Disciple-Making Pastor's Plan

I used to assume Jesus didn’t have a plan for his life and ministry and that he was just “free-styling” it. Maybe you’ve thought that as well? Was Jesus just living day by day? Was he driven by pressure or priority? Was he telling his time where it ought to go, or was he letting everyone else tell his time where it ought to go? I feel that it is unlikely that Jesus started the greatest movement in history in just three years with no method or strategy.

How do we know that Jesus was living by a plan? How do we know that Jesus wasn’t just reacting to whatever set of circumstances or needs came his way? There are several references in the Bible that show us how Jesus lived by a plan. Let’s take a closer look.

Jesus knew his mission! One of the ways we know Jesus had a plan is because Jesus was on a mission. Jesus was on “assignment” during His days on the planet. He came to make redemption possible and to start a movement of messengers of redemption. In John 17:4 we see that Jesus completed his mission: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” Jesus had a mission, and he had a plan to accomplish it.

Jesus knew the objectives for his mission! Jesus knew that in order to accomplish his mission, he had to fulfill the objective of building a team of disciples to carry on the movement after he left. For three years, Jesus was equipping and training these disciples to lead his Church. The objectives Jesus lived by were determined by what it took to accomplish his mission. It was easy to know what to do and not do because he knew what was required to make disciples of all nations.

Jesus made daily decisions that were aligned with his objectives! Where Jesus went, what he did, and who he made time for were all determined by the objectives that allowed him to fulfill his mission. Jesus knew his daily agenda would end up leading Him to the place he wanted to be. Each day, Jesus was living proactively based on what his Father was leading him to do. Jesus led a strategic and intentional life.

Are you living by a plan or by pressure? Are you telling your time where it should go or is someone else? Do you have a clear mission, clear objectives for accomplishing your mission, and a daily agenda that gets you there?

Some Days

Acts 9:19b, “For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”

Acts chapter nine gives us the account of Saul’s (also named Paul) conversion to Christ. Shortly after his conversion, the Bible says he spent “some days” with the very disciples he had come to Damascus to persecute and imprison. Isn’t that a twist of events?

We don’t know precisely how long these “some days” were, but we know they were critical in Paul’s first steps as a new Christ follower. I don’t think we can overestimate how important these first days and these initial relationships were in Paul’s development and spiritual growth as a disciple. This fellowship of believers and the influence of Ananias had a profound impact on Paul’s spiritual journey.

It would seem that Paul’s relationship with these believers in Damascus had a great deal to do with his commitment to baptism, his new understanding of the gospel, and his desire to go out and preach his newfound faith. This group of believers in Damascus had a powerful investment in the man who would eventually write half the New Testament and plant churches around the Mediterranean region.

The impact of these “some days” in Paul’s life drives home the need for some days in my life. I need to be in an environment with other believers to help me strengthen my faith. I need fellow believers who will encourage me, challenge me, grow with me, pray for me, and do ministry with me. For me, “some days” is for the rest of my days. There will never be a time when I don’t need the community of believers to surround me and help me be the disciple that Jesus wants me to be.

I hope you have committed to spending “some days” with a group of disciples. If you haven’t, I strongly encourage you to find a group that will make you better and stronger after you are with them.

In Acts 9:20, God’s Word says, “And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues.” Paul’s actions indicate the impact spending time with other disciples had on him. Paul accomplished more for God because he grew in his faith by being in the right environment. Just think how differently Paul’s life might have turned out if he had not had the influence of these other disciples in his early days as a Christ-follower.

Tackling Student Loan Debt

The Bible does not tell us that it is a wrong to borrow or that it is wise. But it also does not tell us that God will bail us out of our debt either. So how do we handle debt?

Debt can fell like a never-ending cycle leaving us feeling stuck. In other words, debt is just a distraction. Jesus wants so much more for our lives. Debt dictates to us what we have to do instead of what we are called to do.

Today, student loans are one of the largest debts that hang over many Americans causing so much unwanted stress in households. Most student loans are multiple loans all wrapped up under one statement. If you don’t know where to begin, breaking down the statement can feel a little overwhelming. Normally we pay the amount the loan provider tells us to. Minimum payments are mostly interest paid to the highest rate loan first then a few dollars to principal.

3 Ways to Tackle Student Loan Debt

Take time to review your budget

Check to see what is left over after all bills are paid so you know how much extra can be used to pay down your debt. 

Review your student loan statement

Write out each loan with the amount owed and the interest rate on that loan. Add this to your budget each month. Keep a focus on what debt you are trying to eliminate. 

Sign into your student loan account online

Each month make the minimum that is asked from the provider. Then with the extra you have in your budget each month set an amount you will use to pay towards the principal to one of the student loans. Start with the smallest loan amount first. This will allow you to see debt decreasing faster which will keep you motivated to eliminate the rest. 

These also work if you are in school and have deferred loans. Your loans are incurring interest daily. Even though you are not receiving a bill each month, you can still sign in to your online portal. Since the loan is deferred, each payment can be applied to principal decreasing interest cost and the amount that you owe. 

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. Owe nothing to anyone – except for your obligation to love one another. Romans 13:7-8 (NLT)

No matter what type of debt` you have, these same principles can help you eliminate what you owe. As we make decisions throughout our life God does not want us to trust in our own understanding. Instead He asks for us to lean into Him with reflection and prayer, transforming our hearts so we can change the way we think.

Do you have tips that may help others pay off their student loan debts? Share in the comments!

Resource Transformation

Romans 12:2 (NLT) – Don’t copy the behavior and custom of this world but let God transform you in a new person by changing the way you think. 

Resources are a set of supplies provided by God to help us operate our daily lives. As Christians, this can seem to be a difficult task while trying to be a good steward of these resources.

The dictionary defines resources as a stock or supply of money, materials, staff and other assets that can be drawn on by one person or organization in order to function effectively. The definition does leave out a crucial resource, the giving of time. God truly wants to transform how we see and utilize the supply of resources that He provides. For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 2 Corinthians 9:10 (NLT)

The question is what steps can we take to be a better steward of these resources? Let’s take a look at four steps to help us think about this in a new way.   

