SIDETRACKED

Why is it so easy to get sidetracked?

LIFE.....

Life gets in the way.  It gets in the way because we make it our priority to schedule our life with things WE want to do.  Why? Because we are human.  Its our human nature to make sure the things that make us happy, fulfilled, accomplished & wanted take priority. We want to fill our lives with things that we think make a difference.  What I have found in life is when I start with ME, life gets overwhelming. I get sidetracked into thinking that I am doing all of these things in this gamed called life for God when in fact is ME doing and wanting God to come and bless my efforts.  Can God take my works and bless them? Of course, he is GOD, but is that whats wise?

Why not start with God and have Him set my schedule.  Wake up to God and say "what do YOU want me to do today, who should I talk to, how should I present myself in this situation or that situation.  When we start with God we can know that all decisions, schedules and life in general are being used to further the Kingdom here on earth.

LIFE GETS NEW PURPOSE.

My challenge is to not let life get in the way but let God guide your life so the WAY is clear and has purpose.

Grace & Peace
Ben

A Focused Mind

As my 10K run approaches, I have to get my mind focused on the task that is before me. I have been super busy this week with a cold on top of it all. I need to take this evening to relax and focus my mind and body for tomorrow.

I think as our walk with Christ goes we get super busy with life and sometimes get spiritually & physically exhausted. The interesting part is that sometimes we are super busy with good things like volunteering @ church or playing on a worship team or community outreach, etc...... We need to make sure we take time for a sabbath. My pastor said this Sunday that "you can do more in 6 days with a Sabbath than 7 days without". Take a day to do something that feeds your spirit. Take a hike or go to the park or just chill @ home in your pajamas or run a 10K. The interesting thing is when I run, it's not the most fun thing to do but I can totally check out of reality. Gives me time to focus on my life and thank God for all He has done for me.

My challenge is that you take some time for a Sabbath!!

Grace & Peace
Ben

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Spiritually & Physically Fit

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

I think sometimes we read certain scriptures and understand it but don't fully commit to it. We try and find ways to "fulfill" the scripture the best way it fits into our lifestyle and go on with our life. I think the Holy Spirit wants us to fully commit mind, body & spirit.

In 1 Corinthians we read that we are to honor our body because it is a temple for the Holy Spirit. I always though I was doing well with this until I finally fully committed and realized that our physical health is a very large part of the puzzle. As I began running, eating healthy and loosing weight, my walk with Christ has grown more than before. I have realized that the only way for me to overcome an unhealthy lifestyle was to allow the Holy Spirit, who is dwelling in my temple, to supernaturally give me the willpower to overcome temptations and help me persevere through things. Sometimes on a long run, the only thing that got me through was quoting scripture and focusing on the glory of God!

If you are wondering what is missing in your Christian walk, it may just be a discipline in the area of physical fitness & healthy eating. Give it try. What do you have to lose? You will feel better & have a closer connection with the Holy Spirit.

Grace & Peace
Ben


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Ungrateful Christians (two words that should never be used together)

I know we all have our days when we are in a bad mood and do things we wouldn't normally do or say things we wouldn't normally say. But when it happens 3 days in a row, there is an attitude problem. We as Christians are called to a higher standard especially when you are in a leadership position. It saddens my heart when people can be so ungrateful when someone has been doing everything they can to help make things accommodating and comfortable. 

I pray that WE can look past the petty things in life. 

It's easy for us to find something to complain about. When things are inconvenient for us, things are not going our way or someone has a different opinion than you. We need to pick our battles wisely and be grateful that we are alive, breathing, loved by a God who has every right to deny His love based on our actions towards Him but yet He still loves us unconditionally!

Let's be a people who are known by our actions and words and show Gods love to all we come in contact with!

Grace and Peace
Ben

Getting Back into Good Habits!

It's good to be back! I want this to become a habit for me because it makes me stop and evaluate my life. We can get so busy in life and forget that we are making impressions on people and in situations every day of our life. Have you ever stopped and wondered what impact your having on your surroundings? My prayer today is that my actions, words and deeds reflect God's love and are always leading people to something better!

Good to be back!
Grace and Peace
Ben


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Surrounded By LOVE!

I am so blessed to have the family, related and church, and friends that I do.  To live a life without a godly surrounding and influence would make life a lot harder.  Being surrounded with Love gives you a peace knowing that people are there to pick you up when you fall down and put you back on the proper path.  It is also an amazing feeling to have people who truly celebrate life's good times with you. In all of this wonderful LOVE, GOD is at the center of it all.  I truly do not know how people go through life without having that support system let alone a life without the Love of a heavenly father. 

Like the Nationwide Insurance commercial says "Life comes at your fast".  When life happens and catches you off guard, having a solid foundation truly helps you react in a godly time and manner.  But when the world comes at you fast and you give in, the love that surrounds you can bring you back to where you should be, surrounded by that love that keeps on flowing unconditionally.  For that Love I am forever grateful.

So it is very true that who you surround yourself with will shape who you are and how you act and react to situations and God is the only true way to be saved for the worldly temptations and struggles.

Keep your head up and remember surround yourself in LOVE!!

Grace and Peace
Ben

Not My Will

My prayer is that in times when big decisions are needed to be made that we can put aside our earthly desires and let the one who created us and knows us guide our decisions. We are human but we serve an all knowing God who only wants what's best.

NOT MY WILL LORD BUT YOURS BE DONE. Today and Forever!

When you let Gods will prevail you don't have to worry about the outcome because your path is set before for you with someone leading the way!

This is my prayer.

Grace and Peace.
Ben


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