Have you ever lost track of what you were doing or the passion or meaning for why you were doing something? We unravel what it means to live intentionally and daily to get back on track and regain your passion all because you spent time with the Lord. Now what does that look like. Tune in, be inspired, and enrich your journey of living intentionally and daily with Jesus. Why? Because Believers make every day count.
Resources Mentioned on the Episode and suggested reading & social media handles:
Sign up for The Me Project Academy Newsletter for resources on developing disciplines to help you grow in Christ, prayer and new releases of the podcast.
Thanks for listening. I pray this episode was a blessing to you. Leave a comment or rate this episode . Then pass it on. Share this link: https://lyvitabrooks.com/
Have you ever lost track of what you were doing or the passion or meaning for why you were doing something? We unravel what it means to live intentionally and daily to get back on track and regain your passion all because you spent time with the Lord. Now what does that look like. Tune in, be inspired, and enrich your journey of living intentionally and daily with Jesus. Why? Because Believers make every day count.
Resources Mentioned on the Episode and suggested reading & social media handles:
Sign up for The Me Project Academy Newsletter for resources on developing disciplines to help you grow in Christ, prayer and new releases of the podcast.
Thanks for listening. I pray this episode was a blessing to you. Leave a comment or rate this episode . Then pass it on. Share this link: https://lyvitabrooks.com/
Lyvita:
Welcome to Hanging Out with Jesus Podcast, where we equip the saints for ministry by bringing you tips, interviews, inspiration and information on living intentionally and daily in Christ. For more resources, including your free newsletter, visit HangingOutWithJesusPodcastcom or click the link in the show notes. Hi, I'm Lavita Brooks. I'm the author, bible Teacher, founder of the Me Project Academy and your host. Thanks for supporting this ministry and reading and commenting on the blog and whatever podcast platform you are listening to, because, then, it makes this feel more like a conversation. If this is your first time listening in, welcome. This is episode 83. Our focus is on how to live with intention and do it daily. What does that look like, feel like? Be like Especially for believers of Christ Jesus? Well, that more is coming up. Now come walk with me where we intentionally and daily hang out with Jesus.
Lyvita:
In ministry news, I've shared before the importance of supporting organizations that impact your ministry. Well, in my field of writing, teaching and podcasting, the NRB, that's, the National Religious Broadcasters is an important association because it's an association of and for Christian communicators. They work to protect the free speech rights of their members by advocating their rights in governmental, corporate and media sectors, and works to foster excellence, integrity and accountability in their membership by providing networking, educational, ministry and relational opportunities. Yeah, that's a mouthful, isn't it? But in short, they equip, advocate and encourage Christian communicators. One of the things I like about it is that it highlights members who are being intentional about what God has called them to do, like last week they highlighted Destiny Yarbrough, the founder of Destiny X, and she's an admission of discipling and empowering the next generation of leaders. She shares on the NRB members news blog. This is what she said ask questions, listen, speak truth, be kingdom-minded and our delivery Engage, impact, develop, focus and impart our knowledge and experience to the future leaders coming up behind us. We must focus on having courageous conversations by sharing truth with boldness and substance. Saint, no matter what ministry you're in, having courageous conversations by sharing truth with boldness and substance. That should be one of the things that you're doing. Although her words are inspiring, they are inspiring for all ministry workers, because this is what we all should be doing reaching the next generation, having courageous conversations, sharing the gospel, because, after all, it's about being an example of Christ Jesus, but always we have to live with purpose and live with that purpose daily. You see Yarbrough's ministry. Well, it's taking her overseas y'all. You know, just think about what God has called you to do and if you truly put your heart into it, possibilities are endless.
Lyvita:
I've included a link to NRB and Destiny X in the show. and personal news says my BFF and I. We were talking about our schedules, something we do quite often lately, and somewhere during that conversation, lori said living intentionally. I'm not sure what else was said after that, because it opened up a world of clarity in my head and Lori's. You see, saints, this is why it's good to have blessed full friends. They can see things you can, and God has a way of using them to inspire you. Thank you, Lori, again, for inspiring me to be me, and I pray that I am also inspiring you to be you.
