Taking Back My Time

“If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you.” James 1:5 (GW)

God wants his children to get their proper rest. If I'm burning the candle at both ends, I'm not as bright as I think I am. I'm going to burn out!

Often I'm given more opportunities in one week than I could possibly take on in one month. I need to learn to manage my opportunities—because if I don’t, I'm going to drown in them. There are plenty of things I can do with my life that may not be worth doing.

When I'm faced with an opportunity, I need to take three steps.

First, ask, is it worth it? Is that opportunity worth my time, energy effort, reputation, and money? Is it worth my life? Every time I give myself to an activity, I'm exchanging my life for it. Why? Because my time is my life.

Second, understand what I'm going to have to give up. What will I give up in order to do this new thing?

Most of us know how to make a to-do list. The challenge is to make a what-matters-most list for my life. I need to decide what’s most important by asking God what matters most to him. This won’t just help me know what to put on my to-do list. It will also help me know what to take off my list. I recently encountered a trusted resource who talked about a "Stop Doing" list in which you learn to give some things over to others or just don't need to do. 

James 1:5 says, “If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you” (GW).

Third, learn to say “no.” I’ve become addicted to today’s speed of life, and it’s costing me my health, relationships, and my walk with God. I need to slow down by saying “no” to the things that don’t make the what-matters-most list. This is much like my "Decision Matrix" I developed a few months ago. I need to make sure I'm using it to decide how to spend my time so that I'm not wasting my life.

I know how to fill my time, but I'm not as good at taking it back. I don’t have time because I don’t make the time. And I make time by asking if it’s worth it, understanding what to give up, and then learning to say “no” to what hurts me in the long run. Only then will I have the wisdom to know what action to take with each new opportunity I face. 

Here are some questions to ponder today: What happens when I apply these three steps to the things that already fill your calendar? When I understand that my time is my life, how does it change my perspective on activities and opportunities? Of the opportunities I’ve been given, what do I think matters most to God?

In summary:

It's important for me to seek God's wisdom when making decisions, especially in a fast-paced world filled with endless opportunities. James 1:5 reminds me that if I lack wisdom, I should ask God, who generously gives it. Without proper rest and intentional decision-making, I risk burnout by overcommitting. Instead of simply filling my lives with tasks, I need to pause and evaluate whether each opportunity aligns with what truly matters. Time is a limited and valuable resource—essentially my life—and I must manage it wisely.

To do this, I can take three steps: first, ask if the opportunity is truly worth the investment of my time and energy. Second, understand what I will have to give up in order to pursue it. And third, learn to say “no” to things that don’t align with what matters most to God. Creating a "what-matters-most" list and even a "Stop Doing" list can help me filter out distractions. By applying these steps and using tools like my personal decision matrix, I can reclaim my time and live intentionally, focusing on what truly counts in both my life and my walk with God.

Deciding To Manage My Mind

“I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what.” Psalm 119:112 (CEV)

People who learn how to fight the battle in their minds live more effective lives.

If I want to learn to manage my mind, you have to be delivered from destructive thoughts. That isn’t easy because I'm n a battle with three enemies trying to control my thoughts. 

The first enemy is your old nature. Paul says in Romans 7:23, “There is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me” (NLT).

Do you ever find yourself doing things you don’t really want to do? That’s the battle in your mind between your old, sinful nature and your good intentions.

The second enemy is Satan. Satan cannot force you to do anything, but he can make suggestions. Those suggestions are incredibly powerful. He is constantly planting negative thoughts in your mind. He’ll use other people or what you watch on TV, or he’ll just throw a thought in your mind.

The third enemy is the world’s value system. Modern society rarely encourages self-discipline. Advertisements tell you things like, “You deserve a break today,” “Have it your way,” and “We do it all for you.” The Bible says in 1 John 2:16, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (NIV).

With enemies like that, no wonder people struggle with discouragement, despair, and failure!

So how do you fight this battle? Look at what 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says: “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV).

You have a choice. God didn’t give you just a mind. He gave you a will too! Your mind has to listen to you. The Bible says, “I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what” (Psalm 119:112 CEV).

