Goal Setting

Well folks, 
     It is time to write some goals. I am not good with resolutions. I am not even that good with goal setting. Here's inspirational scripture to share!

1 Chronicles 4:10. Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

2 Chronicles 15:7. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your 
                                 plans succeed.

Be specific: 

     What and Why?
     I want to blog because I want to help others by sharing what we can do to help ourselves and others.

What can I do for success with the goals I set?
     
     Goals need to be realistic.
     Achievable goals must be something you can live with. I think blogging one time per week can be an obtainable goal. And I am remarkably disciplined with a calendar. So my blog writing should be written in my calendar. My husband has a varied schedule, but he will always work on Mondays. So my goal will be to make an appointment with my computer every Monday morning.
     Some people write their goals on paper and hang them on their wall or bathroom mirror to remind them daily.

     You may need to have an accountability partner.
     Often a person works better with someone or has someone to be accountable to. I have been working on eating more plant based foods and less processed foods. The holidays are not my friend! My accountability partner is a person who has gone completely plant based. I am amazed at how her life has turned around for her just by changing her diet! She is good about her approach (good thing because I can get bucky at times) and I respect her.
    
  RESULT:  I have on my calendar to write a weekly Monday post. 

    

Do you have a troubled teen?

Do you have a teen that thinks they shouldn’t have to put up with rules?  They think they shouldn’t have to deal with school, hang with older friends that are sexually active, offer drugs and alcohol.  Have they been caught shoplifting, steal money from you or maybe even steal your car?  Are they carrying weapons?  Do your teens have melt-downs when you attempt to enforce a rule?  Do they break things?  Are they physically and verbally threatening you?  Do they hurt themselves or others?

What do you do about it?  Do you dole out money?  Do you hand them the keys just to shut them up?  Do you make threats and not follow through with them? 

A parent should not worry about making their child mad.  Rules are a part of adulthood.  It is not easy to parent!  Teaching children that they don’t have to follow rules is going to create a young adult in jail.  Your child will not respect authority (police/laws, professors, bosses, etc.) if you don’t teach them respect at an early age.

When my children made poor choices, I felt like a failure of a parent.  My mind worked overtime to try to protect them from making mistakes that would affect them the rest of their lives.  We are often free to make choices but powerless to choose our consequences.  Proverbs 14:12  

If you are living with a troubled teen, arm yourself with this book:  Not My Child by Frank Lawlis.  It is a progressive and proactive approach for healing addicted teens and their families.  It will help children deal with depression, obsessive cravings, and damaged relationships.

Make sure you have a support system.  My saving grace was my bible study leader.  He was a great advisor and prayer warrior.

With Blessings to You and Yours,

Judy Herrig

Self Will vs God's Will

I am such a control freak… I find it difficult to concentrate on my devotionals and bible study when I feel so out of control.  I obsess on the difficulties and disappointments rather than glorifying God for my blessings. 

In Galatians 5:1, Paul teaches that Christ died to free us of our sins, not to do whatever we want to do. Those who tend to indulge themselves fall into sin. Paul writes that we are to live unselfishly and to not allow things that keep us from being saved or growing in Christ.   

In Romans 12:2, Paul warns Christians to be careful of worldly customs because they are usually selfish and corrupt.  We must stand strong against worldly ways.  Only the Holy Spirit can truly renew and transform our minds.  In Romans 8:5 Paul describes people as being divided into two categories; those who are controlled by sin and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 6:33, we are reminded to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else”.  All else!

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul warns that our joy, prayers and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances. When we do God’s will, it is easier to feel more joy and gratitude.

So, with this, I am going to concentrate more on my attitude toward God and His kingdom rather than my worldly expectations.

Power Struggles With God

I have been absent from writing due to some struggles going on in my life.  The truth of the matter is that I am having power struggles with God.  Sometimes it is very hard for me to remember that I am powerless and I want to control every area of my life.  I forget that things happen in His time, not mine.

