Your Faith Determines Your Goal - Episode 1

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8 Jesus here was talking about the widow who enemies wanted to take all her possession following the death of her husband.  1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” This is a parable said by Jesus to illustrate the attitude of prayer. What is prayer? Prayer is the art of talking to God.It is a relationship with your heavenly Father  that gives you the right to talk to Him freely and for you to get response. When you dont know how to pray to your Father how else do you want to know how to recieve from Him.Mind you,He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith,he helps even in our weaknesses.So,your personal relationship with God gives you the abilty to pray,recieve and give thanks. A lot of us go to God asking Him to give us something we desire,we want,we cherish,well,it starts with your relationship with God. Now,how do you build a relationship with God? God,our heavenly Father,the Creator of the Heaven and Earth has made it so very free for us by: 1.Accepting that Jesus died for us. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.-John 3:16   2.Believing in His Son Jesus,who came to die for our sins. 3.Accepting Him as your Lord and Personal Savior. 4.Wanting to please Him always. 5.Have Faith that He hears and answers your prayers.

ANGER AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

“A hot-tempered man … gets into all kinds of trouble.” (Proverbs 29:22 TLB)

Anger has a price tag. When you realize that truth, you’re more likely to control the anger in your life. The Bible tells us, “A hot-tempered man … gets into all kinds of trouble” (Proverbs 29:22 TLB). Most of us have seen someone do something really stupid because that person was angry.

The Bible is very specific on the cost of anger. The Bible says:

• It causes arguments (Proverbs 15:18).
• It causes mistakes (Proverbs 14:29).
• It causes foolish things (Proverbs 14:17).

You’ve probably seen all of these results from your own anger and the anger of others. The Bible is also clear on the ultimate conclusion of our inappropriately expressed anger. Proverbs 11:29 says, “The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left.”

Think of the impact anger has on your family. As parents, we’re often tempted to use anger to motivate our children. It works in the short-term. When you get angry, you put the fear of God (or the fear of you) into your children. Your kids may give you short-term obedience, but you’ll lose in the long-term.

The end result of misplaced anger is alienation. You alienate the very people you love the most. 

Eventually, you’ll get more anger back and finally just apathy. No one wants to be around you.

The truth is, you always lose when you lose your temper. You may lose your reputation, your job, your children, or the love of your husband or wife when you don’t control your anger. 

And it’s never worth that price tag. 

 ACTION POINTS

• What are some examples of people you’ve seen become alienated from others because of their anger?
• If you’ve sometimes exhibited misplaced anger, what were the costs in your life?
• What is a practical way you can deal with your anger so that it does not cause pain for you or the people around you?

Credit: Pastor Rick Warren

8 Things that Hyper-Effective People Do

How can we define the essential things in our lives when everything in 2016 feels essential?

Staying ahead of the curve, leading, and excelling in our  various jobs means we all must increase efficiency.

Here are the eight things that hyper-efficient people do differently.

1. They Learn—Efficiently

They listen to audio books—but do it at double speed.  When you’re learning, you’re growing. When you’re growing, you’re bringing new opportunities to yourself and to those around you.

2. They’re Mindful

Creating space in our lives is difficult.  Deirdre Breakenridge, takes things a step further. She says, “As much as possible, when I’m in meetings, I remove unnecessary technology. At times, this means no smartwatch, smartphone, or laptop in front of me.” She went on to share that, “When you listen to what people are saying, you eliminate the time-consuming guesswork that occurs after the meeting. Listening carefully allows you to move forward with clear direction, purpose, and high efficiency.”

3. They Exercise and Get Enough Sleep

By now, we all know that exercise and sufficient sleep are important. But for some, they feel unrealistic. Bill Arzt, co-founder of the hot startup FitReserve, offers a shortcut that’s helped him. He suggests you “replace networking with sweatworking. Combine your meetings with workouts.”

4. They Don’t Waste Time With Emotional Battles That Don’t Matter

 “I have found it very helpful to mentally assign the emotional battles of running a startup to one of two buckets. Bucket A—the stuff that matters bucket. Bucket B—the doesn’t matter bucket. Every time I am faced with an issue, my first course of action is to decide Bucket A or B.”-Alex Baydin .He confessed that, “The vast majority will fall into Bucket B. The few issues that truly matter I then deal with head-on.”

