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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