This morning, I decided I am going to let go, and let God.  I am going to obey God by doing His work.  So I am intently reading His word and doing what He has asked me to do.  So, please forgive me as I confess my anxieties with you so I can infectiously motivate others.
In Psalm 127:2, I am reminded to work while trusting God, and also rest while trusting Him. 
John 14:27, John wants us to understand that the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives offers us a lasting peace. That we have no need to fear the present or the future.  Jesus says all I have to do is accept it from Him.

Well, I know all that…  so…. what is my problem???  
I want resolution yesterday!

It is easy to get impatient and feel hopelessness when my resolve is moving too slowly.  Especially when we are close to the situation, it is difficult to see the progress.  Joshua teaches us that when we look back, we will see God’s hand in it.   Joshua 11:18

And in 1 Samuel 13:11-12, it is recognized how difficult it is to trust God when you feel your resources slipping away.  Saul though his time was running out and he became impatient with God’s timing, so he substituted a ritual for his faith.

When we are faced with difficulties, we should never allow impatience allowing us excuses to ignore or disobey God.  We know God has a plan for us, and often uses delays to test our obedience and impatience.  We should never justify our mistakes or sins because of “special circumstances” because God knows our true motives.  1 Samuel 13:13

In Exodus 2:23-25, God promised to bring the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt.  The people waited a long time for that promise, but He knew the perfect time to rescue them.  God rescues us in His timing, not ours. 

Jesus trusted God’s timing for His life in ministry according to Luke 3:23.  Like Jesus, we need to be patient to receive direction.  We need to trust God’s timing.

I used to sing this song in my gospel bluegrass band: (rest in peace Karen!)
In His time, in His time.  
He makes all things beautiful in His time. 
Lord, show me every day, as You’re teaching me Your way,
that You’ll do just what You say, in Your time.

Defeat Temptation

Defeat Temptation

As a human, defeating temptation is difficult.  We face temptation every day.   It is easier to blame others and to make excuses for our actions.  But a Christian should accept responsibility for their actions, confess them and ask God for forgiveness.

In James 1:12-15, we are reminded that when we endure trials we are blessed because when we pass the test, we receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. 

To help resist temptation, you can ask a trusted person to be your accountability partner.  It has to be a person you can be forthcoming with.   In return, that person should reciprocate with non-judgmental honesty and grace.  This person should be someone you are comfortable to pray with, to be a prayer warrior for you. 

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16.

Learn From One Another

Learn from one another

We should always be open to learning from one another.   Do you accept “training” or “constructive criticism from others?  In Proverbs 27:17 we are reminded:  “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”  NLT further explains “Mental sharpness comes from being around good people.  And a meeting of minds can help people see their ideas with new clarity, refine them, and shape them into brilliant insights.  This requires partners who can challenge one another and stimulate thought – people who focus on the idea without involving their egos in the discussion; people who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker.  Two friends who bring their ideas together can help each other become sharper.”

Protect Yourself From False Philosophies

How do you protect yourself from being lead into false philosophies?   

In 2 Timothy 2:14-16, Paul explains false teachers will use trivial arguments that cause strife and division.  To know if their teaching is true, we have to study scripture so we understand what it means.  We are instructed to build our lives on scripture because the Bible tells us how to live for Him and to serve Him.  We are to study the Word regularly or we will find ourselves neglecting God and our true purpose for living.  Hebrews 2:1 tells us to pay close attention to the truth so we don’t fall prey to false teachings.  We must not neglect our salvation.

In Acts 1:11, Paul reminds us there are people who teach wrong doctrines and lead others astray.  Some are misguided or confused, and some are self-serving.   Acts 17:11 it also says we can verify teachings by comparing them from scripture.  Anyone who teaches God’s word will never contradict the Bible.    “You can recognize false teachers because they will (1) focus more attention on themselves than on Christ, (2) ask you to do something that will compromise or dilute your faith, (3) de-emphasize the divine nature of Christ or the inspiration of the Bible, or (4) urge believers to make decisions based more on human judgment than on prayer and biblical guidelines.” NLT