In summary:

Managing your mind is essential to living a more effective and spiritually grounded life. The Bible highlights that we face a mental battle against three powerful enemies: our old sinful nature, Satan’s deceptive suggestions, and the world’s distracting value system. These forces can lead to inner conflict, negative thinking, and temptation. Paul describes this struggle in Romans, acknowledging how we often act against our better judgment due to the pull of sin. Satan plants destructive thoughts subtly through media, people, or spontaneous ideas. Meanwhile, the world promotes self-indulgence over discipline, making it even harder to stay spiritually focused.

However, God equips us with spiritual weapons to win this mental battle. As 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 explains, we are empowered to tear down strongholds and take control of our thoughts through divine strength. We’re not helpless—God gives us the ability to choose what we dwell on. With His help, we can intentionally direct our thoughts toward truth and obedience. Psalm 119:112 reminds us that committing to God’s ways, regardless of circumstances, is a powerful decision. It takes discipline and intentionality, but by choosing to obey God and taking every thought captive, we can overcome destructive thinking and live with clarity, peace, and purpose.

A Focused Life Is a Powerful Life

“Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.”Genesis 24:4 (NLT)

There is nothing more powerful than a focused life. It’s kind of like light. Light that is unfocused and diffused has no power. But if I focus it with a magnifying glass, I can use it to start a fire. If I focus light even more, it becomes a laser that can cut through steel and kill cancer.

My life is like that. The more focused my life is, the more impact it will have and the more success I will have in reaching my goals.

The classic chapter in the Bible on success is Genesis 24. It’s the story of Abraham, Eleazar, Isaac, and Rebekah.

God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation, but Abraham had grown old, and his son Isaac still hadn’t married or had children. Abraham began to wonder how he would have a great nation without any grandchildren. So he made a plan.

He told his servant, Eleazar, “Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac” (Genesis 24:4 NLT).

So what in the world does this have to do with me?” Well, this happened thousands of years ago, but it has enormous implications for me today. If I have a goal to fulfill, a dream to reach, or a vision I want to become reality, Eleazar’s example will give me the steps to get there.

Eleazar’s life became focused when Abraham told him to go find a wife for Isaac. Once I decide to focus my life, what specifically do I do next? Where do I begin in chasing a big goal? 

Step one in fulfilling a dream is to determine my present position. To do that, I need to ask myself these two important questions: Where am I now? and What do I want to change?

I can’t figure out where I want to go until I know where I'm already at. I’ve got to know my present position. Along with that, I’ve got to assess my current condition. Like Abraham, I have to decide what I’d like to change. 

Determining my present position is the first step in the journey toward a focused life, toward success in the dreams I have for my life.

If I'm serious about chasing a dream God has given me, I can pray this:

God, give me wisdom to see what changes need to be made in my life. May the rest of my life be the best of my life. You say it’s up to me; I get a choice. You’re teaching me what to do. I don’t want to drift. I want to have direction. Help me to learn how to focus my life to fulfill the dreams you’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

In summary:

A focused life holds immense power and potential, much like concentrated light that can ignite a fire or even cut through steel. In Genesis 24, Abraham's clear instruction to his servant Eleazar to find a wife for Isaac is a powerful example of living with intention and clarity. This ancient story serves as a blueprint for modern-day goal setting and success. Just as Eleazar’s purpose became clear through Abraham’s direction, I too must define what I'm aiming for if I want to achieve meaningful progress.

The first step toward fulfilling a dream is determining where I currently stand—understanding my present position and recognizing what I want to change. Without clarity on my starting point, it’s impossible to chart a course toward my goals. By asking questions like “Where am I now?” and “What do I want to change?” I lay the groundwork for intentional growth. When I seek God’s guidance and focus my life with purpose, I invite Him to transform my direction and empower myself to realize the dreams He’s placed in my heart.

When It Comes to Goals, Be Specific

“Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:3-4 (NLT)

Eleazar’s example is a roadmap for how to succeed in reaching my goals.

In Genesis 24, there are several steps to success in the story of Abraham, Isaac, Eleazar, and Rebekah. One of the steps in getting where I want to be is to describe exactly what I want.