Lyvita:
Saints, living intentionally is what this episode is about. It's about doing it daily. Saints, we need to encourage each other as we go along the way. Even if that's a daily thing you know what I'm saying A weekly thing. Take some time today, take some time almost every day, and let someone know that they came across your mind and that you feel blessed by knowing them or appreciative about something that they did. Saints, you never know what God has in store for you or someone else until you take that first step of faith. So, saints, take some time. Remember. God has flashed across your mind right now. Call them or check up on them. Okay, now Saints, let's dive into this Lori inspired episode on living intentionally. And I like to add, daily.
Lyvita:
When I think of the word intentional, I'm talking about doing things on purpose, deliberate, making deliberate choices that reflect what and or who is important to you. Google will agree to that definition as well. Being intentional helps you reach goals, experience more clarity, be in the present, increase your focus and commitment, maintain a positive mindset. Yeah, and brings more purpose and meaning to our lives. You see, there's a big difference between knowing where you are going or flying by the seat of your pants, versus being intently focused on where you want to go and how to get there.
Lyvita:
Let's think about Jesus. Jesus knew that Calvary was his mission, but sitting at the right hand of the Father, well, that was his reward for a job well done. It's true, for us, we have a mission and a reward for fulfilling that mission, hearing our Lord say well done, my good and faithful servant. Glory. Every last one of us have a reason for being born and a length of time in which to complete that mission. Therefore, let's not waste time.
Lyvita:
I read where Izzy Victoria Odias. She's a self-care and personal development advocate Please forgive me for messing up her name. You can find her name in the show notes, but this is what I read that she said work on purpose, play on purpose, rest on purpose. Do not let yourself or anyone else waste your time. Saints, we don't have time to waste, nor do we have time to overwork ourselves. We need balance. And how do we obtain that balance? Well, once again, saints, it's spending time with the Lord, planning daily.
Lyvita:
Listen, have you ever lost track of what you were doing or your purpose for doing something? What about your passion or meaning for doing it? I know that when this happens to me, it's because I'm overwhelmed, stressed out or irritated because I didn't eat, because I was so engrossed in trying to complete something until I lost track of time. I've learned to deliberately plan my month, my weeks and days with the Lord. Saints, establishing routines and habits with your purpose in mind, as you are conversing with the Lord, can, will boost and increase your focus, still enable you to set achievable goals, will put meaning back into your life. It'll also help you focus on first things first, with the next thing waiting once you finish the first thing. You know? Check out episode 81. Cecil Taylor has written a book called the Next Thing that kid. That will give you even more clarity on what I'm talking about when I say the next thing and waiting.
Lyvita:
Now, the key to executing your planning time daily with the Lord is to set boundaries. You see, when I don't eat and plow through just to finish something, I become irritated. The process becomes frustrating and I don't do my best work because it's taking me longer than it should. So now I'm overwhelmed because I'm taking time from something else that I plan. Therefore, you gotta set boundaries. Your boundaries is you can work within a block of time or, depending on that day, your day can be focused on one particular activity because you know it's going to take a long time for you to complete it during that day. When you do your planning, this reduces the stress. I know it does for me and for a lot of other folks because when you're less stressed, you're more productive, you can produce more, you have a focus and you have a why and you move towards accomplishing it. You know one of the things that I do as setting a boundary is I don't answer my phone and I really, really want to stay focused. I put that phone in another room and because I'm determined, determination will kick in and it won't let me get up unless I gotta go to the bathroom. But I will not answer that phone. So that's one of my boundaries Instant waste time.
