Push through Procrastination

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.   (Proverbs: 13:4)
 

Do you ever get into that lazy kind of mood, when you just don’t  feel like doing much of anything? Working, exercising, cooking dinner, doing the laundry, or even being a spouse or parent can be too much.  I think we've all had days like these for various reasons:  Our bodies can be tired because we have pushed them too hard without proper rest.  Our minds can be tired because of worries, anxieties, or maybe just too many things on our to-do lists.  Our emotions can become so overwhelmed that we go into an “I don’t care” mode for a while.  Whatever our reasons or justifications, lazy days result in poor productivity in our work, falling behind in our duties, strained relationships with our family and friends, and a temporary loss of control over our life.  Failure begins in this place, and this is yet another roadblock preventing you from receiving all God has planned for you.

Have you failed to achieve a goal you set for yourself? Do you know why? In my case it often starts with a simple decision: “I really don’t feel like doing it today. I'll just do it tomorrow.”  Honestly, most of the time, I don't do it the next day… and I have good reasons not to do it the next day.  Weeks or months may go by, built on  “good reasons”.  Unfortunately, as time passes and I get further behind it's just easier to accept defeat than to try and catch up.

Do you want to move forward in life or do you want to stay in the same place? The choice is yours.  Choosing to procrastinate is choosing to move further away from your goals, and almost guaranteeing you will not see the results you desire.

Put an end to the habit of procrastination.  Choose the path of the diligent, and avoid the path of the sluggard.  Admit to yourself that you are making excuses. When you make excuses, you are only cheating yourself. Remind yourself how far you have come.  Recognizing your progress may help you stick to your goals. Imagine climbing a mountain and getting to the half-way point.  If you only look to how much further you have to climb, you may get discouraged.  Look behind you to see what you have already achieved, and then look forward and refocus on that goal.  Most of the time we expect to see immediate results from minimal effort.  When we don't see those results, we quickly lose motivation and quit.  Hold on just a little bit longer. Living a disciplined life promises great reward. Get moving!

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant,  But later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  (Hebrews 12:11)

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Navigate Uncertainty

We have all either been through, or will be through uncertain times in our lives;  times where the direction of our lives will be completely rerouted - either by a choice we make, or a choice made for us.  These times can be very unsettling, especially for those of us who like to have all of the answers neatly laid out before us.  It is in these times that the Lord draws us closer to Him and teaches us to rely on and trust in Him.

I have found in my own life that He gently increases the challenge each time.  As you lean on Him and trust in Him for guidance for the smaller issues of your life, you may find that it requires a little more faith and patience for the next decision - almost like Spiritual exercise!  But your Creator - the one who has plans to prosper and not harm you - is building up a portfolio of evidence to prove to you (and others) that you can trust Him in all circumstances.  Do not let uncertainty hold you back from the plans God has for you.  Take the initiative to find your answer.

Guidance During Times of Uncertainty:

1. Remember and Trust His promises: "When they [those who love me] call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them." (Psalm 91:15);  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28).  It may help to journal all He does for you, so that you can remember those instances in the future.  He is your Father, and He loves you.  He will be with you, and will help you.  Trust Him.
2. Pray and Ask for the answers: Proverbs 2:3 tells us to first "call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding"; Jeremiah 6:16 tells us to "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."  Prayer is our communication line to Him.  He already knows what we want and need, but He wants us to talk with Him and ask for His help.
3. Read and Seek God's Direction: God has already answered many of your specific questions in His Word. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105); "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16).  First, dig for your answers in His Word.  It is easier than ever these days to find relevant scriptures, thanks to Google!  The Word of God is His voice.  Get to know it!
4. Wait and Listen for guidance:  Now this is the hardest part!  You have taken the time to remember God's promises, you have asked for His help, you have researched the Bible for any direction there... and now... you must wait!  Trust that God has an answer, and that He will provide direction in His timing.  The reason for waiting is made clear in Proverbs 16:9, "In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."  He has already figured out your course and mapped it out for you.  If you forge ahead without the map, you risk going off course and making the journey much longer. It is so hard to wait when we are uncertain and just want to make a move, but He will reward your faith and patience.

The pastor of my church reminded me this past weekend that answers don't always come in the printed Word.  Your answer may come through the Holy Spirit with a peace in your heart, or through circumstances that God Himself has arranged.  If you believe and trust that your answer will come, you will be looking for that answer and won't miss it when it arrives.  Uncertain times can be exciting times.  It is in these times that God can bring you closer to His purpose for your life, if you let Him.

No Fear!

This week we are looking at things that hold you back from moving forward in God's plan for your life, or moving forward in making important life-decisions.  We start today with fear.


For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:7)
 
Have you ever felt intimidated by someone who is smarter, more confident, or more talented than you?  Have you ever had big dreams that were blunted when fear came over you?   Have you ever allowed a careless comment from another put doubt and fear into your soul?

Now, sometimes fear can be a warning signal - perhaps you are not aligned with God's plan for your life.  Perhaps this is a decision that you should not be making or moving forward in.  But in this message, we are referring to fear when you know you are supposed to be moving forward;  when your fear is due to your own self-doubt.  Do you know where those feelings come from?  No - it is NOT God giving you a warning about your inadequacy!  Those tools - intimidation, fear, and doubt - are favorites of the enemy of your soul!  God's tools are power, love, and self-discipline!  He has put a dream in your heart and given you the skills to accomplish that dream.