Budget/Plan

It all begins with a plan. We need to know how much income is coming in, what expenses we owe, and be ready for those unexpected bills we might not see coming. An option for getting started is to break up your monthly income into percentages; this will guide how the resources will be utilized. For the main household expenses set aside 50-60% of your monthly income. Use this to pay for rent, mortgage, utilities, food, car note, cell phone, car insurance and student loans. It is possible that your initial percentage of expenses could reach up to 70% of the household income. As you pay down expenses, the percentages will decrease allowing you to shift the budget creating new opportunities for that income.     

Tithing

We all should have a heart to invest in Christ and the Church. It is one action to be faithful in giving 10% of our income to God, but as we deepen our walk with Christ, he also teaches us to share with each other. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NLT) Tithing is important to the movement of the Church, but let’s also not forget about two other resources that can help our community. Our time and skills can be donated for the work of the ministry and for building up the body of Christ.    

Retirement 

Retirement may seem like a long time from now and preparing for it may seem like a heavy task. A good plan to reach for is setting back 10% of your income. That might seem like a big stretch today so until you can achieve that, a good starting point could be your employer’s retirement match program. Some companies offer 4-6% match as long as you invest 4-6% into your retirement. It is a great starting point to maximize your retirement planning. Each year you can reassess your budget and determine if you can increase your retirement giving in increments of 1% to help you prepare for the future.   

Reserve/Emergency Savings 

What happens with the other 20-30% of my monthly income? These funds can be set aside for unexpected expense, planning a family trip, supporting a cause that you believe in, paying down debt, an evening out with friends or investing in your education to learn a new skill. Taking these steps to create and review the household budget each month allows you a new perspective of managing your resources. 

Above all, look to God’s plan for budgeting your resources and seek His wisdom in your finances.

Six Ways to Stretch Your Budget

Together we face an unexpected time which can seem unclear and may cause us to rethink or question what we know, especially the way we handle our finances. The world tends to think that money can meet all of our needs. They utilize clever marketing so we keep spending and believing that money can fulfill all of our desires. In reality, truth reminds us that wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life (Ecclesiastes 7:12). Scripture recognizes that money is necessary for survival but warns us against the love for money. God calls us to be content with what He has blessed us with. 

Hebrews 13:5 states, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” 

God reminds us in this passage that He is always with us each step of the way. He is like the wind. We cannot physically see the wind, but we can feel the presence of the wind and how it moves around us just like God does in our own lives. As we face Covid-19, we might find ourselves with more time and less income on our hands than what we are used to. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “Be thankful in all circumstances, take time to reflect on the good things in your life that God has provided.” The question is, how do we stretch our budget during this time and maximize our resources?

Tips to Stretching Your Budget

1. Budget/Plan

Take a moment to write out a monthly budget. Place all of your bills/expenses on the left-hand side of the page, and on the right-hand side, write your household income. This allows a clear view of where your money is going each month. You can also use a monthly budget app for this task. 

2. Recurring payments

Examine if these payments are still necessary today. It is so easy to overlook recurring payments that we might think were canceled. 

3. Grocery Shopping

Take the time to make a list. Use digital and physical coupons. Anytime you do not have a coupon, consider a similar sale item. You will be surprised by how much you can save. 

4. Are your cell phone and cable bills hogging your finances? 

Today we are using more wifi and streaming options than ever before. Check your cell phone provider to review new plans that are easier on the budget. Great TV alternatives that are budget-friendly are programs like Hulu TV, YouTube, AT&T TV and PlayStation TV. See what fits best with your household. 

5. Mortgage

If you are experiencing a decreased budget due to Covid-19 check with your mortgage company for forbearance options. They have skilled representatives to help you choose which is the right option for your household. Sign into their website for all of the details.

6. Auto Loan or Lease

Contact your loan or leasing company for a deferment option on the vehicle loan. Sign into their website for easier deferment application process. 

What other tips have you found to be helpful in stretching your budget? Share in the comments!

Golden Nuggets from Quarantine

Don’t take this the wrong way, please. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed the changes, interruptions and challenges of quarantine.  

This is not to diminish the pain and trauma that breaks my heart. It is unthinkable the severity of this virus and the toll it is taking on families. It is clearly an overwhelming time for all. 

But that is not what I have enjoyed – it has been seeing God working as He always is. He is not surprised or overwhelmed. He has gently reminded me in my quiet times of all He is doing for me (and you) as He has all our lives. 

I’ve had to figure out how to spend almost all my time at home. You have too. Here’s a verse that resonated with me.

Proverbs 14:14 “The backslider gets bored with himself; the godly man’s life is exciting.”

God is reminding me it’s all about priorities at the start of each new day, whether in routine circumstances or far from routine ones. If God is my first priority, my every day becomes an adventure with endless possibilities. Will I spend more time in His Word? Will I pray for others with renewed passion? Will I ask Him to show me ways to serve and care for others? Will I remember to be thankful? Will I put His agenda for my day first before my own? 

I’ve had to learn new things. I’ll bet you have too. I’m no spring chicken, but God has helped me to embrace change when my human nature really wants to have a knee-jerk response. New ways of communicating, new computer skills, new ways of completing tasks. Change is good and frankly, I needed it.

Keep changing me God! 

Change It Up!

I struggle. I am my own worst enemy. I go straight to my version of the bleak possibilities of the future rather than taking one day at a time. I think “what will I do if this happens” instead of living in the here and now. I overthink everything…or do I…no, I don’t…maybe… If someone doesn’t respond promptly to a text or email that I’ve sent, I automatically wonder what I might have done or said to make them mad at me. I imagine that some of you are reading this and thinking – WOW! I do that, too. 

Matthew 6:34 (ESV) – “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” 

I have found myself having to make certain choices to protect my mental health during this time more than ever. The news is typically on the television at my house every morning and evening so we can keep up with current events. Nowadays, not so much. We all know the situation of this pandemic, but we don’t have to dwell on it by watching and listening to every report. That tends to drag me into a dark hole quicker than anything. 

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) – "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

Instead, I find myself reading more, listening to positive and uplifting music, focusing on God’s Word and praying more, intentionally reaching out to people whether by phone calls or notes sent in the mail. That sounds old-fashioned, but who doesn’t love to actually hear another person’s voice or read a thoughtful handwritten note letting you know that you are cared for?

