take care of themselves! Let’s make sure we aren’t being distracted by what is going on around us but rather keep our focus on God, God’s will, God’s plans, and God’s purposes. God’s Word continues after the seeking Him first to comfort and encourage us by saying:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
‘I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. ‘
Let’s take a moment and capture the context of this by expanding to read more and get more details by using the Amplified version:
‘However, brothers and sisters, I could not talk to you as to spiritual people, but [only] as to worldly people [dominated by human nature], mere infants [in the new life] in Christ! I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Even now you are still not ready. You are still worldly [controlled by ordinary impulses, the sinful capacity]. For as long as there is jealousy and strife and discord among you, are you not unspiritual, and are you not walking like ordinary men [unchanged by faith]? For when one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” and another, “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” are you not [proving yourselves unchanged, just] ordinary people? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Just servants through whom you believed [in Christ], even as the Lord appointed to each his task. I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was causing the growth. So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one [in importance and esteem, working toward the same purpose]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God’s cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God’s building. According to the [remarkable] grace of God which was given to me [to prepare me for my task], like a skillful master builder I laid a foundation, and now another is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will be clearly shown [for what it is]; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work. If any person’s work which he has built [on this foundation, that is, any outcome of his effort] remains [and survives this test], he will receive a reward. But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire. Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]? If anyone destroys the temple of God [corrupting it with false doctrine], God will destroy the destroyer; for the temple of God is holy (sacred), and that is what you are. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may become [truly] wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness (absurdity, stupidity) before God; for it is written [in Scripture], “[He is] The one who catches the wise and clever in their craftiness;” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the [humanly] wise, that they are useless .” So let no one boast in men [about their wisdom, or of having this or that one as a leader]. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter) or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things are yours, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.’
So where are you at today? What are you doing? What are your priorities? Are your priorities straight? Are you ready to give God the credit? He is the one after all who gave you the breath to be living today, the skills and talents to do your work, and every good and perfect gift has come from Him. Are you ready to give God the credit since the world and everything in it are His? Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart and walk in a relationship with Him so that you can get wisdom and discernment through the Holy Spirit each step of each day? 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 been at a point in your life where you had to go back and reprioritize things? Ever gotten to the breaking point where your health was starting to suffer and as such, you needed to make a change? Ever gotten to a crossroads where you needed to make a choice? I know I have.
My diabetes was going out of whack and so my doctor sent me to the diabetic educator to help me both with counting carbs (which was a new method for me) as well as getting a refresher on diabetes evolution since the last time I had training which had been almost 25 years. This was an aha moment where I realized that the way I was living needed to change. The stresses I was dealing with had to change. The hours I was working had to change. The way I was spending my time had to change. I was at a crossroads where I had to make a choice of changing and getting better or staying the same and letting myself and my family down by allowing my body to get worse. So the decision was made that I was going to change. So I took inventory of what I said my priorities were and how my life wasn’t being lived out in alignment with it. God was to be first! My wife and marriage were to be second. My child and family were to be third. Everything else was going to have to take a spot after that. So work had to change, 3-4 hours of sleep a night wasn’t going to cut it anymore. I remember going through the process of thinking about how the company hired smart people and so I didn’t and shouldn’t have to babysit. So I would delegate and verify rather than continuously monitor and give them the power to inform me if they needed my help with something. I remember thinking about my volunteer time both on the HOA board as well as at church. I know God called me to serve and I had accomplished what He had wanted me to do when I took that final step of being president and fixing up the structure of things. I know God gifted me with tech and management skills to serve Him and so I stuck with the serving within worship & arts at the church and stepped down from the HOA board. These changes helped me spend more time on my top 3. These adjustments helped my health improve. This also was a turning point to switching to an insulin pump which over the years has continued to help my diabetes control get better and better. Having my priorities straight in my head, knowing my top 3 helped me to say no to things that conflicted or were lower priority. And even over the years as my child became children, having the priorities straight continues to have a huge impact on me and how I choose to live my life.
How about you? What are your top 3? Have you ever gone through the exercise of deciding what are your top 3? Have you then done the work to make sure you are living in alignment with your top 3? Have you had to make changes to ensure that your top 3 are your top 3 and evident by the way you are choosing to live? If you haven’t then why not take some time today to figure it out. Ways to see what others will think are your priorities are to check out your calendar and how you spend your time then check your transactions on your bank account to see where your money is going.
Ready to live out your life with the right top priorities so that you can be everything God created you to be? Thanks to God and that wake-up call, I am! God first! Marriage second! Family third! Everything else comes after this priority wise and so it may mean saying no to some of them.
Ever considered the context of this? Let’s check it out and use the Amplified version to try and fill in some spots we may have missed.
‘Hear now what the Lord is saying, “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, And let the hills [as witnesses] hear your voice. Hear, O mountains, the indictment of the Lord , And you enduring foundations of the earth, For the Lord has a case (a legal complaint) against His people, And He will dispute (challenge) Israel. O My people, what have I done to you [since you have turned away from Me]? And how have I wearied you? Answer Me. For I brought you up from the land of Egypt And ransomed you from the house of slavery, And I sent before you Moses [to lead you], Aaron [the high priest], and Miriam [the prophetess]. My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab devised [with his evil plan against Israel] And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him [turning the curse into blessing for Israel], [Remember what the Lord did for you] from Shittim to Gilgal, So that you may know the righteous and saving acts [displaying the power] of the Lord .” With what shall I come before the Lord [to honor Him] And bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Will the Lord be delighted with thousands of rams, Or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my acts of rebellion, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]? The voice of the Lord shall call to the city [of Jerusalem]— And it is sound wisdom to heed [solemnly] and fear Your name [with awe-filled reverence]; “Hear, O tribe [the rod of punishment]. Who has appointed its time? Are there not still treasures gained by wickedness In the house of the wicked, And a short (inaccurate) measure [for grain] that is cursed? Can I [be guiltless and] justify deceptive scales And a bag of dishonest weights? For the rich men of the city are full of violence [of every kind]; Her inhabitants speak lies And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. So also I will make you sick, striking you down, Desolating and devastating you, because of your sins. You shall eat, but you will not be satisfied, And your emptiness shall be among you; You will [try to] remove [your goods and those you love] for safekeeping But you will fail to save anything, And what you do save I shall give to the sword. You shall sow but you shall not reap; You shall tread olives, but shall not anoint yourself with oil, And [you will extract juice from] the grapes, but you shall not drink the wine. For [you have kept] the statutes of Omri [the idolatrous king], And all the works of the [wicked] house (dynasty) of Ahab; And you walk in their counsels and policies. Therefore, I shall hand you over for destruction and horror And your [city’s] inhabitants for ridicule, And you shall bear the rebuke and scorn of My people.”’
Ever been faced with questions about what you are doing?
Ever been in or seen a courtroom of where someone is being accused of being disloyal?
Ever been in or seen a courtroom of where someone is being accused of being fraudulent?
Ever noticed the tone of the prosecuting attourney?
Imagine how Micah had of sounded as he represented God to the people and accused them.
The difference we find here is that instead of having an accusatory tone like the prosecutor in a trial would have, God pleads with His people and tries to remind them of all the times He has shown up and rescued them from trouble.
We see how God doesn’t want to have to judge them but wants to build them up.
We see how like teenagers who got caught and pretend to be sorry, the people responded with fake repentence.
