Tag Archives: planning

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Tempted!

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Are you ever tempted?  That is really a crazy question, because the answer is obvious!  We are all tempted in many ways, on just about everyday of our lives!  

It starts in the morning when you need to get up and get going – you are tempted to just stay in the warm and cozy bed.  You get up and you are tempted to take shortcuts in getting ready, but your looks and smells are to important to mess that one up.  You are tempted to skip breakfast or to just grab a Snickers, instead of taking the time to eat something that is good for you.  When you get in your car, you are tempted to not wear you seat belt and you are tempted to speed to work, because you are running late!  (In fact – some of us have already given into a few at this point!)

When you get to work you are tempted to clean some body’s clock, because they looked at you funny or said the wrong thing!  You are tempted to get on Facebook and day dream a little, but there is just way to much to do.  You are tempted to really blow it at lunch, but you know – you won’t be fit for the afternoon if you really eat all of that food at the Chinese Buffet!  You are tempted to leave early – who would know and would that really be stealing?

When you get home you are tempted to crash on the couch with a glass of milk and eat all of the Oreo cookies!  You are tempted to watch a lot of different shows, but instead you give into the temptation to just flip from channel to channel to channel for over an hour.  You think:  Why did I just waste so much time watching a bunch of nothing?

Finally, tired of it all – you fall into bed and remember that you forgot to brush your teeth – you are tempted to say skip it, until you lean over to kiss your spouse and they say:  “No way Oreo breath!”  You fall a sleep and dream about temptation and actually wake up feeling guilty because you gave into the temptation in your dreams!

I hope you will join me this coming Sunday morning at Northwood as we learn from Jesus about how to face and overcome some of the more serious and threatening  temptations of life!  Hope to see ya Sunday at one of our two campuses!

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My “MASTER” Plan!

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It is obvious if you look around and practice just a little bit of observation, that there is a God and that He cares for you!  If we are going to get the most out of this life on earth, then we must make and take time to be with the One that created it all!  We need to spend time with the Master!  Today I want to challenge you to take three steps as a part of your “Master” Plan!

First, I challenge you to actually spend time with God this week!  Don’t just think about it!  Don’t say you will, but never get around to it!  Right now make a plan to spend some time with your Creator.  Pick a time, place and make a plan about what you will do when you get there!  Give God some good time in your day – some time when you are alert, awake and ready for whatever!  Find a place where you will not be disturbed, a place where there is not a lot of distractions or competition for attention.  As a part of you plan take your Bible and read it with the purpose of hearing something from God.  Take a pen and journal and write down some of what you are thinking and feeling and what you plan to do about it!  You goal is to start spending time with God and in this time to share your heart with Him and in the process get to know His heart and will for your life!  God loves you and believe it or not, He does have an amazing plan for you and the life that you are living! 

The second step of our “Master” plan is we want to identify and start to work on some real issues.  All of us have issues and if we are honest with ourselves, we will admit it and begin with the strength of God to do something about them!  Take some time this month to start identifying issues that you need to take on in your life!  Start a list of things that you want to work on and need to work on and then during your times with God ask for His help and look for His insights!

The third step of your “Master” plan is to really grow and develop!  If you will commit to spending time with God on a regular basis and if you will in that time start to identify and work on real issues, you will grow and develop in every area of your life!  You will be happier, people around you will be blessed and God will get the glory!  Take some time to think about and walk through the three steps above and you will be well on your way to living a better life – not by accident, but because you planned to!