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ABIDE: What not to do...

By now you probably see a pattern for these blogs - ABIDE is my word for 2020. Since January 1st, abide is the only thing I have NOT done. The older you become the more you feel and fight the pull on your time, energy, and attention. There is an invisible force that hates your focus on God - the source of peace, joy, and strength.

There are a couple of distractions in life that will take your mind off of God. A few nuggets of wisdom I've learned:
  • DO NOT FOLLOW THE CROWD. Ever notice how panic tends to happen when there's a big crowd? We have a flock mentality. Everybody feeds off of the emotion and state of mind of one another. When you follow the crowd, it is easy to not be able to hear and abide in the voice of God.
  • DO NOT BE A PENNY PINCHER. In the effort of trying to save a few bucks here and there you will notice that you've wasted time, energy, and mental capacity that is meant to look at the big picture. Do not throw your money away either. Find the most efficient product at the best price point and pay for it upfront - cash. Move on to bigger and greater assignment/purpose/goal. Money and things are your servants, not the other way around.
  • DO NOT HOARD. Hoarding is a scarcity mentality. What if I need this in the future? What a good saving? You will find yourself wasting time finding the best deal. Saving for a future use that will never happen. You will load them around in your heart and mind and waste valuable time and energy. Pay attention to and understand underlying emotions when you hoard. It's a heart matter more than anything.
  • DO NOT HOLD ON TO THE PAST MISTAKES. The past is a ball in chain. Look at it. Learn from it. Thank God for the lessons of past mistakes. Then leave it there. It serves the purpose of humility and maturity. It does not help to propel you into the future of where God wants you to be.
  • DO NOT HOLD ON TO RESENTMENT. Forgive those who've hurt you. A recent friend reminded me not only to Forgive, but Release the person from having to apologize or to make it right. So, forgive and release and entrust the person or situation to God.
  • DO NOT HOLD ON TO YOUR SINS. Forgive yourself. You are a product of past decisions. But God shapes your future. If you believe in the power of Jesus Christ who has forgiven your sin and give you a new start - then you are not longer a slave to your past, current, and future sins. Jesus is the treasure. Your sins are not. Let them go. Focus on Jesus Christ who's made you new.
  • FOCUS ON THE GOOD THINGS. What good things are in your life today? Do not neglect the "small" blessings in your life. They are a lot greater than you think. They are more than you deserve. Those small things are a good thing from the Lord. Be grateful.
  • FOCUS ON CHRIST. Moment by moment, focus on Christ. Invite him into your heart. Invite him into your situation. Ask Him, "What do you want to say to me today? What do you want me to know today? How may I serve you today?"

This morning, I am reminded that there are things that have distracted me from Christ. And He's calling me to a constant loving, living, and walking relationship with Him. By the end of life, nothing else matters.

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