Fear can paralyze you to the point that you either quit or never even begin something you know God has called you to.  Allowing people and things to intimidate you - even "well meaning" friends or family who are just "looking out for your best interests" - will stunt your effectiveness to do God's work.  An effective Christian will grab hold of God's tools of power, love and self-discipline, and press on in the face of doubt.

Remember, you have the Holy Spirit of God within you.  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  (Galatians 5: 22-23)

If you have fear, you don't have faith! You can't walk in both.  If those old feelings of fear and intimidation start to creep in, stop them in their tracks.  Make a decision to take your focus off of your feelings, and put your focus on God's truth.  What does God have to say about fear and faith?  Pick up your Bible!  It has a lot to say about fear and faith, and will give you some great weapons.  You can fight the enemy - who wants nothing more than to destroy you and the work God has created for you - with the sword of God's Word.

Marriage and Unity

So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. (Genesis 2:21-22

Today, we wanted to post a sweet little story we found on the internet.  It is written as if from God to woman.  It's a description through symbolism of the roles we play in our marriages, and captures our individuality within our unity.  We each have a unique role in our marriages, and our differences support that role.  God's plan is for unity.  The enemy wants to divide.  Do not allow him to win.  Men, if you would like to bless your wife, read this to her today.

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life.

I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you....I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.

Support man as the ribcage supports the heart. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side...

I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.

You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.
So man...treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile.

(Author Unknown)

We want to encourage you to to fight for you relationship today. Whether you are in a good place or a not-so-good place, remember your creative design and God’s plan for unity. Do not grow so comfortable that you take your loved one for granted.  Yes, you have some pretty big differences, but you complement each other beautifully, and fit together as one body.

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Work and The Key to Your Success

It is probably safe to say that the goal of any person in the working world - whether business owners, sales people, customer service representatives, laborers, or employees of any kind - is success.  Success may be defined differently in each of these roles, and by each individual.  Not everyone desires to climb the corporate ladder or own a multimillion dollar business.  But I don't know many people who go to work each day with a goal of failure.  To be successful, you must be able to work with a variety of people.  There is one characteristic you can develop that will greatly increase your influence with people, and therefore your success.  It's a trait that the Lord works to develop in each of us.  That trait is a servant-heart.  The Bible states it pretty clearly:

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (1Peter 4:10)

We are, by nature, self-centered and self-focused. We care about our needs and what we deserve. Think about your place of work, and businesses you have visited. The work place is filled with people trying to stand out from their competition, stepping on others in an effort to get ahead. At the other end of the spectrum, we find those with little ambition who don't even believe they should have to work to earn a living. That's where we often find poor customer service, and where you are a source of annoyance to the worker, rather than a source of their income or the reason they even have a job in the first place!

How refreshing it would be to find a customer service agent who loved their job and genuinely cared about making sure you were 200% satisfied! They would surely stand out to their boss and would go far in their company.  A servant attitude would serve you well in any position of your work or business. You are far more likely to increase the effectiveness of your influence if you listen to your customer with genuine interest, and stop looking for common interests just so that you can impress them with how much you think you know.  Instead, listen for ways to serve them or to connect them with someone else who could benefit them.  Increasing your influence by serving others does not just apply to customers; it also applies to co-workers, bosses, employees - even teachers and students! 

Time to look in the mirror and evaluate your heart at your work.  Do you seek out ways to serve others?  Do you hold others in higher regard than you hold yourself?  Do you look for ways to recognize the contributions and achievements of coworkers?  Do you approach your superior with ideas to help their company grow their business?  If you are a business owner, do you look for ways to serve your employees to retain loyalty and grow your business?  Do you own the complaints or problems of customers and work to resolve the issue, rather than passing it off to someone else?  If not, then work to make each of these questions a "yes", and watch what happens to your influence and success in your place of work!

"But among you it will be different.  Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20: 26-28)

Jesus says it himself.  To be a leader,  to be first, to be successful... you must serve.

Parenting and Grace

 ... I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.  But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[a] who love me and obey my commands. (Exodus 20:5-6 NLT)

Yikes!  As I read this scripture, I begin to feel an overwhelming sense of inadequacy.  I think about my children and how precious they are to me.  I want nothing more than to raise them to be God fearing adults with strong character and hearts filled with love and compassion.  Honestly though, I’m not always so confident that I’m doing the greatest job.  I read a scripture like the one up above and I am once again reminded how serious our calling as a parent is.  I find myself asking if I really measure up to the standards God has for me as a parent.  Am I following his commands with obedience?  Are my current choices and mistakes in life a possible detriment to my children's future?  Parenting can be frustrating.  We all fall short of the Lord's expectations, just as our children fall short of our expectations.  Fortunately for us, God's grace covers and renews us each and every morning.  He does not expect us to be perfect parents, but rather to do our best and let him do the rest.  At the same time our Heavenly Father is showing us grace, He is modeling His expectation of us for our own children.  Our children deserve the same patience and grace that God bestows upon us.