Do something you never have time to do. Get out your paint brushes and capture the beauty that this season has to offer. Cook some of those recipes you’re always too busy to prepare. Start writing that novel you’ve been putting off for years because there’s no time. Play games with your kids. Go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Have meaningful conversations with friends and family. Whatever this looks like for you, change it up. 

Genesis 2:18 (ESV) – “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” 

These are very trying times for all of us. Maybe your thoughts get the best of you. Maybe you feel alone and cut off from your people. 

My daughter lives out of state, so we’ve been FaceTiming a lot. This doesn’t replace physically being together, but at least we are staying connected. A friend and I met at our local walking trail earlier this week and enjoyed being together while still maintaining social distancing. That little bit of time spent with her made a huge difference in my day. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 

No matter what you’re going through or what stage of life you’re in, someone cares about you. Someone thinks you are special. Don’t wait for people to reach out to you. Go ahead and take that step to reach out to them. You never know what that phone call or handwritten note might mean to a person. It might be just what they need to lift their spirits. We can all be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Change is hard for some. It certainly isn’t easy for me, but we need to understand our circumstances and adapt so that we can do our best to stay mentally healthy. These times are very uncertain and can be scary, but the most important thing to remember is that Jesus is victorious over all of this mess. 

John 16:33 (ESV) – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

If you have never accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, I pray that today will be that day. Don’t get me wrong. This doesn’t mean that you will not experience trouble, but you will have a peace and joy like you’ve never known. 

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Church at Home

We have found ourselves in a place none of us saw coming. Due to the COVID-19 virus, we all are experiencing an interruption to our normal lives. Let’s acknowledge it, together. Take a deep breath and say to yourself, “This is not normal, but this is real.” The routine of our lives has been hijacked. Our days no longer consist of going into work, sending our kids to school, getting together with friends, hitting the gym, enjoying our kid’s soccer game, or attending a church gathering (in person). The routine is gone. The simplicity of knowing how each day would play out is gone. We don’t have control anymore.

I serve as the Worship Pastor here at Crossroads Church. I love what I do. I help craft services each week with the singular goal of connecting people to Jesus! Leading the Church to a place of encountering Jesus is my greatest passion. Now it’s gone. The in-person gatherings have now become a handful of us on a stage leading to an empty room. Here’s what we believe though, God is not dependent on His Church gathering in-person for lives to be changed. Read that again. God is NOT dependent on His Church gathering in-person for lives to change. Don’t get me wrong, He loves it. It was His idea! He created us to desire community, connection, and the intimacy that comes from being together. But God is not scrambling around in this moment, pacing the floor and wondering how He can continue speaking to people. He is still in the business of changing lives and bringing hope to a world in desperate need of hope.

I want to take a few minutes and encourage us on how we can have church at home during this season. Here’s what we believe, we are the Church! The buildings we gather in are not the Church. The only reason they have any significance is because we gather in them. WE are the Church. Every time we gather, whether in person or online, we are the Church. 

Here is some practical advice on how to be the Church and gather while we are online. 

Get Up and Get Ready 

Really? Get up and get ready? Yes. I said I wanted to give practical advice. Get up and get ready. Set your alarm. Take a shower. Eat breakfast. Get your kids ready. Get up and get ready. 

Routine in this season is important. Make this a practice in your life. Don’t miss this. The most practical practices will help you with the best spiritual disciplines. You cannot meet with God if you are groggy and unfocused. So get up and get ready. Set the example for everyone around you. Say this with me, “I will get up and get ready to meet with God!” 

Gather Who You Can 

Yes, you read that correctly. Gather who you can. Whoever is home with you pull them in on the gathering. It’s not about numbers, it’s about togetherness. So get everyone together that you can. 

Here’s an idea, set up a watch party on Facebook live. Invite your friends into the chat. Share the service you are watching. Bring others into the conversation. God has designed us for community and what I call togetherness. We may not be able to physically be together, but we can still connect with each other. 

We are better together. Let’s get together for our online weekend gatherings. Bring the kids along. Let’s meet in our living rooms, online, through text. Let’s join in together and gather together. 

Eliminate Distractions

This may be the most practical and helpful thing we can do. Eliminate distractions. Turn off unneeded technology. Don’t have conversations about the day or week with those around you. Make your coffee ahead of time. Don’t be worrying about making lunch at this moment. You will take care of it shortly. Have the room cleaned and the toys and clothes put away. 

It seems so unnecessary, right? Here’s the thing, our normal is to go to a building that is already prepared for us. A team of people works to do everything they can to eliminate distractions for us. They take care of our kids, they have coffee ready, they have the room cleaned and set, they make sure we can see and hear. They eliminate as many distractions as possible so we can encounter God and connect with Jesus and His church. 

The very things distracting us will keep us from engaging with God. Cut out the distractions. We can’t hear a singular voice if everyone is speaking at once. We can’t see what we need to amongst the clutter of our lives.

Engage with the Music, Message, Prayer, and Giving 

Alright, here are my tips on this. Whatever you are watching, cast it to the largest screen you have in your house. Put it front and center. Turn the volume up and get loud! Come on somebody, can I get an amen? Sing, and sing loud. Let’s lift our voices and praise God with everything we’ve got! 

Open your Bibles and take notes. It’s one more practical step that brings spiritual discipline. Read along. Write down what God is saying. “Amen” and give feedback when something resonates with you. True story, when I run or am driving in my car I will amen and say, “Come on” to a point that resonates with me. I am sure people think I’m crazy, but I don’t care. I want to agree with the truth. 

Pray. Don’t let the person on the screen be the only one praying. Pray. Pray passionately, boldly, and courageously. Pray out loud at that moment. Pray for your spouse, your kids, your parents, your city, your leaders, and the world. Prayer has always been a corporate practice of the Church. Let’s pray together, not just listen to prayers being prayed. 

And give. Let’s never stop giving. In this season let’s be known for our generosity. Let’s give out of the overflow God is giving us. He will take care of us. Let me say that another way, He is taking care of you. Let’s lead the way in our generosity. 

Continue the Conversation 

Here’s what I want to end with. Continue the conversation with anyone and everyone you can. Remember this, we are the Church! Church isn’t a once a week gathering in a building. We are The Church. Wherever we are and whenever we gather. 