‘With what shall I come before the L ord [to honor Him] And bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Will the L ord be delighted with thousands of rams, Or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my acts of rebellion, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? ‘ Micah 6:6-7
We see in today’s verse how Micah intercedes, he steps in and calmly speaks to the people when he says:
‘He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the L ord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]? ‘ Micah 6:8
Micah brings the truth to the people in a calming way.
He brings it back to the 3 core requirements.
He respond to their crazy statements by simplifying and speaking the truth in love that what God requires is for the people (that includes you and me) to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.
That’s it! Are you ready to try living out your life that way?
Let’s not rebel and grieve God’s heart!
Let’s not ignore God and grieve His heart!
Let’s not mock God in our response to his 3 requirements.
Let’s make good choices!
Let’s treat people right and show His love and mercy to others!
Let’s humbly accept and receive His love into our lives and hearts!
Let’s humbly accept and receive His acceptance of us into our lives and hearts!
Let’s humbly accept and receive His forgiveness of us into our lives and hearts!
Ready? Set? Go!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Have you ever responded to God in an over-the-top way like the people of Israel responded to Him? If you did, what were the circumstances?
What does it [or would it] look like in your life ot make good choices, rightly place your affections, and humbly embrace God’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness?
So where are you today? Do you have your 3 priorities straight? Are you ready to meet God’s 3 requirements? Are you ready to start living the rest of your life in alignment to them all? 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 managing your time? Ever heard of burning the candle at both ends and the detriment that has to your well-being? One thing I learned many years ago when my diabetes went out of whack because I was putting in my normal days work but because I was on the international team and we had a big project, I was working off hours too in order to stay in touch with the regional teams too. What did that mean? I would be up at 5am and go to be around 1am for about 3 months. If it hadn’t of been for my quarter check-in with my diabetic doctor I may have missed the wakeup call. I discovered that it was having an impact on my health in so many ways including my blood sugars and the doctor sent me for some re-education to help me better count carbs and stuff. This wakeup call made me realize that something was going to have to change and so I started praying and what came to my mind was my priorities. What did I say my priorities were? Was I living my life that way? I had a reminder of an audiobook I had listened to back in the day driving back and forth to work talking about putting First Things First. I remember posting over the years about First Things First. So as I thought about it I came up with a list:
God
My wife and marriage
My child and family
…
With that top 3 list I realized everything else needed to come after them. So I considered where I was spending my time and decided to step down from the board of the homeowners association I was leading. I considered what was causing me to work such crazy hours and micromanaging folks and turned it around with the realization that the company hires smart people and so I shouldn’t need to babysit them, delegate, trust, and verify with regular check-ins with an open door to being available to discuss if something came up in between. So my days went back to 10 hours instead of 20 hours, my wife and daughter got to see more of me and a better version of me. I was able to continue to serve at the church. And at my next appointment I got a much better report from my doctor.
So with this experience I realized I wasn’t only burning the candle of life at both ends but had started to burn it in the middle too and hence my new saying that it isn’t good to burn a candle on 4 ends. It not only breaks it into 2 smaller candles but also speeds up the burnout.
How about you? Are you feeling tired? Are you getting burned out? Are you ready to make a change before you need to get a wake up call? Are you ready to make an adjustment before your body fails you? Are you ready to reconsider your priorities and how you are living your life in order to get healthy and strong? Are you ready to reconsider your priorities and how you are living your life in order to ensure that your top priorities are getting the time and effort they need and deserve? Are you ready to start now?
Are you ready to find the rest you need to get it all done?
‘“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. ‘
God even gave us the example through creation. Let’s look at this a bit deeper expanding to include verse 11 and using the Amplified version.
‘“Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath [a day of rest dedicated] to the Lord your God; on that day you shall not do any work, you or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock or the temporary resident (foreigner) who stays within your [city] gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy [that is, set it apart for His purposes]. ‘
Did you realize a day of rest wasn’t to make us weird but to make us better?
Do you realize a day of rest wasn’t to make us weird but because God cares for us and knows we need a break?
Do you realize a day of rest wasn’t to make us weird but because God created us to need rest?
Do you realize the benefits of taking a day of rest on your mind and body?
Do you realize how taking a day off helps to recalibrate our priorities?
Do you realize how taking a day off helps to keep our focus on God?
Are you aware of your need for rest? Are you aware of the benefits of rest?
Do you make time to rest? Do you rest?
With all the stimulus available 24/7, are you able to turn it off?
Are you trying to get as much done as possible and in so doing burning yourself out between working all day everyday, playing all night and on weekends?
Do you feel like you are always in a hurry to get to the next thing?
Ever heard of “hurry sickness”?
It is when you are always rushing around causing us and others to become physically and emotionally sick. (kind of like what happened to me in my earlier story where my diabetes went out of whack)
Do you realize that we need rest to be able to handle and deal with stress rather than allow stress to be the driver?
Do you give your calendar over to God to make sure that your time is being used properly? (every morning I look at my calendar for the day and give it up to God saying to remove things that don’t need to be there and adding things that do)
Quote from today’s devotional that relates to a man’s revelation:
So do you realize the impact you are having on others?
Do you realize the impact you are having on yourself?
Are you ready to make time to rest and decompress?
Are you ready to make the Sabbath a day of rest, of refreshing, of worshipping God, of investing in our family, of reading, of having fun, and of kicking off your shoes and relaxing?
Do allow the addiction to GO, GO, GO rob you of what God has planned and designed for you.
Are you ready to break the Go, Go, Go addiction cycle?
Are you ready to put the focused attention on it to break the addiction?
Are you ready to build up the discipline to break the addiction?
Are you ready to take courage in order to break the addiction?
Are you ready to surround yourself with others who can support and encourage your efforts to break the addiction?
Are you ready to join a small group of others who are struggling in order to help encourage and support one another?
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Do you see any “hurry sickness” in your life?
What are some specific things you can do to make a Sabbath rest meaningful?
So where are you at? Are you burning the candle on both ends? Have you tried to burn the candle on all four ends? Are you trying to make a living in six or seven days? Are you ready to find rest for your mind, body, and spirit? Are you willing to take your cares and case to God? God wants you to cast your cares on Him because He cares for you! Are you make to make a swap with God? Give up your burdens for His rest? Are you ready to make time to rest? Are you ready to make time to get filled out? Each morning I turn to God’s Word and a good devotional to help fill up my tank to start the day! Throughout COVID I started to exercise more too so that I could be healthy in mind, body, and spirit. Throughout COVID I started to read while I would ride the stationary bike too with motivational, inspirational, and God inspired stories that helped fill my mind with great ideas and motivations to press in and press on. How about you? Are you ready to put God first in your life? Are you ready for a change for the better? 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 channel surfing on the TV? Are you hopping between stations on the car radio? Are you searching for things? Are you doing comparison shopping between yourself and others? Are you keeping the main thing the main thing?
What is it that you are supposed to be doing? What is it that you need to get done? What are the gifts and talents God has given you? What purpose and plans does God have for your life? Will you choose to use your gifts and talents to accomplish God’s purpose and plans? Will you decide to focus on what is important rather than things that seem to be urgent but not important? Will you decide to focus on the important row with the urgent being in the front and the non-urgent close behind? Will decide to make the main thing the main thing?
Will you decide to let God be your encouragement? Will you decide to focus on God and His will and His purposes for your life rather than getting trapped in the comparison and coveting games? Will you allow the joy of the Lord to be your strength? Will you joy come from God and hence can’t be taken away? Will you feel good thanks to God rather than from all you have done? Remember we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works so that nobody can boast! So let’s allow God working in us to produce good fruit and for our eyes to stay focused on Him! Let’s live out our lives to the full for we know that faith without works is dead! But it is not by works that we are saved, works are an overflow from God!
