Life is Like Coffee

Enjoy the coffee and do not worry about the mug!

http://www.flickspire.com/m/SimpleTruths/LifeIsLikeCoffee

Stewardship - TEMPLE

Stewardship Series - TEMPLE

If you don’t know where you are going then any road will take you there. If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time!

• I am reminded of Jim Elliot’s words: “He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”^[1]
• Excellence carries a price-tag. Everyone desires it, but few are willing to pay.
• The “tyranny of the urgent” robs people from achieving excellence and settling for mediocrity!
• Do you know where the most valuable piece of real-estate is located? It is not gulf-side, or lake-side. It is not mountain-top or valley. It is not east, west, north or south. It is the burial plots of man-kind. The untapped potential that was never harnessed.
• I do not believe that “determination is our problem. We are fiercely independent and determined to do pretty much what we please. The real problem lies in our determined focus to do what is most important instead of what is most urgent.

• Only the Apostle Paul could say to us; “My determined purpose is that I may know Christ” while sitting in jail.
• Yes Paul is imprisoned while writing to the saints at Philippi. The theme of this letter is “Count it all joy!” You can’t help but notice the contrast of ideas with Paul: Prison Vs. Joy. The last time I checked, I would not naturally associate these two concepts in the same sentence.
• The sense of over-whelming joy from Paul spills out into his writing to this church. By the time you get to the third chapter it becomes clear that Paul is focused and is directing his passion to a single purpose: “…that I might know him…”
• He includes some items that probably don’t excite us too much; namely suffering and death. These principled beliefs are not what the average seeker is looking for when selecting a belief system or church to join.
• When considering this aspect of our stewardship series, the temple in the Bible is that place where the worshipper and God intersect. It is a place where we can adore and receive life’s marching orders.
• We cannot ignore this valuable facet of the Christian journey.
• What is your determined purpose? To know Christ?

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^[1]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Php 3:7). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

Stewardship of Testimony

The Stewardship of Testimony

As a pastor in the year 2012 of our Lord I am faced with what appears to be an impossible task. Only one third of believers feel that it is important to share their faith testimony with those who have no faith declaration at all. Another one third feels very strongly that in fact it is not their place to share their faith with others. The remaining one third has only slight feelings – this is the lukewarm group[1].

• As a child I personally witnessed the power of great revivals. I watched the transformation of hard-hearts that yielded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Lives were changed.
• I grew up in a revivalist era. That meant the preaching was “Heaven or Hell” or “Revival or Perish.”
• A passion for the lost has molded me and shaped my thirty plus years of ministry. Do I doubt it? A thousand times NO! But I am faced as a 21^st century preacher of the gospel with what looks like an impossible task.
• My task is simple this: As a God called preacher I am eat-up with a desire for revival – the lost coming to Christ! But I preach in a time-era in which only 33% of believers in America believe that it is important to share their faith. On any given week in America I face the reality that 66% of church attending believers has no real sense of urgency to share their faith with the lost. I am swimming upstream!

lYRICS TO "LORD,PLEASE MOVE ME WITH COMPASSION"(AS SUNG BY JANET PASCHAL)

They were so tired and weary- lost and scared and everywhere, to the master they were just like sheep, without a Shepard's care. He felt of their infirmity, so much, that it made him weep- His heart was filled with pity and compassion for his sheep.

Lord, please move me with compassion for the lost I pray-For the millions who are lost and cannot find their way-melt my calloused heart with love no matter what the cost, Lord, please move me with compassion for the lost.

This world is so tired and weary, lost and wandering aimlessly, just like sheep without a Shepard, they're as lost as lost can be!

Consume me now, with a love for the lost,let that love become a light, that guides the lost sheep into the fold, before there comes a night!

Lord, Please move me with compassion for the lost I pray! For the millions who are lost, and cannot find their way.Melt my calloused heart, with love no matter what the cost! Lord, please move me with compassion for the Lost!

Lord, Please move me with compassion for the Lost!

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[1] George Barna Research Group. 2005 State of The Church.

Stewardship of Talents

The Stewardship of Talents

The statement; “…cast the worthless servant into outer darkness…” is not what we would expect to hear as a result of not loosing something you were given charge over.

