Procrastinate no more...

October 28, 2007

I Don’t Feel Like It

READ: Matthew 21:28-32

He answered and said, “I will not,” but afterward he regretted it and went. —Matthew 21:29

Have you ever faced an unwanted chore and felt as if it were the last thing on earth you wanted to do? Mowing the lawn, doing the wash, cleaning the house, or even preparing a Sunday school lesson after an exhausting week can make us feel like procrastinating.

When this happens, my wife and I have a motto we repeat to each other: "I don’t feel like it—but I’m going to do it anyway." There is something about recognizing our lack of motivation and then choosing to be responsible that helps us follow through.

God’s value on faith and obedience can be seen in the parables of Jesus. Christ spoke about two sons who were asked to work in the vineyard. The first said no, but "afterward he regretted it and went" (Matt. 21:29). The second said yes but did not follow through. Then the Lord asked His listeners, "Which of the two did the will of his father?" (v.31). The obvious answer is the one who finished the task.

Our Lord’s illustration underscores a key spiritual principle. God is interested in our faith and obedience—not just our good intentions. Next time you are tempted to shirk your duties, why not say, "I don’t feel like it," and then ask God for the grace to do it anyway. —Dennis Fisher

O help us, Lord, to heed Your Word,
Its precepts to obey;
And give us strength to quench the urge
To do things our own way. —Sper

Obedience is faith in action.

Giving control to God

We all struggle to allow God full control of our lives because we like to feel like we are in control when we aren't. Our decisions affect what happens but ultimately God is still in control which is why we should be obedient to Him in the first place.

The devotion today was about walking by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)

A really good point from it was:

"When we confess all known sin and then depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us (Gal. 5:16,18), we become a powerhouse for God!" - God can use us so much more than we can imagine if we die to self by seeking His will and being obedient to Him.

Where God guides, He provides

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Proverbs 19:21 (cf Proverbs 16:9) - "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

As much as we like to think we are in control of what happens, God is the one who directs our paths and so we should fully rely on Him. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Why worry?

Reading Matthew 6:25-34

Are you worried about something or many things? I know that I get a bit worried when assignments are due and you have to get them in and you still have lots to do. We shouldn't worry because God in full control of it. I am sure that if we had a worry (or a concern) and committed it to God, then we would have a peace about it that it will be alright.

"Worry is a burden that God never meant for us to bear"

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"When you give yourself to God, all other giving becomes natural"


Proverbs 19:17 - "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done."

Daily Devotion

I like to read my bible every morning just after breakfast and I have found that it helps me to really grow in my faith in Jesus. However, over the weekend, I was busy doing a filming weekend and didn't read my daily devotion. Although that is bad, what it showed me was just how much I missed it once I didn't do it because I was wanting to have devotion time again more then before.

This morning from my readings I have learnt or re-emphasised the following:

• Knowing about God may interest us, but knowing God will change us - So we need to know him personally - http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-05-20-07.shtml

• Glorifying God means putting His character, His will, and His ways into action in all that we do - Our purpose is to show others less of us and more of Him. That’s living on purpose with a purpose! - http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-05-21-07.shtml

• From reading segment in Proverbs - Proverbs 19:8 - "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers."

All of this I read and was encouraged and challenged by in about 15 minutes. I had physical food and then spiritual food which helps sustain me.

I would really encourage you to read your bible each day as the more you read it, the more you will learn about God and get to know him more personally.

Matthew 6:11 - "Give us today our daily bread."

Hebrews 3:12-13 - "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."