Search result for: we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works so that nobody can boast
Happy Today! Let’s keep the main thing the main thing!
Do you realize what comparing yourself to others does? It steals from your soul!
Do you realize what comparing what you have with others does? It causes us to try and stack ourselves up against them. It can make us feel better or worse depending on how the activity concludes!
Do you realize what comparing what you have with others does? It causes us to either have a false sense of being better or it causes discouragement and creates wrong motives to do better!
We need to turn our focus to God and His will for us instead of comparing ourselves to others!
It was in the 10 commandments and it is still something the devil uses to trip us up today!
We are to love God and love people! Not compare ourselves to them!
Let’s decide to live our lives in a way that will be pleasing to God!
Let’s choose to live our lives as though only God is watching!
Let’s live our lives in a way that shows our affection and allegiance to God!
Let’s decide to not get tripped up by the devil’s desire for us to compare ourselves with others and find ourselves on the downward spiral of envy and pride!
Let’s make our passion be associated with following Jesus rather than comparing ourselves or trying to be better than others!
Let’s make our purpose about focusing on people’s souls rather than their appearance or possessions!
Let’s decide that we want our soul to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to live out our lives in a way that is pleasing to God!
Let’s hold tight to the reality of Jesus! His wonder! His majesty! His mystery! Let’s follow after Him!
Let’s be Jesus with skin on to the world around us to make a difference for His glory!
So we get to chose where we will focus! Will we focus on Jesus or the things of this world?
Let’s allow our hearts and minds to be filled up with the riches of God!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
What are some ways you can “not let your heart envy sinners”?
Resist the devil and he will flee
When tempted turn from it and turn to God
Be focused on what God has done and given you rather than what others have or do
What about Christ is so valuable that it makes Him beyond compare?
His love
His forgiveness
His passion
His unconditional and unending love
His patience
His ability to give us a second chance (more than once)
So will you focus on your calling? Will you focus on your purpose? Will you focus on God? Will you keep the main thing the main thing?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together:
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?
You wake up in the morning and what is top of mind? For me I start to pray and talk to God thanking Him for a new day and then I thank Him for my wife and pray over her for the day and then I pray over each of my kids individually and for their day, and then I ask for wisdom and direction for my day. How about you?
Have you ever done the prioritization exercise to ensure you are putting first things first? If you wrote out your life priority list and then compared it to how you are living your life, would they line up? If you used things like time and money as measuring tools to help you determine if you are living your life in alignment with what you think or say your priorities are, would they line up? How would you respond if you found out they didn’t? Would you be willing to make a change to get back on track? Would you re-evaluate what you thought your priorities were to match your findings? I know when I had that happen to me back in 2003-2004 timeframe, it caused me to need to adjust a bunch of things. It took a medical report to get my attention and realize a change was required and then I did the priorities mapping and had to adjust my life to line up with what I said my priorities would be. I had to adjust the way I was working and spending my time to get back on track and also to get healthy too. I had to adjust things to get back into alignment with my priorities: (1) God, (2) Wife and our marriage, (3) Kids and our family. Everything else had to line up behind these. Everything else had to enhance these. Everything else had to support these.
How about you? Ever taken inventory of what you think your priorities are and how you are living them out? Top of mind and Top priorities…
‘How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.’
Do you realize how much someone cares for you when you know they are thinking about you or they tell you they have been thinking about you?
Do you realize that you are so important that God is thinking about you?
Do you realize that God is thinking about you more often that you can count?
Do you realize that God is always thinking about you?
God knows everything about you and loves you.
God loves you so much that He sees where you are at but doesn’t want to leave you there.
Can you imagine what such love and such consideration says about what He is thinking about you?
Remember how His plans for you are good and to give you a hope and a future?
Remember how God is light and there is no darkness in Him?
Remember how God is love?
God knows every thought, word, and deed we have or do.
God sees us at our best and at our worst!
So let’s not worry or fear, but instead with boldness and courage trust God!
Let’s be like David where in today’s Psalm finds God’s thoughts precious to him.
Knowing that God is always thinking about you, how much do you think about God?
Knowing that God’s grace and forgiveness shine through it all, does it make you want to celebrate?
God’s purposes for you are good, imagine if we walked out our lives in constant communication with Him.
We are to pray without ceasing, we are to be in relationship, we are to be intimate in sharing with God, so let’s finish strong and invite Him in and live out the rest of our time in this life with Him!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Does the fact that God constantly thinks about you encourage you or terrify you? Explain your answer.
Encourages me because I know that even in my weaknesses or when I don’t know that He is strong in my weakness and He knows everything and that through Him all things are possible.
What do you imagine that He’s thinking about you today?
Hope he is ready for those interactions with those people today
Hope he is ready to be my arms and feet to step into the lives of others and show them value today
Hope he is ready to shine my light into this dark world
Hope he is ready to be salt and to spice things up
So what are you thinking about? How are you deciding to live? What are your priorities? How are they aligning to God’s plans for you and your life? How are they aligning to God’s purposes for you and your life? How are they aligning to God’s will for you and your life? In order to finish strong are you ready and willing to take an inventory to ensure that you are putting first things first ?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together:
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?
As we get to a day of consideration and contemplation and before the work week gets started tomorrow, let’s consider what our priorities are and if we are living up to them. Let’s consider the top three or four on the list and then reflect upon if how we are choosing to live our lives are in alignment with them. Let’s consider the top three or four and consider based on resources if we are living up to what we say our priorities are. Based on time, money, and effort.
For me, the list goes like this:
God
Wife/Marriage
Family/Kids
…
If someone took a look at your how you spend your time, would the time you spend with God be at the top and then your wife and then your kids? Would they find that you are spending time on items four and following more than any of these? If someone took a look at your checkbook or maybe since many people use debit cards more, bank transactions, what type of a steward are you with your finances? How about the level of effort you are putting into things? Would your level of effort keep your priority order in order? If you put together a spreadsheet with priorities in column 1, time in column 2, money in column 3, and effort in column 4 and then did a sort by columns two through 4 one at a time, would it change the order of your priorities and show that one of these areas is out of alignment?
Priorities
Time
Money
Effort
God
Wife/Marriage
Kids/Family
…
Are you living your priorities or is an adjustment required? As two thirds of the first quarter are coming to an end, let’s evaluate where we are at.
‘He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.’
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
How do you respond to setbacks?
Where do you turn when you face a setback?
This word makes me think of someone I have had the pleasure to meet and his quote goes like this “A setback is a setup for a comeback”. It makes me think of a setback as a bend in the road rather than the end of the road and with that in mind can then get ready for a comeback based on the lessons learned and my perspective in the moment. Thank you Willie Jolley.
When the trauma of loss through death comes up, how will you respond and where will you turn?
When the trauma of loss through disease comes up, how will you respond and where will you turn?
When the trauma of loss through rejection comes up, how will you respond and where will you turn?
When the trauma of loss through any kind of setup comes up, how will you respond and where will you turn?
Do you question? Do you go to WHY?
As much as we may want to understand why, have you ever found that once you do it doesn’t help you deal with the trauma?
As much as we may want to understand why, have you ever found that once you do it doesn’t help you get back under control?
Are you going to get stuck in the pit of bitterness and despair? Or will you look to change your focus and try to figure out how to take your setback and start working towards a comeback?
Are you going to get stuck in the pit of bitterness and despair? Or will you stop focusing on the question “WHY?” and start focusing on the question “WHAT NOW?”