Continue the conversation with your kids. Ask them what they learned that day. Ask them how they are feeling. Pray with them at that moment. Model being the Church. You are the Church. 

Text people, host a Zoom hangout, start a Q & A on Facebook. Post your notes on Instagram. Do whatever you can to continue the conversation. Being the Church is not a one and done, once a week thing. It’s a daily lifestyle of loving God and loving others. So love others by talking about what God is speaking to you. 

When all is said and done, and we are on the other side of this, here is my prayer: God will have spoken to every one of us, and we will know what it means to be in His presence. Do not miss this opportunity to grow in your faith and grow in being the Church. Let’s continue to gather, being the Church where we are, and lifting up Jesus!

Use the GPS

It’s time for college students to return to school which stirs memories of my years as a student. My first year of college, I lived in New York City. One evening, a friend and I planned to meet some people at a music store on the other side of the city. Of course, we were poor college students, so paying for a cab was out of the question. We took the subway.

Being 18 and thinking we knew it all, we didn’t take time to look at the maps posted clearly around the station. How hard could it be? Just a few stops, and we’ll be there. Of course, this was before cell phones and GPS apps, so over three hours later, the music store was closed, the people we were meeting were long gone, and we were still riding the train trying to find our way back to school. That was a long night! And it could have all been avoided if we had simply looked at the map before leaving the station.

Graduating and going out into the world can be daunting. Wouldn’t it be great if life had a mapping app? Imagine the trouble we could avoid. “Make a u-turn before you talk to that guy. He’s trouble.” “Turn right at the hallway, so you will avoid buying that candy bar in the vending machine. You don’t need it.” “Stop and study instead of going to the coffee shop with friends.” The benefits would be endless.

Unfortunately life doesn’t come with a mapping app for on-the-spot instant guidance, but we do have something even better: the Bible. I know it sounds basic, but the Bible is like a GPS from God, a map to set the coordinates of our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 (ESV) tells us

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

In these two verses, we see life-guiding characteristics of God’s Word: teaching, reproof, correction, training, and equipping. In other words, Scripture is the instruction manual for our lives. If we measure our choices or deeds by the Word of God, we have a clear route.

Since God created us, He knows us best, and His path for us will never deviate from His Word. It only makes sense that God’s way is the best way. His ways are higher, and His wisdom far surpasses our understanding. 

Comprehending the Bible is not always simple, but there are ways to determine if we are living our lives inside the will of God versus outside of it. If a choice or action doesn’t line up with God’s Word, then it’s not in God’s will. That part is simple. God’s will for your life will never contradict His Word. Keeping that in mind, here are

steps for using the Bible to navigate your life:

• Pray!

  Go directly to the author, and ask God to reveal scriptures that speak to your circumstances. Pray fervently but also take time to listen for His response.

• Read the Bible.

  Yes, actually picking it up or listening to an audible version regularly will help you know God’s will for your life. Don’t take anyone else’s word about what the Bible says. Read it for yourself!

• Attend a Bible-teaching church and Bible study group.

  Bouncing ideas off of others who are also familiar with God’s Word is a great way to know the direction God would have you go.

• Seek wise counsel.

  Find someone with more knowledge of the Bible than you. Ask for prayer, advice, and guidance.

God wants the best for each of us. He desires for you to live in His will in order for you to have an abundant life. God sees the “big picture,” and He knows exactly how and where you fit in it. He provided the Bible as our instruction manual, so use the GPS!

So What Do You Want to Do with Your Life?

“So what do you want to do with your life?”

I’ve had so many people ask me this question. In my current season of life (graduating high school, starting college, getting a job, etc.), it is the standard question to ask. Usually I answer a very vague, “I’m commuting to the University of West Georgia,” and the asker is satisfied. Sometimes they follow up with, “What are you going to major in?” I reply, “This may change, but right now I’m planning on majoring in Film.” People are usually satisfied after that. 

So to anyone who doesn’t know me, in the fall I plan on commuting to the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA and majoring in Film. I have no idea if I will stay all four years at UWG. I have no earthly idea what job I want to do. I don’t even know if I’ll be in Georgia this time next year! 

Whether you are in high school, college, just got your first job, or are married and have four kids, life is full of unknowns. It’s okay not to know what college you want to go to. It’s okay not to know what you want to major in. It’s okay not to know what job you want. People ask me all the time, “What do you want to do with your Film degree?” I say, “Well, I actually have no idea! All I know is I love the art of filmmaking, and I love people.” 

I constantly wrestle with the question, “So what do you want to do with your life?” I constantly have a new idea of what I could do or major in. I stress myself out a lot trying to figure out the rest of my life. But through this process of trying to figure out what resonates with my heart, I’ve learned some cool things about God (with the help of some wise council). 

1. You don’t have to know what you want to do.

It’s okay to be confused. God doesn’t say you have to have everything figured out all the time. He just wants you to pursue Him with all your heart. Once you start pursuing Him, He will reveal the future to you. It might not be very dramatic. It might feel like it takes FOREVER. But trust that He will. 

2. Keep moving forward.

Keep taking steps forward. God never said to just stand still and wait. Research careers, look up schools, shadow people, talk to people. Take steps towards your goal. Try things. The only way you will know if you like doing something is to try it! 

3. Write on a chalkboard.

I have a close mentor who has a huge chalkboard wall in her house. We dream all over the wall. We write random ideas that pop into our heads. We write jobs. We write adjectives. Anything and everything that we think of we write down. Then we look at everything and pick out what stands out to us. It helps so much to just write down all the thoughts swirling in your head. 

4. Find a dream team.

Find a few close people to dream and share your heart with. You don’t have to share every little thing with every person. Only about four people know all the ideas and passions in my heart. Find your dream team and dream wild and crazy dreams together. 

5. Don’t be afraid to fail.

I’m sure you’ve heard it before. “Failure is the best teacher.” But it actually is. If you think you might like something, try it! If you fail, GREAT! You have found something that didn’t work. Try something different. Learn from your failures. God doesn’t ask or expect you to be perfect. He wants your heart, not your perfection. 

