Day 3
I have committed to strengthening my walk with Christ for 100 days. The journey begins with a conversation about discipline. Oh, not that word again. It is one of the primary traits that will lead us to success or failure in life, business and in a rich and fulfilling relationship with the Lord. So no doubt, this is the area of attention that I am led to ponder first and that seems pretty logical.
1 Corinthians 3:16 tells us “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” I’m a temple? Not this body! So how about those cheeseburger Happy Meals that just really hit the spot sometimes or my favorite pizza that I can pack away like a saw miller? Oh and the times I watch a TV show or read a fashion magazine knowing that I have not spent time with the Lord that day? I’m not reverencing the temple either, my temple that the Lord gave me. Paul said “the Spirit of God dwells in you.” That Spirit wants my attention and needs to be fed daily with time in God’s word and in prayer with Him.
So as we begin with a consideration of discipline, I can clearly see that the Lord is directing me to consider the disciplines that I need to improve in my life, starting with a planned and committed schedule for spending time with Him each day. This is foundational to a close walk with God and I am today committing to this schedule. Will you share that commitment with me? I hope we don’t have to discuss an exercise plan!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Day 2:
I hope you accepted my challenge yesterday to join me on this journey to commit the next 100 days, wrapped in God’s word with open ears to hear Him and an open heart filled with obedience to Him. I’ve chosen to use a wonderful devotional book written by Larry Burkett called ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ to search the scriptures. I will use each day’s devotional scripture to guide me but I have no specific road map to follow. We will just see where the Lord takes us. Today we read in 2 Timothy 2:15 that I am to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth”. Don’t guess we could have picked a better place to start! What is the Lord saying and why would we start here?
Yesterday I said that I committed so much to my work and not enough to the Lord and I wanted to change that. He is clearly saying that I need to be as careful to present myself as well to Him as I would be to my employer. Have you ever had to go to the boss’s office, knowing you have made a huge mistake and knowing you are going to be in big trouble? I have in years past when I worked for someone else. It felt terrible and I just wanted it to be over. But I also feel ashamed if I don’t give the Lord my best. I don’t want to feel ashamed before God so I just don’t commit to Him. I’ll just avoid the subject and not have one more thing to feel bad about. After all, there’s enough pressure in life right now, right? Who needs that extra burden? Sounds like a simple solution to me. Except that avoiding God doesn’t work. There’s no lonelier feeling than to walk through life without a close relationship with Him. I know well, I’ve been there. But the solution isn’t difficult it just takes DISCIPLINE. Oh no, not the ‘D’ word! I think I’m already getting a glimpse into the root of the problem. The Lord requires commitment from us and commitment only comes from a disciplined lifestyle filled with Bible study and consistent prayer. Oh dear, I have a suspicion that we’re going to be spending a lot of time talking about discipline. This could be a rough 100 days! But stick with me. I know that the end will be well worth the means! I’ll see you tomorrow as we journey with the Lord to discover his wonderful plans for us.
I hope you accepted my challenge yesterday to join me on this journey to commit the next 100 days, wrapped in God’s word with open ears to hear Him and an open heart filled with obedience to Him. I’ve chosen to use a wonderful devotional book written by Larry Burkett called ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ to search the scriptures. I will use each day’s devotional scripture to guide me but I have no specific road map to follow. We will just see where the Lord takes us. Today we read in 2 Timothy 2:15 that I am to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth”. Don’t guess we could have picked a better place to start! What is the Lord saying and why would we start here?