 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

When we love the Lord and we try our best to obey His commands, He knows it.  He covers us with grace, and when we are weak, His power is made perfect.  Our children love us and do their best as well.  But there are certainly times where we need to show them grace in their weakness.  Looking back at the first scripture, ask yourself what sins are in your life that may be passed on to your children and theirs.  Ask for help from our God to break that generational curse to protect your children from facing the same struggles that you face.  Allow His grace to be sufficient in your life, and continue to lavish love and grace upon your children.  With His help, you can be that parent that you desire to be!  

Discipleship and Boldness

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

As Christians we are called to go make disciples, but what exactly does this look like? Often people believe it means going out and converting people to Christianity. However, discipleship is not about conversion. Rather, it is modeling and teaching Christians the precepts of the Bible on prayer, doctrine, Christian living, and worship. Yes, we are to evangelize. But discipleship is different. When we evangelize, it is the Holy Spirit's job to bring people into an intimate relationship with God. A disciple of Christ grows in their relationship with the Lord; trusting him in every area of life, through every obstacle and every emotion. A disciple is a student, a learner, and one who follows the Word. A disciple bears fruit and loves other disciples. 

Do you know what qualifies you to go make disciples of others?  You must first be a disciple of Christ.  That's it!  There are no other special qualifications to making disciples. Unfortunately, many times we believe we have to have all the answers and have it all figured out before we will disciple others. We hold back and think we couldn’t possibly have much to offer another. We are insecure in the knowledge of our faith. We eat up God’s word for ourselves and never attempt to empower other peoples' lives with what he has taught us.  Keep in mind that it is important to teach others to think for themselves and to study the Word for themselves. We should not teach them what to think but rather how to think for themselves. God’s Word teaches us to be bold and even though we may not feel bold we can choose to lean on him and step out with a bold faith knowing he will fill in the gaps where we may be weak. 

As you disciple someone you should teach by example with your life and your actions. Show them what the Christian life is to look like according to the Bible. Be careful not to lead them to believe you have arrived in a place of perfection. Be real and vulnerable with them. Share your own weaknesses. Share your own testimony of how God's mercy and His faithfulness has helped you. Be willing to invest some quality time in your relationship. Most importantly, show them love.  John 13 says : A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  

God’s word clearly states we are to be making disciples. Choose to obey him today. Ask him to place people on your heart and in your life that you can begin to establish a relationship with and take some initiative in doing so. Lead with love and ask for God’s wisdom in how you can boldly help that person grow their relationship with him. 

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Friendship and Loyalty

This week our focus will be on relationships.  God created us to need each other, and He uses the various relationships in our lives to develop our character. The most meaningful relationships in our lives come with challenges. Turn to God through the challenges to learn what He is working to develop in you.

We begin this week looking at friendship, as exemplified in the book of Ruth.  This is a story of true friendship, and portrays ultimate loyalty.  It is the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth.  It is hard to capture all of the rich details of this story in a short devotional, therefore, I encourage you to read the book of Ruth for the full story.  Ruth left everything she knew to return to Bethlehem with Naomi to support an aging widow in a land that was foreign and strange to her.  When Naomi traveled back to her home town, she intended to travel alone to spare her daughters-in-law the suffering that the trip would incur.  But Ruth would not allow Naomi to travel alone.  

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.  Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”  (Ruth 1: 16-17)

Ruth made the difficult journey with Naomi, and supported the two of them by working the fields in Bethlehem.  

Ruth demonstrated ultimate loyalty through some extremely difficult times, and in so doing, literally changed the fate of Naomi, as well as her own.  What kind of friend are you?

• Are you as loyal to God and your friendships as Ruth was to Naomi?
• Would you travel miles, pray without ceasing, or lend a shoulder to cry on for a struggling friend in need?
• Are you willing to give what it takes to build a friendship like this?

Friendships like this don't come easy.  It takes an investment of time.  You must be willing to learn to communicate with each other openly and honestly.  You must be willing to work through disagreements.  Think of all of the storms of life we encounter.  Think of our ugliest moments - those times where we might be a bit embarrassed to be seen or heard by anyone.  A true friend who can see us at our worst and love us still, is a blessing.  A friend who has the courage to say what you need to hear, rather than what you want to hear -without judgement, but with love -is not easy to find.  The character trait of loyalty will help you be that kind of friend to others. 

With a strong devotion to God and the people He puts in your life, your friendship has the potential to change their destiny, as well as your own.

Commitment to Rest

Today we focus on the fourth commandment given by God to Moses: 

You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. (Exodus 20:9, 10 NLT)

God was serious about this - even to the point of resting from meal preparation on the day of Sabbath.

“This is what the LORD commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the LORD. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” (Exodus 16:23 NLT)

Yes, God wanted a day set apart to honor Him.  But there was more to this command.  Have you thought about the benefits of relaxation lately?  Or have you been too busy to stop and consider them?   Heartofhealing.net summarized some of the benefits and results of relaxation quite nicely:  They pointed out that relaxation has many physical benefits including cardiac benefits and decreased muscle tension, and that often relaxation leads to more energy, better sleep, less headaches and pain, and improvement in mood, concentration and problem-solving ability.

God commanded rest because he loves us and wants the best for us.  We won't last very long if we are burning the candle from both ends

“On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” (Hebrews 4:4 NLT) God rested not because he was tired, but because he wanted to signify the completion of creation.  I can't help but believe He was also setting the example that He wants His children to follow.

