What’s Your Life Plan?

7 Jump-Starting questions for you, as you prepare for 2012.

1. What do you want?

2. How do you plan to get it?

3. How do you plan to maintain it?

4. What’s your course of action?

5. What daily-disciplines need to be instituted & implemented?

6. Which “habits” need to be “deep-sixed”?

7. 2012 is right around the corner. How is this new season really going to be different for you? Make it count!

(*Copy and paste these to a word document, and then write down some of those things that pop into your mind.)

You Can’t Tie a Man Who’s Already Bound

Who is this “Paul” anyway? Sound a little strange?

DBR – Daily Bible reading: Acts 19-21

S. SCRIPTURE
The Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” [Acts 21:13 13 NKJV]

O. OBSERVATION
Paul had been beaten, jailed, and ran out of town by those who didn’t want any part of his message. The Christians at Caesarea tried to keep him from going to Jerusalem. In verse 4 it says, “They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.” So who’s right? I believe that was a test to see just how committed Paul really was. How could Paul be so ready to be bound and to die (vs. 13)? A nugget is hidden away here.

1.Paul Purposed in the Spirit. [Acts 19:21]

2.Paul Goes Bound in the Spirit. [Acts 20:22]

First Paul “purposes”, (or makes a decision); then he experiences the momentum of that decision. This is what catapulted him into a whole new way of thinking and living. He was literally consumed, and driven by the Holy Spirit. Paul wasn’t the kind of Christian that needed to be prodded. He had been prodded once before, and that was enough for him.

A. APPLICATION
As strange as it seems – the Holy Spirit can direct another Christian to be a roadblock on your path in the race you’re running. Am I going to “stick to my guns”, or am I going to go the way of the coward and say, “Yeah, well it did kinda seem like a crazy idea…” I need to ask myself this morning… “What decision is the Holy Spirit calling me to make?” Do I realize that this morning could be the turning point in my life which catapults me into such a radical commitment to Christ ? Because I’m a bond-servant of the Lord Jesus Christ – bound by His Spirit – I won’tl be affected by anyone that tries to bind me in the flesh.

P. PRAYER
“Father, it’s my prayer this morning that You would open my eyes to the decision, to the commitment, that You are calling me to make today. I long to be in that place of total surrender where nothing ruffles my feathers, and where all I see is souls, and the finsihed line of my faith. I’ll gladly be bound in the Spirit today! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

How to Get Ready for a New Year!

Have you got some New Years’ goals, but aren’t quite sure how to implement them? Join the club. I’ve got a great podcast episode for you:: “How to Get Ready for a New Year“. It’s in the iTunes Store, and… it’s FREE!!

UNITED YOUTH CHURCH CHICAGO

If you would listen and review that would be totally awesome!

Pastor Robb

The Art of Strategizing

Most people aren’t very good at planning, let alone “strategizing”, which has within it’s meaning the sense of systematically pin-pointing what needs to be done in order to accomplish a desired end. In Daniel’s case he needed to interpret a dream. Since his life was on the line there was a pretty good incentive to “get it done”. I want to share a few steps that the Holy Spirit gave me today in regards to strategizing and accomplishing goals. These insights are found in Daniel chapter 2. Here we go…

1. DANIEL NAILED-DOWN A SPECIFIC DATE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS GOAL. [vs. 16]
• Dan. 2:16, “And Daniel went in and desired of the king that he would set a date and give him time, and he would show the king the interpretation.” [AMP]. Think about it, if you don’t have a date in mind, it really won’t get done. Nail-down that date! You can always adjust it later, but this is the first step.

2. DANIEL WENT TO HIS HOUSE AND TALKED TO HIS FAMILY ABOUT IT. [vs. 17]
• This might sound like an unnecessary step, but think about it. When you share your goal with your spouse, a trusted friend, it does hold you accountable. I mean, if you make a goal to lose 20 lbs. in 4 months, but you don’t tell anybody, do you actually think you’re going to accomplish your goal? Our family and close friends will be our number one supporters, and it will be a catalyst to staying on track.

3. DANIEL PRAYED ABOUT IT. [vs. 18]
• The Apostle James said, “…ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” [4:15]. This may go without saying, but so many people these days simply bulldoze ahead and simply don’t consult the One who sets the times and seasons. I just love this Scripture: Prov. 16:1, “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” I mean, do you want God’s help or not? Prayer could make the different between failure and success.

4. DANIEL’S STRATEGY WAS REVEALED IN A NON-CONVENTIONAL WAY.
• “Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. “ [vs. 19]. It’s not just important what you want to do, but how you’re going to do it. Notice how little Daniel assumes. He’s really looking outside himself for supernatural ability to accomplish his goal. We would do well to follow his example.

5. DANIEL THANKED AND PRAISED GOD BEFORE HIS STRATEGY EVEN WORKED. [vs. 23]
• The Bible says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb 11:1. This might be the most important key of this whole process. Because we all know how easy it is to start reading a book, to start an exercise regiment, but to complete it? That’s another thing altogether. Don’t just start good – Finish strong!