Rather than focusing on the WHY or the grief or allowing yourself to fall into a pit of bitterness and despair, will you get back up and start focusing on what’s next?
Will you focus on your next step in order to help you survive and move forward?
Will you focus on your next step in order to give time for God to help bring healing to your hurting heart?
Will you focus on your next step in order to give time for God to bind up your wounds?
Do you have to know why right here and right now? Will you ask Google, Siri, Alexa, or Cortana? Will you start searching the internet for answers through various search and answer sites?
Will you choose to trust God rather than try to rush God?
Will you choose to trust God because you know that He can’t be rushed but that He is always on time?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
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?
How do you decide your top priority? How do you decide what you will give your time to today? How do you decide which requests is more important than another? With only 24 hours in a day, we need to be good stewards and use it to its full potential! How much time does your body need for rest? How much time does your body need for nutrients? How much time does that leave? How will you decide what to work on first? What is top of mind? What is top of the list? Ever seen the prioritization videos where you put the big rocks, little pebbles, sand, and then there is still room for water? So we need to understand the big rocks are for today in order to know where to start. We need to understand our first priority in order for everything else to fall into place. I remember many years ago listening to an audio book during my commutes titled First Things First and how important it is to make sure you get it in the right order. I later remember many of my devotional times when the topic of First Things First came up for me to blog about. So as this shortened work week is coming to a close and with wanting to finish the week strong, I want to make sure that I use my time efficiently and effectively in order to get everything that needs to be done finished.
‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ‘
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
If we consider today’s verse in combination with the Love Commandments: Love God and Love People, does that change how you view what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33?
By trying to force all the pieces together, even when they are supposed to go together will cause us to become frustrated and exhausted!
Ever heard the saying “work smarter not harder”? Ever considered that the key is to be receiving wisdom and discernment from God in order to walk out this day smarter?
Let’s put Jesus in the center of our lives!
Let’s allow Jesus to be the center and the rest of our life to be spokes to the tire that makes things go!
So when you look at your calendar today are you willing to give it over to God so that it becomes His calendar and if there is something to be added or removed He can help you make it work?
Are you willing to allow God to multiply your time and effort?
Are you willing to trust Him in the midst of your busy day?
When something comes to try and add itself to your day, will you turn to Jesus first to make sure it is His will rather than allowing a distraction to come into your day?
Will you be willing to take Jesus’ advice about how to make today work?
Will you be willing to receive Jesus’ promises to lead you through this life and in particular today?
Will you be willing to receive Jesus’ blessings in order be a blessing to others today?
Will you be willing to receive what Jesus has to give? What if it would give you more meaning?
Will you be willing to take the risk of turning to Jesus first?
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
What do you think it means to put Jesus first in your life?
Start your day with Him in order to receive wisdom and guidance for the day
Allow Him to be in charge of your calendar because He knows every need and His timing is perfect!
Take captive every thought and make them obedient to Jesus! Don’t allow yourself to be robbed by inner monologues or what others are saying, comparing them to Scripture and proclaiming the truth over your life!
Be sensitive to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit through this journey called life.
walk out your days with God and He will bless you and allow you to be a blessing to others
thanks to God we will find favor
our success, our appearance, … may cause others to try to take advantage of it but we need to stand firm on the principles and truth of God
even if we are obedient and flee from the attacks or grips, others may twist the truth to punish us for doing what is right or good
God sees all and can use what others mean for evil and turn it for good in order to position us and accomplish in and through us, His perfect will and plan.
Even when it looks or feels like you are in the bad place, God can use you and help you
You may be in a that circumstance for reasons you don’t yet understand or know
Your gifts and talents may be just what is needed and why God allow you to be put or positioned in that spot
Be aware of what is going on and be attentive to those God brings into your life
We need to care for others as God cares for us
We need to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves
We need to speak the truth in love, even if the truth may be hard to deliver
God’s timing is perfect and so don’t lose hope because you have to wait or you think you have been forgiven
So are you reading this post at a time when you have a lot on your plate? Are you reading this post at a time where you are needing to prioritize your time and effort? Are you reading this post at a time when there are a lot of demands on you? Will you put first things first?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
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?
Ever considered what it takes to focus? Ever considered what it means to focus? Let’s reflect on the definition for a moment.
As a noun, we see focus is defined as follows:
As a verb, we see focus defined as follows:
So you just woke up and about to start your day, where to you put your focus? What will be your center of interest or activity? Where will you set your sight? How will you adjust to what is going on in your day? How will you pay particular attention to it?
As we start today, my day started with praying before I got out of bed. Then I looked at the bible verse of the day, reviewed what is going on today (my schedule and then a few internet searches), then got ready to workout, then a nice shower and shave to get ready for the day before heading up to the computer to turn to God’s Word and my devotional for today on which I will write this blog. I know that my calendar has a set of meetings that are scheduled but I also know that I can make the plans but God will direct my path. Each day I give the calendar up to God so that His plan will have the focus over my schedule. Who will God bring across my path? Who will God decide I need to pour into? What is most important for me to accomplish today for God?
Are you ready for today? Are you setup to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit will say to you? will direct you to do? will give you wisdom and discernment about? Are you ready to focus on God’s will for your today? This is the day that the Lord has made, so let’s rejoice and be glad in it! Are you ready to focus on making today a Happy Today?
With so many things that will be trying to distract or derail you, how will you stay focused? With so many tools and technology that are supposed to be helping you be more productive, how will you be able to stay focused? Do you get phone calls? Do you get conference meetings (Zoom, Skype, etc.)? Do you get emails and meeting invites? Do you get text messages or instance messages (Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn Messaging, Slack, Skype, Zoom, etc.)? With so many things trying to get your attention at any given time, how will you get focused? stay focused? be focused? What will be your focus?
If you want to be able to focus, can you actually multitask?
Are you paying attention or paying partial attention?
In your day are you ever paying full attention?
In your day are you always or continuously paying partial attention? or as Linda called it “continuous partial attention“?
Are you really interested in being connected? Would you be willing to stop being connected to others in order in order to be fully connected to one?
Are you really interested in connecting? Would you be willing to stop being connected to others in order in order to be fully connected to one?
Are you more interested in being connected or finding opportunities?
Are you more interested in being focused or finding the best opportunity, activity, or contact?
Are you ever more interested in being focused than trying to be or get connected?
How do you prioritize messages or connections?
Do you have a way to prioritize in order that you can stay focused unless something of higher priority forces a break in focus?
Do you have a way to rank the value of an encounter/interaction?
Do you have a way to turn off the distractions in order to remain focused for a period of time?
Do you prioritize God’s Word higher?
Consider today’s verse and how it speaks to how much more precious and valuable God’s Word is.
Consider in today’s world, with continuous partial attention, how can God get your attention? How can you give God’s Word the priority it requires and deserves?
How are you able to compare other words when you know God’s message is pure?
How are you able to compare other words when God’s Words are like silver that has been processed seven times (complete and perfect purity)?
We know that God’s Word is perfect and in alignment with God’s character!
God’s Word is the ultimate measure of truth!
God’s Word imparts light and life to those who treasure it!
God’s words are pure words!
We need to sit up and take notice of what God’s Word says!
We need to focus on it when we are reading and meditating on it!
We need to dig deeper if we don’t understand it!
We need to “double click” on it to find the deeper meaning and be able to understand it better.
When the Holy Spirit brings God’s Word to mind in the midst of our day, it needs to be and get prioritized higher than email, messages, calls, etc.