Imagine with me for just a moment...  What if we took one day per week - every week- to just relax.  Imagine what that day would look like... waking up to the sound of chirping birds, instead of that annoying alarm clock; turning on your favorite music and spending time in praise, rather than starting the day with the disturbing news; spending all day outside with family and friends to enjoy all that God had created for us, rather than running from errand to errand; turning off your phones and computers and just "being" with your families; reflecting on the past week and the week to come and scheduling in all of the top priorities, letting go of what won't fit.  We would be renewed, refreshed, and restored.  If we trust in Christ and obey this command, this day of rest could literally transform our lives!

You may be wondering how in the world you can dedicate one whole day to rest.  I understand - especially if you work full time- that there is much to catch up on and accomplish on the weekend.  But what if...  Maybe it is time to give it a try!  Join me this Sunday - take a look at your past week and the week to come.  What are your 'have-to's" and what can you let go of?  Schedule in everything from Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday write into your calendar:

REST

...It was prescribed by our Creator From the beginning of time.

Commitment to Self

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.  Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Up to this point, we have focused our attention to committing ourselves to external things - God, our families, our work... Now we are going to shift gears and focus on committing to taking care of our health through diet and exercise. This is a topic that may seem "shallow" or nonspiritual to some. After all, the Bible says nothing about being a size 4 or having rock hard abs to enter the pearly gates!  But taking care of our health is a more subtle message found throughout the Word.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.  (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 NIV)

Think about that - the Holy Spirit of God resides in you.  I have been told that your ability to maintain your health through proper diet & exercise is a direct reflection of your spiritual health, and it makes sense if you think about it. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control.  If the Holy Spirit is in you, you already have self control.  All you need to do is exercise it.

Now it is time to take action. No more setting a date and planning to get healthy-- the time is NOW! But first, I have a question for you:  Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? That is the first step to victory in any area of your life! If you have, then I have most excellent news for you. You no longer need to rely on your own strength and willpower. You have the Holy Spirit of God Almighty living IN YOU! He will provide the self control you need for this victory, if you just call on Him. Your past failures mean NOTHING! You are more than a conqueror through Christ who gives you strength!

Nike has long held the motto: "Just Do It".  The Bible has its own version of this motto:  "Pick Up Your Mat."  Take a moment to read John 5:1-9.  An invalid man had been waiting by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years for someone to help him into the healing water.  38 years!!!  Jesus came along and essentially said:  Enough with your excuses.  The time has come - if you want to be well, then just GET UP!!

And so it is for you.  The time has come.  Whether you are harming your health through poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, drinking in excess... whatever the challenge.  Enough with your excuses.  The time has come.  If you want to be well, get up!  Pick up your mat and walk!!

Commitment to Work

Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  (Ephesians 6:6)

Did that scripture seriously say to work with enthusiasm?  Indeed it did!  I don’t know about you, but if you are like most people, you don’t always work enthusiastically when doing your  job or doing your daily routines. Sometimes work becomes draining and boring.  You may lose your passion for it all together.  You may in fact be longing for a change, unable to find fulfillment in your work the way you did when you first began.  

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

It’s true that each day can seem like the same old thing. However if we change our perspective a bit and remember who our boss ultimately is, we can begin to see things through His eyes and not our own. When we are working for the Lord with a spirit of excellence, the reward is great.  The Lord has proven that when we are faithful with what is before us, He expands our territory and rewards our efforts.

Whether you are a stay at home mom, business man, or a student, keep in mind who your Boss is, and choose to work as though He is standing right beside you. Ask God today to renew your passion for your daily work and duties. Ask Him to give you a fresh outlook on your work and to give you a new attitude while accomplishing your tasks.

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Commitment to Family

Today we look at commitment to your family.  How committed are you to your family?  Most people would probably say they are very committed.  You may work hard outside of the home to be able to provide your family the "nicer things" of life.  You may have made the decision to not work outside of the home so you can raise your own children and not leave them to a babysitter or a service.  Some of you may not have children, but work to serve your spouse and your parents.  But are your truly committed to them?  Take a few moments to honestly answer the following questions.

When you are together, are you really together?  Are you only physically present, or are you also spiritually and emotionally present?  Does your family get your undivided attention or is it constantly interrupted by phones and computers?  Are you always multitasking trying to accomplish your interests and their needs at the same time, resulting in everything being done halfheartedly?  Do you make eye contact for longer than 10 seconds with each member of your family? Are you slowing down enough to really listen?  Are you taking time to learn ways to love and motivate each member?  Are you truly putting effort into your relationships? 

And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

One of our ultimate goals in life should be to motivate our families to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength.  We must pray and speak blessings over them daily!  Maybe today you find yourself struggling with a family member.  You feel tired and worn out, and you don't believe you have what it takes to motivate them to be all that God has called them to be.  Perhaps it's a spouse, a child, a parent or a sibling that continues to burden your heart. You may get to the point of losing hope that things will ever change.  Don't believe this lie!  Hold on!  The Bible says do not grow weary in well doing.  Keep investing into your commitment to your family.  Keep fighting for them!

So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.  (Galatians 6:9)

Throughout the Bible, God reveals himself as the God of households.  Remember, where God calls the individual, He also calls the family.  If you are moving forward and your family is taking a backseat or there are numerous distractions in your life taking you away from your family, you must slow down and seek His wisdom.  If moving forward means leaving your family behind, it is likely that it is not God's calling on your life, or not God's timing for this calling. 