5. They Prioritize Their Life

Greg McKeown, speaks about the hyper-efficient in his book. He says such people know what they want, and they put their goals first. After all, he adds, “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”

6. They Live Simply, by Saying No

Living simply means knowing what it means to be productive versus active. The hyper-efficient are sculptors of their own lives. They take away instead of add.
Time management is emotional—we feel guilt. Understand that you are the problem. You’re saying “yes” to too much.
You want to help people, but when you say yes to one thing that doesn’t matter, you’re saying yes to the nonessential things that come along with it. So, start saying no more often.

7. They Throw Away To-Do Lists and Automate Menial Tasks

Efficient people don’t just determine how urgent something is (referring to how soon or significant it is). They also determine how long something matters. Meaning: What can they do today that will have the greatest impact down the line?
Success is no longer related to volume. Success is determined by the significance the task has in your life. You can then investigate ways to automate those important yet time-consuming actions.
I recently heard Rory Vaden, author of Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time, share a profound idea. Rory said, “Automation is to your time as compound interest is to your money.”

8. They rely on God to Help Them no matter how little it may seem.

Most people think little things don't matter,They say "perhaps,God has too much things to handle to help me with this tiny little problem." The Bible says -God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble-Psalm 46:1.Wow,God is ever present and always ready to help whether in big things or small tribulation.He is Always There.


So ask yourself, what can I do today that will positively change what I will be doing in two years?

 Credit:Inc.com

YOUR FEARS AND ANXIETY ARE ALL COVERED

Some things we face in life are just plain tough.  And with all that is going on in the world today – violence, crime, international unrest, economic uncertainty, job loss, concern over the future of our children, family hardships, disease, world hunger, drug abuse, education costs – there actually IS a lot we could  potentially worry about.  

Fear…worry…anxiety.

But, ever notice that so much of what we worry about never even happens?  Fear can be so controlling over our lives. 

I struggled with fear and worry for years.  Recently I’ve found that the things that once would have sent me down an anxious spiral, no longer have the same effect.  It didn’t happen quickly, but over time, through the years.  I read words.  Of life.  Of truth. Soaking them in.  Over and over.  Praying them out loud.  Until they became so familiar, they replaced the other things I battled against. There’s nothing magical about them, but there is power through them, because they’re God’s words.  Change happened.

Anxious thoughts began to diminish.  Worry let go of its constant grip.  And though fear is sometimes still there, it no longer has control, it no longer holds me back.  His words are soothing to our soul, calming to our spirits, power to our days…there is hope there. 

It’s not always easy, but we must make a choice.  Choose NOT to allow fear and anxiety to control your life.  Guard your heart.  Focus your mind on what is truth in the midst of an uncertain world. We may be afraid but we can believe that God is with us. We may not be in control but we can trust the One who is. We may not know the future but we can know the God who does.

His word brings hope…peace…freedom.  He will cover you…you are never alone.

1.  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

2.  “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”  Psalm 56:3

3.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

4.  “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

5.  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

6.  “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”  1 John 4:18

7.  “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”  Psalm 94:19

8.  “But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”  Isaiah 43:1

9.  “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”  Proverbs 12:25

10. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

11. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

12. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:34

13. “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time.  Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7

14. “Tell everyone who is discouraged, ‘Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…” Isaiah 35:4

15. “…do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”  Luke 12:22-26

16. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 27:1

17. “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”  Psalm 55:22

18. “Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  Mark 6:50

19. “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

20. “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 41:13-14

21. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1

22. “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  The Lord is with me; he is my helper.”  Psalm 118:6-7

23. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”  Proverbs 29:25

24. “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  Mark 4:39-40

25. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”  Psalm 34:7

26. “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.”  1 Peter 3:14

27. “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.”  Psalm 34:4

28. “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”  Deuteronomy 3:22

29. “…Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.”  Revelation 1:17

30. “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.'”  Mark 5:36

31. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”  Romans 8:38

32. “For the Lord your God is living among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”  Zephaniah 3:17

33. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”…He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you…For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways…“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him…”  Psalm 91

And you know all that stuff on your mind? Give it to God and go to bed. Sleep in peace tonight, He knows what concerns you, He’s got you covered.

God Bless You.

Credit:Fresh Day Ahead