Make a Not-to-Do List for 2012
 

“So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” (Philippians 3:15–16 MSG)

Imagine if God created you to be the Michelangelo of this age, but you stayed so busy doing all kinds of things — good things — that you never got around to painting and sculpting.

You’d end up missing God’s plan and design for your life because you got distracted chasing lesser things.

What a disappointment it would be for God, you, and all the people who would have been blessed if you’d stayed focused on your original purpose!

Today, make a list of things not-to-do in 2012. Fill your list with things you do that don’t match God’s purpose for your life or things you think you have to do but haven’t been told to do by God.

Ask God to clarify the things he wants you to do this year, and then ruthlessly move everything else onto your list of things not-to-do. Then, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you (Philippians 3:14).

Find Somebody to Be Good to Every Day

I wonder what our world would be like if each of us would find somebody to be good to every day. What would our city be like? What would our offices be like? What would our schools be like if we made it a priority to brighten somebody else's day? 

Scripture teaches "Every opportunity we have we should do good to people" (see Galatians 6:10). 

That means we need to be on the lookout. We need to be proactive. We need to have the mindset of, "Who can I bless today?" "For whom can I do a favor?" You can't just sit back and wait for the need to come to you. You have to go after it.

The Scripture says that in the last days the love of the great body of people will grow cold (see 2 Timothy 3:1-8). That simply means that people will be so busy, they'll be so focused on their own needs, they'll be so caught up in their drive for success that they won't take time to make a difference.

Sometimes it's easy for us to get so caught up in our own little world that we're focused only on ourselves. "I've got my plans. Don't get me off my schedule." "I'd love to help you out with some work around your house, but I'm sorry, this is football season. I just don't have the time."

But we weren't created to live selfishly. We were created to make a difference in the lives of others. John Bunyan, author of the classic Pilgrim's Progress said, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who cannot pay you back."

It’s About the Way You Finish

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”
(2 Timothy 4:7, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD 
So often, when people make mistakes, they get down on themselves and think, “If only...” “I should have...” “What if...?” It’s easy to feel like you’ve missed the best plan for your life. That’s when people get discouraged and stop pursuing their God-given dreams. But understand today, just because you’ve made a mistake or failed in some way, that doesn’t cancel God’s plan. 

God never disqualifies you. He never says, “Go sit on the sidelines. You’ve blown it too many times. You’ve got too many weaknesses.” No, God always gives you another chance!

Some of the great people in the Bible made very poor choices. The apostle Paul started off as a murderer, yet his destiny was bigger than his mistakes. He ended up becoming a great leader and writing over half of the New Testament.

What am I saying? Our mistakes, our failures, our poor choices don’t have to keep us from our God-given destiny. With God, it’s not about the way you start in life, it’s about the way you finish. Receive His grace today and embrace the bright future He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy to me. I trust that my days are ordered of You. I ask that You strengthen and empower me to fulfill Your call on my life. I love You and bless You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 Don't Waste Your Pain—Invest It 


"Dear Brothers [and sisters], is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." James 1:2-4 (TLB)(NLT)

In almost every trial we face, God is seeking to "tell" us something. Sometimes the only way he can get our attention is when we're hurting sufficiently to stop and listen.

That has certainly been true in my life. On one occasion God used an accident and a brief time in the hospital to get my attention and to "speak" to me. The decision I made as a result ended up changing the total course of my life—much for the better, I might add. Another time God used a major crisis and loss to expand my work tremendously. He used another setback to get me started in writing. That was over four decades ago and I'm still writing. Furthermore, God has used all of these setbacks to help bless others. 

When you are hurting, you can be sure that God has something to say to you too—something for your good. Ask him to help you to hear what it is, and to give you the courage to do what he is telling you to do. Whatever it is, you can be certain it will enrich your life and that of others.

So, never waste your pain—invest it wisely in your own growth so you can more effectively help other fellow strugglers and thereby invest in eternity.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see that you want to use all the trials that come my way to help me grow and to change my life for the better. Help me thus to never waste my pain but to invest it wisely in serving you by ministering to others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen." 


by Richard (Dick) Innes
ACTS International

Ask God to Help You With Your Finances

You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4:2 (NIV)

"Before you pay for it, pray for it. Give God a chance to give it to you before you go out and charge it. "

God is waiting for you to ask. 

He wants to help, but the problem is, you don't ever ask.  The last time you needed a car, did you ask God for it or did you just go out and buy it?  My guess is you probably didn't ask for it. You probably didn't pray. You just went out and bought it. 

Jesus says, "Ask and it will be given you.  Search, and you will find.  Knock, and the door will open for you.'" (Matthew 7:7 NLT) One of the reasons you never see miracles in your life is you never ask. Would you like to see God work in your life more?  Start asking.  Before you pay for it, pray for it. Give God a chance to give it to you before you go out and charge it.

If you'd pray as much about your finances as you worry about them, you'd have a lot less to worry about.  God says "Ask, I'm waiting for you to ask me."

Why does God want you to ask?  Because he's a loving father. Loving fathers love to bestow gifts on their kids.

In John 16:24 Jesus says, "You've not asked for anything in My name.  Ask and you will receive so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy." (NCV)

Why does God want me to ask?  So he can give.  Why does he want to give?  So I can receive.  Why does he want me to receive?  So I'll be full of joy.  Why does he want me to be full of joy?  It's a great advertisement for Jesus Christ. Joyful Christians are a positive testimony.