INTENTIONAL LIVING

"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." - John 9:4

A couple of years ago, I had some minor surgery performed.  During my recovery, I spent time in prayer and reflection.  A particular thought came to my mind:  if averages play out, I've lived over half of my life.  This kind of realization may seem morbid to some, but it can be a great eye-opening concept to others. 

Realizing that over half of my life is already gone, I came to the conclusion that I need to be intentional about how I live the rest of my life.  Regardless of your age, it will be would wise for you to live intentionally also.  We are only allowed to live one time here on earth, so we need to make the most of this opportunity.

Jesus lived an intentional life.  Jesus knew that His time was limited.  He had just a short period of time to live; yet there were things He needed to accomplish.  In John 9:4, Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

From the life of Jesus, we can learn how to live intentionally.  Note a few things about His intentional life.

1.  HE HAD PASSION

First of all, Jesus had passion.  Notice that He said, "I MUST work the works of him that sent me," (emphasis added).  Jesus was passionate about life.  He was passionate about the time He had left.  Jesus knew how much time He had left.  We don't have that kind of insight.  However, you and I know that, like Jesus, our time is limited.  We have less time to live than ever before.  Jesus was not going to live passively.  He was not going to be sidetracked from His work.  He kept His focus on the things that mattered most.

2.  HE HAD PURPOSE

Secondly, Jesus had purpose.  Jesus said, "I must WORK THE WORKS of him that sent me," (emphasis added).  Jesus had a specific job to accomplish.  The work was not simply to fulfill His own goals, dreams and desires, but to accomplish the work, "... of him that sent me."

Sadly, most Christians emphasize the wrong things.  We prioritize the minor things to the neglect of the major things.  We are busy earning a living and paying bills, but are we living the life God intends for us to live?  Sadly, many believers get on their deathbed and look back with regret, knowing they've neglected the most important things. 

Jesus lived intentionally, living with purpose.  As I pondered this issue myself, I felt that there were certain things I need to focus on for the rest of my life.  I find myself being pulled by the world's demands.  On a regular basis, I have to revisit my life purpose and the things I know I need to be doing.  Daily life has a way of distracting us from vital things.  We need to recognize what God is leading us to do --- then stay focused and faithful to these things.

3.  HE HAD PERCEPTION

Finally, Jesus had perception.  He had the insight to know that His time was limited.  Jesus said, "... the night cometh when no man can work."  Like Jesus, there are many things we need to get done right now.  When death comes, it will be too late to witness to your children, give to those in need or help your neighbor.  Johnny Hunt once said, "We'll have all eternity to enjoy our victories, but only one lifetime in which to win them." 

We have a limited time to live.  If we intend to get anything done in the Name of Christ and for His cause, it is right now.  If there is a specific task that God has placed on your heart to do, get busy on it right now. 

Live intentionally.  That's the only way we can live, and ultimately die, without regrets.

NEVER STOP GROWING

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended..." - Philippians 3:13

Personal growth is a lifetime process.  For most people, the idea of growth is scaring and frustrating.  Many people tend to think that the learning process ended at graduation.  They have no desire to learn and grow.  Sadly, many people must be forced to grow, or they will never grow at all.

This is a problem, especially for men.  I am told that women account for 90% of all book sales.  For the most part, men refuse to read.  In fact, a shocking number of men have never read a book since leaving high school.  It is sad that most men simply want to work and play ... but stay the same.

The Apostle Paul had a desire to be a better Christian.  When he wrote, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended," he was basically saying, "I have not arrived yet."  Despite his growth, Paul was not satisfied that he had reached some pinnacle of potential.  He knew that there was more to learn and experience.

What about you?  Are you growing?  Let me give this simple advice:  Never stop growing!  I give this advice to myself as well as others.

The Apostle Peter's final written words in Scripture were simple:  "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior..."  For a Christian, growth is expected. 

Let me challenge one false concept about growth.  You may read your Bible daily and go to church every time the doors are open & yet fail to grow.  Growth is more than obtaining information.  There are many immature Christians who know doctrine and church practice, but are no closer to godliness than ever before.  They may be intimate with the church by-laws and be walking far from God.

