Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for October, 2011
Organizing the Inside – Day 58 Sold Out for the Kingdom?
44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. ~Matthew 13:44-46
Jesus prayed, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
How much do you treasure the kingdom of God? You’ll need to find the answer within your own heart. I believe it can be measured by how willing you are to do the will of the Father. How is God’s kingdom established on earth, except His children carry out the work that He has ordained?
The kingdom of God is established on earth by first being established in our hearts.
Now for those who have gone before us, they are in the kingdom of heaven and have no need to change, they are changed. So it remains up to you and I, those of us who are here must fulfill our purpose in the earth realm and do our part to build up His kingdom.
What are you willing to give up, so that the kingdom of God might grow?
Are you willing to sacrifice much, and give up all you have? Are you willing to sell everything you have for the kingdom? I have news today, obedience is better than sacrifice. Don’t look to make an offering to God. Instead obey God, (discover your purpose) and do what He has put in your heart to do, this my sister is kingdom building. This great treasure lies within a heart of obedience, and its growth changes the lives of others. Likewise, fulfilling Paul’s exhortation found in Romans 12:1. Also read 1 Samuel 15:22
Organizing the Inside – Day 57 Take Root in the Word and Grow
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ~ John 1:1-3
The first words in the bible are “In the beginning God.”
While surely His works are too wonderful for us to understand, this much we know is true: God set the universe in motion and by His divine Word He formed its foundations. Colossians 1:17 Paul tells us, “He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.” “He” is the very Word of God, who of course is Jesus Christ himself. John 1:14 makes it clear that the, “Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
How truly awesome is our God?
His greatness is too magnificent for us to comprehend. He transcends time, yet remains the same. He never grows old, yet His wisdom existed before the earth was made. He was there before the beginning began, and He will be there after the ending has ended. God is the same today, yesterday and forever!
How then can a woman simplify her life?
By seeking God with her whole heart and allowing His Word to live in her heart and mind. In this world of chaotic complexities, where confusion and clutter collide and where distractions are on every turn; being rooted and grounded in the Word is the only way to stay on course. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ~Matthew 24:35
There is no better place to build a foundation for your future, than to build it on the Word of God.
Organizing the Inside – Day 56 Renew Your Mind
Collect your thoughts, yes, unbend yourselves. ~ Zephaniah 2:1
Do you have the mind of Christ?
Your thought life can be one of the most difficult challenges to overcome. If your mind is not right, I’d dare suggest the rest of you is probably not doing too well either. Confusion and clutter of the mind is a common problem. When your schedule is busy you may not have time to collect your thoughts. Be cautious, hurrying from one task or event to another will result in burnout, without you knowing it’s coming.
Taking time out for what’s important must include time for you.
You may be so busy that you haven’t stopped to take a temperature check. You certainly want to nurture those relationships that are important; family, friends and God, but in doing so you must remember to take time out for yourself. How are you doing? Is your mind at peace?
Schedule time for yourself and make it count.
Do something that is absolutely stress free, obligation free and hassle free. Do something just for you, have a cup of your favorite tea in your favorite corner. Unbend yourself and allow your strength and mind to be renewed. You and the people around you will be happy you did. Organizing the inside is organizing the mind.
Day 55- Grace So Amazing
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ~ Ephesians 2:8
I get excited when I consider how God loved us so much that He not only chose us but He made a way for us to become His own. When we come to Him we have nothing, and He gives us everything. If we bring anything it’s nothing more than a sad, pitiful, broken and contrite heart. How awesome is He to take our sorrow and brokenness and give us joy, laughter, passion and hope.
From nothingness to something, God did it all on His own. There is nothing anyone has ever done to deserve or earn His grace, yet He saw beyond our nothingness and showed us His greatness by way of salvation, through Jesus Christ. He didn’t stop there, He gave us the Holy Spirit to keep us and prepare us to share in His glory.
To think that He knew us when…but loved us still. It really is amazing!
Day 54- Show Us Your Faith
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ~ James 2:18
Faith without action is not faith at all. If you are not doing something each day to carry out your goals consider organizing your goals into smaller step-by-step action plans. God wants you to act upon what He has called you to do.
Do you find yourself in a state of indecisiveness and unable to move forward? If so, you are not alone, many Christian women are so influenced by the thought of disapproval (by man) they fail to even begin to act upon their goals. Don’t let your goals go unrealized simply because you are concerned with how others will perceive your gift. God knows exactly what He is doing, so trust Him.
If you’ve put your light under a bowl because you are afraid of being accepted, you are missing out on your future. See yourself as God sees you: for your worth is far above rubies. Exchange your doubt for faith and be confident, because of “God in you.” Be empowered and act on your faith now. For without faith it is impossible to please God.
Day 53- The Great Communicator
You do not have, because you do not ask God. ~James 4:2 c
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ~ Mark 11:24
Have you ever been misunderstood? Have you ever tried to communicate something and you messed things up; it just seemed to do more harm than good? Perhaps you wanted to tell someone something but you just didn’t know how.