When the Holy Spirit brings God’s Word to mind in the midst of our day, giving us wisdom, discernment, and direction, we need to be ready and willing to stop what we are doing and listen to God and obey.
So let us not be deaf to God’s Word! Let’s be ready to hear it and allow God to direct our path!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
How do you treat letters or e-mails that are especially meaningful to you?
Some I will flag
Some I will reply with a thank you message
Some I will store away into a folder
Some I will share
Some I will print out or store
What would it mean for you to truly treasure God’s Word?
Read it regularly to so that it is in my mind and heart so that when God brings it to mind, I will understand it and be able to respond to His prompting in my life.
To make it a priority that can’t be skipped or missed, so make time daily to read it.
Will you focus on what is most important? Will you focus on what is best? Will you focus on what is most meaningful? Will you focus on what is near or what is far? Will you focus on yesterday, today, or tomorrow? Will you focus on the true treasure? Will you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness? Will you focus on God’s will for your life? Will you focus on God’s will and get to achieve God’s purpose and plan?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
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?
In a given day how many people are watching you? Are they watching you in person? Are they watching you on video? Are they watching you on phone calls? Are they watching you through online activity? Are they watching you through your financial transactions? Are they watching you through your calendar appointments? Are they watching you through blog posts? Are they watching you through social media? Are they watching you through your email?
What are they able to observe about your priorities? What are they able to observe about your character? What are they able to observe about your views? What are they able to observe about your values? What are they able to observe about your beliefs?
So what type of a role model are you being to your kids? What type of a role model are you being to your spouse? What type of a role model are you being to your colleagues? What type of a role model are you being to your team? What type of a role model are you being to your leaders? What are your actions and behaviors saying about you?
‘Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. ‘
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
‘Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ‘ — I Timothy 4:12
‘Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. ‘ — I Timothy 4:14
‘Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. ‘ — I Timothy 4:15
‘Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.’ — I Timothy 4:16
Where are you at today?
What do you believe?
What have you been given?
What are you sharing?
What are you demonstrating?
Do you realize what people are looking for when they are following you?
Do you realize what people desire from you when they are following you?
Are you giving them the right stuff?
Are you showing them the right stuff?
Are you sharing with them the right stuff?
So where are you going?
What is your purpose?
What is your goal?
Who are you following?
How are you going to get there?
Are you excited and passionate about it?
Are you genuine about it?
Is it a calling?
Is it a desire?
Is it bigger than yourself?
Are you willing to share and help in the building up of the next generation of leaders?
Do you have instructions that will help them?
Do you have a plan or process or procedure that will help them be successful?
Are you able to communicate that it takes more than just going through the motions?
Will you give them something they won’t just follow like a checklist but will be able to take and apply it to their specific scenario?
Will you share the right things in a that are applicable to their lives?
Will you share it in a way that they will be able to make it a part of who they are and how they live?
Will you help them be able to take it from a completely thought exercise into an application exercise?
Kind of like we want to go from being hearers of the Word to doers of the Word.
Let’s find something that we can be passionate about!
Let’s find a cause or a calling that is from God that will make a difference!
Let’s find a cause or a calling or both that we can get and put our heart into – body, mind, and soul!
Will you be an example that people want to follow?
Will you be a model that they will want to repeat and pursue?
Want to be a leader? It needs to be a matter of the heart!
Want to be a leader? You have to go beyond just reading books, finding the right manual, taking the right classes!
Do you understand what you are talking about?
Do you believe in what you are saying?
Are you authentic? Not fake! Not pretend! Not a copy!
So what is your mission?
What is the vision?
Do you have passion because of it? Does it develop passion in others?
Do you have insights about them? Does it provide direction and invoke passion in others?
Will you model the right stuff?
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Describe the level of understanding of your role and cause and your passion to accomplish your purpose.
Many years ago when I got to a crossroad I had to come to the realization of what is real. I had to put my life up against my priorities and then live it that way!
God first – hence I start each day in His Word and post blogs according to the mission and cause He gave me to share.
My wife second – hence I need to make time to be with and love my wife
My kids third – hence with a strong marriage and example to my kids, we are able to pour the love of God into them and their dreams and passions to be their biggest cheerleaders as well as help them stay on course and pursue their God given talents, correcting and directing as needed.
Everything else comes after this. God has given me a passion for kids who are in need. Be it sponsoring kids around the world or running a camp for at risk youth who are in the foster care system, wanting to make a difference and helping them realize they are valuable and loved help me to do what I do. God has gifted me with skills around technology and so I serve my church in the worship and arts area. God has gifted me with a skill to connect with people and so go around spreading the joy of the Lord so that people will know God’s love for them.
What would “modeling the right stuff” look like in your life?
Capturing a passion from God — a calling that I can pursue and pour authentic passion into.
Be it my family! Be it my extended family that I support/sponsor! Be it my teammates at work! Be it running a camp with an incredible group of volunteers and leaders who help make it successful by transforming perspectives and lives of kids whose lives have been radically impacted and can cause or raise huge risks without intervention on their futures.
So what is your life modeling to others? Is your life modeling the right stuff? Is your life modeling what you say matters to you? Is your life modeling what you say is most important? Are you keeping first things first? Are your priorities in alignment with your lifestyle in order that you are modeling the right stuff?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
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?
Ever had to extend the day to make it work? What about starting earlier to join a meeting that will help in the businesses advancement? What about finishing the day later to join a meeting that will help the businesses advancement? What about being a global company and needing to be able to connect with your customers and partners around the world? How flexible can you be? How will it affect your schedule for the day? Will it impact your sleep pattern? Will it require you take a break in the middle of your normal day schedule? Will it require any adjustment at all? Are you willing to extend time to make it work? Have you set your priorities? Have you set your healthy boundaries? How will you know when you can say yes vs no? Are you ready to get the week started on an extended day? What if the day needs to be extended in both directions? Are you ready to make it happen? Are you ready to get it done? Will you still manage to keep first things first? Will you still manage to be a good steward of your body? Will you still manage to stay healthy and safe and not get burned out?
It is important to have you priorities straight! It is important to have healthy boundaries setup! It is important to be able to keep first things first. So let’s get to our top thing to start the morning and turn to God and what His Word has for us today!
‘Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.’
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
God’s not out there somewhere. Depending on where you are and what you believe He is either knocking on the door to your heart and hoping you will open it up to let Him in or He is in you through the Holy Spirit.
So He is in us and God knows our every thought, every word, and every action. But with the Holy Spirit in us, we can ask for wisdom, for help, for support, for direction, for peace, for hope, for anything because He is with us and ready to help in our times of need.
So the question is will we allow God to be the Lord of all of our lives or will we decide that He isn’t Lord at all in our lives?
We are never alone!
In times of celebration, God is with us and gave us success .
In times of suffering, God is with us and gives us comfort.
In times of confusion, God is with us and gives us direction that we are able to receive and trust.
In times of when the answer is slow as we might think of it to come, we can be patient, waiting on the Lord, knowing that He is trustworthy and proven that His timing is perfect! God is rarely early and never late! God’s timing is perfect!
So we need to live our lives in a way that glorifies God!
We need to live our lives in a way that bring God the praise, the honor, and the glory!
We need to live our lives in a way that reflects who Jesus is like the light of the moon is but a reflection of the sun, we need to reflect the light of the Son.
We need to live our lives in a way that points people to Jesus!
As 2 Corinthians 5 says: ‘Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.’ — II Corinthians 5:20-21
So before we act, let’s reflect on being the temple of the Holy Spirit and seek God’s wisdom.