Let me give you three basic steps of growth:

1.  LONGING

First of all, there needs to be a passion for growth.  If you are content with your spiritual progress, you need to prayerfully reexamine your life.  I believe that a growing Christian has a holy discontentment in his heart.  He longs to know more about God so He may love God more and obey Him more explicitly.  One way to cultivate a passion for growth is to hang around those who are actively growing.  The church is a great place to find people who are growing.  Get close to growing people.  Their passion may overflow into your life.  Another way to develop a passion for growth is to focus on the benefits of growth.  The upside potential is tremendous for growing people. 

2.  LEARNING

Learning is the second step of growth.  Once you have a passion to grow, you seek to learn more about God, yourself and the Christian life.  Obviously, Christian growth includes regular time in the Word.  The Bible is the best place to learn about the Lord.  The Bible is food for the soul, a light for your path and gives strength for the challenges ahead.  In addition to reading the Bible daily, I recommend that you read from a good devotional daily, such as Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening," or the classic, "My Utmost For His Highest."  Although you may not have the resources for a large library, I encourage you to read classic books by Christian authors like A. W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, Andrew Murray and E. M. Bounds.  Never stop learning!

3.  LIVING

The third step of growth is to implement the things you learn in everyday life.  This is where many well-meaning Christians fail.  Many church members have perfect attendance at a Bible Study class and keep a good notebook of study notes, yet fail to apply the things they learn.  Sadly, American Christians are spiritually obese ... we keep digesting truth but never obey what is taught.  If growth stops with learning, we tend to have a lot of head-knowledge that never leads to genuine growth.

Here's the bottom line.  Growth is all about change.  If you aren't changing into the person God wants you to be, you aren't growing.  As humans, we tend to resist change.  To us, change is uncomfortable.  Often, change requires us to do new things and experience new adventures.  We'd prefer the comfort of a church pew any day rather than actively walk by faith & be used by God. 

Growth is a work of God, but we must be willing to participate in the process.  He expects us to sow & cultivate the seed --- and then He will bless the seed to grow.  Seed in the hand will never produce a harvest.  Seed that is properly planted and cultivated may yield a great increase.

By faith, look ahead one year from now.  Do you wish to be at the same spiritual level you are right now?  Do you long to be a better Christian?  Do you long to be closer to Jesus?  Do you long to have a fervent, vibrant prayer-life?  Do you want to be a mature believer?  If so, the process needs to start today.  Have a longing for growth.  Be learning so that you can grow.  Live out the truth daily so that growth may occur.  Begin today.

Never stop growing!!!

A NEW YEAR:  MAKE RESOLUTIONS ... OR SET GOALS?

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14

As we embark on a New Year, many will make "New Year's Resolutions."  Often these resolutions are made with good intentions ... and last about two weeks.  It is an annual exercise in futility.

Should we even make resolutions?  A resolution is a promise you make to yourself and / or God.  Promises are easily made and are easily broken.  Personally, I don't make resolutions.  Promises I make to myself are useless and I am held accountable for promises I make to God.

Instead of making New Year's resolutions, I set goals for the upcoming year.  I usually start the list in October or November of the year before.  This gives me time to make changes to the list.  I must confess that I rarely accomplish 100% of my goals ... but I often achieve most of them.

I found that the Apostle Paul set goals.  In Philippians 3:14, he wrote, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  The phrase, "I press toward the mark," indicates an all-out effort to reach a goal.  Jesus had a specific goal:  "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."  His work was very specific, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

At the beginning of the year, many people will make unattainable goals, then get discouraged and quit completely.  Others will not set any goals at all.  It has been said that if you shoot at nothing, you'll hit it every time.  I think it is important to set goals. 

Let me make some recommendations as you consider making goals for the New Year:

1.  GOALS SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED

Write down your goals.  This helps you clearly articulate the goals you seek to achieve.  Keep the list nearby and review it regularly.

2.  GOALS SHOULD BE REALISTIC

Setting unattainable goals will only discourage you.  Your goals should be challenging enough to require hard work and diligence to accomplish them.  For instance, it is unrealistic to think you will lose 50 pounds in just two weeks.  It is more realistic to lose 5 pounds in a year.  It may be unrealistic to write a novel in seven days, but you may be able to write a chapter in two weeks.  Being realistic with goal setting is important. 

