Eat the Frog…Make it a Habit!
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Eat the Frog – LISTEN HERE)
Make it a habit.
What are your daily habits? I’m not sure who to give credit to, but I have heard it said, “I can determine the future of a man by his daily habits.” We may call them routines or daily tasks, but really they are habits…things we do without having to decide to do them.
Habits can either be positive that lead us to a greater goal or they can be negative that lead us to a less-than-desired outcome.
Perhaps a daily habit of exercise and taking vitamins gives you better and longer health. Perhaps a daily habit of fast food and soda do just the opposite.
Habits can happen by default and once formed are hard to break…really hard.
But habits can help us make sure that the most important things are done each day.
Putting God first in your day is one of those habits.
An interesting case study is Daniel.
Daniel is probably best known for his trip into the lion’s den and how his life was preserved in that setting. However, this wasn’t just a “flash” of Daniel’s faith brilliance. Rather it was the result of a long-standing habit that actually was the reason Daniel faced the lions…he refused to break his habit.
What was that habit?
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
The decree that was issued was that everyone had to worship the king of Babylon and anyone caught not worshipping the king would face the lion’s den. The king in his arrogance and pride signed the nefarious decree into law only to find out his favorite advisor was to be a victim of it.
Daniel’s opponents actually knew Daniel’s habits so well that they crafted the decree because they knew they would catch Daniel spending daily time with the Lord.
And they did.
Would people be able to convict you of being a follower of Christ by observing your habits?
Interesting question right?
The point isn’t to begin the day with guilt for not having a daily habit with the Lord, but rather to encourage you to start today. Again the fact you are reading this says you may have that habit, so let this encourage you to keep it up.
Daily our faith is formed to be read to face the challenges ahead of us. Daniel’s faith was formed and strengthened three times a day as he went to his room to pray. So when he was faced with stopping his habit or stepping into the lion’s den, there was no hesitation…he continued his habit and faced the lions with calm confidence.
Let your habits of time with the Lord allow you to face your day with calm confidence.
Apply: Make a list of the habits you notice in your life. Mark each one as beneficial or not beneficial. Make sure your habits are taking you in a direction you are blessed by and certainly work to form a daily habit with the Lord.
Prayer: Lord thank you for being part of my day even when I don’t make you an intentional part of it. I ask for the power of your Spirit to develop in me a habit of time with you. AMEN.
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Eat the Frog – LISTEN HERE)
Why would Mark Twain encourage us to, if we had to, eat a live frog first thing in the day?
When there is a task we are not particularly eager to do or it is a task that brings a bit of extra stress to it, we tend to procrastinate. We think about it. Ruminate on it, or just stress about it, until the event is over.
So instead of spending the day procrastinating, stressing or being paralyzed by what you don’t want to do, get it done right away and free up your heart, your mind, and your activities to move on.
How many times do you spend your day, or a good portion of it worrying about something that may happen? How much of our days is thinking about what someone else said or did and what that says about you? How much of your day is wasted activity that is simply “being busy” so you don’t have to do what you are dreading to do?
Not that putting God’s kingdom first should be a drudgery or in anyway be a negative to our day, but there is a reality that putting God first in our lives does…it frees up the rest of the day to be free of worry, stress and be filled with noble thoughts and godly activity.
Putting God at the beginning of your day allows you to be ready for the spiritual battles of the day. Satan is working hard to win the battle for your heart, your soul, your mind and your actions. He is not going to give in or give up!
So what do we need to begin our day to win this daily spiritual battle?
First, allow God to ground your heart in his love.
Satan loves to lead our hearts to chase after things of this world and seek love from someone or something that, truthfully, will always let you down. We pursue relationships to find acceptance. We pursue worldly wealth to find security. We seek affirmation from social media.
It may last for a minute or two, but will leave you worried, uncertain and confused.
So Jesus wants to fill our hearts with his love. Before we even start our day, he would love to ground your heart in his love. The Apostle Paul put it this way.
