|
January 7, 2007
Use Your Time Wisely! |
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. (Psalms 24:1 - NLT)
You belong to God, live your life to honor him.
Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom. (James 4:14 - CEV)
So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do...and you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-20 - NLT)
|
| |
January 21, 2007
Set Some Positive Goals! |
Does God want out best? Dream for 2007
"The Prison Letters" Philippians Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal...I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on the goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.
(Philippians 3:13-13 - MSG)
All of us need a holy Discontentment in our lives.
Goal-setting is essential and spiritual!
Going for the goal is a part of the process of growth!
We must encourage each other as we work for our goals!
Step 1: Lock On
Decide what you want to wish for. Think of it as choosing the effect you wish to cause. Once you have chosen that effect, lock onto it the way a guided missile locks onto its target.
Step 2: Act Now
Set in motion the causes that will make your wish come true.
Step 3: Mark it Down
Track the causes you've set in motion to make sure that they are producing the effects you want. If they aren't, then adjust what you're doing.
Step 4: Preserve
Finish what you start.
Measure your success!
SMART
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time
Success needs Action! |
January 28, 2007
Develop Meaningful Relationships! |
| |
February 4, 2007
Tame The Money Monster! |
Look here, you rich people, weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh in hell. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment...you have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every whim. Now your hearts are nice and fat, ready for the slaughter... (James 5:1-3, 5)
We live in a wealth - obsessed culture
We often live a materialistic lifestyle
Material things are temporary in nature
Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty and where thieves can break in and steal. Store up your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Possessions can never bring us lasting satisfaction
What do you benefit if you gain the whole world and yet lose your own soul in the process. (Luke 9:25)
Those who love money will never have enough! How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
Develop strong convictions regarding money
Distinguish between needs and wants
Dedicate yourself to getting out of debt
Determine to use your money to make a difference
Decide to become a generous giver
True religion with contentment is great wealth. After all, we didn't bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the loving God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given to them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life. (11 Timothy 6: 6-10, 17-19)
|
| |
February 11, 2007
Invest Yourself In Something Big! |
Three Things We Can Do With Our Lives
We can waste our lives. "act thoughtlessly" "Chase the wind"
We can spend our lives. "pay our or use up completely"
We can invest our lives. "invest one's resources to make more"
Two Investments We All Need To Make
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me. If only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me (Acts 20:24)
Give YOurself to someone Bigger "Invest in Eternity"
Give yourself to something Better "Lasting Investment"
Four Ways We Can Change The World
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
We can invest in something big by planting seeds.
The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the news, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams. (Matthew 13:23 - MSG)
We can invest in something big by catching fish.
Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him. (Luke 5:10-11 - MSG)
We can invest in something big by shining light. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 - CEV)
We can invest in something big by showing love.
"Love is a Magnet" I may have all the faith needed to move mountains-but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned-but if I have no love, this does me go good. (1 Corinthians 13:2-3 - GNB)
"Only What Is Done Today For Jesus Will Last"
|
| |
February 18, 2007
Stay Connected To God! |
God is where He has always been and he is doing what He has always done. He is waiting for you!
We're All Drifters
It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off. (Hebrews 2:1 - Msg)
I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! (Revelations 2:4-5 - NLT)
Drifting away from God is Subtle
Drifting away from God is Dangerous
Drifting away from God is Preventable / Correctable
Drifting From God - Becoming a "SOLO MAN"
Soloman was connected to God!
Solomon loved God and continued to live in the God-honoring ways of David his father (1 Kings 2:3 - Msg - See verses 3-12)
Solo Man - disconnected from God!
As Soloman grew older, his wives beguiled him with their alien gods and he became unfaithful - he didn't stay true to God as his father David had done. (1 Kings 11:4 - Msg - See verses 1-12)
Solo Man - reconnected with God!
Honor and enjoy your creator while you're still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes...The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what He tells you. And that's it... (Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13-14 - Msg)
GOD IS NOWHERE OR GOD IS NOW HERE
He is the God who made the world and everything in it...He himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need there is..His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him - though He is not far from any one of us. (Acts 17:24, 25, 27)
|