3.  GOALS SHOULD BE MEASURABLE

Vague goals are difficult to achieve ... after all, when do you know that you've achieved them?  Instead of setting a goal to be healthier, set a more specific goal, like exercising for 20 minutes, three times per week.  Instead of setting a vague goal of being a better husband, set specific goals on how you may treat your spouse in a more honorable way.

4.  GOALS SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED

Share your goals with a trusted friend.  By sharing your goals, you will have someone to encourage and support you.  Also, the accountability will be beneficial for you.  When you know someone is expecting progress, it gives you extra incentive to keep working toward the goal.

5.  KEEP AT IT

Small steps taken regularly are better than trying to take a major step at the last moment.  When I was in school, unsuccessful students tried to "cram" for a test instead of slowly studying the subject matter over time.  It takes regular work to achieve meaningful goals. 

6.  GOALS SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE

Sometimes goals need to be adjusted.  Every year, I set a goal to read a specific list of books.  It is not uncommon to find that one of the books on my list is boring or badly written.  Once in a while, I strike a book from my reading list, especially if I find out that is a terrible book.  Also, I often add books I wish to read. 

 

7.  CELEBRATE THE GOALS YOU REACH

When you obtain a major goal, celebrate!  If you lose the specific weight you desired, treat yourself to a reward.  Let your accountability partner know, so they will celebrate with you.

Don't become a slave to your goals.  Keep motivated by regularly reviewing your goals and the progress you've made.  If you set the right goals for the right reasons, then work at them regularly, the year ahead may be the greatest year of your life!

CLINGING TO CHRIST

"My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me." - Psalm 63:8

You are following God as close as you want to.  That statement may seem to be false.  Popular Bible teachers sell books, CDs and DVDs that are advertised to help believers get closer to God.  While some of these resources may be beneficial, the fact is that our closeness to God is not some "secret" that only a few preachers know. 

The phrase, "My soul followeth hard after thee," is really translated to mean, "I cling close to Thee."  The choice to cling close to God is a personal decision that each believer makes daily.  Why aren't believers clinging close to God?  I believe that the enticements of this world distract many from the One who matters most.

What is keeping you from clinging close to God?  God is certainly willing for you to be close to Him. 

I need to clarify something.  We do not cling to God in order to be saved or remain saved.  Instead, we cling close to God because we want Him.  We want His fellowship.  We long to enjoy His company. 

Our security is found in the last part of our text, "... thy right hand upholdeth me."  We cling to God because we want Him.  He holds on to us to protect us and help us.  We are not secure because we hold on to Him.  We are secure because He is holding on to us.

God invites us to come close to Him.  He wants us to abide in Him.  Don't be satisfied with a long-distance relationship with God.  He desires more.  You need more.  There is no long-term satisfaction found in any other place than Christ Himself.

Don't disgrace your Lord by choosing something of lesser value to embrace.  Don't dishonor God by clinging to anything less than Him. 

Like the Fanny Crosby hymn, we should say,

"Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side."

REJOICING IN THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS

"Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." - Psalm 63:7

My job often requires a lot of technical insight.  Numerous times I've been at a job site and encountered a problem I couldn't solve.  It is always good to know that I can call someone and get technical support. 

In life, I encounter many problems that I can't solve myself.  Unfortunately, there's not a technical support phone number I can call for many of my problems.  Yet I have found Someone I can call when I need help.  I am thankful that there is help available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  In humble prayer, I can call upon One who knows the problems I face --- and the solution to my problems.

In our text, David refers to God's help:  "... thou hast been my help..."  God has a great track record when it comes to providing help.  Saints through the ages have made it through the most difficult situations because of divine grace.  Often, I think it would be beneficial if we'd put everything on hold for a few minutes and simply remember the times God has come through for us in the past. 

Because of God's help, David writes, "... therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice."  Figuratively, David refers to God's protection as being like a bird that protects her little ones by hiding them under her wings.  It is comforting to know that our Lord provides shelter and protection for His children. 

Do you recall your childhood days?  It was assuring to know that your parents were there to help and protect you.  Now as adults, we yearn for such peace.  The good news is that the help and protection we experience from our Lord is far greater than the safe haven we enjoyed at home when we were growing up.

