Tag: wisdom

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Stop Scrolling

My mind is full of other people’s activities. I’m seeing and hearing lot of divisions between people over issues of racism, politics and pandemic plights. I have to remind myself not to get distracted or wrapped up in these activities. I can spend lots of time scrolling through my phone, scrolling through YouTube channels and TV channels as well all with people in the room or on Zoom with me. If I’m not careful to pay attention I might miss opportunities to be present, just listen, show love and respect, give honor to a deserving person, be challenged or be inspired. Being present while living this life on pitch is important because once we are gone that’s it. I know that God is in control of everything and does not need to be updated like we do. God hears, sees and knows. He is with us so that relieves me from having to figure out everybody and every issue. Live and forgive I say, and stay connected by being present with people who are right in front of you. I’m learning when I’m being fully present, there really can be joy in the midst of it all, light in darkness and peace in the storms of life. Prayer: Lord thank you for being present. You are always paying attention to what’s going on in my life. Please help me to be present and remove any distractions that will hold me back today.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Lessons I’ve Learned

I’ve learned that it is ok to feel the pressure but it’s not ok to pressure myself. You know that feeling of wanting to get it right, get it all done, and get it all together can be overwhelming. Taking on more than we need to can be a way of putting pressure on ourselves. I’m here to tell you, that you don’t have to add anything more to life’s daily to-do list. You can pace yourself through it. By pacing, I mean sometimes things will go quick and sometimes they move slower. Everything you do doesn’t have to be a sprint, a fast-action drama, a fast forward or a speed race. Clocks will keep on ticking no matter what, so think of your pace before pressuring yourself to do more than you can handle. Now that’s what I call living on pitch! What are you pressuring yourself to do or accomplish? How will you pace yourself today?

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TWO WORDS

Two Words

I have just two words of wisdom for today:

Dream Big

Don’t be afraid to chase after those God honoring and inspired dreams.

Now that’s what I call living on pitch!

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prayer

How To Go Up in 2020

I love how the word goal starts with go! May the Lord give us wisdom today to pursue our dreams and desires!

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Work in Progress

I know it’s not all about me when it comes to God’s program or plan. God doesn’t need me to accomplish His plan and even though it’s not about me I still need to work on me.

Praying for wisdom to do better, change and grow for the glory of God.

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Balance prayer Uncategorized

How To Make An Exit

Do you know how to make an exit?  We’ve heard of making an entrance but I am curious to know if you know how to properly make an exit.   How you leave says a lot about who you are and what you value.  On the airplane there is a row called the exit row.  You have a little more leg room in that row but you also have more responsibility that comes with that seat.  Some people make quick exits and other s take a while to leave.  Do you know how to exit a conversation loaded with gossip?  Do you know how to exit a conversation filled with negativity?  Do you know how to exit a restaurant serving unhealthy food when you’re watching what you eat?  Here are two ways to make an exit.

  1. Practice.  Like making an entrance you have to prepare for it.  You must do it. Get up and go. Shut up and leave.  Walk away silently or loudly.
  2. Pray. You have to pray about the decision you are making.  Ask yourself what do I value most?  What does God say about this situation?

Sometimes you have to say these words to yourself, I’m not staying here so you can move on.  How do you get unstuck?  You start verbally saying I’m not staying here.  I’m not doing the same thing over and over.  I’m not going to continue down the road of disappointment. I’m going to do better. You start walking in a different direction in your mind first. My prayer today is for us to live courageous lives and walk out in faith even when it seems hard to do so.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Stop Signs

You ever notice how stop signs are red, some have flashing lights and are meant to be obeyed and seen? Have you ever run through a stop sign perhaps because you didn’t really see it? Or maybe missed a stop on your journey? I was talking to a friend about how to live on pitch the other day and realized that I missed a few stop signs in my own life. I’ll admit I’m a busy person and I try to do everything but I’m learning to stop trying to do it all. Truth is I can’t do everything. God is the only one who can do everything, be everywhere, see and know everything. I had to stop and say to myself, I am not God. I must stop trying to do everything. Health issues become my stop signs when I try to do too much. Another thing I am learning is stop trying to do everything right. It’s all imperfect. Unless God puts His supernatural hands on it, blows divinely on it and blesses it nothing I do is to perfection. Good and perfect gifts come from above according to the Bible. Fear and procrastination become stop signs when I try to do it all so perfectly. I have to tell myself God will accept it as is. When we ignore the flashing lights and fail to see the stop signs in life accidents can happen, life can get overwhelming and nothing gets accomplished. We lose focus on the Master by ignoring the stop signs. What do you need to stop ignoring or doing to live more on pitch for God? I pray you will see the signs, the flashing lights in your life and start living today.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Out of Control

Here’s a fruit of the Spirit lesson I’ve learned: The hardest part about self-control is controlling yourself enough to keep it to your self. Sometimes I speak before I think. I type before thinking about the tone of the message, I pre-judge before I know all the facts, I even assume a position before making a sound decision. I let my emotions have full control and my emoting can quickly lead to demotion, hurtful and sometimes broken relationships.

Living a life of discipline takes focus, intention and a whole lot of self-control. Our thoughts, our mindset, our speech, our attitudes, our social life are all a part of our Christian walk. When we allow God to be the editor in chief we can do better, live better, talk and walk better as ambassadors. How do you discipline yourself to be sure you are living on pitch and bearing good fruit?

How do you practice self-control when things are out of control?

Prayer: Dear Lord take control over my thoughts, my speech and attitude today. Let my outside actions show people You live on the inside. Help me to hold back when I want to lash out. Amen.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Busy Week

I’m glad it’s almost time for the weekend. I have had a busy week and I’m often told I am such a busy person. I realize being busy a lot has its ups and downs, which makes me think sometimes about how busy I am but God isn’t. God isn’t trying to get it all done in a week or even 24 hours. It’s already done. God isn’t trying to meet deadlines or deal with crunch time on a project like me. He is not limited by time. One day is as a thousand years to God.

God isn’t trying to make up his mind about what to do first. Priorities are never an issue. He’s the same God yesterday, today and forever.

God isn’t waiting to see what the future holds because He holds the future in His hands. I can cast all my cares on Him.

God isn’t busy being too concerned about financial freedom or watching what happens in  the stock market. He’s already invested in me. I am free because He is my Provider and the Supplier of all my needs.

God  isn’t busy saving up for rainy days. He controls both the windfall and the rainfall of my life.

God isn’t busy in the sense of how I see myself being too busy or others may see me. This daily walk with God has shown me God is busy working on me and He is always at work in my life.

One thing I’ve learned is this, God always takes care of business as He takes care of us.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Listen Up

Listening is a special art form. Good listeners are hard to come by these days. The world is noisy and it seems everybody has something to say as more and more people live out loud on social media. I have found people who don't listen never get what they want. The best relationships I've had are the ones where I listened and learned. They are often the ones where I chose wisdom over foolishness.

Here are a few scriptures to help remind me of the choices I make. I also use them to stay in tune and sharpen my listening skills.

Proverbs 12:15 (NASB) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

Psalm 81:11-14 But My people did not listen to My voice, And Israel did not obey Me. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices. Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! I would quickly subdue their enemies And turn My hand against their adversaries.

Proverbs 1:33 But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

Be encouraged and listen up because God is speaking. What's your favorite scripture on listening?