Weightier Matter

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  Galatians 6:7

The straw that broke the camel’s back.

This is a saying that means that a lot of a little thing compounded will eventually bring someone or something, down.

In our own lives we can let something or someone bring us down.  For the camel, the first isolated piece of straw is so light that it is just an afterthought.  Surely, it cannot bother him or keep him from going about his business.

We too can be deceived. 

Maybe it is a habit or an attitude.  Could it be continual negativity?

Are there some hurtful jabs that you continue to throw at someone or that someone throws at you? Sooner or later they add up and have a damaging effect.

It could be a habit of a “little” sin that we perpetuate. 

Perhaps it is someone’s attitude toward you that seeps poison into your mind and/or your heart.  Blinded, because it is odorless and colorless.  It WILL get you.

For some it can be the continual pressures of work piling on and feeling that we cannot say no.

But why?  Why does the camel not shake off the straw?  Maybe at first it feels comfortable or just thinks it is too much of a hassle.

Why don’t we? 

The mistake we can make is to be deceived in believing it really is not that big of a deal. 

After awhile it might seem to be easier to deal with the straw piling up then to have to deal with the unknown or consequences.  We actually might be afraid.

We might not believe we know how.

Whatever it may be, we can easily become enabled or feel powerless against it.

It is a choice that we are free to make and are empowered to step forward and shake off the straw before they pile on too heavy and it breaks you.  Only, if we learn how.

We won’t know unless we step forward in the power we have to do so.

The power is turning to God and asking for Him to do what you cannot for yourself. 

Surrender it to Him. 

Lay it down. 

It may be surprisingly refreshing and liberating.

Trust that He will see you through.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Intentionally, today….and everyday…shake off the straws that will eventually break you.

A Meaningful Specific

Then we will no longer be immature like children.  We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching.  We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like truth. – Ephesians 4:14

Are you easily talked into doing something?  Or easily talked out of doing something?

Do you easily go along with whatever friends, co workers, etc are doing?

Are you easily steered in different directions?

Every day you must begin from the same starting point.

Where in life are you trying to grow?

Where in life are you trying to begin?

What in life do you desire to be more of?  Less of?

Do you give yourself the time to evaluate your life and the desires of your life?  Do you stop, listen and allow God to give you clarity in what He has put into your DNA, your physical, spiritual, psychological makeup?  The gifts He has given you?  Your identity – do you have one?

If we don’t step aside from the constant bouncing around each day like a pinball we will be tossed to and fro without a clear precise purpose. We need a precise purpose that will get us up and going strong each day.

We must be steady, solid, in who we are, what we believe and what we are striving to live for.

Don’t become a wandering generality but focus on being a meaningful specific – Zig Ziglar

To be a meaningful specific we must intentionally take serious time to evaluate what are our core beliefs. What do you truly desire each day to accomplish in all aspects of your life?

Is it to be an encourager?  

To tolerate and understand?

To motivate?  

Inspire?

To teach? 

To be taught?  

To serve? 

To give?  

To be helpful?

To learn?  

To expand in knowledge?  

To study?  

To be healthier spiritually as well as physically? 

What are you willing to do to actualize it?

What are you willing to ignore?  What are you willing to stand up for?

What do you feel compelled to strike out and do, and be?

BE CLEAR

When we identify our lifestyle we won’t be easily lured by fruitless distractions.  And there are an immense amount of them out there dressed up in attractive diversions. Doing things and wasting time with things that aren’t in line with the direction we have been divinely wired to go.  And it leaves us unfulfilled, unsettled, in our spirit and our mind.

God has a purpose in the way, and how, all that you do – at work, home, socially, etc.

Seek it, cultivate it, LIVE it.

 Intentionally, today…..and everyday…. Know you, specifically

Can / not

For nothing is impossible with God. – Luke 1:37

cannotcannotcannotcannotcannotcannotcannotcannotcannot

What do you see? –   can……or….not?

Which one is your eye conditioned see?

Or will you just alternate do to your feelings and emotions in the given situation?