God gives us help and protection from the storms we face.  God does not promise us a life void of storms.  However, He does provide us shelter from the storms.  God does not promise us freedom from pain, but He does provide us sufficient grace for the pain we experience.  

The source of our rejoicing is not found in peaceful circumstances, for many times our circumstances are difficult.  Instead, we rejoice because of the One who guides us through the difficulties and preserves us through our storms. 

Like David, we should say, "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice."

MEANINGFUL MEDITATION

"When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." - Psalm 63:6

There are times I have problems going to sleep.  Sometimes it is due to stress.  I admit that sometimes I struggle going to sleep because of worry.  Yet there are times I lie awake for seemingly no reason at all.  Sleepless nights are most troubling when I know that I have to get up much earlier than usual the following morning.

I don't claim to have all the answers for insomnia.  Although I don't practice it as well as I'd like, my policy is to allow myself 30 minutes to go to sleep.  If I am not very sleepy after 30 minutes, I get up and read.  Usually I read from the Bible or a Christian book.

From our text, we learn that David would think about God while lying on his bed.  Apparently for him, sleepless nights were times of worship and reflection. 

First of all, David remembered God.  "... I remember thee upon my bed..." David's thoughts were not wasted on the cares of this world.  Instead, his thoughts were very noble.  He remembered God. 

Secondly, he meditated on God.  Meditation is more than a passing thought.  Meditation involves deep concentration.  David's meditation of God was a delightful time of contemplation and adoration.  What a way to go to sleep!

Notice that David meditated on God, "... in the night watches."  During the dark, lonely hours of the night, David found comfort while meditating about his Lord.

Let me confess something.  Most of the time, I get ready for church a few minutes early on Sunday mornings.  I sit in the recliner, lean back, close my eyes and think about the Lord.  In a short period of time, I find myself deep in sleep. 

This leads me to ask myself the question:  why don't I do that more often during those sleepless nights? 

Perhaps if I did, the sleepless nights would not remain sleepless.

A SATISFIED SOUL

"My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips." - Psalm 63:5

I love to eat.  I especially enjoy a great steak.  To me, there is nothing like savoring the flavor of a juicy steak.  It makes my mouth water to even think about it.

In our text, David writes, "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness."  Marrow and fatness refers to the tender, juicy part of meat.   What David is saying is that God satisfies his soul like tender, juicy meat satisfies his taste buds.  Think about that.  God satisfies the soul.  Complete satisfaction.  

Why don't we experience that kind of satisfaction with God?  When I was growing up, I'd come home from school, ready to eat.  However, we normally didn't eat supper until Dad got home (an hour or so later).  Mom would give us this warning:  don't eat any junk food.  Why was junk food forbidden close to suppertime?  If I ate a lot of potato chips before supper, it would ruin my appetite.  Eating junk food before a meal removes an appetite for better food.

Most believers do not have a hunger for God because they are eating too much worldly junk food.  When we have a daily intake of worldly junk food, our appetite for God and His Word suffers. 

Although potato chips are enjoyable, they don't compare to a juicy steak.  Yet if we eat enough potato chips before a steak dinner is served, we don't enjoy steak very much. 

The junk food of the world does not compare to the satisfaction found in our Lord.  Yet the junk food will keep us from enjoying Him as we should.  We need to change our spiritual diet.  We must remove worldly junk food so that the savor of our Lord may be enjoyed.

Finally, David writes, "... my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips."  In response to the satisfaction found in the Lord, David feels the need to put on a concert for the Lord.  His praise is directed toward an audience of One.   Notice that David promises to praise the Lord with "... my mouth..." David was neither shy nor timid concerning his faith.  Praise would often flow from his lips.

David promised to praise the Lord, "... with joyful lips."  David's praise will come from a heart full of joy.  Joyful lips would offer praise to his Lord.

When I enjoy a great meal, I have a desire to thank and praise the cook.  The spiritual meal that we enjoy at the Master's table should create a desire for us to praise Him for the bountiful provision we've enjoyed.

Our Lord satisfies the hungry.  Let us accept Isaiah's invitation:  "... harken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." (Isaiah 55:2)