Don’t Let Distractions Keep Me from My Best

In review of Proverbs 4:5 it says, “Get wisdom; develop good judgment” (NLT).

Today’s verse is from Proverbs 4:5, it simply tells me to get wisdom and develop good judgment.

If I want wisdom, I must decide to go after it. This of course will take resolve, a strong determination to not abandon the search once I begin it, not matter how difficult the road may become. More importantly this is not a once-in-a-lifetime step, but rather a daily process of choosing between two paths, the wicked and the righteous. Nothing else is more important or more valuable.

One of the most important tests I’ll face as I try to achieve what God has called me to do, is my response to the cultural distractions around me. The distractions are:

The distraction of popularity. If I’m always worried about what others think, I’ll be distracted from my destiny.

The distraction of pleasure. It’s okay to have fun and feel comfort, but if that’s the primary focus of my life, then I’ll never fulfill my destiny.

The distraction of profits. I can’t serve both God and money. Making a profit shouldn’t be the primary focus of my life.

The distraction of possessions. Judging my success by how much stuff I own will keep me concerned about keeping and maintaining things.

If I’m going to fulfill the mission God has given me, I must dare to be different from others. I need to stay focused on the most important thing: my relationship with Jesus Christ.

Bottom Line:

Learn to be wise.

What this means to me:

I need to get wisdom, understanding and insight. I’m to develop good sense and judgment. I really need to learn to be wise. Then, don’t ever forget, ignore or turn away from it. Just do it.

In summary, I must decide to go after getting wisdom and developing good judgment.  Don't allow myself to get caught up in distractions. Daily choose the path toward obtaining wisdom. As such I shouldn't be worried about what others think, go after fun and comfort, work to make a profit, or measure myself by what I have or own. I must dare to be different . I must stay focused on a relationship with Jesus Christ.

This morning Father I Pray for you to give me the courage to be different and go against cultural standards. Help give me wisdom for decisions and the leadership I need to provide today. Help me respond correctly to others. I ask these things in your Son Jesus Christ name, amen!

Writing Down Prayers, Answers and Insights

In review of Habakkuk 2:2 it says, “The LORD gave me this answer: ‘Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you.’

Bottom Line:

Then the Lord told me to write down clearly what he reveals.

What this means to me:

When the Lord provides answers, insights, or instructions, I am to write it down clearly.

It was because Habakkuk had written down what the Lord said to him, we have the book called Habakkuk. Because David wrote down what God spoke to him, we have the book of Psalms. They both had asked God a question, God gave them an answer, and they wrote it down.

What I’m learning is that one of the best things I can do is to write down my own prayers and requests. Writing them out will make them more specific, and help me to be more serious about what I’m praying about.

The process of writing prayers, answers, insights and instructions out is called spiritual journaling. It’s important to not make this process too complicated! I’m am to simply write down what I’m saying to God, and then write down what God’s saying to in reply.

Here is one format that Rick Warren suggests for journaling. “In your notebook, first, put a vertical line down the center of the page. On one side, write what you say to God. On the other side, write what God says to you. As you write down what you say to God, don’t expect him to always say something to you immediately. Sometimes he’ll answer later in the day, or he may even wake you up in the middle of the night. Then, on the same sheet of paper, draw a horizontal line, and above the line, write “Yesterday” and record the events of your day. Underneath the line, write “Life Lessons.” The next day, look back on the events of the day before and ask, “What lesson was God trying to teach me through those events?” God is trying to teach us lessons through the everyday events of our lives, but we miss them all the time. When you take time to write them out in this way, it will help you focus on hearing God’s voice and what he wants you to learn from him.”

Personally, I’ve been doing my own journaling a little bit differently, however, I should consider how I can incorporate in the portion of “What lesson was God trying to teach me through the events of the day.”

I know from experience that journaling has been a very powerful habit for me. It has helped me focus my thoughts. It has helped me to remember what I’ve read and what God said.  As I consider recording the events of the day in my journal, I can see where it can help point out patterns of what God is could be saying or teaching me. I can take what my conclusions are and discuss them with other mature christians to see if I’m interpreting them correctly. So often, I go through life repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Adopting this added steps will help keep me from missing the lessons God is trying to teach me.