Follow The Manual

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

 -Joshua 1:7-8

Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the strength and the conviction to complete the task you entrusted to me. Thank you for guiding me straight and true through the many obstacles in my path. And for keeping me resolute when all around seemed lost. Thank you for your protection and your many signs along the way. Thank you for any good that I may have done, I’m so sorry about the bad. Thank you for the friend I made. Please watch over her as you watched over me. Thank you for finally allowing me to rest. I’m so very tired, but I go now to my rest at peace. Knowing that I have done right with my time on this earth. I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith.

 -Denzel Washington, Book of Eli

 

There is God’s way. It doesn’t change.  It is based on trust and obedience.  It is harder.  It requires more sacrifice and serving.  It is the path Jesus paved.  It ultimately fulfills what you were created for.

There is man’s way.  It is based on getting “yours”.  It is based on satisfying our cravings and wants.  Every day it gets farther and farther from God’s original design for us. It eventually leaves you empty.

Intentionally, today…. and everyday….follow the manual

Still & Quiet

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.

He lies me down in green pastures.

He leads me by still waters.

He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:1-3

I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face.

Man, I ain’t getting nowhere

-Bruce Springsteen, Dancing in the dark

We always feel good coming out of the barber shop/ hair dresser. (unless you did not get a good cut!)

Going out and buying a great new pair of shoes or new clothes.

Even sometimes it’s shaving our beard or for women getting a facial massage or new makeup.

It makes us feel better.  We are happier and more confident because we look better.

Ironically, when we are having internal issues we deal with them by making external changes.  Changes that have a short shelf life.

But, it is easier and you see the results immediately. However, those changes cannot make the most impact on our, and others, lives.

As we look to the outside to make changes to help us “feel” better, true prosperity comes from the soul.

We need to learn to be still.  In stillness we can allow truths about ourselves come to light.  We are, therefore able to get clarity and be refreshed by God. In the refreshment our soul prospers.

The challenge is intentionally putting time aside to be alone, quietly. We live in time where noise is prevalent.  We have easy to use ear buds to listen to music at all times.  We need to learn to listen to God speak to the recesses of our being.

When you engage with yourself in real silence, you can find two things.  First, how to deal with the events and situations in life which create noise and disquiet you, and, second, you can find out who you really are.  That is real spiritual development.

 -Graham Turner, The Power of Silence; The riches within

So much of the changes we think we need are not things to attain but to find that which are already within.

It is when we are still that we can have healthy changes, from the inside out.

Intentionally, today…and everyday…Shhh…

Fear Less

You who fear him, trust in the LORD– He is their help and shield. Psalm 115:11

 

We are fearless when we are confident we can trust in our own abilities and adequacy. Therefore we run forward and seize victory.

Other times we are fearful.  We are not confident within ourselves or the situation.

We freeze.

We hesitate.

We retreat.

It could be that we have been at the edge of this cliff / the base of this mountain, before.  It was a painful experience.  Because, we did it trusting in our own power.  Our own strength.  God brings us back that we may experience victory in His power.  He commands our faith.  Our trust.

Interestingly, the constant in those two different words, fearless and fearful, is the word fear.  Fear is present in both.  However, it is our belief in our power over it, or lack of it, under it.  It has a lot to do with our faith in God and trusting Him.

Setting forth can be very difficult while fear is present.  Faith isn’t easy.  It is, though, where fulfillment is found.  It is the fulfillment that God desires for you to experience.

Learn to FULLY trust God to fear LESS.  Spend more time with Him.  Listen. Learn.  Be transformed.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.  Zechariah 4:6

Intentionally, today…. and everyday….fear less and fully live the abundant life that God desires for you.

Decide

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. – John 1:43

 

Each day, on average, you make over 1,000 decisions. Food decisions a lone, are over 200.

Split decisions

Premeditated decisions

Hurried decisions

Forced decisions

Most decisions are on auto pilot- don’t even realize we are making a decision because they are so unimportant

Decisions = C.H.O.I.C.E.

