What Worries Does

Something happens when we’re too busy for Jesus and when we get distracted.

1) Worry
2) Anxious
3) Loss of Focus

Avoid the distraction, allow the interruption.

Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754

https://www.achanelmoore.com

The Power of Influence

Forgive the sound quality!

We’re talking about the power of influence. Influence is POWERFUL! Hear me out, what do great leaders have in common? Whether good or bad? They have the ability to influence!

We often wonder, how could Hitler convince people to try to exterminate the Jewish race? He had influence. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daughters-diary/id1697317514

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/14736934-influence

Daughters Diary Podcast

Idolatry… It’s hard to believe we have idols today, but when you actually think about it, it’s not. We may not carve images and bow before them, but we do dedicate hours upon hours to them. We do choose them over what’s best for us. We make sacrifices for them.

So ask yourself, is there an idol in your life? Is there something you are willing to admit that you choose over God? Tune in as I had to have this conversation with myself. The answer broke my heart.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754

God’s Reputation

Nehemiah 9:10 NLT

[10] You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his officials, and all his people, for you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors. You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten.

Why do we act like we forget God’s works? His miracles? We act like we forget that God works. Nehemiah is talking to God about what He has done. Of course, God knows what he’s accomplished, but its important for Nehemiah and the other Israelites to remember what God did. After all, it’s not like they were there, so this is what they’ve been told throughout their generations. They need the reminder.

God’s reputation precedes Him. He has a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten and will never be. So, how about believers stop acting like we’ve forgotten, myself included. God has delivered me. He has loved me. He has healed me. He has done miraculous things both seen and unseen.

God doesn’t need to prove Himself. He’s God. I need to remember that. He can and does still perform miracles today. And a really nice reminder in all of this, is that God is unchanging. God was faithful then, so that means He’s faithful now.

Beach or Mountains

Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

I’m headed to the mountains! Don’t get me wrong, I like the beach. Ironically, I don’t really like pools that much, but I really enjoy the beach. I enjoy watching the waves and taking a quick little nap while lying in the sand. I enjoy walking on the beach too. It reminds me of being a child, growing up close to Myrtle Beach.

The mountains are different, though. Every time we go into the mountains, I’m tempted to look for property there. That’s how much I enjoy them. Life seems a little slower, and I could use that. Gazing out, seeing the sunrise, riding through the hills and valleys, there’s nothing like it.

I think I enjoy the mountains because it’s a fun memory Brandon and I have made. Now that I think of it, it’s funny. His grandparents took him to the mountains as a child. My parents took me to the beach. So, I guess we should just get beach and mountain property one day.

Colossians 3:23

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
[23] Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

I want to start by saying everyone doesn’t do this. So, I’m not pointing a finger at everybody, but a lot of people do. People take advantage of working from home.

I understand, your boss is not expecting you to work nonstop. They know you will take breaks. Good employers encourage taking breaks. However, a lot of people just simply take advantage of the opportunity. I’ve seen a lot of people do everything but work from home. This verse isn’t about working from home, it’s about work in general.

Work willingly. Work effectively and efficiently. Work with a desire to work. Not because you’re working for people, but because you’re working for God. God has given us the ability to work, so we should honor Him with it. Whether that’s for a paycheck, in school, or chores around the house. Work hard for God. Christians should be the best, most hard-working people. Let’s let our work lead people to Jesus.

Colossians 3:22

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬
[22] Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.

OK, I know this verse throws us for a loop. Slaves? Remember, slavery in biblical times was more like indentured servanthood. Slaves during this time were working to pay off a debt. That’s not to say that was always the case, but that was the point.

To be just as applicable, you could say, “Workers obey your boss.” Do what’s pleasing by working hard all the time, not just when they’re checking in. In fact, work so hard that they don’t need to check in but just want to because they trust you.

What we’re commanded to do in this chapter is to live a life that is pleasing to God. Love and submit to your spouse out of reverence for God. Serve your boss out of reverence for God. Children obey and fathers encourage out of reverence for God. All of these things are to be done out of reverence for God, but also to be done to point others to God. Love, respect, obedience, and service are all about being arrows to point people to Jesus.

Colossians 3:21

Colossians 3:21 NLT

[21] Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

You never want to break a person’s spirit. As a parent, you don’t want to break your child’s spirit and you certainly don’t want anyone else to do it. Once a person has felt discouraged by you, it’s really hard to earn back their trust that you can encourage them.

I remember an incident when I was coaching last year. I said something that was sort of twisted, but I still shouldn’t have said it either way. The guilt I felt came from the thought that I had possibly broke their spirits. That was one thing my former coach taught me about when I first started coaching. He said, “You always wants to look your players in the eyes when you correct them because you don’t want to break their spirits.” I failed.

So, I know if this meant a lot as a coach it means even more as a parent. Fathers won’t always get it right, no one does, but I hope this is a reminder of how important and impactful good parenting is. A father’s love and encouragement is the fuel that many children need and want. Provide it. If you haven’t received it, just know that your heavenly Father loves to encourage you.

Colossians 3:20 NLT

Colossians 3:20 NLT

[20] Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.

With every generation, we always wonder how parenting will go. What will this generation do that we wouldn’t have done? There is always a “back in my day” group. We don’t phrase it that way anymore but it’s still a thing.

Times change. People change. In an effort to be completely different than how we were raised we incorporate different tactics to child rearing. Whether or not it would be my own personal approach doesn’t change what this verse says.

Children obey your parents. Trust me, you’ll not like them at some point. Still, obey them. You’ll not understand them most of the time, but obey. They will be wrong at times, but as long as it doesn’t cause you to sin against God, obey. Why?

This pleases the Lord.

Colossians 3:19

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬
[19] Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

I often ask people, which is easier, love or respect? Wives are called to respect their husbands, and husbands are called to love their wives. So, who has the easiest job?

It may be hard to respect someone, especially when you don’t feel like they’ve earned it or deserve it. There are a lot of wives struggling to respect husbands because they’re not on God’s mission or because they are being treated harshly. This makes it understandable why this is difficult. Can I say this? You can respect someone’s rules and still not love them.

Men, husbands in particular, are called to love wives regardless. So, even when I’m rude and coarse, Brandon still has to love me. Even when my actions are not loving, he still has to love me. Love is being willing to die for someone. So, on my worst day, out of love, Brandon still has to be willing to give his life for me.

Let me say, I am no easy task. I’ll admit that. So, I’ll say that Brandon has a hard job. In perspective, which do you think is hardest? Can we cut good husbands some slack?