So I’d like to encourage you as the next school year starts. It’s okay not to know what the future holds. It’s okay to be confused. God invites you on a grand adventure with Him. Sometimes it’s hype; sometimes it’s boring; sometimes it’s slow; sometimes it’s fast-paced. But God is inviting you into the unknown with Him. It’s completely terrifying, but it’s the greatest adventure you will ever go on. 

Face Time

In today’s world, there are a lot of different things that try to take our time. Every day is filled with the day-to-day activities, plus other cultural norms such as TV, games, movies, social media, shopping, etc. With so many things trying to take our time from us, we have to remember the most important ways to use our time, not just the many ways we can use our time.

While on a run the other day, I listened to a great podcast by Pastor John Ortberg. His message was about controlling technology in our lives, and he made a comment (not a direct quote) that we need more face to face time with God in our lives and less Facebook time in our lives.

Can you relate to Pastor John’s statement? I sure can. I see the subtle trap that technology has in my life and in the lives of others. If we spend more time looking at Facebook than we do seeking the face of God, why are we surprised when we don’t seem as close to God or sense Him working in our lives?

I think we need to take a tip from Moses. Exodus 33:11 says, “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…” Moses had plenty of social connections, but the most important connection he had was with God. The time Moses spent in the presence of God changed the way he related to everyone else in his life.

There isn’t anything wrong with being on social media as long as it does not keep you from spending plenty of time with God.

One practice I have tried to live by for years is to make the first connection of my day with God rather than with the world. So before checking email - or checking Facebook or Twitter - check in with God. Seek God’s face through prayer and the Word before you seek the latest post in your news feed. You’ll be glad you did!

Equip Me According to Your Word

The start of a new year brings so many mixed emotions. From excitement and anticipation, to renewed hopes and goals, to relief and renewal. So many of us set out to accomplish new goals; long-term and short-term at the start of the year. We quickly jump on the band-wagon of “New Year, New Me” by setting fitness goals, spiritual renewals, and personal mantras.

However, somewhere in between we tend to lose them, the excitement of a fresh start quickly turns into survival mode or worse, disappointment… We start to miss the day-in and day-out excitement that we first had at the beginning of the year.

I noticed this a few years back in my own life so I started approach the New Year differently. What if I chose a word for the year? What if this word could help me accomplish all of those fitness goals, spiritual renewals, and personal mantras I had made? What if this word helped me regain my perspective and helped me refocus?

This past year I chose the word “Equipped: to be supplied with all the necessary equipment.” Setting out at the beginning of 2018, I was not sure what kind of meaning this word would take. You see there have been times in my life where I have not felt prepared, especially in this stage of my life as a twenty-something… As I have read, prayed, and pressed into this word, I now believe that when the Apostle Paul went on to say that may the people be EQUIPPED he meant a resounding blessing not just for them, but for you and me.

I don’t know what kind of load you are carrying. I don’t know what kind of year lies ahead for you or what year you’ve had, but I do know that with whatever happens you can walk into the New year with confidence knowing that you are EQUIPPED to walk through it, that you have been supplied with ALL the necessary equipment to face a new day, to face this new year. Time and time again throughout 2018 this was proven to be true, this word has shown me its meaning in more ways than one.

The words we speak to others and the words we speak to ourselves hold immense power. Throughout scripture we are reminded of the power of our words. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. James 3:5 tells us that although our tongues may seem small, our words can speak big things. 

I have not yet settled on a word for 2019, but I am excited and expectant to see how God will use that chosen word to renew my thoughts and revive my spirit. I encourage you to choose a word for the year and see just how it takes on its meaning.

Praying that you would be equipped according to HIS word and would enter 2019 with great joy and a sense of refreshment... Happy New Year, my friends!

Do You Feel Like It?

A few days ago, I was speaking to our church staff when I made the statement that some people, “feel their way into the grave.” I made the statement without much forethought in the moment, but as I thought about it, I realized how much truth was in it. 

The context for making this statement was regarding spending time with the Lord on a daily basis. I was saying that if we wait until we “feel like it,” we may never make the time to meet with God or read our Bibles. We meet with God and read our Bibles because it is the right thing to do, regardless of how we feel. If we wait until we feel like it, we may never grow spiritually.

There are so many examples of why waiting on your feelings before you act is the wrong thing to do. If you wait until you feel like exercising, you may never workout. If you wait until you feel like attending worship or a small group, you might never make it. If you wait until you feel like giving an offering, you could probably talk yourself out of it. 

The truth is that you can either feel your way into actions, or you can act your way into feelings. The latter is always the better option. When I workout, regardless of how I feel, I always feel good when I am finished. When I read my Bible even if I don’t feel like it, I always feel good that I have done it. After attending church, I feel great even if I initially didn’t feel like going. 

Feelings are great. God created them! However, feelings should always follow the right disciplines in your life – they should never dictate them. As a disciple of Jesus, our goal should be to follow Christ’s example no matter how we feel or don’t feel. No one ever follows Jesus’ example and regrets it. On the other hand, lots of people have decided not to follow Christ’s pattern and wish they had followed it. 

I encourage you to make Jesus the model for your life. Like Paul consistently encouraged us to do, follow the example of Jesus. You will be glad you did.

Championing and Reviving a Spirit of Joy

Have you ever thought, “Church is just boring.” No? Just me? Go ahead then, judge me, I can take it. I have sat through many services criticizing everything going on, imagining how I could do it better, and just wishing the service would end so I could leave. I was bored. It was boring. I wanted more. 

The Holy Spirit began convicting me through this season. He challenged me with the thought, “What would it look like to champion and revive a spirit of joy in you life?” I believe the local gathering of believers should be the most joyful place on earth. But that begins with me. It begins with God calling me to walk in joy through my attitudes, my speech, and my life. 

Let’s look at Psalm 84 (ESV):

“How lovely is your dwelling place,
   O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
   for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
   to the living God.

As we unpack this together, I believe Psalm 84 gives us three ways we can champion and revive a spirit of joy in our lives. 

Loving the Local Gathering of Believers

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s armies.” (NLT)

During the time that this psalm was written, there was a physical temple God had built in Jerusalem. In the temple there was a place called The Holy of Holies. It's where the Ark of the Covenant rested. On the lid of the Ark were two carved cherubim with their wings stretch towards each other. This was God’s dwelling place. This is where His presence rested. 