You cannot motivate your family to love the Lord if you do not take the time to love them.  Take time today to reconnect with your family.  Turn off the technology and listen to them.  Ask questions and find a renewed and refreshed interest in what interests them.  (...Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2: 3b-4)  Stick to your commitment remembering that the results are up to God!

Commitment to God

This week will be talking about order and balance in our priorities and our lives.  Often when we are not maintaining proper balance, we begin to struggle with time management, overcommitment, high levels of stress, depression, fatigue, loneliness, and lack of fulfillment.  So today let's address the absolute most vital and important area of our lives:  Commitment to God.  He is the reason we have life!  He is the creator of all things!  But often our commitment to him fades and he moves from our first priority to wherever we can squeeze him in.  We begin to slowly disconnect to the very purposes he has for our lives and begin chasing our own ideas and doing what feels best in the moment instead of remaining faithful through out each day.  As this happens, we begin to doubt Him and his greatness.  We take Him for granted, discredit Him and  lower His position of importance in our lives. When He is not number one, we can find ourselves without complete peace, stability, and assurance in our life journey.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.  "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  He knows the plans he has for us!  And they are good plans!  The time we spend with Him in the mornings will help direct our paths towards His plans.  Ultimately, this will save us time, and free us from floundering about trying to figure things out on our own!

 If you asked yourself right now how much attention and commitment God is getting from you, what would your answer be?  Luke 10:27 says to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.  He is the rock and the firm foundation our lives are to be built on.   So what does true commitment to God look like? 

1. Schedule Him into your day.  Make him the first part of your day, every day.   Get up a little early... don’t reach for your phone or your computer, reach for your Bible and spend quality time talking to him.  When we consistently spend time in his presence we will build our spiritual muscles stronger each day. We become stronger to overcome obstacles, we find peace within our storms,  we feel more fulfilled and confident. In reality we are only as close to him as we want to be, and its up to us to  make the choice to grow with him.  
2. Include Him in all that you do. He should be the center of all your duties and decisions.  Because you spend time with Him daily, you will begin to know His voice.  You will know which way to go for each decision you need to make.  He knows whether or not you should buy that car.  He knows if if taking this new job is a good idea.  Turn to Him first - not as a last resort.
3. Surrender to His will for your life.  This may be the hardest thing to do.  He may lead you do something you don't understand, or don't want to do (for example, confessing a dishonest act at work), but trust in him to bring you out on the other side better off.  There may be unpleasant consequences initially for your obedience, but God will honor your obedience.  Trust in Him.

Keep in mind that a commitment is not for only when you feel like doing something.  A commitment means following through no matter what emotion you might be facing.  God honors the faithful seekers.  As you stay true to Him you will find your relationship with him will be stronger than ever!

Commitment Overload

"If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me."  (Matthew 10:38-39 MSG)


Is your life focused on accomplishing God’s plans or are you running in circles trying to accomplish your plans? Do you sometimes feel your mind is harnessing a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions and just can’t seem to slow it down enough to maintain order and focus on what is important? Does it seem distractions are coming from all directions?

In the American society, we have become so accustomed to a fast and busy lifestyle. In addition to work and family responsibilities, we have endless events, activities and relationships outside of the home that we are trying to maintain. We have fallen into the belief that we are required to make a million different commitments to make our lives wonderful and fulfilling.  I sometimes think we feel an obligation to over-involve ourselves because we think we might miss out on something.  Maybe we will miss out on wealth if we don't work longer hours or join another business venture.  Maybe we will miss out in relationships if we don't attend every event we are invited to.  Or maybe our children will miss out on a sport that they could be really great at if we don’t involve them in every one possible.  I sometimes wonder if we commit to so many different things for the purpose of achieving status - trying to keep up with the Jones'.  Or perhaps we overbook our calendars because we believe that nobody could do the task or run the committee as well as we could.  Though our hearts may be in the right place, it is important to step back and ask ourselves:  "Am I fulfilling each one of these tasks with excellence?  Am I staying committed and following through?  Am I managing my time efficiently? Am I aligning my priorities with God's desires for my life?"  If the answer is yes to each of these questions...then praise God!  If your answer is no to any of them, then it might be wise to slow down and seek God's direction for what needs to be realigned in your life.

 We will be spending next week discussing order, balance and commitment in our lives.  Is God our number one priority?  What about family, our physical body, our work and even our rest. We also need to become aware of distractions and time-wasters and learn to set healthy boundaries.  Today allow yourself to slow down and listen for his still small voice. Let Him take full control of your life and allow Him to direct your future.  Begin to seek out what he see’s as the priorities for you and be willing to lay down some of your own that may not be ideal for reaching your fullest potential. Our lives are a gift from God, and what we choose to do with them is our gift back to Him.

Risk It

I came across this book on the internet while researching my next devotional, called The Dash. It caught my eye because I remember a poem I had read not too long ago labeled the same. While looking into the book I realized the book was based on the same poem. I read the poem once again and thought it would go good with my topic on risk. Life is full of risk and how we step into those risks greatly influences our lives and other people. The Bible is full of people who took risks on what the Lord prompted them to do. Noah, build the ark, rain is coming.  Risk! Abraham, leave everything and go to the Promised Land. Risk! Take your son Isaac and yield him as an offering.  Risk! Joshua, take the land. Risk! I think you get the picture. These are just a few of the stories in the scriptures where God asked men to risk everything and to trust him.  So what comes to mind is what is Jesus asking of me to risk?  Hopefully at the conclusion of this devotional we can come to some good conclusions.

