PROCRASTINATION III

Jonah 1-4

Continue from yesterday’s question; what are you doing for heaven’s sake?

 Here’s the second question: what does God have to do get your full attention? Look at what God had to do to get Jonah’s attention. Verse 17: “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” God will put you in a place where he has your full attention because other people’s lives depend upon it . . . it’s not just about you. When you live a life outside of God’s purpose, it will lead to nothing but a belly full of frustration. Look where Jonah was. Have you ever been there? In the belly of a fish – it doesn’t say whale, does it? We just know it was a great fish churning gastric juices! Recognize the symptoms: life stinks; a closed-in feeling where you can’t get a foothold; you’re out of control. The fish’s agenda becomes your agenda. Wherever the fish goes you go, so you’re in this frenzied roller coaster existence. Yet God has created you for something better. But guess what? Our lives are such that He will put you in a place where you are stripped of all of your props to get your full attention. So what is God doing right now to get your attention?

Here’s the third question: what are you waiting for? Look at where Jonah goes in 2:1-3, “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.” Whoa! What a novel idea. “In my distress I called consequences of procrastination. Here’s three of them: First, it wastes opportunities in life. Ephesians 5:16 says, “Make the most of every opportunity for doing good.” The way to live a joy filled life is to take every opportunity that God sends our way and make the most of it. When opportunity knocks, you open the door. I wonder how many opportunities we’ve lost because we’ve procrastinated, opportunities to make a difference in a relationship or in another person’s life or to make a difference with my life in the world?

Second, it causes problems. Proverbs 15:19 “A lazy person has trouble all through life.” Do you ever procrastinate on getting your gas tank filled up? Then the next day you run out of gas and you’re stuck and late for an appointment. Even more tragic is when someone who has procrastinated about going to the doctor. When they finally do go, they found that the cancer had spread beyond control. The fact is delaying never solves anything. It only makes things worse. The longer you wait, the harder it is. It never gets easier. It always gets harder.

Third, it hurts others. Many of us never realize procrastination at its core is unloving. Showingto the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me.” So how can you purge procrastination? First, stop making excuses. Stop making excuses for what you’ve been putting off. Proverbs 22:13a (LB) says, “The lazy man is full of excuses.” The people who do things with their life, who get stuff done, stop making excuses. They accept responsibility. They don’t blame others. They don’t blame circumstances. They choose to do something with their life because they stop making excuses and get on with it. What excuse are you giving for not doing what you know you need to do? Second, ask God for help. If you find yourself procrastinating in an area or issue in your life, ask God for help. Why? Because procrastination in any area of your life is a spiritual problem.

 

To be continued..............

PROCRASTINATION II

Jonah 1:1-5

Today, we’re looking at personalities in the Bible who did a lot of things well, but struggled in one area of their life. And for God to use them, they need a conversion. In today’s Scripture, we have Jonah who struggled with procrastination. He’s not alone. Procrastination is something that many of us struggle with. There’s something in your life you know you need to do, and yet you keep putting it off. That is called procrastination. Procrastination is a spiritual issue. The Bible says that procrastination eventually leads to poverty in all areas of our life. The good news is that God wants to liberate you from procrastination.

The first thing we need to do is understand the causes of procrastination. The Bible says there are five. Any time you know what you need to do and you keep putting it off, it’s always one of these reasons. First is indecision. James 1:8 says, “The double minded man is unstable in all he does.” Whenever you have a hard time making up your mind, you’re going to procrastinate. Today, with all the choices we have in life and the store, there’s always a temptation to procrastinate.

Second is perfectionism. The problem is we set such a high standard and think, ‘I can’t do that’ so we never going to begin in the first place.

Third is fear. Whenever we’re afraid of something, we tend to put it off. It could be the fear of failure or even the fear of success. What if I fail or worse yet, what if I achieve it, how do I top that? Fear can keep you from making that tough phone call, scheduling that counseling appointment, sharing your faith, volunteering your talents or pursuing your dream.

Fourth is passive resistance. Procrastination is often a way of getting back at people. It’s about control. If you’re a parent, you know this. Kids do this all the time. You tell them you want them to do something and then they say, “Just a minute.”

