Many people have come up to me and said, “How do I do more for God?”
Simple, just hit the basics:
1. Read the bible (If you have a hard time reading, get someone to hold you accountable)
2. Pray daily (thank Him, apologize if you need to, requests, and prayer for others)
3. Give (in a local church-tithe, keeps us from putting money first in our lives, and helps the church continue its mission of reaching people)
4. Help others around you (bring lunch to someone unexpectedly, mow your neighbors yard, write an encouraging email, if you do these things you will see lives changed for Christ)
We always think it is the most complex things that move us forward. Yet, it is the simplest things over time that hold huge rewards.
Most of us never stop to think about the basics. We move so fast in life or we spend tons of time thinking about bothering problems we don’t take time to find people that encourage us. So…who encourages you?
Is there someone in your life that builds you up, challenges you, and tells you that you are going to be ok? If not, pray for someone like that in your life, and be that person to someone else. We all need a cheering section, every one of us!
Eph 4:29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
I know that a common phrase that I hear when someone makes a mistake is, “It’s not a big deal” or “It won’t hurt anyone.” Lately, when I have been talking to people, this phrase of “taking it to 100 percent” comes out…I take whatever action someone says and I think of it in terms of “going all out” or “taking it forward to the extreme” and then I ask myself the question….does it bring positive or negative results? Does it bring things that are good or bad? Does it help the people around me or hurt those around me? Do I hide the action or bring it out in the open at 100 percent?
Most of the time the results are obvious. It helps direct our actions for ourselves, others, and honors God!
Many of us forgive ourselves very quickly. We understand our faults–we know that we are human.
Though, the real question is do we forgive others?
I have seen that some forgive easily the people that are closest to them. Their family, their friends, and their close co-workers, which is a great attribute. But, when it comes to someone who cuts you off you may say, “You jerk!” Those that are far away don’t get the same treatment.
Yet, I have seen some that hold total grace and forgiveness for those that are far away. The person that accidentally bumps into you or the person that calls you and has the wrong number. But, they have zero tolerance for their spouse or those closest to them.
Do you tend to have more grace for those close to you or far from you? It is crucial to know.
Where should our forgiveness be close or far?
The answer is both. We have to forgive and love others close to us and far from us…
Imagine comes up with tons of ideas! We have so many ideas from so many different people we can’t implement them all! It is great to have a culture where fresh ideas are always on the table. Yet, remember sometimes when an idea is thought of, it doesn’t mean that it has to be acted out. If we acted on every idea we would be in a million different directions.
The key is not just to develop tons of ideas, it is to pick and choose the right ones. Maybe the first idea was the step to the second idea and then to the third…Norm Larsen invented a product that we all use called “WD-40″ (Water Displacement-40). It was named that because on the 40th try he had come up with his formula–every time he failed he had to come up with a new idea to make it work!
Come up with tons of new ideas for your life or organization, but be slow to implement so you can pick the right one.
I tithe 10 percent, I save 10 percent, and I live on 80 percent.
What is my daily Bible reading plan?
I read in the morning two chapters one of the Old Testament and one in the New Testament and I read in the evening for 15 minutes.
What is my workout plan?
I workout three times a week for 30 minutes: 15 minutes jogging and 15 minutes walking.
Who I am reaching and influencing for Christ?
My friend John Doe-I invite him to our service, Work with Sally May-I help her out with her job anytime I can, My next door neighbor Hal Smith-going to mow his lawn
What do I do to relax?
I watch one movie a week and two shows a week.
Many times we are too general, too general in our thoughts of health, financially, faith, and life. Ask yourself these questions, get specific and you will be amazed how you get closer to your answers. If you are not specific, you will have the same of what you already have…
(These specifics are made up, but I ask these questions all the time!!)
When I was kid I loved GI Joe! There was Ace, Clutch, Cobra Commander, Hawk, Snake eyes, Lady Jaye, Dusty (you know any more?) Anyway, they always did a skit (watch below) where they said “knowing is half the battle!” You won’t act if you don’t believe, you won’t believe if you don’t know! GI JOE!
We had a great service last weekend! We did an “on stage” coaching session that lead to a question about our “button.” We all have one. A button is an emotion that is driven by fear. The button always leads us into arguments with our family, friends, or are spouse. I talked about how mine was the “fear of failure.” When that button is pushed I work harder and harder sometimes even forgetting who I am working for….My wife may tell me what I have done wrong or made a mistake, but all I hear is “I am a failure.” It is crucial to know what your button is AND your spouses so that you can help empathize and stop the cycle of arguments! You may very well be stepping on their button every time you get into a fight….
Charles Coulter is a great marriage coach, you can get a hold of him at www.thebestmarriage.com in San Antonio
If you live outside of San Antonio a resource you can pick up is “The DNA of Relationships” by Dr Gary Smalley on your button