So before we speak, let’s reflect on being the temple of the Holy Spirit and seek God’s wisdom in order to speak the truth in love.
Let’s allow our view of what we value be based on the wisdom and discernment provided to us through the Holy Spirit!
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
As God’s temple, do you need a remodeling job? Explain your answer.
I feel it is a work in progress, a continuous improvement project. God has cleared out may of the old cobwebs and things for the past which has allowed me to get to where I am today. There is still more learning and pruning required so that my words, my responses, my actions better reflect Him and who He is in my life. Some lessons have required relearning. Some lessons have required fine tuning. In each case though I lean more and more on God for I know I may not fully understand it but by leaning in on Him that He will make my path straight. He will help me to consider it pure joy when I face trials of many kinds. He will help me to take heart when I face the troubles of this world. He will give me hope when I am persecuted by this world because they persecuted Him first.
How does this truth inspire you? Hoes it challenge you?
To not overreact
To show compassion rather than anger
To speak the truth in love
To wait on the Lord as He will renew my strength
To wait on the Lord as His timing is perfect
To ask, seek, and knock as He will answer, help me find, and help me open
To not worry about anything but instead cast my cares on Him
To be obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit
So where are you at today and how are you living your life? Have you given yourself to the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you through the day? Have you given yourself to the Holy Spirit so that in the midst of storms and troubles He can provide a peace that surpasses all understanding? What would it take for you to give all of yourself to God? Would it take a divine encounter? Would it take a catastrophe? Would it take a miracle?
Where are you at today? Are you looking for guidance? Are you wondering where to turn? Are you at the end of your rope and needing help? Are you ready for some help? Are you ready to turn to God and ask? seek? knock? Let’s pray together.
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?
Life is short in the grand scheme of things. All we have is what we have. So how will you make the most of it? How will you make the most of your family time? How will you make the most of your friend time? How will you make the most of you home time? How will you make the most of your work time? How will you make the most of your on time? How will you make the most of your off time? How will you make the most of your time with your spouse? How will you make the most of your time with your kids? How will you make the most of your time when it if free and available? How will you make the most of your time when it is confined and booked?
If you have an hour today, how will you choose to make the most of it?
Don’t put off the important things of today because there is no guarantee of tomorrow. How do you prioritize your life? What’s number 1? Did you start your day off working on #1? Do spend most of your time and energy on #1? Do you invest and spend on #1? So what is it that you are seeking first? What is your primary focus or goal? Where does your hope come from? Where does your confidence come from from? Where does your trust come from?
As we begin today, what is on your mind? Some might put it as what is top of mind? Is what is top of mind the top priority or is it robbing you of your top priorities?
Today’s Verse of the Day: 1 Peter 1:24
“You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God. For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like [the] flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off, But the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you. [Isa. 40:6-9.]”
I added verses 23 and 25 just so that we have a perspective of temporary vs eternity. Our focus for today is on today, the short period of time we have available to us to live out our lives either as God has purposed and planned or the way choose to use it. God’s plan is that we have a hope and a future. God’s way is that we live life to the full and are lacking nothing. It may not be easy and there will be troubles and we will face trials of many kinds, but we get to choose how we respond and whose purpose and plans we will pursue.
Realize the circumstances of life will change like the seasons. Let’s never forget to don’t stop or get stuck on the problem statement but allow God to finish the story with His plans and purposes. Don’t stop when you hear “in this world you will have troubles” but continue reading so you don’t miss the promise that we can “take heart because Jesus has overcome the world”. Don’t stop when you hear “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds” because without the rest of the story you might think it is crazy talk or absurd, continue reading so that you can learn the process of faith and perseverance and how when it finishes its work you will be “complete and lacking nothing”.
Help me Lord as I put my hope, trust and focus on You, not getting stuck focusing on the past but pressing forward the glory of Your kingdom so that I can finish strong in order to accomplish Your will and give You the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Help me Lord to focus on you and my eternity with and in You. Help me to not get stuck focusing on me and my life which is temporary but rather on things that are eternal and for Your glory. Help me Lord to not make it all about me or being glorified, but instead about pointing people to You so that it is You who will receive the glory because human glory drops off like the flowers.
So how about your story? Consider all the chapters of 2020 and how messed up they have been. Consider how each of those chapters gives you the ability and opportunity to share a testimony of How good God is and how He helped us in and through them. How many testimonies or stories do you have to share? Have you written them down? Have you been able to share them with others? Let’s remember that no matter how messy the stories get how faithful God is and how He will get us through. So let’s remember what matters and focus on that.
Let’s grab the NIV translation for the verses above and consider it.
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.”
In a world that keeps changing let’s take hold of God’s Word that will endure forever and and never changes. Let’s take the light off of ourselves and reflect the light of Jesus that this world needs so much. Let’s point people to God through our lives, our words, and our actions. Let’s make time and spend time in God’s Word so that we don’t forget how faithful God is, even in uncertain times. Let’s remember how these challenges and trials are temporary. Let’s remember how God’s Word is everlasting and never changing. Let’s remember that nothing is able to stop our God. Let’s remember how not to leave a godly legacy in order that God will receive the praise, the honor, and the glory.
They say that hindsight is 2020. So what does your story say about 2020? What testimony can you share to encourage others about how faithful God has been in and through this time? How has it built up your faith so that your view of today is clearer and more positive? How does it allow you to focus on the future rather than get stuck in the past?
With October in the rear view mirror along just past halfway through November, let’s reflect on what we have learned in the past 6 days as we meditate on God’s Word this 7th day. Do you have any highlights or insights from what we have read in the past 6 days? What connections have you made or can you make in relations to our readings from God’s Word? Have you made time to speak with God through your reading time? Have you made time to speak with God as a part of your daily schedule? Are you prioritizing God enough that He gets prime time with you? Have you missed the mark this week and need to turn back to God and confess it and ask Him for forgiveness? Have you taken time to thank and praise Him for the forgiveness that has already been paid for through the blood of Jesus? Have you taken time to thank Him for all the other blessings in your life? Have you taken time to thank Him for all the answered prayers? Do you have any worries? Are you taking hold of His promise not to worry but to give it up into His hands? Let’s ask God for wisdom and guidance for this day! Let’s put our trust in Him!
In a time of change, will you share what God is doing and saying in and through your life with others?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading fromGOD’S WORD – THE BIBLEcomes to us from:
‘ Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. [Prov. 3:12.] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.’
It is decision time, Jesus is knocking at the door to your heart and it is your choice if you will decide to invite Him in or not. It is like a door where the only handle is on the inside and so for Him to get in, you have to make the decision.