The poem The Dash was written by Linda Ellis and is something I believe will speak to us. These are her words as we move ahead.

"I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tomb stone from the beginning ... to end. He noted the first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For Dash represents all the time she spent alive on earth, and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, or even the cash. What matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard!  Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough and consider whats true and real and always try to understand the way people feel. And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile. Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent the dash?"

I don't know if this poem hits your heart like it did mine, but the poem hit the dash. The verse I want to leave you with today is in Romans 12:9,  "Love from the center of who you are... hold on for dear life to good."  Living the dash in life takes an attitude of risk. It is choosing to step into life and being vulnerable around people, maybe your husband or wife, your kids, people at work. It all takes risk. Are you ready to risk it?  I hope this poem spoke to you as it did to me.

*Written by contributing blogger, Jason Colagiovanni

The Wilderness

Spending time in the wilderness is probably not at the top of your "to do" list.   Dictionary.com defines wilderness as:  a wild and uncultivated region, as of forest or desert, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland.

When the Bible refers to the wilderness, it is referring to a period of time where God tests and shapes the character of His people.

The Israelites of the Old Testament found themselves wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, for a journey that should have taken 11 days.  Their journey was a journey of testing, judgement, and providence.

The Israelites wandered for so long because they failed to trust in their God, closed their mind to the possibilities that could lie ahead, and continually grumbled and complained.  Caleb, on the other hand, did trust in God.  He believed in the inheritance of the Promised Land simply because God said it was so.  
"...I, However, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.  So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.' (Joshua 14:8-9).
Not only did Caleb trust God wholeheartedly, but through it all he maintained a positive outlook and his behavior reflected his belief.  He was 85 years old when he said, "I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out;  I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then." (Joshua 14:11)
Caleb listened for God and trusted His Word.  God's direction was clear, and despite the grumblings of all he was with, except Joshua, Caleb did not waver.  Caleb and Joshua were the only two to reach the Promised Land.
We can find ourselves wandering in the wilderness of today, much like the Israelites.  The wilderness of today is the circumstances and challenges of our lives.  We may have financial challenges, marital problems, troubles with friendships, or concerns with our children.  These circumstances all lend themselves to times of uncertainty and confusion.  The direction to go may not be clear, and if we are not careful, we can find ourselves getting deeper and deeper into the wilderness.  Joyce Meyer points out that the way in which we respond to these circumstances will determine the length of time we spend in the wilderness.  Like Caleb, we need to listen for God's voice and trust in his Word.

How should we respond when we find ourselves in the wilderness?

1.   Release all of your circumstances to God.  "Release" means to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, and pain;  to let go.  Once you release the circumstances to God, do NOT take them back!

2.  Change your focus.  Don't get stuck on the obstacles and the things holding you back.  Look to what inspires you to press on, even when it is hard.  Keep your outlook positive and your belief strong.

3.  Look to God's promises.  His promises hold true for you even today - He is unchanging.  You can trust Him.

4.  Work towards a focused and specific goal, and press on towards that goal daily.

You have a choice.  You can continue to wander aimlessly, never reaching your destination, or you can be like Caleb, who knew God's promises, trusted Him, and passionately pursued the Promised Land.

God will use your time in the wilderness to make you more of the person He created you to be, but His desire is not for you to remain there.  His desire is to lead you to your Promised Land.

The Fear that Disables

"The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that."(Proverbs 29:25 MSG)

Do you ever feel paralyzed in life because you are worried about what people will think about you?  Maybe you want to step out and start a new business venture, lead a ministry, perform on a stage, or organize an event of some sort.  Often times we fear rejection and worry that people will think we are foolish, strange or conceited.  Maybe you want to take the next step in a direction, but fear exposure of your personal flaws and weaknesses.

When we let the fear of man's opinion control our emotions and our actions, we will never be able to truly reach our dreams.  We will find ourselves in the same place year after year wondering what it would be like to do the things that our heart longs to do.

God’s Word says that he has not given us the spirit of fear.  So if he didn’t give it to us then who did? Well, the enemy of course!  Why do we let him have so much control over us?  Why do we allow ourselves to feel powerless when God has called us to be bold and strong?  Why do we allow ourselves to be fooled and believe our fears over God's Word?

Enough is enough!  It is time we stand strong and conquer this fear!  It won't be easy and it doesn’t usually happen over night.  But with faith and a little effort, you can overcome! The Bible says in 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love."  If we suffer with fear, it tells us that God’s love has not been perfected within us to its fullest.  Once you truly grab hold of how much he loves you, the need to impress or prove yourself to others will no longer be.  Your identity is not in man's opinion of you but in God's truth about you!  Even people who have been Christians for years need to remind themselves of how much they are loved by God.

God has designed you with purpose.  He planted those desires in you.  Today make a choice to live out that design.  Choose to believe in his plans and follow them.  Use wisdom when stepping out and make sure you have God's peace.  Then, set a plan of action on how to accomplish your goals and do it!  Do not let fear of man hold you back another day!  Remember, not everyone will like you or care about what you are doing, and that's okay. When you step out for God with pure motives, His hand of favor will cover you.