God understands and He wants to help us build better relationships through better communication. I was recently reminded of an important lesson the Holy Spirit taught me many years ago. I’d tried many times to bring up a subject with a friend and the conversation was always so difficult, so misunderstood and would end up in confusion.
In frustration and discouragement I began to talk to God about the situation that had become a terrible strain on our friendship. God was already working in both our hearts, as I ended my prayer, my friend came over and said to me. I was thinking, do you think we should begin working on this project now? I was stunned, is this the same person who never wanted to discuss this, who always seemed to change the subject?
God is the great communicator! Now we are making plans to complete our project and we are both on the same page. God knows just how to speak to our hearts and wants to intervene, but sometimes we never ask Him to.
Day 52- God Has a Much Bigger Plan
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
~Genesis 50:20
Joseph knew that God had a bigger plan. How did Joseph deal with the awful betrayal of his brothers? After the death of their father Joseph’s brothers were certain they would pay for all the evil they had done. Joseph showed remarkable character, stayed focused and didn’t let the past throw him off course.
When people set out to harm you, keep in mind that God has a much bigger plan. Take God at His Word and forgive those who seek to bring harm. In His darkest hour Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”
If you are going through difficult times and it seems like you’re suffering because of the selfishness, greed or evil of someone you trusted, know that God has a bigger plan, and what they meant for evil, God absolutely will use for your good.
God clearly had a plan for Joseph’s life and he was used by God to save the lives of many. We see God’s masterful plan of salvation as Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, but God used what was meant for evil to save the countless lives of many, by bringing salvation to a lost and dying world. No matter what you are going through, God will use your situation too, to make a difference in the lives of others. Also read Romans 8:28
Day 51- Can You Limit God?
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ~Ephesians 3:20
Do you limit a God that is limitless? Perhaps you do when you don’t give life to your purpose. If you have a number of unfinished, back burner projects, ideas, plans, aspirations or secret dreams and you tell yourself, you’ll get around to it one day, you are limiting God. If you’ve not moved forward because you’re waiting for, the right time, or you have to pray about it more, or you need to reconsider how it’s going to work, or you’re waiting until the kids are out of the house, or once you’re in a better position, or as soon as you clear this up… then you have probably done this before and have a hidden drawer full of unfinished business.
Start adjusting your outlook and live your life in a way that maximizes your potential. God can and will complete your interrupted and unfulfilled dreams, but you have to be willing to stretch yourself in a way that may seem unfamiliar. Reaching to do more, and achieve more, while trying harder are tactical solutions that can turn your wishing and wanting into reality. Make a list and be specific, but don’t let the “list making” become another reason to not start moving.
God has given you the measure of faith to see you through. Now it’s your turn to put faith into motion. God has no limits and His ability to change your life is far more than you could ever think to ask for. Also read Exodus 14:15
Day 50- Waiting for Perfect Conditions
Whoever watches the wind will never plant. Whoever looks at the clouds will never harvest.
~ Ecclesiastes 11:4
It’s difficult to fulfill your purpose when you spend so much time making excuses and predetermine which obstacles are good reasons to justify not starting today. If you want to live a simpler life, it’s important to organize your environment to support your success. If you have things around the house or office that irritate you every time you walk pass, address them right away.
First, put your intentions on notice that procrastination is not an option any more. If you feel stuck and lack motivation, part of the reason could be those energy sucking little irritants that you keep putting off until tomorrow. Don’t allow these things to go undone, because they are a source of discouragement and drain energy that you could otherwise be using to move forward in something God has told you to do.
Eliminate excuses, get rid of irritants and push forward. Stop watching the sky, and start planting so you can one day reap your harvest. No matter what direction the wind is blowing or how many clouds are in the sky, start making progress by conquering the little things, it will give you encouragement to start tackling the big things.
Day 49- Do You Have the Heart to Forgive?
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ~James 1:19
I was greatly offended and quite frankly I think they’re wrong. Wrong for what they did, or wrong for what they said and it really made me angry. I just ought to tell them… Have you ever felt that you were right in a dispute and your anger toward someone else was justified? Did you feel like, God was on your side this time, and the other person was just wrong, wrong, wrong?
God promises to be our vindicator if we obey Him and let Him handle the situation. Getting caught up in disputes about something someone did or said that hurt your feelings is a great way to complicate your life. If you want to live the simplified life that God wants for you, then it is up to you to pray for the offender and move on. Okay, so it really hurt your feelings; nevertheless you must forgive them.
You may feel that you just want to hold on to this offense for a while, because of your so-called righteous indignation. There is a more excellent way; bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Holding on to anger will never achieve God’s righteous purpose.
1) Ask God for His help.
2) Decide to forgive.
3) Trust God to heal your hurt.
4) Allow God to show the power of love through you.
The quicker you forgive the less likely you are to get a root of bitterness in your heart. What’s too hard for you, well those are the things God specializes in. Apart from Him you can do nothing… Oh, but with God all things are possible.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 