Verse 19
As many as I love I rebuke and chasten,…. The persons the objects of Christ’s love here intended are not angels, but the sons of men; and these not all of them, yet many of them, even all who are his own by his Father’s gift and his own purchase; and who are called his church, and sometimes represented as such who love him and obey his commands: the instances of his love to them are many; as his suretyship engagements for them, his assumption of their nature, dying in their room and stead, paying their debts, procuring their peace and pardon, bringing in a righteousness for them, purchasing their persons, his intercession for them, preparations in heaven, supplies of grace, and frequent visits in a kind and familiar manner; and as for the nature of his love, it is free and sovereign, everlasting and immutable, and it is matchless and inconceivable, it is strong and affectionate, and as his Father loved him; and such are rebuked by Christ, not in a way of wrath, but in a tender manner, in order to bring them under a conviction of their sin and of their duty, and of their folly in trusting in, or loving any creature more than himself, and of all their wrong ways; and they are chastened by him, not in a vindictive, but in a fatherly way, which is instructive and teaching to them, and for their good. This seems to refer to some afflictions which Christ was about to bring upon this church, by some means or another, to awaken her out of her sloth and security, and which would be in love to her, and the end be to rouse her zeal and bring her to repentance. Some think this respects the Gog and Magog army, which will encompass the camp of the saints, and the beloved city; but that will not be till after the thousand years’ reign, and besides will be no affliction to them; rather it designs the unchurching them, signified by spewing them out of his mouth, Revelation 3:16,
be zealous, therefore, and repent; zeal was what was wanting in this church; which is nothing else than hot, fervent, and ardent love, love in a flame; whereas she was neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, Christ would have her be “zealous” for God; for his cause and interest, for his Gospel, ordinances, and the discipline of his house, and against everything that is evil; against all false worship, all errors in doctrine, all sin and iniquity; and to be zealous of good works, and in the worship of God, both private and public: and “repent”; in an evangelical way, of her lukewarnmess, remissness, and supineness; of her pride, arrogance, and vain boastings of herself; and of her self-sufficience, self-dependence, and self-confidence.
Verse 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock,…. The phrase of standing at the door may be expressive of the near approach, or sudden coming of Christ to judgment, see James 5:9; and his knocking may signify the notice that will be given of it, by some of the immediate forerunners and signs of his coming; which yet will be observed but by a few, such a general sleepiness will have seized all professors of religion; and particularly may intend the midnight cry, which will, in its issue, rouse them all:
if any man hear my voice; in the appearances of things and providences in the world:
and open the door; or show a readiness for the coming of Christ, look and wait for it, and be like such that will receive him with a welcome:
I will come unto him, and sup with him, and he with me; to and among these will Christ appear when he comes in person; and these being like wise virgins, ready, having his grace in their hearts, and his righteousness upon them, he will take them at once into the marriage chamber, and shut the door upon the rest; when they shall enjoy a thousand years communion with him in person here on earth; when the Lamb on the throne will feed them with the fruit of the tree of life, and lead them to fountains of living water, and his tabernacle shall be among them.
As day 322 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision today and the blessing to get to live out the rest of the year in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
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?
Today’s devotional that I am following is The 49-Week Challenge comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
So why try to look better than you are? Why try to pretend you are something if you aren’t? Why try to say something that isn’t truth, as half truths aren’t true!
Is there ever a good reason to lie? Is there ever a good reason to resist the truth?
With April in the rear view mirror, let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from:
Ever considered the consequences of lying? Ever read what it says in Leviticus 6?
‘The Lord said to Moses: “If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen, or if they cheat their neighbor, or if they find lost property and lie about it, or if they swear falsely about any such sin that people may commit— when they sin in any of these ways and realize their guilt, they must return what they have stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to them, or the lost property they found, or whatever it was they swore falsely about. They must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the owner on the day they present their guilt offering. And as a penalty they must bring to the priest, that is, to the Lord , their guilt offering, a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for them before the Lord , and they will be forgiven for any of the things they did that made them guilty.” ‘
Resist the devil! Trust and lean on God as your source and strength!
Will you allow Jesus to lead and guide you today by the Holy Spirit so that you will have wisdom and discernment, direction and instruction?
As day 125 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and there is nothing that I can do to save myself. I confess my complete helplessness to forgive my own sin or to work my way to heaven. At this moment I trust Christ alone as the One who bore my sin when He died on the cross. I believe that He did all that will ever be necessary for me to stand in your holy presence. I thank you that Christ was raised from the dead as a guarantee of my own resurrection. As best as I can, I now transfer my trust to Him. I am grateful that He has promised to receive me despite my many sins and failures. Father, I take you at your word. I thank you that I can face death now that you are my Savior. Thank you for the assurance that you will walk with me through the deep valley. Thank you for hearing this prayer. 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?
Today’s devotional The 49-Week Challenge comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
Did you get the big rocks in first? Did you get the pebbles in second? Did you get the sand in third? Did you finish up with the water? Or did life happen and urgency started to take over from important? Ever seen the 4 quadrant view of prioritization? Views that put importance against urgency? Ever considered how much important stuff isn’t getting done because it isn’t urgent?
Even with the foreknowledge of how to work priorities yesterday, there were times when the urgent took over and displaced what I considered most important. Now, what helps us decide what should or shouldn’t get done? what does or doesn’t get done? Do you check with the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance, direction and instruction? Sometimes what we think is important may be able to wait because there is something bigger that needs to get done. So some times we need to trust God rather than leaning on our own understanding and allow Him to make our path straight! So we can learn from the past and use those lessons or teachings to help us get better as we walk forward into the future! How much do you trust God? How much do you love God? How much will you listen to God? How much will you lean on God? So how did it go? Did you live the day pouring out the overflow of the love of God? Why not give it another try today?
With February in the rear view mirror, let’s reflect on what we have learned in the past 6 days as we meditate on God’s Word this 7th day. Do you have any highlights or insights from what we have read in the past 6 days? What connections have you made or can you make in relations to our readings from God’s Word? Have you made time to speak with God through your reading time? Have you made time to speak with God as a part of your daily schedule? Are you prioritizing God enough that He gets prime time with you? Have you missed the mark this week and need to turn back to God and confess it and ask Him for forgiveness? Have you taken time to thank and praise Him for the forgiveness that has already been paid for through the blood of Jesus? Have you taken time to thank Him for all the other blessings in your life? Have you taken time to thank Him for all the answered prayers? Do you have any worries? Are you taking hold of His promise not to worry but to give it up into His hands? Let’s ask God for wisdom and guidance for this day! Let’s put our trust in Him!
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from:
(I have chosen to use NIV translation, but feel free to choose whichever version you feel more comfortable with)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Remember how the entire law could be summarized? One part about God and the other about our neighbors?
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible for today’s verse shares the following:
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God Which is the first and chief commandment in the law, the sum and substance of the first table of it; and includes in it, or at least has connected with it, knowledge of God, esteem of him, delight in him, faith and trust in him, fear and worship of him, and obedience to him, which when right springs from it. God is to be loved because of the perfections of his nature, and the works of his hand, of nature, providence, and grace; and because of the relations he stands in to men, and especially to his own people; and because of his peculiar love to them; and, indeed, he is to be loved by all men for his care of them, and blessings of goodness bestowed on them; the manner in which this is to be done follows: with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might; with a superlative love, above all creatures whatever; with the whole of the affections of the heart, with great fervency and ardour of spirit, in the sincerity of the soul, and with all the strength of grace a man has, with such love that is as strong as death. Jarchi interprets loving God with all the heart, that is, with thy heart not divided about God, a heart not divided between God and the creature; “all thy might” he interprets of mammon or substance; and, indeed, that is one way in which men may show their love to God, by laying out their substance in his service, and for the support of his cause and interest in the world. Aben Ezra by “the heart” understands knowledge, and by the “soul” the spirit of man that is in his body, and by might perfect love in the heart.
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” — Luke 10:27
As day 70 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
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 found that when you get distracted by the wrong things the right things don’t get done? Ever considered what your priorities are and how when you focus on them how the other things take care of themselves? What is your priority list looking like these days compared to where you are focusing your time and energy? Have you put God first? Have you put your spouse second? Have you put your kids thirds? Everything else comes after this right? Ever found that when you are living in alignment with your top priorities that things seem to look and feel better to you? Ever found that the worry or confusion goes away when you put first things first? Ever discovered how when you put first things first that the other things start to take care of themselves, or maybe it is more that you don’t have to worry or get stressed about them because of the joy that comes from taking care of your top priorities?