Fifth is laziness. Proverbs 13:4 says “Lazy people want much but get little.” You’re never going to see a best seller with the title, “Ten Incredibly Difficult Ways to Lose Weight” or “Nine Really Tough Ways to Get in Shape.” We want it easy. The myth of procrastination is that if I put it off it’ll get easier. But the truth is procrastination only makes things worse. So whenever you’re procrastinating, you need to first ask what’s the cause? For Jonah, it was his fear: fear of going into a pagan nation, fear of sharing his faith, and fear of failure that the Ninevites might not respond.

Today, what are you doing for heaven’s sake? God created you to be in relationship with him and to fulfill His purpose. Your life is not about you, your job, your money, your wants, or your family. You’re here as a follower of Jesus to accomplish the mission of Jesus in the world. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” There are two great days in every person’s life. The first day is when you were born; and the second day is the day you discover what you were born for. When you get in touch with why God created you, you discover your call from God. Here’s how that calling looks. The first call is general and is shared by all of us. It is a call to follow Jesus Christ. You can’t even begin to discover your life purpose unless you deal with that first call. It’s at that point that you make all your life available to God, to His purpose and to become like Jesus. The second call is your unique contribution to God’s mission, utilizing your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality and experiences all the mission and glory of God. All of us have the responsibility or call to use our unique S.H.A.P.E. to reflect the holiness or wholeness of Jesus in the world and to serve Jesus’ mission in the world.
Procrastination in any area of life comes with a cost. The Bible is very clear about the destructive real love to people, that takes commitment, energy, time and hard work. When I procrastinate, I’m deciding not to commit that to the other person. That is the destructive power of procrastination. The reason why a lot of marriages fall apart is procrastination. Both people are not willing to give the effort to make it work. A lot of divorces happen when both people know what needed to be done. They delayed and didn’t have the conversation they needed to have. They didn’t take the time to be together. They didn’t get around to addressing their issues. So eventually they grew so far apart, it seemed easier to get a divorce.
So in your heaven sent priorities, what are you doing for heaven’s sake? There’s another lesson Jonah teaches us about how procrastination hurts other. It threatens their eternity. Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh and in so doing was saying, “Go to Hell!” When you hear God’s call, don’t look to somebody else. God created you specifically with your gifts and talents to be the answer to other people’s prayers. Can you imagine if the people who so faithfully were witnesses of Jesus in your life had said no to God? How many people’s eternal destiny would it have affected because then you were never able to influence others for Jesus? This is the problem with procrastination. What are you doing for heaven’s sake? Not your sake, not your job, your time, your interests, your money, your hobbies - what are you doing for heaven’s sake?

To be Continued.........................

PROCRASTINATION

Good Morning Brethren,

What makes procrastination so annoying and sitting on the fence infuriating?

No matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, we like being able to tell with a good amount of certainty, what direction or action we must take to deal with the matter at hand. We abhor being lied to and hate deceit, even when it is so readily excused where we are the ones carrying out the act. I am yet to come across that being, even amongst those renowned for being exceptional liars and professional con artists, who enjoys being on the receiving end of their trade. They are often the ones who blow up in explosive anger at being deceived.

The ability to be true to who we are being right from the little basic things we choose to accept in our daily lives. Our moral principles are vital as we are faced with decisions constantly, some massive in nature, others seemingly inconsequential. However every choice we make is significant and is a marker for what the future bears for us. Nothing is stand alone and the choices made all interlink to the tapestry of life woven around us.

Because God is a God of order and precise in His timing, everything He sets up to occur for you is best achieved in the time and space for which it is intended. When we lie and scheme our way out of things, when we refuse, ignore or despise that which He has asked of us to do, when we sit on the fence rather than take decisions that are vital, we put ourselves out of God’s timing and His protection. We inadvertently say to Him, we are in control and don’t need Him therefore opening ourselves to attacks from all sides. Delayed obedience has us working in our power and strength to achieve what God’s grace had hitherto made available for us, with no more guarantee of success.

Is your yes too late?

DECISION MAKING - LESSON FROM DANIEL

The fine line between success and failure is really quite broad and well defined. It is not coincidental that some people excel at what they do while others barely get by. There are reasons why we achieve and there are reasons why we fail. Daniel broke the mold of mediocre living. He excelled in a social environment where the majority of his countrymen were content with the status quo. When examining Daniel’s life, you'll quickly discover that his fame did not happen by chance. Instead, you'll find that his rise to power can be traced to three important decisions. 

