The One Way You Can Be Laser-Focused on What Really Matters

Prioritizing and time management programs always tell you to focus on what really matters - on your highest priorities. There is only One that really matters. #Priorities #Faith #Blessings #BibleStudy

I did a Google search for “Productivity Helps” and links to 338,000,000 articles popped up. Then I searched for “Time Management Helps” and there were so many they asked me to narrow down my group to – “self, student, employment, parent,” or several others.

The same is true of time management seminars and books – the options are endless!

I’ve learned they all have one thing in common: You must determine your highest priorities and intentionally make your efforts and time align with them.

So, what would you say are your highest priorities?

Or when it comes to how you spend your time, maybe a better question is…

How can I be laser-focused on what really matters?

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christand become one with him.
Philippians 3:8–9a

You and I want to make knowing and living for Christ Jesus our highest priority. We want to continue growing in faith and serving Him, but when I examine how I spend my time . . . I have to question whether I have really made spending time with Him a priority. Can you relate?

Well, don’t give up! Paul wrote this word of encouragement as well…

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:13b–14

So, how can you and I be laser-focused on what really matters?

We celebrate the forgiveness we have received through Christ Jesus. We make it a goal to know Him and to be like Him. We manage our time and our resources as gifts from Him to be used for Him. And we surrender to His Spirit – asking for help that nothing will distract or deter us from this goal.

A Prayer to Be Laser-Focused on What Really Matters

Father, You have given me so much! You have given me life and faith and forgiveness. You have given me a future and hope. I love You and I want to make knowing and loving You through Your Son, Jesus Christ, my highest priority. Please forgive me yet again, I allow the things of this world to distract me. I allow myself to be caught up in the noise and confusion around me. I am so very sorry!

Please help me! Fill me with the power of Your Spirit. Prompt me to become focused on Jesus . . . He is what really matters. He is my Lord and Savior. Give me a passion for Your Word – help me read, study, and understand all that You have inspired that I might SEEK and FIND all that You want for me. Give me a humble tender heart of love and service. Father, I want to love like Jesus.

Loving You, Lord, and loving others is what really matters. It is the sum and total of what You ask of me. Give me the strength I need to remain laser-focused on Your mission of love. Give me the courage I need to fight my spiritual battles. You have promised that Your children can do “all things through Christ” who gives them strength. (Philippians 4:13) Thank you, Father. Your grace is all I need every day now and forever. Amen.

What really matters?

Love!

Loving God and loving others.

You and I have been gifted by God to do what really matters . . . to show our love for Him by loving others right where we are with the gifts He has given us.

And that’s what I want to focus on as I set my priorities and plan my schedule. I want to remember that everything else is unimportant compared to knowing and loving Christ Jesus, my Lord. And with the Spirit’s help, I will forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead. Because by God’s grace what lies ahead is the heavenly prize of an eternal future in the Lord’s presence.

On today’s note write:

Loving Jesus and living for Him is what really matters!

May God bless you and give you everything you need to live in the love of Jesus today and always.

Click here to read the rest of Philippians 3.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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Positively Proactive Help for the Best Rest of the Year

7 / 1 / 197 / 1 / 19

You started the year with goals, plans, hopes, and dreams but now you need to be positively proactive help to get back on track to bless the rest of the year. #Blessings #Productivity #Faith #Hope

Today is the first day of the second half of the year.

So, let me ask you … how’s it going so far?

If you’re like me you started the year with goals, plans, hopes, and dreams along with some good habits to start and a few bad habits to break.

So..?

In my own case, I keep thinking of Paul’s words…

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
Romans 7:18–19

I’m so good at having good intentions and so bad at having consistent follow-through.

Something I’ve realized in the last few days is that I have a problem with being more reactive than proactive with my days.

For example…

I consistently get up each morning and brush my teeth, wash my face, and tame my hair. I get dressed and make the bed. I feed and walk the dog. And then I sit down and spend time with the Lord.

That’s all good but that’s also when I stop being proactive. From that point on I spend much of my time going “squirrel, squirrel” to almost anything that floats by and distracts me.

A post on social media can have me digging around the internet. An email can send me off to do some online shopping. A news article or opinionated post can agitate and distract me. Or a random memory can put me on a path to visit my reserved spot in a town called melancholy.

Yep, I start out positive and end up wondering “what in the world just happened here.”