Constructing How Obstacles (opportunities) Impact Continuing Engagement

We are perpetually engaged in the process of the building of our lives.

Of the + 1,000 decisions you make each day the very first one influences all the others; which influence the perpetual construction of….You.

When you wake up your mind will either seek Him or seek you.  Seek God’s Will, His face, His presence or personal need.

Jesus decided.  We know from Mark 1:35 He went to be alone in prayer before anyone in the house was awake.  In John 5:19, 30 He tells us that He can only do what the Father’s will for Him to do.

That First decision is based on a personal intimate relationship with God and that you trust Him more for your daily decisions than that of yourself.

Choosing God first is choosing Wisdom.  Choosing God first is igniting the Holy Spirit to work through you.  Choosing God first enables you to make decisions that are out of your grasp but because of your faith alive you will trust.  That empowers you to make decisions emboldened.

Decisions that will be an impetus for you to live a greater you.

Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God above all else and His righteousness and He will give you everything you need. – Matthew 6:33

 

THE BEST DECISION YOU WILL MAKE TODAY, EVERY DAY           

 

Intentionally, today…. and everyday…. Decide

Mr. Miyagi Wisdom

Lean not on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord with all your heart. – Proverbs 3:5

 “Daniel – san, again,” said Miyagi, “wax on, wax off, wax on, wax off.”  Gotta love some Karate Kid.

Daniel wanted to learn how to defend himself.  So he went to a master.  He was ready to be a karate expert.  Mess up some dudes.  Feel changed.  Feel strong.

He anticipates the first day.

So what does he get to do first day?

Wax all of Miyagi’s cars.

Daniel-san easily gets irritated, bored and angry.  He wants to learn Karate- not be some servant to some old man.

Daniel gives his grievances and about walks out.

“I promise to teach you.  You promise to learn.  I say, you do.  No questions.”

He continues the repetition of circling one way and then the other, with his hand waxing car.  It makes no sense to him how this is going to help him learn.

“This school sucks, man. Sucks!”

Before Miyagi could teach him the actual technique of Karate he had to get him to be disciplined.  The only thing was that Daniel-san didn’t realize was that during this “torture” he was learning a significant karate defense.  The continual repetition of palms open circling first clockwise then counter clockwise, over and over, was conditioning him to defend.

He would later learn when someone came at him his natural reflex would be that motion of – wax on, wax off.

Isn’t it the same with us?

We just want to be empowered and be full of wisdom; to have clarity and favor; insight and profound understanding.  We just want God to do stuff for us.

And what does God say?  Read and pray.  Read and pray. Read and pray.  Wax on, wax off; wax on, wax off.

 Keep on, keepin on

Like Daniel-san we just want to ditch this crazy teaching.  We don’t understand how reading what was written 2,000 years ago is going to change us now. We want results now.

But what we will learn is the process will bring the desired results in time.

Whether we feel like it or not.   Whether we think we have the time or not (YOU don’t, you make the time) Discipline is the most important, and most neglected, key into transforming your living.

 

Well, because it isn’t fun. We want some physical proof. But when you show obedience God will become more alive to you than ever before.

The Word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than the sharpest two edged sword. Cutting through both bone and marrow, soul and spirit.  Discerning every though and desire of man. – Hebrews 4:12

 

It’s allowing the Word to seep into your very being.  It is a continual process.

Be diligent and steadfast.

Allow it to run its course thru and to you.

 

…be transformed by the renewing of your mind – Romans 12:2

 

Intentionally, today…. and everyday…. wax on, wax off

Pay Close Attention

“The prudent understand where they are going, but fools are deceived” – Proverbs 14:8

 

 Andy Andrews and friends go fishing miles off the shore of Mobile, Alabama.  They set the GPS to the compass and head in a certain direction.  They set their path right to a certain oil rig platform in the gulf.  It takes them a good hour or so to get out there.  They set off and get caught up in their conversations.  This one particular morning they were having a great fun time.  They weren’t paying close attention to anything in particular when they realized that they should have already seen the platform. One of the guys looked to his left and noticed a very small something far off in the distance on the water.  They realized that they had missed the platform, which was their reference point, in the vast Gulf of Mexico.  They made their way to the platform the whole time trying to figure out how they got so far from their intended target.  What they ended up finding out was that their compass, they set their GPS to, was off by 100^th of a point from true center.