Vague goals are never accomplished. When I am specific, I figure out not only what I want but also what I don’t want.

Abraham was very specific in the task he set before Eleazar. Genesis 24:3-4 says, “Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac” (NLT).

I have a dream for my life, so I need to ask myself: What do I want to be or do or have? Why do I want it? 

Don’t ask how. We’re always so concerned about the how. How am I going to do it? How am I going to pay for it?  How am I going to find the time?

In life, never confuse the decision-making phase with the problem-solving phase. Most people try to solve all the problems before they set their goal. Bad idea. If I try to solve every problem first, I'll never move forward.

God says I need to ask why first, not how.

Knowing what is not enough. I can set all kinds of goals, but if I don’t know the why, I'm never going to achieve them. The why keeps me from giving up when times get tough. It’s when I know the why that God shows me how.

He is always faithful to help me succeed.

So I need to ask God to help me clarify what I want to be or do or have in life. Then take the time to figure out why I want it. Learn to be specific.

In summary:

In Genesis 24, Abraham gives his servant Eleazar a clear and specific mission: to find a wife for Isaac from his own people, not the local Canaanites. This story emphasizes the importance of setting clear, specific goals. Vague goals rarely succeed, but when I know exactly what I want—and what I don’t want—I can better focus my efforts. Like Abraham, I must define my objectives with clarity to make progress. This helps me recognize the right path and filter out distractions that don’t align with my purpose.

However, knowing what I want isn't enough—I must also understand why I want it. Too often, we get stuck trying to figure out how to achieve something before even deciding on the goal. But God encourages me to start with the why, because a strong purpose keeps me going when challenges arise. Once I’m clear on the why, God will show me the how. Success starts by partnering with God to define my vision and motives, and trusting Him to guide me step by step.

Work with All My Heart

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23 (GNT)

God wants to bless my work!

No matter what I do for a living, when I approach it as an act of worship, God blesses it. Whether sweeping streets or running a business, God calls me to treat work as more than just a job—it’s an offering to him.

This means my real boss isn’t my supervisor; my real boss is God.

Imagine working in a hotel, cleaning a room as if Jesus himself were staying there. I would do my absolute best? So, treat every task—whether fixing a car, closing a sale, or changing diapers—as if I was doing it for him. Martin Luther, who started the Protestant Reformation, said even milking cows can glorify God when done with the right heart.

If I'm feeling less than enthusiastic about my work? If my heart isn’t in it, I might be in the wrong job. Life is too short to spend on work I can’t give my whole heart to. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” (Colossians 3:23 GNT).

If I’ve sincerely tried to put my whole heart into whatever job I'm doing and I just can’t, it might be time for a change. God wants my work to be an act of worship, to bless him and myself!

God blesses work where there is —

Planning: Proverbs 21:5 says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (NLT). When I make plans and work hard, God blesses me in that. He’s not going to bless me if I'm always cutting corners or trying to do the minimum.

Initiative: Proverbs 10:4 teaches, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (NIV). Don’t wait for opportunities to come to me—pursue them with determination.

Integrity: Be honest in all dealings. The Message paraphrase reminds us in Proverbs 16:11, “God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business.” Pay taxes, treat others fairly, and act with integrity. 

Focus: Stay committed. Proverbs 12:11 says, “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense” (NLT). Stick to my goals without getting distracted.

Persistence: Don’t give up easily. Proverbs 13:11 says, “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time” (NLT). Wealth built through hard work endures, unlike riches gained quickly, which vanish just as fast.

What I'm finding is that work, when done wholeheartedly and with these principles, becomes an act of worship that God blesses abundantly.

In summary:

When I approach my work with wholehearted dedication as if serving God rather than people, it transforms from a routine task into an act of worship. Colossians 3:23 reminds me that whatever I do—whether it’s cleaning, managing, or caregiving—should be done with excellence, integrity, and enthusiasm, because I’m ultimately working for the Lord. God honors and blesses work that is planned well, pursued with initiative, carried out with integrity, and done with focus and persistence. If I can’t give my whole heart to my work, it may be time to seek a role that aligns better with my purpose. Ultimately, God desires to bless the work of my hands when it's done with the right heart and attitude.

