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INVESTING & RESTING
God had to get Paul the Apostle locked up in prison to prevent him from "GETTING ALOT OF THINGS DONE TODAY!"
In our culture, we almost worship the phrase, "I GOT A LOT OF THINGS DONE TODAY!"
(There are 3 Kinds of People: Workallergics, Workers, and Workaholics.)
I understand the necessity of a good work ethic and the rewards of accomplishment. But can I say, "I GOT THE WILL OF GOD DONE TODAY?"
Does BUSY-NESS necessarily equate to EFFECTIVENESS?
In prison, I am sure Paul felt he wasn't accomplishing as much as he had previously. "No more mass miracle crusades. No more apron and handkerchief healing ministry for now! No more long sermons to large crowds, so much so that some people fell asleep and toppled out of windows while listening! Just locked up in this prison writing these letters to little house churches! I know they're inspired, but come on, they just aren't touching enough people! Arghh!" Uh, Paul, I got news for you sir... I guess you didn't know that your letters would later be canonized into the book we now call The Holy Bible! Thank you, Paul, for writing nearly half the New Testament! Millions upon millions have received Christ and also grown in the Lord based upon your writings while you were in prison! Thank you Mr. Apostle! You thought what you were doing was rather insignificant, BUT... BUT...
It's not HOW MUCH you get done - it's HOW MUCH OF GOD you get done!
Sleep matters!!!!!! Make sure you invest in whatever is required to get QUALITY SLEEP!
Recently my wife and I invested in a Dormeo Octaspring mattress and foundation called the model 9500! Wow! ...is all I got to say. Finally! This is as much a breakthrough in rest and strength as Smartphones are to reliable communication! Thank you Jesus!
Lack of quality sleep is at the root of many other problems! God promises PLENTY of sleep and QUALITY of sleep!
Psalms 127:2 (KJV) - 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Proverbs 3:24 (KJV) - 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
The older I get the more I notice how closely tied my effectiveness is to the quality of my sleep! Sleep is an INVESTMENT, not an expense... into ministry! As a matter of fact, SLEEP is an integral part of this thing we call MINISTRY! Sleep helps me please Jesus when I'm awake! It's easier to obey God when I'm rested!
Don't view sleep as a necessary evil or distraction; view it rather as a gift from God and an investment into being a blessing to humanity! O what a wonderful phenomena, this thing we call SLEEP!
People, people, people! People need the Lord, and people need massive doses of encouragement and motivation!!!! Give it to them! Make men and women to stand on their feet as you speak words of life into their hearts!
Being RESTED and FRESH is a key to effective ministry! Tired eyes rarely see things in a positive light or from God's perspective!
More can be accomplished in a few seconds with a RESTED AND REFRESHED BODY than in hours with a FATIGUED BODY AND MIND!
You're not impressing God when you work yourself to death!
I love to SLEEP, and I love waking REFRESHED and READY TO GO for Jesus, my family, and my church!
BALANCE in all things is a God-Thing!
Proverbs 20:23 (KJV) - 23 ...and a false balance is not good.
Psalms 4:8 (KJV) - 8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
INVEST in quality Praise & Worship Music!
INVEST in a quality car that is safe and reliable!
INVEST in a high end sleeping mattress and pillow that truly meets your needs for quality sleep and comfort.
INVEST in an electronic Bible with multiple translations and Greek and Hebrew definitions.
INVEST in clothing that defines you and refines you!
INVEST in software that keeps you organized.
INVEST in accurate record keeping. You'd be surprised what paperwork or manuals or receipts you may need to RETRIEVE in the future for some reason. FILE IT! FILE IT! FILE IT!
INVEST in daily devotions and prayer time! WRITE IT! WRITE IT! WRITE IT!
INVEST ten percent and more of your income into the Kingdom of God! EXPECT HARVEST! EXPECT! EXPECT!
INVEST in your church.
INVEST much talk with your spouse!
INVEST much affection on your spouse! TOUCH! TOUCH! TOUCH!
INVEST much praise on your spouse!
INVEST undivided listening to your spouse!
You get back what you put into things! See Luke 6:38.
Ecclesiastes 11:1 (KJV) - 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (MSG) - 11:1 Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. 2 Don't hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others...
Hate Disorder!
Love Order!
INVESTING & RESTING!
Invest in EXCELLENCE in all things!
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