Today, we carry the very presence of God in us through the Holy Spirit. When we gather as local believers, the Church, God has said that He will be present with us. His presence, in that moment, being made known to everyone there. 

It’s easy for us to go to church and criticize how things are done. We say things like, “I don’t like the music. I don’t like what he’s wearing. He preaches too long. The area could use some work. I didn’t like how they did that…” We find ourselves focusing on the visual things, and we begin to criticize and tear down.

Here is where we need to remember the big picture, God is present. He is there in our midst. Instead of criticizing we should be asking, “God, what do you want to do through me in this moment?” When we ask this we go from criticizing to encouraging. We move past ourselves and see the needs of those around us. We being to love the local gathering of believers.

Having an Eager Expectation and Meeting with God

Let’s check out the first part of verse 2, “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord”

Have you ever thought, “Why we are bored with church?” Like really thought about it. I’ve read this psalm so many times, and every time I’m struck by the language of verse 2. The psalmist cannot wait to be in the very presence of God. Eugene Peterson puts it beautifully in the Message, “I’ve always longed to live in a place like this, always dreamed of a room in Your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!”

I desire for everything in me to feel this way! I ask myself, “Do I have an eager expectation to meet with God? Do I expect to open up God’s Word and that He’ll speak to me? Do I expect that God wants to speak in the moments when I meet with other believers?”

Things in our lives become mundane too easily, and we start to go through the motions. We have moments when reading the Bible feels like a duty instead of an opportunity for God to speak. We have seasons where praying feels like a chore not a conversation. But let’s take a moment to remind ourselves we get to meet with the God of the universe! The one who created us, breathed life into our lungs, knew us before we were formed, and says “I love you, and I’ve adopted you as my son or my daughter.” We are meeting with the God who spoke things into existence. The God who pursues me. The God who pursues you. 

This reminder should change things for me. I should have an eager expectation in my life. I should have a longing to meet with God. 

I’ve changed behaviors and language in my life because of this. My “quiet time” is now “the speaking place” because I believe that God will speak to me in those moments. I step into every service with an expectation to hear from God. I ask myself continually, “Am I going through the motions, or am I longing to meet with God?”

Our Whole Being Praising God

The last part of verse 2 says, “my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

My heart and my flesh - This one is challenging for me. 

Have you ever had moments where your heart feels it, but your body is not acting with it? Or the opposite, where your body is singing out, but there is little to no joy in your heart? I’ve been there. I still am there. I find myself in the tension of believing in my heart yet feeling nothing outwardly. Or outwardly praising yet feeling empty inside. The psalmist reminds us our whole being needs to be praising God. 

In life, we can’t praise God just when we feel like it. Whatever we do, we do with whole being for God. The reality is that our whole being should be into praising God. We praise Him because of who He is. We praise Him because of what He’s done. We praise Him because of what He will do. We praise God with our heart and body. Everything in us should be shouting His praise.

If we believe in Jesus we have gone from death to life! The church should be the most joyful place on earth. Our hearts should be so full of joy we cannot help but sing to God. 

So why am I bored with church? Why do I leave a gathering feeling empty? I don’t want to anymore. I want to be a person championing a spirit of joy! I want to be known for loving the local church, having an eager expectation to meet with God, and praising God with everything in me.

Are You Limiting Yourself?

I believe God has created individual plans for His followers that are as unique and creative as each one of us. Sadly, I also believe many of us will never even begin to tap into the potential that God has placed within us. What could Christians achieve for God’s Kingdom if each one of us walked in faith following God’s true plan for our lives?

Do you dream of things you would like to do for God but never do anything about it? What is it that keeps us from moving forward and taking that step of faith? Fear? Self-doubt? Laziness? Worry? Busyness?

I love this quote by Francis Chan: “But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.”

Do you trust God that much? I wish I could say I do. There have been times when I felt God nudging me to speak to someone, give something away, or get rid of things in my life. I never regretted the times in which I obeyed; however, I hate to admit that many times I make excuses for ignoring His leading rather than following it.

Many years ago, we moved to a small town. Shortly after our relocation, I went to a local bakery to order a birthday cake for my son who was turning three. The ladies at the bakery informed me that they only put icing flowers on their cakes, no exceptions. Their solution to my son’s birthday cake was “We can do blue flowers.” Needless to say, I went somewhere else to buy his cake.

How often do we do we limit ourselves like this small town bakery? How often do we tell ourselves or others, “I only do flowers.” Or do you say, “But I’ve always done it this way. I’ve never tried that before. People might think I’m strange.” The excuses go on and on. We aren’t only disobeying God when we ignore His direction, but we also restrain and limit our personal spiritual growth.

Have you ever felt God was encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone and take a risk? Maybe learn a new skill that seems impossible? Reach out to a group of people that are your exact opposite? Or use a talent to start a brand new mission?

The possibilities are exciting and terrifying all rolled into one. The good news is when God prompts us to step out, He promises to go with us. If God sends you out of your comfort zone, He will go with you.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

Let’s dream big. Imagine your testimony after accomplishing something radical for God. If God has placed a huge idea or a small act of kindness on your heart, try acting on it today. Our world desperately needs us to follow God’s plans for our lives.

5 Ways to Practice Spiritual Disciplines

As we learn what it means to follow Jesus and how to be more like Him, it can be difficult to know how to put it into practice. It’s usually said that we should read our Bible and pray, but what are some more practical ways to connect with God? 

There are effective spiritual disciplines that we can practice that will help us to become the person God has called us to be. The more ways that we connect with Him, the more that we can understand where He is leading us. Sometimes, it can be difficult to hear from God and know how to pursue Him. 

Richard Foster gives a great guide on spiritual disciplines in his book, Celebration of Discipline. Let’s take a look at some of the disciplines that he suggests. These help me so much when I feel like I’m in a “spiritual rut.”

Prayer

We know that we are supposed to pray, but how can we practice prayer? A great way to start is to dedicate a time each day to pray. Grab a journal or turn on some worship music to get focused. If I pray without writing it out, I get distracted, so I usually use a journal to help.