Lyvita:
Plan your work time, your play time, your retirement nap time, bible study with the Lord. It makes sense to ask him. Spend time with him while planning your year, your quarter, your month, your weeks, your days, because he's the author of your life. Yo, it's not that intense. Everything doesn't have to take forever. That's your thinking and putting too much into it. And yet we all know that not falling Christ and doing our own thing, well, that results in stresses. That takes away our peace, our joy, our sanity. You know it gets us all flustered. Let's not travel down that path. But if you have time to make a pack adjustment by planning your time dealing with the Lord in order to live life intentionally and on purpose, without becoming overwhelmed or losing your passion, so take that time, spend it with him so he can help you adjust your path.
Lyvita:
Now. Colossians, chapter 3, verse 23, reads whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Saint, whatever ministry you do, whether it's a 9 to 5, being a grandmother washing your dishes, office work, being a big brother preaching, or responding to that person who cut you off while driving, it's all ministry, because it's all about whatever you do as working for the Lord. When we drive, yes, yes, we're working for the Lord. If you got a Jesus sign anywhere on your car, isn't that witnessing? If you run in a red light, are the people in the car that knows that you're Christian? I mean, okay, so you would say what I'm saying.
Lyvita:
We are in Christ. Therefore, where we go, we take Christ. What we say, act like those facial expressions, y'all attitude. You see, all of that is reflected back to Christ, because our claim is to be in him. We're covered by the blood of Jesus, born again to live for him. So whatever we do, it's gonna reflect back on him. Whatever we say, it's gonna reflect back on him. All right, you get my drift, okay?
Lyvita:
So this is where living intentionally and daily puts mark on you, because it's here that you fix in your head and clamp into your heart Whatever you do going to be done as unto the Lord. It's here where you realize that your life isn't in your hand, but that your joy comes from the Lord. Your peace is of God and the joy of the Lord is your strength. It is God who has good plans for us and a future that is prosperous, according to Jeremiah 2911. This is why we intentionally plan with the Lord, set goals and put boundaries in place to keep us on track. Remember, if you are being intentional, then you are remaining in control of who or what you allow into your lives and when. This is why staying in God's word, praying, spending time with him, meditating on Scripture, listening to him, is vital to living intentionally and daily, because it comes with wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discernment. All of that helps you stay focused on your mission goals to pursue, things to avoid and the direction you should be going.
Lyvita:
That brings me to setting goals. You can plan your time daily, set boundaries to ward off distractions which kick you off, course, but you also need to set achievable goals in Christ. Think about it. Jesus Christ's goal is being our Savior. Now think about how God planned for Jesus to be born and what God said about him from the Old Testament to Jesus fulfilling it in the New Testament.
Lyvita:
Okay, that's, that was some planning. But now, god, he set some goals too, cuz God knew that he wanted to make man. But guess what? He built an entire bubble in which he placed me. But this bubble, he had to To shape it and form it so that he can commune with man in it. I mean that was a lot of planning, that was whole. I mean he had to make the heavens and earth. I mean he had to make other creatures and some trees and stuff. I mean he had to make some food. You know, I'm saying God did a whole lot, just so he can make a man and a woman to hang out with Things. Think about it. God did some planning, set goals, because they give direction and inspire us to move forward. But whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. You know something's hate. God did all that planning and then he did all that making and doing.
Lyvita:
But you know, what I love Is that God rested on the seventh day to enjoy the fruits of his labor. How many of us do that? It's like he stopped on purpose, just so he could enjoy, hang out With with all that he had accomplished, mmm, makes you think if we're following Christ, that's something that we should be doing Now. It makes you think about the Old Testament, with the Ten Commandant says make the Sabbath day holy, mmm. Then you think about Jesus. Every time it was it was his custom to go away and Be alone with the Lord. I'm sorry, be alone. Be alone with God Makes you think about there's something special about resting, okay, okay, and enjoying it. All right, just thought I throw that out, has, okay, just thought I. So think about that and think about how, how precious it must be to take time to Simply enjoy for a day, the fruits of your labor. So I digress, so let me.
