Memory Verse: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1
Finally here is part III of The A,B,C’s of Planning.
- Start decluttering your house. Start and dig into those drawers you try to avoid, and can’t even remember what you have in them. Get inside your wardrobe. Give away clothes in great condition that you haven’t worn in a while. My dad taught me a great principle. If you have not worn an outfit for a year or more, it’s more than likely time to pass it along. Another principle we have is this, when we receive or buy an outfit, we give one away. When I am blessed, I want to bless someone else. “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV
- Take time to smell the roses. A few weeks ago, my hubby and I walked the girls to school. After dropping them off, my sweetheart looked up in the sky and noticed the most colorful, ginormous rainbow hovering over the busy city. Sometimes we are in a huge hurry to get things done and we miss out on a rainbow in the sky. We let our busyness control us. Try and look up and around today, not just in front of us and down. Something might bless you or you might bless someone. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 NIV, “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 NIV
- Use your talent and investigate what other gifts you have. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function” Romans 12:4 NIV “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8 NIV In case you think you have nothing to offer to others, here’s some points to think about: a. What are the things you are naturally good at and enjoy doing? Make a list. b. Ask those around you, that know you well, to tell you what they believe you are great at. c. Be intentional on using your skills and passions at home, at church, wherever you go. d. Don’t be afraid to try new things. You may be surprised at what hidden treasures God put in you. When it comes to gifts and talents, I would say: explore, invest, and overuse them. I love being creative, playing instruments, baking, and being encouraging. I may not be good at those things, but I am wired that way. And, I get joy doing it. When it comes to baking, maybe others get some joy out of that too, when it comes to instruments maybe some ears get bothered. But, I love making a joyful noise. So, find a place to use your gifts and talents.
- Verbally communicate your appreciations to those around. Don’t just assume that they know how precious they are to you, how much you love them, how much you are encouraged by them. Say it out loud, not just in your head. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
- Worship regularly with other believers. The Bible is clear about meeting with other believers. There is no excuse not to attend a church. Online sermons are awesome, but only during your workout, driving, or cooking time, not a good replacement for the actual church. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
- X-ray your theology. Do you know what you believe in? If someone asked you about your faith, are you ready to answer accurately backing it up with scripture? Is the church you are attending biblically sound? Take a class at your church or online to freshen that up. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” 1Peter 3:15 NIV
- Yield more in traffic and relationships. You don’t have to always be right or the first at the stoplight. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NIV
- Zero your debts. This might have been better to be all the way up top. Living in the credit card era it’s so easy to loose track of your spending, then you soon realize that you have become a slave of the lender. Only by God’s grace, my husband and I have zero debts. And it feels good and free. We only buy what we can afford and have the money for. If you want to afford to shop, do some window shopping too. “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 NIV
Things I need to work on:
- Choose two or three ideas that I need to focus on: Is it debt? Theology? Using my talents?
- Review the memory verse