If it’s difficult for you to remember to stop and set aside 30 minutes or so to prayer, set a reminder on your phone and schedule it into your daily activities! It’s okay to schedule prayer. It’s a discipline!

If you need help knowing what to pray about each day, maybe just choose a topic: friends, family, your community, your church, your country, your world…There are so many things that we can pray about! I personally like to start with just telling God about my day and processing life with Him. He speaks so much when we dedicate that time to Him.

Fasting

These days, fasting sounds old school. Fasting seems like something that was done in the Bible and that shouldn’t be a priority today. But fasting is another discipline that we can learn. Again, we are dedicating our time and needs to God. When we dedicate important parts of our lives to Him, it draws us closer to Him, and He speaks in crazy ways!

Fasting may include many different things. Some people fast from foods, others from social media, and even from certain music. For me, I can’t fast from all foods all day because my blood sugar will get all messed up, but I can fast from some foods or other things that I feel may be keeping me from connecting to God more.

What is something that may be keeping YOU from connecting with God? Think about how you could fast from it. 

Solitude

One of the best experiences that I ever had was a particular time when I was assigned to practice solitude. I was attending a Christian leadership program, and every student was asked to spend five hours of solitude in the middle of the woods. We were on a hiking trip, and each one of us got dropped off at a different place, left in the silence of the woods by ourselves. I didn’t know what to expect, and I was honestly not very excited about it! I couldn’t imagine being confined to a certain spot with one book and one journal for five hours. 

Today, I am so happy that I had the opportunity to do that! It was difficult to figure out what to do at first, but as time went on during those five hours, I learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. When you dedicate your time and your focus to God, He doesn’t let that return void.

You may be thinking, “When in the world am I going to find time to have five hours of solitude?” But you don’t have to do five hours! You can do 30 minutes. Give whatever amount you can to dedicate your time and all of your focus to Him. There are always going to be reasons for us to avoid practicing this spiritual discipline, but we should really be carving out time for it regularly.

Simplicity

Practicing the discipline of simplicity means to first focus on the purity of your heart and then live out a lifestyle of simplicity. Without a change of heart and without knowing your identity in Christ, you will really struggle to live the simple lifestyle. Living in simplicity means living without fear and obsession of status. 

In our culture, everything revolves around living a certain lifestyle and upholding that lifestyle. Without the certain looks and the certain nice things, we are frowned upon. Jesus asked us to give things up for Him. It’s easy to try to live up to the standards of our culture and forget about the standards of the Bible.

Celebration

One of the spiritual disciplines that I think we forget about the most is the discipline of celebration. Celebration basically means joy, according to Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline. Don’t the words “celebration” and “joy” make you smile when you think about them and the things in life associated with them? That’s the kind of feeling in your heart that makes you stronger and energized! Why would we not want to feel this way all of the time? That’s why it’s so important to practice thoughts of joy. 

What are some things that you can celebrate right now? A great way to keep track and remind yourself is to write them down. Look at them daily and come back to them when you’re in need of some celebration. In her book, One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp was dedicated to writing out even the tiniest of things that bring her joy, making a list of 1,000.

Ultimately, when it feels like there’s nothing else to celebrate, as Christians, we always have the celebration of what Jesus has done for us and that God is actively present in our lives! If you’re having trouble seeing that, spend time in one of the other spiritual disciplines to give opportunity for God to speak to you in new ways.

To find all of the spiritual disciplines that Richard Foster talks about, check out his book, Celebration of Discipline! I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who is looking to grow spiritually. It is very helpful and gives a great path on how to connect with God in practical ways.

Finding Your Spiritual Gifts

Recently, I was having a conversation about spiritual gifts with my small group. As I described the different spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, many of my small group members began giving me the same look I give the car repairman when he is describing car parts and all that he did to repair my vehicle. I was surprised to learn that many in my group were not familiar with the spiritual gifts the apostle Paul describes in his New Testament letters.

Now concerning your spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 1 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)

How about you? If someone were to ask you what your spiritual gifts are, would you be able to respond? What would you say? Some believe that God-given spiritual gifts are simply the fruit of the Spirit, but the New Testament makes mention of 18 specific and actionable gifts apart from Paul’s famous writing in Galatians. In his letters to the churches in Rome, Ephesus, and Corinth, Paul describes spiritual gifts such as shepherding, evangelism, discernment, or mercy-showing…which gifts belong to you?

Every Christian would be wise to determine his or her spiritual gifts. Knowing the gifts that God has given you helps you find the best fit for serving in the church. Fortunately, we can help! Follow this link to take a spiritual gifts survey:

The knowledge of how God has gifted and wired you will inform and enhance your obedience for the rest of your life. Find out what your gifts are and ask God to give you opportunities to serve and glorify Him doing what you do best!

Find out more about Summer Test Drives HERE

The Remarkable Power of One's Influence

I was having a conversation with a friend and fellow father a short while ago. When we are together our conversations usually become creative dream sessions. We share vision, discuss opportunities, and dream of possibilities. It is quite invigorating for a personality like mine. I love the startup, the creative process, and the activation of great ideas.

During a recent conversation, we discussed the success of two individuals whose work we both admire. These two individuals were friends who were impacted greatly by one friend’s father. We concluded that if that father never accomplished another thing the influence he had on those two boys was great enough accomplishment. The effect of his influence is now being felt worldwide through the influence of those two friends.

Many of us long for positions of influence, prestige, and notoriety. Many push to influence the masses without understanding that influencing one or two could have just as great an impact on the world. I like to think of this way of thinking as the ripple effect. Many sit on the side of the shore afraid to ever cast a rock in the water. They think, "What’s the use? It will have no effect. The size of this rock is too small." It does not matter the perceived size of one’s influence. Everyone can be a person of influence.

Regardless of the size of one’s influence, the effects continue even when they become seemingly unnoticeable. Just like the small rock thrown into the lake. The water ripples for a second and seems to dissipate, but, unnoticed to the naked eye, the molecules continue to move.

As parents we are given the wonderful opportunity to daily impact the life of another. Our children may very well be our legacy. We should leverage our influence to lead our children well. If we are doing a good job at this, our children will begin to mirror our behavior and lead others around them. Teach them to lead up, down, and sideways. We can lead up to our bosses, teachers, and coaches. We can lead down to those we manage, and we can lead sideways to all our friends, family members, teammates, and coworkers. Whether you choose to lead one, two, or many, there will be lasting effects.