So what if you spent time with God daily and walked through all of your day with Him? What if you spent time with your spouse pouring love and respect into them? What if you spent time with your kids loving on them and hearing about what is on their minds? Imagine the world we would live in when the people who should be top of mind and top of the list really are and feel and know that they are.
Let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from: (I have chosen to use NIV translation, but feel free to choose whichever version you feel more comfortable with)
If you keep doing the same thing over and over and are considering giving up after a long days work and then Jesus gives you a new idea would you respond and try it or would you just give up and give in and go home?
Would you question the new idea? Would you still do it because of who gave you the instruction? Imagine what you would have missed had you just dismissed His command and instruction.
If by following the instructions from God caused such an incredible blessing, would you call others to be able to take a part in it?
Remember what God’s instruction says, what Jesus’s instruction says, and even what heavenly hosts like angels have said: “Don’t be afraid“.
Our part is to follow God’s instruction and direction!
Be it out of your comfort zone like when God called me to step up to be president!
Be it our of your understanding or reality like when God called me to forgive people who had done a bait and switch on me!
No matter what it is that He calls you to, don’t be afraid and then follow after Him!
Do you realize is more than willing, He is also able!
Jesus came to pay the ultimate price in order for us to be forgiven and saved.
Are you willing to receive the gift? Be is a large or a small mistake where you missed the mark (sinned), be willing to turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness and to ask Him to save you.
What type of a sign would it take for you to believe? Will you hear with your ears and believe? Do you need to see it with your eyes to believe? What would or did it take? Imagine being at church and a man going into cardiac arrest and dying but who is still attending to this day because the people prayed, the pastor anointed him with oil, the emergency team did their work, and the service stopped while he was being taken care of and nobody left, everyone stayed and prayed, until the service was completed which didn’t restart till a pulse had returned. Would it take a miracle seen to believe or would you believe based on hearing from others?
We need to put God first and live out our lives putting first things first. We need to walk out God’s instruction and direction without fear or doubt. We need to trust that He knows what He is saying and asking and so we can step up and step out in faith obeying what He is calling us to do. Let’s not only live out our faith so that people can hear and see it but let’s also share it so that by hearing the message people can know it is from God and find their own faith. Jesus is the ultimate physician so we need to bring the sick, be it physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually sick, let’s bring them to the one who is able to heal the sick. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, nobody comes to the Father except by Him.
As day 19 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
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?
What if you woke up and everyone you cared about was gone? What if you woke up and everyone in your neighborhood was gone? What if you woke up and everyone in your community was gone? What if you woke up and most of the people you knew were gone? What would you do? How would you understand? How would you respond? How would you process the situation?
What if you figured out that they were part of the rapture and had gone to heaven to be with God? What if you figured out that they were part of a global phenomenon where people who were true Christians had vanished? What if incredible disasters or accidents happened because the people who had been controlling things were gone? What if you could see their stuff but they were gone? What if instead of it being you woke up that it happened in the middle of the day?
Have you made your decision? Have you chosen your side? Have you decided the bed you will lie in? What if you are left behind? Will that cause you to draw closer to God or start looking deeper into the things of God? Will it draw you closer to God or will you continue as though nothing happened? Will you become curious about the things of God or will you just think it is an anomaly and keep on with your life? What if the other events of the book of Revelation happen? Is there anything that will make you change your mind? What if you realize that you knew about Jesus but didn’t know Jesus in a relational way and become part of the remnant? Would it cause you to refocus your life? Would it cause you to point others to God? What if things got harder with trials and tribulations? What if there was persecution of those who believed in Jesus? Can you withstand the peer pressure and societal pressure and keep on keeping on pursuing Jesus and His ways? Will you decide before it is too late? There is a Y in the road and you have to make a choice which way you will go.
Are you going to stay on the narrow road to the gates of heaven and find your life? Are you going to go with the flow and stay on the broad road and lose your life to eternity apart from God? The decision is yours to make. I pray that you will choose life for I hope to get to meet you in Heaven. Heaven is for Real!
Why not give God all the praise, the honor, and the glory He so deserves?
Let’s not forget what God has done! Let’s not turn away but let’s turn back to God before it is too late.
God is merciful so don’t think you are too far for God to receive you back. Turn back to God and go to Him, your Heavenly Father like the lost son did.
Obedience is better than offerings, so we need to walk in obedience to God.
Let’s be strong and courageous! Even if you are but a remnant!
It isn’t all about what we do but it is all about our faith!
So we aren’t saved by works but by faith. Now allow our faith to be alive and our works be because of our faith rather than out of our attempt to earn salvation! Faith without works is dead.
God’s judgments are true and just and He will avenge the murder of his servants!
Let’s call on the Lord! Let’s allow our lives to be living sacrifices that are found to be pleasing to God!
If you are looking for somewhere to turn, look to God for help!
So where are you at today? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
We all have but 24 hours in a day. Making time isn’t about fabricating more but rather prioritizing your time. Making time goes one step further as someone special deserves more than just the leftovers of your time but the best quality time.
So how are you doing with that? I know I need to work on that. I know I make time after a busy day to have a date night on Wednesday but how high quality is it? I know I have been blessed to get a few days away to go to a wedding and enjoy some time away and it makes me consider how it is supposed to be when it is quality time.
If we consider 10pm to 6am off the table. If we consider 8am-5pm off the table weekdays. That leaves us 5pm-10pm weekdays and longer on weekends. How can we creatively make quality time during these windows? It requires thought and preparation. It requires prioritization of things like serving and supporting our family.
How about you? Ever mapped it out? Do you setup safe and firm boundaries for that time to keep it for those special in your heart? Spouse? Kids? Family? Friends?
How often do you make time for that special someone?
God’s Word for today comes from:
Ezra 8
Ezekiel 38
Ezekiel 39:1-24
Acts 21:37-40
Acts 22:1-11
Revelation 14:6-13
Psalms 132
How do you make sure you remember? Remember events like a wedding or trips like a few days away in Mexico or birthdays or plans? Do you have tools and plans to help? Do you have a process or routine? Do you have a log or blog or something?
How do you make sure that you are in the right state of mind? How do you make sure you are bringing your best? How are you making sure that it is more than leftovers but is quality? Why not seek God’s plan and purpose so that in and they it all, He will receive the praise, the honor, and the glory, in Jesus’s name.
We need to remember when we face a trial or problem that we are not alone? We need to remember that the battle belongs to the Lord. We need to remember not to attack each other but instead to come together and focus on solving or breaking down the problem. Jesus has won victory over sin and death. Jesus will be the victor in the end when eternity will either have us with God or apart from God depending on if we decided to follow Jesus and allow Him to be our Savior and Lord. I choose to live out eternity with God.
We need to address the situation in a way that can be received. We need to make time to complete the good works God has prepared in advance for us to accomplish. We need to follow after God who makes a way even when there doesn’t seem to be a way. Will you share your story and testimony with those God brings across your path? Share it for victory comes through the blood of the lamb and the words of our testimony. Will you share the Good News to all those God brings across your path? Will you helped them turn from ways that go against God? Will you point them to love, hope, truth and away from deception, immortality, and selfishness?
Let us persevere! Let’s take hold of our faith in Jesus. Let’s meditate on today’s reading and remember words like:
“This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!””
So let’s make time for God. Let’s invite Him into our heart home. Let’s celebrate God with praise and honor.
So where are you at today? Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpases all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejocie with the angels in Heaven. If this is a recommitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 
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