To Judge or Not to Judge

   We know that Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life - period, end of story. HOWEVER, we live in a country where we have the freedom to believe or not believe in whatever we choose, and I honor this freedom. I also serve a God who has given us freedom to choose Him, or not.  How, then, can I judge others for their faith or lack of faith?  For that matter, how can I judge others for not living up to certain standards in their lives, when I am not even living up to my own standards?

"For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" Mt 7:2

We were created to need each other, to serve each other, and to benefit the lives of others. Judgment prohibits service. How can I serve someone or receive from someone who I have judged as less worthy than myself in any way?

I had a conversation with a friend the other day that really shed some light on the damaging effects of judgment.  Her brother is a Christian and has condemned her for her lack of faith, and in so doing, has pushed her further away from his faith.  Christians, who should by the very nature of their faith be the least judgmental, are not immune to this sin. Have you ever noticed how natural it is to pass judgment? We judge things all the time. We judge others' parenting styles, their physique (too fat, too skinny, too muscular), their personality (too negative, too positive, too loud, too quiet), various religious doctrine, styles of clothing, music talent, somebody's involvement in the church (not enough... too much...), and someone who is "religious" caught in outright sin. The problem occurs when this judgment (which could really be described as discerning our own tastes and values) is transferred from the situation or act, onto a person. That can lead to some serious consequences, including guilt, anger, isolation, confusion, and sometimes further separation from Christ.

How should you, as a believer, respond to those who are living in sin? First of all, realize that you are not living in a way that honors the Lord either - we are all sinners!

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Luke 6:41

Secondly, your response should depend in part on whether or not the person is a believer in Christ. If they are a non-believer, pray that your life and your relationship with that person will be a tool that draws them to Christ - not further away. Model patience, grace, and forgiveness, as Christ did for you.

"Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." Luke 23:34

If they are a fellow believer, be careful not to fall into a trap of self-righteousness .

"As the scriptures say,  "No one is righteous - not even one." Romans 3:23

It is so easy to focus on another's shortcomings and how wrong they may be. But as we are focusing on that, we tend to take our eyes off of our own shortcomings - our own sins.
Of course their sin seems worse than yours! That is because it is theirs!
A true believer will experience conviction from the Holy Spirit. As fellow believers, we are encouraged to use the Word to lovingly admonish each other - but not to condemn. Be mindful that,

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

In closing, please remember:  Our "job" as Christians is to draw others to Christ.  Not to push them away.

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

Honor

We spoke the other day of the man of integrity.   Us ladies know that behind every successful man, is a great wife.  And a great wife honors her husband.  Many of us are in marriages where this comes naturally - we look to our husband for protection, provision, wisdom, and strength.  And we do honor him.  But many of us struggle with this.  We look at the man we married and wonder how we could possibly honor him.  Perhaps he is not that man of integrity we desire.  So what do we do?

The world has a pretty clear answer.  We call our friends and complain - but only the friends who will agree with us and tell us what a jerk he is.  We post dishonoring comments on our Facebook page, and smile at all of the "lol's" we receive at our witty, condescending remarks.  We disconnect with him more and more each day, and justify it because of his actions.  And often and ultimately, we get a divorce.

The Lord has a much better - and much tougher answer.

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."  (Ephesians 5: 21-23)

For some of you, this is a hard verse to swallow.  Let's look at what it is saying a little closer.  First of all, notice the first sentence - submit to one another.  As women, we do have a voice- an important voice- in our homes.  But ultimately there is a divine order to things which brings peace to chaos.   As the head of the household, men are called to a position of honor.  They are hardwired to need honor.  A Bible Study I went to this week brought new revelation to a familiar passage of Scripture.  It is in reference to when Jesus returned to his hometown to teach the Good News, and was dishonored by those who were closest to him.

"Jesus said to them, 'Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.'  He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them." (Mark 6: 4-5).

The dishonor that Jesus - our Lord & Savior- received hindered his ability to perform miracles!  What does our dishonor do to our husbands?  What are we holding him back from achieving in his life?  That man of integrity is within him, and you have the power to bring it out of him by honoring him for the man you want him to be rather than the man he currently is.  

Ladies, please hear me - this is truth.  I have seen dishonor destroy marriages, and I have personally witnessed the resurrection of a marriage and a husband's soul through a wife swallowing her pride and honoring her husband when he least "deserved" it.  She did it for Christ.  And she did it for herself.  She took a chance and trusted God at his word.  It wasn't easy for her, but the victory she received was amazing.  The most important thing to a man is honor, and he will rise to the level of honor you give him.  Honor him, and you will change your lives.

National Day of Prayer

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7: 14) NIV

   Today is the national day of prayer.  It is a very important day for believers to join together in unity and pray for our nation. Often this day is just seen as any other day and we say a few prayers and go on our merry little way. However, in my quiet time with the Lord I felt him urge me to remind you that the power of prayer is still alive and well!  His word says that the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is the same spirit that lives in us today. Do you truly understand how powerful statement is? Do you truly understand the awesomeness of his presence when we invite him in? He is almighty God the creator of our universe! He breathed life into your very being! There is no one greater than him!                                                     

  Unfortunately, we often take for granted the amazing avenue of communication he has given us to connect with him... Prayer!  Often, we don’t give him much time or energy when it comes to praying. Some might even be in a place today where you have pretty much given up on prayer because you feel your prayers just bounce off the ceiling and never get answered. You may even struggle with believing that he is really there. Let me tell you, my friend, that he has never left your side! He is for you and not against you! He longs to spend time with you! Quality time! Don’t let unanswered prayers keep you distant from him. Remember he holds the master plan. He knows what he is doing. Your part is to remain faithful through the good and the bad.