Lyvita:
Let me go back here. I want to. I just want to remind you to set goals, because they give you direction and they inspire you to move forward. But whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. Make sure you write them down, because studies show that those who write down their goal are three times more successful than those who don't. Lastly, in order to make the goal meaningful, include why it's important to you. Doing this is going to help you, help with dedication Commitment being consistent, and it increases your chances of accomplishing it.
Lyvita:
Now, saints, don't try overdoing it with the goals by making them too strict or limited, or Overthinking it or Give yourself some unrealistic deadline. That's why I keep saying to you to spend time with the Lord daily, praying over and talking through what you need to do. That's first thing. First for that day, included in my morning quiet time, is reviewing my schedule for that day. Sometimes the Lord had me scratch some stuff out. I have moved some stuff and I had another day, but guess what? It's? Because he knew what was happening that day. I didn't. I might have fussed and said that don't make sense, but he did so.
Lyvita:
Living intentionally and daily is taking back the control over your life and giving it into the hands of Jesus so that together you can live with purpose, fulfilling the calling God's placed on your life. Y'all only God knows the hiccups and surprises come in your way, but it's the choices you make that determine your destiny. Living intentionally and daily in Christ by planning your time daily, establishing boundaries, setting achievable goals, are all accomplished through spending time with the Lord. Now did you see why I'm always inviting you to hang out with Jesus? I know I've shared a lot about living intentionally and daily, but also the importance of spending time with Jesus. Now, if you have any questions about setting goals, check out episode 74. What setting goals can do for you. Or episode 71, how to use journaling to maintain your smart goals. Or 69, 13 prompts to goal setting with Holy Spirit. And for those of you who have questions about what is ministry, check out episode 60. Or my favorite one, 65, which is titled Are you Doing Too Much I got that title from my little cousin, naomi and to planning your time daily, set some boundaries, set goals and achievable, but in all of that, start your conversation with the Lord, Spend time with Him as you're doing all that and even when you end it.
Lyvita:
Updates from the Meeproject Academy. First, thanks for those of you who know what God's called you to do and it's to turn your ministry into a business. Well, I'm opening the fortified coaching program in late September. It's designed to help you get started, organize, motivated and build up to go and do what God's called you to do. This is for believers who need help starting their business and for those who did start but can't seem to get organized to move it forward. Or you have a business, but simply need help getting and maintaining your focus. Well, it's for you. So click on the link in the show notes to learn more about the fortified coaching program, or go to hangingoutwithjesuspodcastcom. Now remember, you need to get on our newsletter to know the opening day for the registration. I've only spaced for 20 people, so the sooner you register, the better. The link to the newsletter is in the show notes and on the website.
Lyvita:
Now the second thing that's happening in the Meeproject Academy is for book lovers. October is Nuggets Book Club. It's for anyone who enjoys reading poetry or books. It begins October 1st, but registration will only be open for a short time in September. It includes some fun activities, including a poetry slam and book discussion, both on Zoom. So more details about that is also going to be in the newsletter and on the websites or the show note. So those two things are coming your way from the Meeproject Academy Nuggets Book Club in early September and fortified coaching program in late September.
Lyvita:
Let's pray Our Father, the God who planned the heavens and the earth. We come to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, jesus Christ. Thank you, lord, for giving each and every one of us a purpose for being on this earth. Strengthen us to do whatever you've called us to do with all our heart, and that our reason for doing it, our why, is that it will glorify you. Help us to take time to live intentionally and daily in Christ. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen and amen.
Lyvita:
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, then please consider subscribing to the podcast. Rating and Reviewing it helps in moving it forward to being heard by more believers. Also, if you haven't done so, get our free twice a month newsletter to keep up with new releases of the podcast, registration date for the fortified coaching program, how to participate in the Nuggets Book Club, monthly activities on how to live intentionally and daily in Christ, and so much more. All this and more can be found, including my contact information on Hanging Out with Jesus Podcast or the show notes. So until we meet again on the airways, intentionally and daily, hang out with Jesus, shalom.