It all became a little clearer for me the other day. I was just finishing up my Bible study and prayer time when the phone rang. The conversation was with one of my favorite people and we were just having fun when all of a sudden one of my “trigger” topics came up and I found myself chasing a squirrel down the path of “truth” and “self” righteousness.

Now, it’s not that my views were wrong, it’s just that (1) I couldn’t help but wonder what my pontificating was accomplishing because (2) I was “preaching to the choir!”

After our conversation ended, I felt that still small voice whisper, “Do you feel better? Was that helpful? Was it”

…true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise? Philippians 4:8

Nope! Not so much!

That’s when I realized how much is lost when I’m reactive rather than proactive.

So, I’ve made a list of action steps I’m calling “proactive help” to get back on track. Things I believe will bless the rest of the year and maybe even make it the best yet!

Positively Proactive Help for the Best Rest of the Year

1. Count your blessings every day.

I started “Counting My Blessings” during one of the most difficult times in my life. I launched it to hold myself accountable to noticing God’s goodness in the middle of the pain.

Whatever is going on in the world, even in my world, God’s grace and mercy never change. His perfect love is unfailing!

Whether I write them in a journal or on a piece of paper to drop in a jar or basket, I want to go back to keeping a list of the many ways God is providing for and protecting me … heart, mind, body, and soul every single day.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things
He does for me.
He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
Psalm 103:2–4

2. Seek God first every day.

What does it mean to “seek God first?”

I sometimes think I can think of it as beginning each day in prayer and Bible study.

But I wonder if it’s more than that. I wonder if it’s more of an attitude … in finding my purpose in Him.

Do you remember the 5 Purposes of a Purpose Driven Life?

1. You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure.
2. You Were Formed for God’s Family.
3. You Were Created to Become Like Christ.
4. You Were Shaped for Serving God.
5. You Were Made for a Mission.
Rick Warren

I think it just may be time for me to reread that book! I just may be allowing too many “squirrels” to distract me from focusing on and doing what’s most important.

You can also click on the link above to find the goals I made at the beginning of the year … I know I needed to read it again!

3. Assess your goals and the progress you’re making.

I’m going to be completely honest with you here…

I am terrible at goal setting, time management, and follow through.

I am a Sanguine who like to chase “squirrels!”

So, I can spend all kinds of time making a list of goals and thinking about the best ways to plug them into my schedule and on a good day, I might make it ’til lunchtime before I’ve abandoned it all and gotten off track.

But I will not give up! I’m making a new list of goals this afternoon and attaching to my planner. Although I may not plug in specific times, I’m going to be intentional about doing a weekend assessment of my progress.

4. Learn to say “no” so you can say “yes” to the best.

I want to be able to live my purpose intentionally. And I believe that God sometimes sends interruptions to help me grow in different ways.

But I also know…

Not every interruption is from God and it is not God-honoring for me to chase every “squirrel” I see.

So, I want to prayerfully set those goals I talked about above and live purposefully.

And as a reminder, I’m going to keep the following quote from one of my favorite time-management instructors…

“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage pleasantly, smilingly, and non-apologetically – to say no to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger yes burning inside.”
Stephen Covey

5. Let go of the past and refuse to worry about the future.

This is a hard one, isn’t it?

It’s so easy to bring yesterday’s baggage into today and worry about how today’s doubts and concerns will affect tomorrow.

But Jesus clearly told us not to worry about today’s troubles or tomorrow’s unknowns.

Why?

Because when you and I seek God first, He is faithful to give us everything we need.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:33

Jesus very next words are … “so don’t worry about tomorrow.”

And we can let go of the past because we are forgiven and free in Jesus.

I don’t know about you…

but I’m ready to stop chasing “squirrels.” I’m ready to stop living a reactive life.

Be proactive!

I’m ready to apply proactive help to the rest of the year and enjoy the freedom and blessings God offers to those who live with purpose as they place their hope and trust in His Son, Jesus.

And I’m praying the following words of Paul for each of us as we make the the next six months the best rest of the year.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:!3

One more thing…

I believe being positively proactive can bless every area of our lives.

So, are you ready to look back at your goals for the year and make some positively proactive changes to bless the rest of the year.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

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Reasons You Need a Mission Statement and How to Write One

8 / 16 / 187 / 29 / 20

I want to live intentionally! I want to live my beliefs and values!

But I wonder if the people closest to me, who am I kidding … I wonder if I would say I’m actually fulfilling my goals.

