Daydreamer...

1 Tim 4:7 "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness."

NLT version says "Don't waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly."

The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what these old wives' tales were. It seems that Timothy may have been so exhausted that he was starting to daydream about finding an easier and more trouble-free way to do his job. Was he tempted to daydream about life in the ministry becoming simpler? Was he hoping that things would eventually become a lot less hectic, undemanding, and uncomplicated? If he was....then his thinking would definitely fall into the category of a fable/wives' tale.

I can look back at my time in ministry when I have done just what Timothy did. I'm sure that anyone working in the ministry can say the same thing. Wondering....what can I do to make this easier? Is there a short cut? How can I get this done faster?

When God trusts you enough to give you more and more responsibility, it always demands more of you, not less. Ministry is work, and none of us should ever forget that fact!!

Those anointed by God just need to face the fact that your schedule will get busier, your demands will increase, and your challenges will grow. But as long as you allow God to develop your character along the way...you will find that you're able to successfully manage anything He puts on your plate!

When challenges head your way.....you need to adjust your thinking and take a different approach to the challenges. Rather than pray them away, embrace them and use them to develop yourself.

When you are physically or mentally exhausted, your mind may be tempted to daydream or to wander to other places. It is amazing how the mind tries to escape from reality. But rather than let yourself float away on a cloud of fantasy that doesn't help you fulfill your God-given assignment, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see things realistically.

Lord, help me to stay focused on what You have called me to do and to embrace everything that comes with Your call on my life. Forgive me for the times I've tried to find a shortcut to avoid responsibility. I want to put my whole heart into the race You have set before me-to fulfill my assigned tasks fervently, passionately, and with the highest level of excellence. I confess that I am both faith-filled and realistic about what God has called me to do. I realize that it's going to take hard work and commitment to take this assignment to the high level that God expects of me. I refuse to shrink from my responsibilities, and I choose to put my whole heart and soul into the task Jesus has given to me. In Jesus NAME!

(sparkling gems)

My Sparkling Gem: never-give-up attitude

In my study today of God's word....the message spoke very loud and clear to me.

1 Tim 3:1

In the midst of the situations and circumstances in my life, have I maintained the never-give-up attitude?

In today's message the writer talks about people living in despair and how heartbreaking it is to see them having lost all hope and a sense of purpose in life. Many times we can feel sorry for those people because life seems so bleak and that their situation seemed so desperate. But is that the right thing to do?

It is sadly true that many believers live low-level lives simple because they have no ambition, passion, or desire to do anything to improve themselves. Their complacent attitude prevents them from ever doing anything better with their lives. Considering the fact that the Spirit of God lives in believers and wants to take them higher, it is hard to understand why any believer would act in a way contrary to what God wants for them.

As I continued my study, I began to look back at the situations and circumstances in my life and have realized, I too have been complacent and sat around in a puddle of mediocrity, satisfied with the status quo. So today's prayer and and confession for the day become my meditation:

Lord, please help me stir up my desire to make significant changes in my life. I am so sorry for the times I've allowed complacency to keep me stuck in the same ol' place for such a long time. I want to change. I want to grow. I want to be different. I am asking You to supernaturally fill me with so much desire that no power on earth and no force in hell can stop me from becoming everything You want me to be! I confess that I am filled with enough desire to make significant leaps forward in my life. I am not going to stay the same as I have been in the past. I am getting up and moving forward. I'm stretched out to the goal and completely committed to achieving the dream God has for me. I will not stop, nor will I allow anything to distract me from reaching out to become ALL that God has planned for me to be. I declare this by faith in Jesus' name!