Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Wisdom
Organizing the Inside – Day 358 Faith to Live Victoriously
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 (NLT)
Plan to live the abundant life Jesus came to give. I’m a firm believer that without established plans things generally go terribly off course. Being the planner that I am, I tend to leave nothing to chance. Lately I’ve spent much time contemplating how to stay close to God and keep my relationship with Him tight. If your heart’s desire is to dwell in His house all the days of your life, and to walk in His ways then you’ve probably had this same concern. In my discovery of the true keys to the kingdom of God I’ve learned many things that greatly impacted my personal relationship with God.
Amidst all the commitments, expectations and stuff to do how do we keep God first? Fortunately your relationship with God doesn’t depend on ritualistic practices of religious customs. Your relationship with God depends on your faith. Of course when you have a relationship with someone you want to please them. If you made a list of the best ways to please God, FAITH would likely be at the top. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) Faith is the highest ranking necessity that pleases God, because it makes the other things that please Him possible.
How do we get this high ranking “must have FAITH” in our arsenal of Christian life best practices? How do we walk and live by faith daily? Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (NLT) Read and print PDF.
5 Strategic Best Practices to Increase Your Faith:
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV)
- Hear the Word of God preached and proclaimed.
- Hear the Word of God by meditating on it.
- Hear the Word of God through prayer.
- Hear the Word of God by reading it.
- Hear the Word of God by reciting or speaking it.
Call upon your courage by the power of the Holy Spirit. If your life sometimes feels like a rollercoaster ride being up on your faith today and full of doubt and worry tomorrow, ask God for the courage to get off the ride at once. You have faith; so allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to take the right steps that fit your lifestyle and personal needs. Be creative! If you don’t always have lots of time to formally sit and read the bible, look for the bible on CD’s. Also Apple and Android has audio bible applications that you can download for free. Pray about and consider (additional) new ways to spend time getting the Word of God in your heart. Taking active steps toward having the relationship God wants you to have will help change your life. If you are fed up with being up and down or in and out when it comes to faith and the things of God do something now to fix it.
God has given you and me great success, so let’s walk in it. If you have ears, hear what the Spirit is saying to your heart. Act now! Don’t delay…your schedule will never be perfect nor will your lifestyle be what you want it to be until you act on the Word that you have heard. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Hebrews 4:2 (NIV) Taking action will activate your faith.
Finally, my dear sisters in Christ, with your whole heart seek God and He will reward you. Don’t be afraid to believe Him for the seemingly impossible. Yes, you can live a full life, with family, work, home, ministry, and the rest and still keep a right, and fulfilling relationship with God. You don’t have to always struggle to get it right. Our Christian walk is not a rough climb up some imaginary spiritual mountain. Jesus told us to speak to the mountain and tell it to move. Oh, but this too requires faith. We can live everyday victoriously. He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower and teach us how. Jesus gave real life examples to live by, and God has given us the power of His written Word to learn from and stand upon. We have all we need to live without compromise as overcomers; nothing more is required. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 (KJV)
We are the righteousness of God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12 (KJV)
Please take a moment to share your thoughts and successes with others.
Organizing the Inside – Day 270 Give Away Your Broken Pieces
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Daniel 12:3 (NLT)
Wisdom is applied knowledge.
When you have built a relationship with knowledge and have accepted truth, only then can you apply your knowledge. We must first be partakers of God’s Holy Word to establish wisdom. The wisdom that comes from your life experiences is meant to be shared. God didn’t charge you anything for your salvation and healing. Freely you have received and freely you must give. Let your light shine as it will light the way by encouraging others to be in right standing with God.
Your broken pieces are worth more than you know.
Everyone has had brokenness before. We’ve all had something in life that was broken. Something somewhere along your path and mine has been broken. Maybe it was a dream, a broken marriage, a broken friendship, or a broken heart. Dealing with brokenness is not easy, but it does have to be dealt with. Your victory over brokenness can help bring healing to someone else.
Let God end your brokenness and bring your healing first.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) When God mends our hearts and saves us from our brokenness; we must be willing to then give to others. The wisdom that comes from having “gone through,” is unlike the results we only read about. Once you have walked through something with God, your broken pieces become a tool to help others, but only if you let it.
The wisdom that comes out of our broken pieces must be shared. Too many Christian women choose to wallow in sorrow, never accomplishing anything more than mastering the art of a pity party. The time comes when you must allow God to mend the broken pieces and restore your will to do even greater things than before. Now you are stronger, not weaker; you are wiser and better. Sharing means giving, and you can surely give your way out of sorrow and sadness. Giving out of love and compassion always comes back to you in the form of rich rewards. The fulfillment that comes from giving in service to others will amazingly bring about healing in your life.
Where are your broken pieces?
If you’ve been carrying them around, perhaps God Is saying lay them down. Maybe you feel you have a right to carry this load. The only revenge you can find is to hold on tight to your brokenness. I believe God wants to give you a new dream and a new promise. Let go of all the broken pieces at once and let God place in your life something new. Be willing to give God everything, even your broken pieces.
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Organizing the Inside – Day 214 Inspire Me Lord… I Need A Change
When productivity comes to a standstill.
Today many people have smart phones. Throughout the day I’m often in and out of my office. When I’m out, my smart phone keeps me connected. I use my smart phone more than I care to discuss, at times with more than twenty different applications. I check email, social media, receive and make phone calls, GPS, voice texting, manual texting, scheduling, alarm reminders, to do lists, shopping lists, internet, Skyping, blogging , taking photos, video, voice mails, voice search, conference calls, banking, scanning, viewing documents and I’m sure I’m forgetting something. With all the things that my smart phone can do to keep me connected when I’m out of the office, after about two hours of use, my so-called “smart phone” isn’t very smart at all. If I don’t change the battery or connect it to the charger, my beautifully functioning mobile office completely shuts down. Not without malfunctioning first, with a few dropped calls or text messages floating somewhere in cyberspace. Unless I allow time for it to connect to the power source it is cute and looks good, but it’s completely useless.