What dreams do you have? Who is currently leading you? Whom are you currently leading?

“‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." - Jeremiah 3:15 (ESV) 

Living a Spirit-Filled Life

Today is a new day! A new year is underway, and it is filled with potential as each new day brings a fresh start….a reset…a time to pause and allow the Creator of all things, God, our heavenly Father, to transform our lives one morning at a time. I’m talking 365 days a year.

A day becomes a week, becomes a month, becomes an entire year of seeking God and experiencing the transforming power of His presence 24/7…365. Can you imagine the possibilities? Every time I begin to imagine the possibilities of what God can do in my life, I am reminded of what it says in Ephesians 3:20.     

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Where do you need to see the power of God displayed in your life? What would happen in your broken relationships? Do you need a plan for your finances? Where are you struggling? Are you just going through the motions lost without purpose? Do you want to change, but just don’t know where or how to start? 

The great news is that you aren’t alone! God is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine. That is an incredible promise straight from God’s word. As a child of God, His power (the Holy Spirit) is at work within you. If that doesn’t fill you with hope, I don’t know what will.  

Too many times we live a defeated life because we simply refuse to unleash the power of the Holy Spirit in our every day lives. We look to God and call on Him for the really BIG things, but when it comes to our everyday lives, we approach it with an "I’ve got this" attitude. I don’t know why we do this, but, before you know it our prideful, self-sufficient attitude gets in the way and keeps us from experiencing immeasurably more that we could ask or imagine. 

It’s time we set our pride aside…no, it’s time we hand our pride over to the Holy Spirit and exchange it for humility. We need to come humbled before God, and ask Him to take not just the big things but our moment-by-moment everyday lives also. Here are some passages of scripture I’ve incorporated into my time with God to help me become less self-sufficient and more God dependent.

• Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8
• Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10
• Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
• Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

Each day is filled with possibilities. Where we end up this year is determined greatly by how we begin each day. Will we set our hearts and minds on God, surrendering to His Holy Spirit, or will we let pride and self-sufficiency continue to reign over our lives? My prayer is that this year will be a year yielded to the Holy Spirit fulfilling the purposes of God in my life. What about you?

Here's to Being Intentional

Did you make New Year goals this year? I didn’t...because it seems like every time I make these goals, I stop thinking about them way before March. So this year, I am going to be INTENTIONAL. Let’s be honest. To set goals, or resolutions, one must be intentional to see them through. Being intentional is the hardest part. So instead of actually writing goals for this year, let's focus on three areas where we can be intentional in order to mature as disciples of Christ.  

To be intentional as described by dictionary.com is to be done on purpose, deliberately. Three key areas to be intentional are spiritual growth, personal health and finances. Growth in each of these areas will allow us to mature as disciples in Christ by becoming better managers of our time, temples, and treasures. I know what you're thinking, "Those are large areas in my life. How will I be able to measure my growth?" You thought right. So how can these areas be measured? With Truth! What does Truth tell us about these areas, and how can we grow?

Spiritual Growth

How can someone experience growth in spirituality? Well, first you have to be INTENTIONAL. Let's use Jesus as our model. First, you need to evaluate how you did last year. Looking at Jesus as the model, you will notice that Jesus got up early and withdrew to a solitary place to be with the Father (Mark 1:35). One way to be intentional in spiritual growth is to spend time with Jesus early in the morning. Personally, I don’t think the specific time of personal time with the Lord matters. However, if Jesus modeled the time to be the first thing of your day, then that is what we should strive for.

One way to be intentional in spiritual growth is rising early each day to spend time with the Father. This will allow a personal connection with Jesus at the start of your day and will truly set the tone for the rest of the day! If you manage your time around Jesus, you're honoring the time He has given you. He will bless the additional time in your day to be productive.

You may be saying, “I already rise early and spend time in the Word.” Great! Continue to model Jesus! I would encourage you to strive for something that maybe you haven’t accomplished like reading through the entire Bible, studying the Bible, going deeper into the Truth. Again, time with the Lord will provide a foundation that won’t fail.  

Related: "Seven Steps - Change Your Life One Step at a Time"

Personal Health

Growing in personal health needs to be, well...you guessed it, INTENTIONAL. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are provided with self-control. Self-control is to have restraint over desires. In the flesh, self-control is challenging...do you know why? Because we are human! Look at Adam and Eve in the Garden. If self-control was easy, Eve wouldn’t have been deceived, and Adam would have had the self-control to resist the temptation.

With the power of the Holy Spirit, we are provided with the Fruit of the Spirit, one of which includes self-control. Self-control is given to help us resist temptation. Truthfully, if you do not make your personal health a priority, you're going against the Lord. We have to remember that our bodies are given to us on loan from Him. We need to be good managers of the Lord’s temple He loaned us.

Some ways for you to grow in your personal health could be eating the right food, drinking plenty of water, getting up and moving (not just walking around the office either). Really being active 4-5 days a week. All of these will require being intentional and leaning on the Holy Spirit to resist the temptation of bad habits. We can lean on the Holy Spirit and pray when we struggle with temptation. Look at Jesus as the model in Matthew 4. Jesus is being tested in the wilderness, but living on every word that comes from God. The Father has to be at the center of our lives to overcome any temptation whether it is food or something else in your life.  

Finances

Before really focusing on your finances, you should ask yourself, "Where is my treasure? Is my treasure in the world, or stored up in Heaven?" Being intentional in your finances will be no walk in the park. It takes work. If we try to do any of this on our own, we will not be successful. Through the power of Jesus you can overcome debt and begin living freely through your finances.

For my family, we have gained power through the Financial Peace University course. This course uses biblical Truth as the foundation. Build your foundation on rock! Need I say more? I would encourage you to pray about taking the FPU course and lay the right foundation for your finances. This course will change your life and your future!

Being intentional in your time, temple, and treasure will set 2018 apart from every other year. Is it going to be easy? Absolutely not! But having the strength of the Spirit of God is having a foundation that will not crumble under pressure. Here's to being intentional this year! 

Related : "Count the Cost" by Patrick Brannon