My Best

Do you feel like you are “Giving Your Best” in all that you do?

Why or Why not?

Do you feel like you are just trying to make it through the day?

Do you plan your day out or do you just “wing it”?

How do you feel at the end of the day?

Fulfilled
Satisfied
Discouraged
Tired

How do you usually start your day off?

Coffee
Breakfast
It’s all a Blur...
Prayer, Bible Reading, Devotions

Starting your day off with God can make a huge difference.

Do you make time for yourself at some point throughout the day?

(It is very important for us to take time to recharge and refocus.)

We can’t GIVE our Best if we aren’t AT our Best.

We can’t be AT our Best if we are tired, over-worked, and overwhelmed.

Are you spreading yourself too thin...trying to take on too much and be SUPER WOMAN?

When you choose to do EVERYTHING....you can’t do ANYTHING well.

So let’s take inventory...

What are you investing your time in?

Work
School
Family (Immediate or Extended)
Friends
Serving Others (Volunteering, Outreach, etc.)
Church & Church Related Activities
Hobbies
Exercise
Cleaning House
Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
Entertainment (TV, Movies, Sports, Internet/Computer)
Developing your relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and studying.
...and the list goes on.

What does it mean to INVEST?

To spend or devote for future advantage or benefit.
To use, give, or devote as to achieve something.
To devote morally or psychologically as to a purpose.

So let me ask you the question again...What are you INVESTING your time in?

Are you making GOOD investments or BAD investments?

Do you spend your time FRIVOLOUSLY or with a PURPOSE?

God has given us 24 hours in a day.

It is up to us to make the most of them and bring Honor and Glory to Him in all that we do.

^“ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

We must INVEST or time wisely.

You must determine what is most important in this season of your life.

You may need to push aside some things, at least for now, so you can “Give Your Best” to the more important things.

What are your PRIORITIES?

Are these God’s Priorities for you life?

Today’s priorities may not be tomorrow’s priorities.

Our priorities will change as we go through different seasons of our lives.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven...” -  Ecclesiastes 3

What are some things that you feel are important but you have not been making a Priority?

What are some things that you would like to invest your time in but haven’t...for whatever reason?

Make a list of those things.

Is there a way that you could rearrange you Priorities in order to make time for some of those things?

Maybe you don’t need to push anything aside.

Maybe you just need to manage your time more efficiently and eliminate distractions.

Spend some time thinking about this throughout the week.

Sit down and write out a schedule if you have to.
Come up with a Plan-of-Action.

Arrange your life in a way that will allow you to have time to “Give Your Best” to what’s important.

Don’t forget to make time for yourself!!

And most IMPORTANTLY don’t forget to make time for God!!

Don’t Be a Martha!!

^“38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’^[k] feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’

⁴¹ And Jesus^[l] answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” – Luke 10:38-42

Resolution #5 – My Best

I will seek to devote the best of myself, my time,

and my talents to the primary roles the Lord

has entrusted to me in this phase of my life.

 

Reading for April 6th: Pages 111-126 (My Blessing)

 

Faithfully His

What person has impacted/influenced your life the most (in a positive way)...and Why?         (Other than God or Jesus...that's a given.)

There may be more than one person who comes to your mind. If so...that's fine (and good).

For me...That person would be my mother. :)

She is the Godliest women I have  ever known in my 36 years of living.

She is the perfect example of what it means to be Faithfully His.

I pray that one day my children will be able to say the same about me.

What does it mean to be “Faithfully His”?

Being Faithfully His is not about being perfect. It’s about being persistent in pursuing Him and His purpose for our lives.

Some of the Greatest men and women in the Bible were just as imperfect as we are (or even more imperfect) but they were faithful in their pursuit of God and that’s what made them different. That’s what made them Great!!

Unfortunately some of us are a little...or a lot...like Jonah.

Sometimes it takes an act of God to get us moving in the right direction.

The Story of Jonah (Click to read the Story of Jonah)

This should be a lesson to us all.

If God calls you to do something...Just Do It!!

God had a plan to draw a multitude of people to Himself and he wanted to use Jonah as a part of that process.

If we knew, ahead of time, the impact that we were going to have it might be a lot easier for us to submit to His call but where would the faith be in that?

So let me ask the question again...What does it mean to be Faithfully His?

To seek to honor Him in all that we do.

To surrender ourselves to Him and to respond to His call no matter the cost.
To turn away from anything that goes against His word and His will for our lives.
To diligently seek Him. To never stop seeking Him.
To never turn our backs on Him.

To follow His guidance even when it doesn’t make sense because we know He has a plan and a purpose for it.

To trust Him with our lives even when we don’t understand why He is allowing us to go through difficult and trying times.

Let me share a story with you...

“A mother eagle is fiercely intent on guarding her eaglets. She builds her nest high above the ground, safe and protected from intruders, then lines it with a layer of soft, comforting materials. Makes a nice, cozy resting place for her young. But an eagle’s nest contains more than meets the eye. Underneath this coating of soothing comfort, she has constructed the base of her nest with rocks, sticks, and other sharp objects – a rather ironic fact that her growing brood will soon come to discover. For when she deems the time appropriate, the mother eagle will shake up the nest, turning it almost inside out, exposing the bristly underside to their soft, young backsides. No longer is it a place of comfort for her babies; it is now extremely uncomfortable, a place they’d like to get away from. For, yes, a mother eagle is fiercely intent on guarding her eaglets. But she is equally determined to see them reach their full potential. So her job is not complete until she’s caused them enough discomfort to make them ready to experience the reality of what God created them to do. To stand to their feet. To spread their wings. And fly.” – The Resolution for Women

What do you sense God is calling you to do and be?

Are you seeking to discover what that is?

“The best way to begin is by being faithful to what He has set before you right now. Sense the stirring in your soul as God’s Spirit quickens you to see what He’s called you to do today. Then pursue it at the expense of all else.” – The Resolution for Women

In our pursuit of God...Why is it important for us to read, study, and meditate on His Word?

His Word is alive and can speak to us.

It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
It gives us a better understanding of who He is.
It shows us His faithfulness and strengthens our faith.
It empowers us.
It encourages us.
It guides us.
It reveals His purpose.
It gives us Hope.

It is impossible for us to truly know God without knowing His Word.

If you aren’t already...I encourage you to spend time in God’s Word every day.

It can have an amazing impact on your life if you will open your heart and mind to what God would like to speak to you through it.

Below are a few of the Affirmation Statements that are listed in the The Resolution for Women book.                          (You can view the entire list on the Blog Page titled Affirmation Statements.)

“As you speak these biblical statements over your life and the lives of your loved ones, your mind will be renewed, your faith strengthened, your actions and attitudes transformed. “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”” – The Resolution for Women

I do not look with disdain upon my weaknesses. I see them as opportunities for God to display His powerful strength and grace through me (2 Corinthians 12:10).

I am a necessary and useful part of the body of Christ, and I will use my spiritual gifts to edify others (1 Corinthians 12:7).

I have a pure heart before God, and I expect to see His manifest presence in my life (Matthew 5:8).

I have been chosen by God to bring forth fruit that shall remain (John 15:16).

I am a masterpiece created in Christ Jesus in order to walk in the good works He has prepared for me to do (Ephesians 2:10). 

Today God invites you to live a life marked by faithfulness. By His Spirit and with the guidance and encouragement of His Word, this is an attainable goal for you. No matter what your past has held, this resolution can mark a new beginning.

Resolution #4 – Faithfully His

I will live as a woman answerable to God

and faithfully committed to His Word.

 

Reading for March 23rd: Pages 89-110 (My Best)