Yesterday I said that I committed so much to my work and not enough to the Lord and I wanted to change that. He is clearly saying that I need to be as careful to present myself as well to Him as I would be to my employer. Have you ever had to go to the boss’s office, knowing you have made a huge mistake and knowing you are going to be in big trouble? I have in years past when I worked for someone else. It felt terrible and I just wanted it to be over. But I also feel ashamed if I don’t give the Lord my best. I don’t want to feel ashamed before God so I just don’t commit to Him. I’ll just avoid the subject and not have one more thing to feel bad about. After all, there’s enough pressure in life right now, right? Who needs that extra burden? Sounds like a simple solution to me. Except that avoiding God doesn’t work. There’s no lonelier feeling than to walk through life without a close relationship with Him. I know well, I’ve been there. But the solution isn’t difficult it just takes DISCIPLINE. Oh no, not the ‘D’ word! I think I’m already getting a glimpse into the root of the problem. The Lord requires commitment from us and commitment only comes from a disciplined lifestyle filled with Bible study and consistent prayer. Oh dear, I have a suspicion that we’re going to be spending a lot of time talking about discipline. This could be a rough 100 days! But stick with me. I know that the end will be well worth the means! I’ll see you tomorrow as we journey with the Lord to discover his wonderful plans for us.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
100 Days with Jesus-How Different Would Life Be?
Day 1:
Have you ever wondered how much difference it would make in your life if you committed the same energy and enthusiasm to knowing God that you commit to making money and becoming successful? I have, but not as much as I should have until recently. My friends and mentors in the real estate investing industry recently challenged us to make or raise $100,000 in 100 days. Well, I’m immediately on board with that! How can you lose? Even if you don’t make it, you’ll come further than you were when you started, right? So what are we waiting for! But almost as quickly as I began putting my plan together to reach this goal, it occurred to me – or should I say that the Lord impressed upon my heart – “What if you did this for Me? What if you gave Me that much enthusiasm and commitment? How much richer would your life be? “ It was so compelling that I literally stopped what I was doing at that moment and pondered the idea and wondered why I didn’t do it. How much difference would it make? Why is it that I can get this excited about a challenge to make money but ignore God’s invitation to spend time with Him? Honestly, I really don’t know! Is it because it takes time, quiet time, and I’m just so busy? Is it because I may have to look deeper into myself than I really want to? Do I really want to know the Lord’s will for my life or do I prefer to stay in control myself? These are tough questions and do I really want to know the answer?
So that brings us to today. I am accepting my friends Scott, Bob and Jayme’s challenge to raise $100K in 100 days but more importantly, I’m accepting God’s challenge to commit the next 100 days to Him and to look deeper, to probe harder, to listen better and to be prepared for whatever these times with Him may bring. This makes me anxious. Not only because I have committed to it but because I have committed to share this journey with you, to become transparent before God and before you. Yet I’m excited because I know by the end of this journey, life will be different. By the end of this journey, I will know the Lord better than I ever have. Will you join hands with me and may we begin this challenge together? The Teacher is waiting. Let’s take a seat on the front row!
Have you ever wondered how much difference it would make in your life if you committed the same energy and enthusiasm to knowing God that you commit to making money and becoming successful? I have, but not as much as I should have until recently. My friends and mentors in the real estate investing industry recently challenged us to make or raise $100,000 in 100 days. Well, I’m immediately on board with that! How can you lose? Even if you don’t make it, you’ll come further than you were when you started, right? So what are we waiting for! But almost as quickly as I began putting my plan together to reach this goal, it occurred to me – or should I say that the Lord impressed upon my heart – “What if you did this for Me? What if you gave Me that much enthusiasm and commitment? How much richer would your life be? “ It was so compelling that I literally stopped what I was doing at that moment and pondered the idea and wondered why I didn’t do it. How much difference would it make? Why is it that I can get this excited about a challenge to make money but ignore God’s invitation to spend time with Him? Honestly, I really don’t know! Is it because it takes time, quiet time, and I’m just so busy? Is it because I may have to look deeper into myself than I really want to? Do I really want to know the Lord’s will for my life or do I prefer to stay in control myself? These are tough questions and do I really want to know the answer?
So that brings us to today. I am accepting my friends Scott, Bob and Jayme’s challenge to raise $100K in 100 days but more importantly, I’m accepting God’s challenge to commit the next 100 days to Him and to look deeper, to probe harder, to listen better and to be prepared for whatever these times with Him may bring. This makes me anxious. Not only because I have committed to it but because I have committed to share this journey with you, to become transparent before God and before you. Yet I’m excited because I know by the end of this journey, life will be different. By the end of this journey, I will know the Lord better than I ever have. Will you join hands with me and may we begin this challenge together? The Teacher is waiting. Let’s take a seat on the front row!
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