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Second, set your mind with the truth of God!
There is a daily battle for our minds. Media, social media, news, reels, radio and more put thoughts in our minds that seem harmless. However, they are affecting our psyche and allowing impure thoughts to begin to carve their pathways into our minds. The battle for our minds must be won as well? Would it not make sense that the Lord would want to fill your mind with noble and praiseworthy thoughts? Would it not make sense to do just the opposite?
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Apply: What changes today when you remind yourself you are a loved, forgiven child of God and realize you don’t have to find love somewhere else, but can have peace knowing your are loved? What changes when you allow the thoughts of God found in his Word to flow through your mind? What is pure, lovely or admirable?
Prayer: Lord fill my heart with your love and my mind with your thoughts today. AMEN.
Eat the Frog…First thing!
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Eat the Frog – LISTEN HERE)
Outside our front door we have a small fish pond off the front porch. Every spring…like now…frogs come to mate in our pond. They are LOUD, but then it quiets and a bit later we have a pond full of tadpoles.
Never once have I been tempted to eat one. (Although I have tried frog legs).
Eating a live frog is not appealing in any way to me. My guess is, you are the same.
Our theme this week is not about eating a live frog, but putting key things first in our day.
Mark Twain is proposed to have said, “If you have to eat a live frog, it’s best done at the beginning of the day.”
Brian Tracy, a personal growth guru, seized on this sentence and wrote a book by the title Eat the Frog advancing 21 habits that end procrastination and increase productivity.
The phrase is catchy and memorable.
My prayer is it reminds us to put the important things first in our day…even if at times it is not our favorite.
What is that first thing?
Jesus taught it in Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The reality is every day…today included, we are tempted to jump right into the “to-do” list of the day. Get ready for work. Get the kids off to school. Pick up a prescription. Do the laundry. Pay the bills. And the list goes on until the day ends and we flop into bed exhausted, only to start over the next day.
We regret no spending time with the Lord and his Word, but make a shallow personal commitment to get it started the next day. (Only to realize another day passes without that reality happening.)
But this morning is not to spur guilt over the past, but to encourage a new habit to begin today.
You’re reading this devotion, so good job!
What Jesus teaches in Matthew 6 points out the energy and effort we often put into chasing after things that are temporary and worrying about things that are out of our control. We exhaust our efforts to calm our worries in a way that leaves us with shallow relief.
Jesus says, “Eat the Frog.” (Ok, not really, but…) He encourages us to put him first in the day. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.”
What does that mean? Put God first.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)
This is not an easy focus, but it is a necessary focus. It is not always our habit, but a habit worth developing.
Apply: What reflections do you have of the blessing of putting time with the Lord first versus times when you have missed that opportunity?
Prayer: Lord, help us to put you first in our day by spending a little time with you. Forgive us for the days we have forgotten or neglected this priority. In your grace and power, help us to develop a daily habit of spending time with you.
Kiss the Wave…Step Forward in Faith!
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Kiss the Wave – LISTEN HERE)
Step of faith.
As his father lay dying, Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade is given a book of clues to navigate through obstacles to obtain the Holy Grail which was supposed to offer immortality to those that drink from it. He desired to get it to offer healing to his father. At one point, he comes to the edge of a cliff that appears to have no way across, yet he has to cross to get to the chamber in which the Holy Grail is supposed to be. The clue he has, “Take a leap of faith.” His father, as he is dying, whispers, “You must believe, boy.” Indy has no choice. He closes his eyes and steps off the cliff. Yet when his foot lands, he finds himself standing solidly on a camouflaged bridge crossing the gorge below.
The combination of the clue or promise and the compelling reason to move forward led him to step forward in faith. As a result, he moves safely across. (Here’s the clip: CLICK HERE)
While I would never look to Indiana Jones for theology, this moment in the movie is a vivid portrayal of what the Lord calls us to do when the waves of life come.
