Heart Choices: 2010-12-26 -->

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How Do You Stay Motivated?


How do you stay motivated?  It's a new year; 2011.  Maybe you've made a few resolutions this year.  But it's day five and you've already messed up.  Does this sound familiar?


May I suggest that your underlying motivation may be the problem?

Believe me ...I've been there and done that.

If you are a Christian, you have been given a new life.  But too many people continue to live out their 'self life'.  They indulge their flesh in so many ways. 

  • Do you struggle with eating too much food?
  • Do you lack the discipline to say no to all that sugar?
  • Do you desire to be included with the 'in crowd'?
  • Do you love to go shopping for things you really don't need?
  • Do you give in to gossip in the name of sharing things to pray?
  • Do you have a hard time saying no for fear of rejection?
I'm sure you could add other examples to this list.

As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit within us.  We have everything we need to live a Christ centered life.  The problem is ...we continue to love to indulge our flesh.



I've been reading and studying the book of John.  So many passages speak of the link between love and obedience. 

John 14:15 says: "If you love me, you will obey what I command."

Scott Samter of Opening His Word has awesome teachings verse by verse that are available to all.  I've been blessed by taking the time to listen and learn.  And yes, he is Jill's husband of Forever N Ever N Always.

Love is a powerful motivator.


(I love these notecards but ran out of them.  They are such a good illustration of how I sometimes feel.  I can't remember where I bought them. If anyone knows, please let me know.)

   
May I make a suggestion?

Instead of focusing on the lists of "don't do this" ... focus on spending more time getting to know and love Jesus. 

It's amazing how the things you thought were so very important tend to fade away.

  • Surrender every part of your life to Him.
  • Ask Him to guide you and lead you each moment of the day.
  • Spend time in His Word.
  • Speak to Him in prayer.
  • When you mess up, talk to Him about it.
When you realize how much He loves you, you will be overwhelmed by that love. 

And you will begin to obey Him and say no to your flesh. 

Love is the best motivator.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Happy New Year


I love to watch hummingbirds!  The speed of their wings is so fast.  I read on Hummingbird Facts that their wings move about 80 times a second with a normal flight.  But when courting a potential mate, this speed increases up to 200 times a second.  I'd say that's a whole lot of showing off, if you ask me.  LOL.

So, what do hummingbirds have to do with me?

Well, I had two weeks off work for Christmas.  And I feel as though the time has flown by so fast.  I can't believe it's already time to go back tomorrow!

I had to take an unexpected overnight plane trip back east.  It ended up being a wonderful opportunity and I got to meet some very awesome people.  I now have another new friend named Jill!

After a very tiring day, I was seated in the middle seat on the return flight.  On my right was a woman who had been visiting her parents for Christmas.  On my left was a twenty something gal who had been visiting her mom.   

Despite a delayed flight and a very loud crying baby in the seat in front of us, the time went by so fast once we started talking.  We discovered that all three of us were Christians.  We were each at a different place in our journey.  But we were able to encourage one another and agreed to pray for each other.

Isn't that so like our God?  I know He placed us in those seats.  It was no accident.

I got to spend some time on Saturday with my friend Linda.  She's a third grade teacher at the school where I'm working. And she's also the pastor's wife of the church I'm attending. 

This is Linda and her husband Pastor George.  Their whole family was visiting for Christmas and so I took a few family photos for them.

So happy new year to all of you!  And don't forget that God is sovereign and in control. 


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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