100^th of a point. Such a miniscule measurement.  But how big a consequence it could have been.  They could have been lost, with no sight of land.

We, too, can start off on a path that is TRUE.  Our intentions.  Someone else’s intentions. But over time we subtly are going off true center.  Ever so slightly, and not be aware.  Because everything seems ok. We, too, have our intended destination.

When we aren’t in 100% truth, we are deceived.

Each of us has been deceived at some point in our lives.  It is usually very subtle.  We get caught with our guard down.  We’re not paying close attention.  Maybe it’s the fine print we skip over.

Perhaps we too are 100^th of a point off center and don’t know it because everything seems ok.  Kind of like the frog that will immediately jump out of hot water but doesn’t jump out of the lukewarm water because it’s comfortable.  And doesn’t notice the subtle increase in temperature until it’s too late and he’s boiled.

The enemy is at work against you.  And he is most deceptive.

Being deceived is hurtful and can make us very angry and cause us to act and say things we shouldn’t.

We need to pay better attention to what God says is truth for us.  We find it in His Word.  We find it when we pay close attention to what is leading us to do or say.

When we pay close attention to what we are listening to; to what we are allowing to mold us.  If we pay close attention to our environment and those around us we can observe that the world around us tries to deceive us that truth is only what you believe it is and there is no absolute truth.

To know that something is counterfeit you have to know what is true.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the TRUTH and the life” – John 14:6

 

“If you abide in my teachings you are truly my disciples. And you will come to know the truth and the truth will set you free.- John 8:31-32

 

Free from deceptive worldly views that will knock you off 100^th of a point off truth.

Pay close attention today.  Are there area’s in life that you have been deceived in thinking and doing something will bring long term joy?  Measure it up against Jesus.

 Does it mirror what He says?

Are you off center?

Ask God.  Ask Him to open your eyes to truth that you are being deceived about in your life.

“Keep me from lying to myself

Give me the privilege of knowing your instruction” – Psalm 119:29

 

Intentionally, today…and everyday…pay close attention and be set free

FREEDOM For

 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  –John 8:31-32

Sir Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Prize winning poet once said, “I have on my table a violin string.  It is free.  But it is not free to do what a violin string is supposed to do-to produce music.  So I take it, fix it in my violin and tighten it until it is taut.  Only then is it free to be a violin string.”  By the same token we are free when our lives are uncommitted, but not to be what we were intended to be.  Real freedom is not freedom from, but freedom for.

 -Robert Youngs, Renewing Your Faith Day by Day

 

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.  –John 15:5

 

For in him we live and move and exist.  –Acts 17:28

 

It might work in a Frank Sinatra song, but we will have a hard time doing it our way.

We want to do what we want, when we want, how we want.

If it feels good, do it.

It’s your life and no one is going to tell you how to live it.

True.  You are free to do it your way.

FREE to be ME.

…How many times have you ever said….

I don’t know what the heck I am doing!

This is making no sense!

How do I keep screwing this up!

I made a mess!

This went a lot better in my mind!

Why does this keep happening!

_____________________ fill in the blank

God did not design you to live your own way.  Why?  Because sin has so corrupted the way the culture thinks we end up being duped into ways that are not healthy mind, body and/or spirit.

It might work out for awhile: on the surface anyway.

However, eventually our way apart from being obedience to His will leaves us empty and unsatisfied.

Not freedom from, but freedom for.

Intentionally, today…. and everyday….fall in step and find the real path of your freedom to LIVE