• Immediately following the parable of the “Wise and Foolish Virgins” (MT. 25:1-13), we find Jesus telling the parable of the “Talents” (MT. 25:14-30).
• While both parables relate to the kingdom of heaven, and especially in anticipation of the Lord’s return, note the key difference:
• The first stresses the need to be “prepared;” the latter, the need to be “productive.”
• The first emphasizes “watching” for the Lord; the latter, “working” for the Lord.
• In both parables we learn what should characterize those who eagerly WAIT for the coming of the Lord. How can we best apply what Jesus is teaching in this parable?
• The Parable Applied
• Main points of the parable
• Be faithful in using the opportunities for service which the Lord has given us
• Diligence is rewarded; negligence is punished
• Other points of application
• Whatever we have, whether opportunities or abilities, belongs to God; we may possess, but God owns; we are simply stewards – v.14
• The Lord grants opportunities of service in keeping with our ability to make use of them – v.15
• In the day of judgment, the number of talents will not matter
• The question will be, “Have you been faithful in your use of talents?”
• Jesus do not expect to return immediately – vv.5 & 19
• Everything we do should be done with a view on the day of reckoning which is coming - ¹⁰ For ^wwe must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ^xso that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.^[1] 2 Cor. 5:10 ESV
• To share in the Master’s joy is part of the glory of eternity – v.21
• Those who make excuses are “WICKED and LAZY” – vv.25-26
• A place of punishment is prepared for those who are unproductive – v.30
• The sin of OMISSION is just as bad as the sin of COMMISSION! – v.30
• The main lesson: “Be productive where the Lord has given you ability and opportunity!

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w Matt. 25:31, 32; [Rom. 14:10]; See Acts 10:42

x See Ps. 62:12

^[1]The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (2 Co 5:10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

10 Common Time Management Mistakes

10 Time Management Mistakes

1. Failing To Keep A To-Do-List
2. Not Setting personal Goals
3. Not Prioritizing
4. Failing To Manage Distractions
5. Procrastination
6. Taking On Too Much
7. Thriving On Busy
8. Multitasking
9. Not taking Breaks
10. Ineffectively Scheduling Tasks

Key Points

One of the most effective ways of improving your productivity is to recognize and rectify time management mistakes.

When you take the time to overcome these mistakes, it will make a huge difference in your productivity - and you'll also be happier, and experience less stress!

5 Tips on Time Management

Five Steps to Successful Time Management

1.  Set specific personal goals.

2.  Create a term calendar, recording major events.

3.  Create a weekly schedule.

4.  Decide on specific times to work on each project.

5. Make a to-do list for each day the night before or during breakfast.

How Well Do you Plan?

How Well Do

You Plan?

DIRECTIONS:  FOR EACH QUESTION, CIRCLE THE NUMBER THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOU.

	Never	Seldom	Sometimes	Often	Always
How often do you plan in an effort to keep life from running out of control?	1	2	3	4	5
Do you put daily plans on paper?	1	2	3	4	5
Do you allow flexibility in your plans?	1	2	3	4	5
How often do you ac-complish all  you plan for a given day?	1	2	3	4	5
How often do you plan time for what matters most to you?	1	2	3	4	5
How often is your daily plan de-stroyed by urgent in-terruptions?	5	4	3	2	1

SEE OTHER SIDE FOR SCORING AND INTERPRETATION

ÓAcademic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001

SCORING:  Add the numbers next to your answers.

INTERPRETATION:

6-10:  Terrible Planner. 

You should consider using new tools and processes to help you plan effectively. A great first step would be to take a time management course.

11-15:  Below average planner. 

You may already have a planning system, but using it more effectively will help to reduce the stress and lack of control you feel in your life.

16-20:  Average planner. 

Your planning system is working, but you can do better. You may need help focusing on priorities, dealing with urgent interruptions or writing your daily plan.

21-25:  Above-average planner. 

Your planning system is working well.  Keep up the good work, with periodic reviews to be sure you’re planning around what matters most in your life.

26-30:  Excellent planner--or candidate for burnout? 

You have mastered planning and should experience the serenity that comes from taking charge of your life.  But make sure you’re in control of your planning rather than letting it control you.

            Quiz written for USA WEEKEND by time management expert Hyrum Smith,       chairman of the Franklin Covey Co., whose Franklin Planners, agendas and    planning software are used by 15 million Americans.