That thought inspired to write a personal mission statement . . . a brief description of God’s purpose for my life.

What do you think..?

Do you have a personal mission statement?

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

The Bible says God has plans for His people. Plans and purposes for you and me.

If that’s true, I want to know what they are and live by them? Imagine how intentionally you and I could plan our days if we made it our goal to live His plans and purposes.

I believe writing a personal mission statement can help me plan my days wisely and help me know when to say “yes” and when it’s better to say “no.”

Since I thought you might want to write your own Mission Statement, I decided I’d share the process I used to write mine…

How to Start Your Mission Statement

Grab a pen and paper. Relax. Don’t over think your answers. Just start writing…

1. List the things you’re passionate about; things you love to do. e.g. Teaching, writing, business, parenting, etc.

2. List the qualities and values that best define your character. e.g. I am honest, patient, creative, funny, giving, etc.

3. List areas you’d like to improve. e.g. I would like to eat a healthy diet, exercise, spend more time in prayer and Bible study, advance my career, volunteer, etc.

4. Now go over your lists and combine them into one or two purposeful sentences, at the most paragraphs, that define who you are and who you’d like to become.

Remember you won’t come up with the perfect mission statement overnight. Take your time. Go over it often and tweak it as necessary.

I used the Franklin Covey – Build a Mission Statement – Live with Purpose

“You have a purpose in life. You know in your heart what’s most important to you. In fact, your mission and values are expressed every day, by how you live–you just may not realize it.”

The Live with Purpose program helped me narrow my thoughts down to the following:

I am at my best when I get enough rest, eat well, and exercise, and I will try to prevent times when I don’t…

I will enjoy my work by doing things where I can engage with people, do research, and write…

I will find enjoyment in my personal life by spending time with family and friends…

I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as teaching and encouraging others…

I will learn more about blogging, social media, and engaging with my audience . . . and apply them.

My life’s journey is about loving God and loving others … living in ways others know how much I love Jesus…

I will do my best to be a person of whom my family and friends say “she loves big”…

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

♥ laughter and organization
♥ determination and caring
♥ kindness and love

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on these four dimensions of my life:

♥ Physical Health – Exercise 3-4 times a week and eat a healthy diet.
♥ Spiritual Health – Spend time every day in prayer and Bible reading. I will gather with other believers regularly.
♥ Mental Health – Never stop learning and spend time with family and friends.
♥ Emotional Health – Schedule time for rest and relaxation.

That seemed like a lot to remember; so, I narrowed it down and made it more specific.

But first, I decided to look at the life of Jesus to see if I could learn more from His example of purposeful living.

“I believe that Jesus would have given His life for just one person. Jesus emptied Himself, He humbled Himself and He so yielded Himself to His Father’s love that He had no ambition of His own. He was not looking to build an empire, He did not want praise or adulation or to impress people with who or how many followed Him. He stopped over and over again for just one person, for just one life.” ~Heidi Baker

Jesus knew His mission, His purpose. He knew the plan and He lived it … in the process, He gave us a clear example of how intentional living should look.

Although you and I may not be able to change time and history and we may not affect countless lives for all eternity … we are able to make a difference in the lives of the people around us.

You see, Jesus gave all of us a sample Mission Statement…

Love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and love my neighbor as I love myself. Mark 12:30–31

So, that’s where I began…

My Mission Statement

To love God completely with all my mind and my emotions. To intentionally spend time every day in prayer and Bible study. To get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, and exercise so I’ll have the strength I need to love and care for the people in my life. To never stop learning, spend face to face time with friends and family and treat everyone (even me) with kindness and forgiveness. To celebrate each day’s blessings and glorify God with gratitude for His loving care. I will do this with God’s help and by His grace.

Writing Your Mission Statement
Let’s Sum It Up

Go back to your answers to the questions above. Based on your answers, write four or five “To…” sentences, succinctly naming those things most important to you. Stay positive – don’t use any negative words or phrases. You want to be inspired and motivated.

Remember, the goal of your Mission Statement is to:

Help you clearly identify what’s most important.
Give you a foundation for making major, life-directing decisions.
Help you make daily decisions in spite of circumstances or emotions.
Help you live intentionally … focused, confident, and intentional.

Once you’re finished, keep your Mission Statement someplace you can see it.

When you and I live our God-given purpose, we can approach each day with joy, focus on the opportunities He gives, and let Him do the rest!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!