Cedarcrest Church Service
- Live intentionally with your time
- Fill your bucket with the ‘big rocks’
- Jesus was the perfect model of that
- Jesus had the margin of time to stop, turn around, and focus on YOU
The 5 Big Rocks
- He made time on a daily basis to spend time with his Heavenly Father // PRIORITIZE
- Get into a regular rhythm of knowing God
- Take up your cross daily to follow – there will be sacrifices you have to make
- Know Jesus in a more intimate way this year
- What are you willing to give up for 21 days so you can focus on God alone?
- Jesus prioritized building His key relationships
- Where are we going to spend our relational time?
- Who are we investing our time in this year?
- We take care of those that matter most to us
- Build relational ties with people, so be intentional with building those ties or things will rob us of that time
- Jesus would say no to the crowds some times and say yes to his family
- Jesus had an occupation
- Work is from the Lord
- How can I give my best to the occupation that you’ve given me?
- How can I give my all to everything that you’ve given me to do?
- Do your occupation wholeheartedly
- How do we serve the body & other believers
- Be a disciple maker
- How are you helping others grow in their relationship with Jesus
- Have a ministry apart from your occupation
- When you connect how God made you, life has so much more purpose
- How are you engaging with the mission of God?
- Physical, mental, emotional health are important to Jesus
- You need to schedule appropriate, healthy rhythms
- Jesus was taking care of himself but built in time for rest
- Think about your time
What can you say yes to and what can you say no to now depending on your time?
*How can I live intentionally with my time while also prioritizing the Lord?*
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To live intentionally with your time while prioritizing the Lord, consider integrating your daily activities with spiritual practices that foster a deeper connection with God. Here are some suggestions:
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Set Aside Dedicated Time for Prayer and Reflection: Start your day with prayer, asking for guidance on how to use your time wisely. Reflect on your priorities and how they align with your faith. This could be a quiet moment in the morning or a specific time during the day.
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Incorporate Scripture into Daily Routines: Choose a verse or passage to meditate on each day. Allow this scripture to guide your actions and decisions. For example, you might reflect on Philippians 4:6-7, which encourages bringing your worries to God in prayer.
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Practice Gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal where you note the blessings in your life each day. This practice not only helps you focus on the positive but also reminds you of God’s goodness. Psalm 107:1 encourages us to give thanks to the Lord for His enduring love.
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Engage in Meaningful Activities: Prioritize activities that not only fulfill your responsibilities but also bring joy and foster relationships. Spend quality time with family and friends, and engage in community service or church activities that reflect your values.
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Evaluate Your Schedule: Regularly assess how you spend your time. Are there activities that distract you from your spiritual goals? Consider eliminating or reducing time spent on less meaningful tasks.
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Seek Balance: Remember that it’s okay to rest and recharge. Jesus invites us to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Make time for self-care and relaxation, ensuring that your physical and mental well-being are also prioritized.
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Pray for Guidance: Regularly ask God for wisdom in managing your time. A custom prayer might include asking for the strength to focus on what truly matters and to be intentional in your daily choices.
Scripture for Reflection
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Seek First: Matthew 6:33 (NIV) “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
- This verse reminds us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. By focusing on His kingdom, we can trust that our needs will be met.
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Trust in the Lord: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- This encourages us to rely on God’s wisdom rather than our own. Submitting our plans to Him allows us to live intentionally according to His purpose.
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Daily Commitment: Luke 9:23 (NIV) “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'”
- Following Jesus requires daily commitment. This verse emphasizes the importance of making conscious choices to prioritize Him in our everyday lives.
Custom Prayer
“Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, seeking to prioritize You in every aspect of our lives. Help us to seek Your kingdom first and trust in Your plans for us. May we find strength in Your Word and guidance in our daily decisions. Teach us to deny ourselves and follow You wholeheartedly, knowing that You will lead us on the right path. We thank You for Your love and faithfulness. Amen.”