Sometimes we will not get to the other side unless we take a step of faith. When we take a step of faith, the Lord lays out the next part of his plan and we see him finish strong.
In Sunday’s message, I mentioned the crossing of the Red Sea. Each step by the Israelite community was a step of faith trusting that the walls of water would remain vertical until they got across. As they stepped forward in faith, the Lord finished strong by crashing the waters on the lives of the army of Pharaoh, securing safety and security for the people.
Exodus 14:21-22 The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
Exodus 15:1-2Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Or Peter who was invited by the Lord to step out of the boat onto the water. He could have stayed in the boat and never experienced the miracle of walking on water. Or at Pentecost when he stood up and addressed the crowd, confident now of the reality of the resurrection and the authenticity of Jesus as Lord. His standing up and speaking resulted in the Lord changing 3000 hearts to trust in him.
Acts 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:
Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
What wave is God calling you to kiss and take a step forward? Relying on his promises and presence we can take the leap of faith. The result is often seeing the Lord finish the situation strong. Our small step of faith is one giant opportunity for the Lord to show his presence and power in our lives.
But it starts with a step of faith.
Apply: What is preventing you from stepping forward in the promises and faith the Lord has given to you? What blessing would you anticipate as you take that step of faith?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me your promises and every reason to step forward in faith. Lead me away from timidity to boldness and confidence to step forward in faith and watch you finish strong. AMEN.
Kiss the Wave…Stand in Peace!
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Kiss the Wave – LISTEN HERE)
Where do you find peace when the waves of life come crashing in?
Years ago, a member invited us to a day on his 30 foot sail boat out in the Pamlico Sound in North Carolina. It was a memorable experience, but not one I have any desire to do again. Not that anything bad happened. In fact, it was a great day for sailing…I guess. However, I just remember as soon as the wind blew and the sail boat started tipping at a 20-30 degree angle, I was uneasy and was convinced just one more gust of wind and the boat would topple.
I had no peace until we were back on shore.
Does life ever seem like it’s hard to find peace?
New headlines scream of world tension, financial recession, moral decay, criminals idolized, deviance normalized, children terrorized, and more. It seems at times like you can’t trust anyone and perhaps need to get “off the grid” and away from people to find peace.
Or do we?
Escaping life is an answer to the waves of life (which is not the best answer), however, if we engage in any fashion in life, the waves from within and without are going to blow us and if we are not grounded in peace, the boat of life may tip over.
At the bottom of a sailboat is a very heavy keel. It is what keeps the boat from tipping over as the wind blows against it.
Perhaps the keel that keeps us upright and moving through the winds and waves of life is the keel of peace, that is sunk deeply into our hearts to prevent us from spiritually toppling when the waves come.
But where do we find that peace?
We can look in the world around us and try to find a place or perspective that assures us we are ok in spite of the crazy times in which we live. We can try to find peace in an amount of dollars that we have to buy our hearts peace at times through vacations, recreation, or addictions.
But that peace doesn’t last. The world can only give a temporary peace.
So from where does a peace come that will last and surpass the waves that come?
John 20:19-20 Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Peace comes from knowing the Lord is present. The disciple’s fear changed to joy when Jesus joined them. The reality of the resurrection was affirmed. Jesus was alive. This very Jesus has promised his presence to all as he promised before he left, “I am with you always to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18)
Peace comes from knowing the Lord’s promises.
As Jesus prayed for his disciples, he also reminded his disciples that the Spirit would remind them of all the things he had taught. His words and his promises were to be with them so that as they went through life, the words of Jesus would bring peace to their hearts.
John 14:25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
So, where do we find peace when the waves beat against us? In the presence and promises of the Lord.
Apply: What promises of God bring you the most peace? Find 2-3 key promises of God in his Word and commit them to memory to bring peace to your soul when it is troubled. Let the wave drive you to the presence and promises of God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your powerful promises that instill solid and lasting peace in our hearts. AMEN.