Humility Builds Relationships

“Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. . . . You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.” Philippians 2:3, 5-6 (NLT)

The ability to be humble is a relationship builder. Humility is when I honor others above myself instead of demanding or clinging to my rights. 

Pride, on the other hand, destroys relationships—and it shows up in a lot of different ways. It can make me critical, judgmental, competitive, stubborn, and unforgiving. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV).

Pride is also self-deceiving. When I have a problem with pride, I struggle to see it in myself. But everyone else can see it in me!

What does pride look like in a relationship? One, I always offer advice but never ask for it. Two, I can’t admit when I've had a tough week. Everybody else is saying, “Yeah, this last week was tough.” But I can’t seem to admit I have any problems.

But how does humility play out in a relationship? I need to take notice of the five relationship builders in 1 Peter 3:8: “Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble” (GW). The first four are really built on the fifth one: Be humble. This verse is an excellent model for relationships.

How does humility happen in life? It happens by letting Jesus control my thoughts, heart, attitudes, and reactions. Growing in humility has to include Jesus.

The basic law of relationships is this: I tend to become like the people I spend time with. If I spend time with grumpy people, I get grumpier. If I spend time with happy people, I get happier. If I want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ in prayer and reading his Word. Just talk to him. He is humble and wants a relationship with me.

Growing in humility may seem like a tall order, but it’s possible with Jesus.So I need to take the first step toward humility and become a relationship builder today. 

In summary:

Humility is essential for building strong relationships, as modeled by Jesus in Philippians 2—though He was God, He chose humility over status. In contrast, pride damages relationships by making me critical, stubborn, and blind to my own faults. True humility means valuing others above myself and is the foundation for traits like compassion, harmony, and love. I grow in humility by spending time with Jesus, allowing Him to shape my thoughts, attitudes, and actions. As I become more like Him, I will naturally become a better relationship builder.

 

Three Lessons to Help Keep Me in the Race

“An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (TLB)

I need to consider that I'm in a race.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26, “In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win” (TLB).

While I'm running my race, I don’t want to get sidelined or run off into a ditch. I want to make it to the finish line and win the prize.

Just like the soldier, the athlete has three things to teach me about being and doing my best.

1. I must intend to win.
This is the difference in being a casual Christian and a committed Christian. Is there a difference between a competitive golfer and a casual golfer? The committed golfer is playing to win. The casual golfer is just having fun during his time off. The difference is the degree of seriousness.

If I'm going to win in life, it’s not going to happen by accident or without effort. How serious am I about being who God made me to be?

2. I must discipline myself.
No athlete becomes a professional athlete without training. There are no shortcuts to maturity. There are no shortcuts to greatness.

What are some things I can do without so that I can spend more time with God, give more, serve more, and be more of what God wants me to be?

3. I must stay focused on the reward.
I can handle enormous pain and discipline in my life if I realize there’s a purpose for it and a payoff at the end.

The Message is paraphrase says in Hebrews 12:2, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”

This encourages me to stay focused on the prize: an eternity with Jesus Christ!

In summary:

My life is like running a race, emphasizing the need for purpose, discipline, and focus. Just as athletes train and sacrifice to win a temporary prize, Christ followers are called to live with intentionality for an eternal reward. Paul urges me to "run straight to the goal with purpose in every step" (1 Corinthians 9:26), highlighting that spiritual success doesn’t come by accident—it requires effort and commitment. Like a serious athlete, I must be intentional about my spiritual growth and avoid distractions that could sideline me from God’s calling and purpose for my life.

Three lessons stand out from the athlete’s example: First, I must intend to win—approaching my faith with seriousness and dedication, not casually. Second, I must discipline myself, understanding that spiritual maturity comes through consistent effort and sacrifice. And third, I must stay focused on the reward—an eternal life with Christ. Hebrews 12:2 reminds me to keep my eyes on Jesus, who endured everything for the joy set before Him. When I remember what’s at stake and Who I'm running toward, I will find strength to keep going, even through hardships.