First, Daniel chose character over comfort.

In a short period of time, Daniel developed a reputation. He was known to be honorable and ethical his closet was clean ... there were no skeletons waiting to haunt him. Even Daniel’s enemies found him trustworthy. Unfortunately, we are living in a time when it is extremely easy to compromise our integrity. So what if I take some supplies home from the factory or have someone else punch my time card? Who is going to say anything if you stretch the truth or sneak an answer on an exam or cheat on your income tax a letter was sent to the tax authority. It stated: "Dear Sirs, last year when I filed my income tax return, I deliberately misrepresented my income. Now I cannot sleep. Enclosed is a check for N15,000 for taxes. If I still can't sleep, I will gladly send you the rest."

It is easy to compromise our virtue especially when this type of behavior has become the accepted norm. But such compromise will cost you the joy of unhindered fellowship with the lord. In your life, strive for ethical and moral purity ... like Daniel, be willing to be different. The apostle peter declared:

. . . make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. -2Peter 1:5-9

At times, the modern church more often compliments rather than contrasts the behavior of the world. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Daniel chose character over comfort. He had the courage to be different.

Secondly, Daniel excelled because he chose discipline over disorder.

Among other things, Daniel had a disciplined prayer life. In v.10 we read: 

three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his god. The reason why some people succeed while others fail has little to do with abilities. Most of our failures can be traced to an absence of discipline. I don't believe the Germany team would have won the World Cup if the individual players were not disciplined in their practice sessions. It takes discipline in order to excel. You can't sow wild oats and then pray for a crop failure.

Here are some areas where most of us need greater discipline. First, we need to control our tongue. More people are run down by gossip than automobiles. Although many would consider gossip a lesser sin than murder, gossip can kill friendships, disrupt a family, divide a church, and assassinate a person's character. Someone once said: great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.

We must all learn to discipline our tongue. 

Second, we need more discipline in our devotional life. I wonder, do we have the right to complain about the absence of prayer in our school when there is an absence of prayer in our home? Should we defend the bible in public yet deny it in the privacy of our own lives? Do we have a right to complain about the moral decay of Nigeria if we fail to pray for our nation? Three times every day Daniel got down on his knees and intercedes before God.

Third, we need a more disciplined church life. In over twenty five years of serving the lord, I have learned how important the church is to my spiritual growth and stability. In fact, I have learned that I need the church far more than the church needs me. I need to be in an atmosphere where my perceptions of life can be challenged. I need to be in an environment that offers me an opportunity to learn and utilize my spiritual gifts. I need to be involved in a church where I am held accountable for my actions ... a place where I can receive Godly wisdom. I also need to be in fellowship with people who hold to the same values that I embrace. I need to be involved in a church where I can be encouraged when I feel like giving up ... a place where others will pray for me when I’m too discouraged to pray for myself. No, you don't have to remind me about the imperfections that exist in the church. But all the criticism will never undo the positive role the church plays! In building the kingdom of God work on developing a disciplined pattern of church attendance.

Daniel excelled because he chose discipline over disorder

Finally, Daniel excelled because he chose love over life.

A new law had been issued. No one was permitted to pray for the next 30 days and anyone caught doing so would be fed to the lions. This law was really nothing more than a smoke screen some people were using to get Daniel into trouble because they knew Daniel would never stop praying. Well, it wasn't very long before Daniel heard about the new law. Verse 10 states:

 “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. -Dan 6:10"

I’m convinced that Daniel wasn't really interested in becoming Sunday’s brunch for the lion's club. But when faced with a decision, he chose love over life. Daniel’s first allegiance was to God.

Is your love for Christ more important than your ambitions? 
Is God more important to you than the acceptance of your peers?
Is Christ more worthy than the pursuit of power or possessions?

There is an old chorus which says:

 “Lord, you are more precious than silver. Lord, you are more costly than gold.

  Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds. Nothing I desire compares with you”.

Is that your testimony this morning?

When faced with an option, Daniel chose love over life. What is it costing you to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Are we guilty of making Christianity a religion of convenience?

Have we replaced self-denial with self-service? Daniel was determined to serve God regardless of the consequences. 