God says it is by FAITH. It is by YOUR, belief.

And because of their unbelief, Jesus couldn’t do any miracles among them. And He was amazed at their unbelief – Mark 6:5-6

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of the things unseen. It is impossible to please God without faith. You must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. – Hebrews 11:1, 6

1. Speak truth Luke 1:37

2. Don’t let what you don’t see, what you have been waiting for, keep you from believing. The enemy wants you to speak disbelief

3. Your faith in “Yes! He can” activates the Holy Spirit working for God on your behalf

4. Seeking Him diligently leads to a stronger faith. Growing more intimate in a relationship with God will grow your faith and bring the belief in you. THAT brings about God working the possible, in what seems impossible, in your life.

We must continually be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Continue to add “Yes” and “can” to your mind, to your words. Be empowered.

Grow in being emboldened in our God, in our faith, in ourselves

Train your mind on…….can

Condition it through speaking it

Visualize it

LIVE it

Intentionally, Today and Everyday…… Yes, He can! Yes, You can!…….God in, and through, you

Chase It

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  Hebrews 12:11

Alarm goes off at 4:59 a.m.

He hits snooze.  Again at 5:07, 5:15, 5:23, 5:31.

Finally he turns it off.  The young man has such a desire. He not only wants to be starter on his team, but he wants to excel as a star.  He is determined to do what not many others are doing in order that he can accomplish what few others are willing and able to do.  Tired.  He sits up.  His pillow is calling his name.

Choice to make.  Listen to his feelings, his pillow.  Or, his desire.  His dream.

Gets dressed.  Out the door into the dark cool predawn.  He jogs to the field.  Starts running his sprints.  Hurries home, has to be at school at 7.

A few weeks later the clock flips from 4:58 to 4:59.  Silence in the bedroom. No movement. 

The front door quietly shuts.  He is already out the door running to the field.  Searching and calling out discipline.  He no longer hides from it; runs from it.  He no longer loathes it.  He now needs it.  He calls it out.  He embraces and inhales it.  He has discovered what it can do for him.  It can make his desires and dreams a reality.

The biggest hurdle we have in actualizing the purposes God has put in our hearts is discipline; discipline to be obedient to His Word and disciplined to put the distractions and deceptions to the side.

Every day………..You and you alone….Have a choice to make.

 Intentionally, today…..and everyday….Choose wisely

Sticky Situation

Dr. Spencer Silver was a scientist for 3M.  He was working diligently attempting to develop a super strong adhesive.  He was unsuccessful in his endeavor. He kept hitting a stumbling block. However, this stumbling block became a stepping stone.

He created a solution without a problem.  He founded a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive.

He accidently invented the Post-it.

We too have stumbling blocks in our lives.  We see it and we resign ourselves to believe it will once again keep us from progressing.

To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above you can ask, pray or think.  Ephesians 3:20.

God will not allow a stumbling block in our lives without it being a stepping stone.

God doesn’t waste any trial in your life.

Doctor Silver discovered that what we all need to discover.  There is worth and discovery in all good endeavors.

Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.  Galatians 6:9.

Ask and you shall receive.  Matthew 7:7.

Call upon Me and I will answer you and show you great and unsearchable things you don’t know of.  Jeremiah 33:3

What you will discover through good endeavors is that there is always something, tangible or intangible, that you can profit from.  Learn from.  Discover.

In persevering we discover ways to use our imagination, creativity and ingenuity.

Surrender it to God.  Ask God to open your mind, to open your eyes.  Ask for wisdom.  Keep your resolve and be open to what God wants you to benefit from with good hard work.

Keep working hard!  Keep persevering!  Good will come forth.

Intentionally, Today and Everyday…… see your stumbling block as a stepping stone

Resources at http://www.matttreppel.com/

LIVE Intentional Today

BODY – Somehow, some way, intentionally be physically active

MIND – Continue to use empowering words – conversations, interactions

SPIRIT – Read the Word –allow it to transform your spirit, your mind