"See, I am doing a new thing!" Isaiah 43:19a
Stop. No more madness. Life has got to more than the mantra, "too much to
do, so little time." Quit collecting emails, magazines and books promising
to read them later. All those phone messages - you can never seem get a
handle on. Good intentions that turned into bad guilt for lack of follow
up.
I received a prophetic word for the New Year, "The old will give way and the
new things I will do. Your best days are coming; I've arranged them for
you."
Amen. Enough is enough of this craziness. Running around like a Tasmanian
monster cartoon. Just busy but not really taking care of business. (How
could you forget your Godchild's birthday?) Too busy! Time for a new you in
2002? Me too.
It's not so much that I do bad stuff. I just don't complete the good stuff
I start. After really examining myself, I see what is needed to get me to
this place of promise. There's a spiritual side and a practical side. In
order to get where I need to be, I got to do both - consistently.
The secret is in what we do daily. Having good habits and eliminating bad
habits is the key. Discipline creates habits and habits determine our life.
As writer Samuel Smiles put it: Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an
act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a
character; and you reap a destiny.
This year I promise to do these seven things religiously. Meaning
faithfully, loyally and unfailing. That's why some traditions in our
churches are "religious." Trying to get people create habits that will
change their life. But not by (our) might, nor by (our) power, but by my
Spirit, says the Lord in Zechariah 4:6. Without the Holy Spirit as the
teacher, leader and guide, no change can come.
1. First in order of priority is to Seek God every morning. Proverbs
8:17says those who seek God early will find Him. No matter what is going, I'
m going to stay committed to morning-time prayer. By seeking first the
Kingdom of God and His righteous according to Matthew 6:33, all the things I
need to do that day will get done - without the stress.
2. Be led His Spirit. ".because those who are led by the Spirit of God are
the sons of God." Just as a mother wants her children to be obedient, God
as our Father, wants us to be obedient. When we obey God, we are eligible
to all the good He has in store for us. Being a child of God is privilege
and a responsibility.
3. Know that the end of thing is better than the beginning (Ecclesiastes
7:8). Finishing what I start is probably the biggest challenge for a
creative mind like myself. Always wanting to be "inspired." Too excited to
stay with anything until the end. If I am conformed to the likeness of
Jesus, I've got to buckle down and set my face like a flint and see things
through completion. WWJD? Follow up and follow through. The fruit of the
Spirit, self-control, should be enough inspiration to keep me on task and
complete projects - on time.
4. Renew my mind daily with the Word of God. It's not a natural thing to
think positive all the time. Thank the Lord we have His Word to boost us
along and transform our thinking. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern
of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans
12:2). God tells us to think on His Word and meditate on it day and night
and we'll have good success. When I talk like God talks, it's hard to
complain and worry.
5. Be passionate and sincere in love. God calls to a higher standard: to
imitate Christ's humility, to walk in love. "Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit; but in humility consider others better than
yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). This life is not about us - but others.
Relationships are vital and how you treat people determines your success in
life. Jesus said whoever wants to be great must be a servant (Matthew
20:26). Knowing how to be kind, considerate and forgiving to others is a
daily habit to cultivate for life - to have a good life filled with joy.
6. Stop trying to do everything by yourself! Iron sharpens Iron, so one man
sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). Ask for help from friends, family or
co-workers when you see you can't carry the load by yourself. So many times
we burnout from stuff because we didn't know how to reach out to people.
Regularly schedule time with old and new friends who inspire, encourage and
motivate you. If we spend time with people we don't like because we have
to - why can't you make time to spend time with those who you really like
and are a blessing to you when you meet. Friends refine you and make you
better. They are the gems we don't want to lose.
7. Give yourself a break. God wants us to enter His rest (Hebrews 4:8-11).
I am going to make an effort to slow down and learn to say "no." What may
be a good thing to do, may not always be a God-thing to do. Did He ordain
it or am I in the "work of flesh" again? When stress levels rise, I stop,
take a mini-retreat and get centered. Take time to renew your spirit, soul
and body.
The secret to success for the whole year is in this first step. When I seek
Him about the gift of time He has given me and how He wants me to spend it,
my life flows in a divine plan set out for me - instead of one I make for
myself. I won't have to go to Him begging Him to make a miracle out of my
mistakes when I follow these simple habits. Sticking with them is what is
going to take the work, but with God all things are possible.
--by Pam Perry. Used with permission.
A-Devo-a-Day for Vacation Inspiration 