I love verse 23: “the king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. -Dan 6:23

We are not always isolated from painful experiences. There will be times when you and I will not escape the tribulations of life. But if we continue to trust in the lord, he will bring us through these experiences unharmed I like the way David said it: “You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. -Psalm 32:7

How can we break the mold of mediocre living? The same way Daniel broke the mold:

· choose character over comfort

· choose discipline over disorder

· choose love over life

DEALING WITH IMPOSSIBLE

What we do when we face the impossible?  Let’s remind ourselves for the reasons behind this great chapter, Hebrew 11.Hebrew 11 is an encouragement to keep trusting God in their difficult circumstances. Let consider Hebrew 11: 29-31 to see the response of faith in impossible circumstances.

 

a.       God allows his people to face impossible situations
How did the Israelites get to the Red Sea – God brought them there. How did they get to Jericho – God brought them there. Why? Because God had a great purpose in it. He wanted to show his power. God allows his people to face impossible situations ultimately for his glory and to work out his purpose. Do we find ourselves hemmed in by circumstances/enemies, obstacles/barriers, and problems? Got any rivers you think are uncrossable, got any mountains you can’t tunnel through? In the end God is God, he does what he thinks is right, he doesn’t act according to our comfort or convenience.

b.      Trust God’s purpose

Look at what the Israelites faced at the Red Sea. Moses assured them that God would act on their behalf even though they could not see how. They could have responded “come on Moses, give it up, it’s been a nice trip, we’ve had a holiday by the Red Sea, it’s over!” But they didn’t do that, they went forward as Moses said, they trusted God’s purpose, that it wasn’t all going to end for them at the Red Sea, even though it seemed impossible, now way out. What does that say to us? Trust God’s purpose in your life and in those that you love. Trust him with our fate, our destiny.

c.       Obey God’s instructions

The Israelites did this at the Red Sea but it is more obvious here at Jericho. God brought his people to an impregnable fortress, an impossible obstacle. Note that there is a gap of 40 years for after the Red Sea the wanderings are a time of unbelief. Even people who have once expressed faith can lapse into unbelief. Imagine how they felt at Jericho. They must have been sick to death of blowing trumpets – what a ridiculous thing to do. They may have thought, “Moses wouldn’t have had us doing something so stupid!” How they must have groaned at the instructions for the 7th day – march 7 times around the city! But key to the walls of Jericho falling was the obedience of the Israelites. Once again the author of Hebrews is saying that faith and obedience are the two sides of the same coin. The relevance of this is that we need to keep doing what God says, keep doing what you know is right, keep following and trusting

d.      Believe in God’s ability

We can be confident in God’s ability to deliver on what he has promised. Faith believes the impossible will happen, before it happens. God calls us to believe that the impossible will take place even though we see no current evidence for it. Rahab challenges us to trust in God’s ability now, not after the fact wishing that we had.

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable, any mountains you can’t tunnel through? Well God specializes in the impossible. We need to trust his purpose, obey his instructions and be faithful and believe in his ability.

MAJOR PIECES TO THE LIFE PUZZLE

1. "Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want." 

2. "If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary." 

3. "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." 

4. "Walk away from the 97% crowd. Don't use their excuses. Take charge of your own life." 

5. "To attract attractive people, you must be attractive. To attract powerful people, you must be powerful. To attract committed people, you must be committed. Instead of going to work on them, you go to work on yourself. If you become, you can attract." 

6. "Don't just learn how to earn. Learn how to live. The good life is not an amount. It's an attitude, an act, an idea, a discovery." 

7. "Ants never quit. If they're going somewhere and you stop them or block their path, they'll look for another way. Up, down, all around. How long will they keep looking? Till they find another way. See, that's good philosophy." 

8. "Here is what my teacher taught me: "When you change, everything will change for you. When you get better, everything will get better for you."" 

9. "One of the best places to start to turn your life around is by doing whatever appears on your mental "I should" list." 

10. "Let others lead small lives, but not you.
        Let others argue over small things, but not you.
        Let others cry over small hurts, but not you.
        Let others leave their futures in other people's hands, but not you

DREAMS FULFILMENT

Your tomorrow will look like today, unless you enlarge the capacity of your imagination to see what God sees concerning you. You must understand that an error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it. What you think is a mistake or failure is just an error that is waiting for your correction. You can still fulfill that dream in you, believe in yourself and have faith in God… it is possible in Jesus Name! Jeremiah 1:11-13