He makes a promise to us that if we will humble ourselves and take action to pray, seek his face and turn from our wicked ways he will reward us by hearing us, forgiving us and healing our land. I don’t know about you but I want his rewards! I don’t want a life without prayer! I want to be a true friend of God!  

Today on this national day of prayer, I urge you to get serious with God! He is with you! He is real!  Let's honor him the way he deserves. Let's call on him to flood our lives and the lives of our entire nation. Don’t ever let go!

Man of Integrity

 

*One of the men in our Faith Motivated family had a strong word placed on his heart. This word is on being a man of integrity. What follows is what he wrote (edited by our team). Ladies – please know that this can apply to us, as well as the men in our lives.

What does it mean to be a Man of Integrity in today's world?

We live in a world that is no longer a God fearing or God worshiping world. There are some tough standards to follow to “measure up” in this society. It seems that even in Christian circles, being a man of integrity is becoming less the norm. The good news is that with the love and grace of our Lord, and heartfelt prayer, you can overcome the grips of the world and be the man of integrity that God commands us be.

“People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.” (Proverbs 10:9)

^“The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.” (Proverbs 20: 7)
 

God commands that leaders are to be men of integrity:

^“I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”

Men fall in so many areas of integrity. Moral corruption, pornography, adultery, selfishness, lack of commitment, and laziness are just a few examples of the snares in which men can get trapped.

A building without integrity may have structural damage or even fall in a storm. Similarly, people without integrity are blown around by the winds of misfortune and destroyed by catastrophes because of a lack of firmness, solidity, and good strength of character.

The development of integrity takes effort and daily practice. It is doing the right thing over and over again, until it becomes natural.

How do we re-establish our integrity?

1. Rely on God. We need to depend on God daily, not only in times of misfortune. He desires that we turn to Him for every need, and praise Him through the good and difficult times.
2. Develop humility. Humility is a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride. A humble man is marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.
3. Take responsibility for your actions and stand to be corrected.
4. Be diligent in all things.
5. Be obedient to God. This is not always easy. But your obedience will be rewarded, and it gets easier with each decision to obey.
6. Be honest, kind hearted, faithful, gracious and have a gentle spirit.

DO NOT hide in the pit of sin. It brings darkness to your soul. When living in the pit of sin, it is hard to love yourself and others. It is difficult to have a gentle spirit.

The road is not easy, but be assured, we can reclaim our integrity through our almighty, powerful God who is LOVE!

Who Do You Work For?

 Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;

 Staying motivated can be a struggle. Our drive is often interrupted by thoughts and anxieties about the future. Everyone faces mistakes, discouragements and doubts, but what separates the successful is their ability to keep moving forward. Successful people actually make a lot of mistakes.  The difference is that they learn from them, implement those learnings, and move forward.  They are not crippled by them.  Lack of motivation and mediocrity may be normal, but by no means should we settle for it. Our lives are a precious gift from God and how we use our time talents and treasure is how we honor and glorify Him.

So how do we get motivated? First we need to recognize the reasons we lose motivation. Some of these reasons include lack of confidence, focus or direction, as well as guilt and sin that are dominating our lives. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:35 do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Your past failures, mistakes or character flaws do not define you as a person! Don’t make excuses as to why you can't succeed. Make a list of your strengths and don’t keep drilling yourself about all your weaknesses.  If you have a weakness that inhibits the realization of your dream, you have 2 choices: develop that weakness into a strength, or partner with someone who already possesses that strength.  Your weaknesses do not have to stop your dreams from coming to fruition!

It is extremely important to control your focus. Often we focus on fears like... what if people don’t like me or respect me? What if I don’t have the resources I need to accomplish my dreams? What if I make a fool of my self?  These "What-ifs" are fears that are getting in the way of your faith and are hindering the desired accomplishments in your life. Focus on the goal and take positive steps towards that goal.   The key is to stop over-thinking and instead take action!  When you stop worrying about the future, you start to do something about it!

To take action, you must have direction. Direction is having a day by day strategy to execute your goals. A lack of direction kills motivation. Without a clear next step of direction we usually fall into inaction and procrastination. We must live our lives with purpose and intention.  In other words, we must have a daily game plan. Don’t let the day control you, don’t operate according to how you are feeling. Make daily commitments and stick to them! This is what successful people do! Set priorities and don't give room to idleness. There are people in your life that need you, and most importantly the kingdom of God needs you!

Lastly let the Lord reveal to you any sins that are holding you back in life... confess them and turn from them!  Run if you have to! Its not always easy but obedience always brings God's blessings. Those sins we hold on to are nothing more than a lie from the enemy and peace and freedom will come as you release them. You can’t serve God with one hand and hold on to the world with another!  Trust him - He wants to give you an abundant life!

  

**Ask yourself today.... Am I being faithful with my time?  Am I settling for mediocrity and only giving half effort?  Am I working as unto the Lord? 

Then evaluate the areas in your life that may have slipped and make the choice today to be a success for our Savior! 

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