So it is with us as busy Christian women; there is a lot we have to do every day. Whether you cook daily or eat out, stay at home or work outside of home, or maybe you work from home… you cannot keep up and get it all done on your own. YOU JUST CAN’T. We have husbands, children, businesses, ministries, church, friends, family, recreation, hobbies and extracurricular activities, school or studies, errands, oh and don’t forget at some point you are going to have to go to bed and get some rest, and there goes at least seven more hours out of 24.
Do you want your life to be productive?
True productivity has little to do with your “to do” lists, or how many loads of laundry you can get done before noon on your day off. How many emails you can check, or how many meetings you can check-off before lunch is busy work. True productivity is about discovering God’s purpose for your life and doing it. When your life, talents, abilities, gifts and skills are touching the lives of others, in a positive way (according to God’s purpose) because you are doing what God told you to do, then you are productive.
Your ability to live a productive life is directly related to your relationship with God.
He is your power source! God is the one who gives us wisdom to be productive. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing”. John 15:5 (NLT) When we don’t stay intimately connected we end up, just being busy. We can know all about Him, but having knowledge is not wisdom; applied knowledge is wisdom. Put it to use. To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. Proverbs 19:8 (NLT) Wisdom is not wisdom until you apply the information.
Apply this where it hurts.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Mark 12:30 (NLT) Spending quality time with God must become a priority to every Christian woman who wants to lead a productive life. There is complete freedom and liberty for those of us who are in Christ. I have no desire to set up a “system of rules” you need to follow. Remember, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 (KJV) I only ask you to challenge yourself with two questions:
1. Am I seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?
2. Do I love the LORD my God will all my heart…?
If your private heart inspection tells you, you need a change, then change. God is not going to tell you to do something He knows you simply can’t do. But, if God is telling you to take care of this and start spending quality time with Him, keep it simple. Trust and obey and let’s put this thing to rest.
Start by doing what’s in your heart to do.
Some may prefer to charge their battery before leaving the house in the morning; but if you have a charger you can plug in, most any place that is private. Actually if your power source is portable (which it is) “where” is likely not much of an issue; it’s usually “when” that poses a question.
- 15 minutes in the morning.
- 20 minutes during lunch.
- 30 minutes before breakfast.
You have to figure out what will work for you. Quantity is not as important as quality. (that’s my own opinion, I don’t think that’s scriptural) But, the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead will help you do what God is calling you to do in your prayer life and quiet time with Him. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
Share what things you have done, that may help others who struggle with this very common concern.
Organizing the Inside – Day 124 Progress Takes Time
3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. James 1:3-5
Growth is progressive.
Consider the flowers in a garden. First the seed must be planted and then watered. Soon if all goes well you will start to see the first little sprout of what’s to come. In life we often want God to fix it now. Half the time, we may not even know what we want Him to fix. We only know we wanted it yesterday, so we can feel better today. We want Him to pull out a miracle just for us and make it happen now. Rarely does God intervene in this way. There are times when we may need a supernatural manifestation of His great power to work in our lives, but most growth happens a little at a time.
Embracing God’s Word is the beginning of change.
When you spend time reading the Word of God and the Holy Spirit speaks to you about something you need to change in your life, change usually occurs gradually, it doesn’t often happen overnight. However, when you hear the Word you have a choice to make, and if you receive it, that’s when the growth begins. Saying yes to God is the first step, but most likely there is more work in progress. So then you keep revisiting that scripture, keep considering what He said, continue to meditate on it and it will soon take root in you; changing your poor attitude or your broken heart or whatever you need and making you whole. (Also read James 1:23-25)
Instant gratification is an unrealistic expectation.
When you first gave your life to God change happened immediately. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 God gave us a new spirit; one that is alive in Christ. We still however, because we live in a sinful world need to have our minds renewed daily. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Make the investment and growth will happen.
The biggest part of living a life that is not hindered by the complexities of the world is to make sure you allow God to renew your mind daily. No matter the cost, increase your knowledge of Him. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 Dig in and look deep inside your heart. What are you really lacking, what is really missing or causing you so much frustration? I guarantee you that whatever you are in need of, whatever area of your life has stopped growing; the answer is in the Word of God. “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are His. Job 12:13 The inerrant Word of God can meet you at your point of need, then go exceedingly, abundantly above all you could ever ask, or even think to ask for and bless you beyond measure. Make it first place in your life and nothing can keep you from growing.
Day 36- Today I Answered the Call of Wisdom
1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: 4“To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. 6Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. 9To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. 10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
~Proverbs 8:1-12
I realize something today that I’m not certain I clearly understood before; the value of wisdom. God wants me to do my very best to gain wisdom and get understanding. Wisdom is living the Word; it is putting into practice what you are taught; knowledge being lived out in one’s life. I’ve come to understand that God see wisdom as supreme. It ranks higher than many things that I’ve spent my time pursuing.
I want to invest my money, time, and focus in one thing that God has put high value upon; wisdom and understanding. Proverb 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. This, for me adds considerably more value to a coach’s word, or a teacher’s insight, or a mother’s instructions that I did not fully understand before.
As I look for ways to make my life simpler, I know that getting that which is supreme will help me avoid a lot of obstacles that most likely would have obscured my path.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 