The Coach's counsel to make this a great week

Monday morning!

What are you thinking today?  Are you stressing about multiple responsibilities that you must meet?  Are you full of regret about the way you spend the weekend? Are you already tired on the first day of the work week? Or, are you looking up, taking grace from His hand, and prepared for life because you know that you can walk with Him?

These inspired words are not just for church, for sunny days, or for days of celebration. They are “Monday morning” words that will shape our faith around the One who  is our foundation!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:4-9, NIV)

The Holy Spirit, our life coach (one of His names is “Paraclete” John 14:15 which means “the one called alongside to help”) urges us to re-focus before we let life overtake us.  If we will, there is JOY for the journey.

First, He coaches us to look for joy in the Lord. 
A thousand things offer us happiness.  A fine meal, a day of fun with others, a concert, an accomplishment do make life brighter. But, though we might try, we cannot live in endless fun.  Real life requires choices that are difficult. Days come in which we say “I find no pleasure in them.” (Ecc. 12:1)  But, there is one constant:  the love of the Lord!  Say it out loud - “I am God’s kid! He’s a good Dad.”  Look up, past the problems, beyond the disappointment, higher – and sing a song that extols the fact that He reaches out to you with love.

Second, ‘let it go.’   The text says let your gentleness be evident. Some translations use the word - “moderate.”  Conventional wisdom tells to meet life with an attitude that says “you’re not going to beat me.”  We are told that winners will ‘kick butts, power up, and make things happen’ when faced with challenges.  The Spirit counsels the opposite. Instead of trying to force solutions, have our way, or make life fit our expectations – we can offer the challenges to the Lord with prayer for wisdom.  What seems so urgent this Monday morning will likely mean little a week from today, perhaps even be forgotten.  Give to the Lord and develop a quiet heart that waits for His leading. That is not passivity, that is connecting with real power.

Third, reject worry as a strategy.   Your life deals in real stuff, doesn’t it?   Balancing that budget means wrestling with real dollars, not Monoply money.  Our words and actions touch living people not characters in a story.  God knows that!  But, anxiety is not going to make it better.  So, the Coach tells us to bring Him to the table.  Our prayers are not to be sleepy mumbling, but lively conversations.  Shape your prayer with thankfulness, not whining; with real hope, not with resignation and sighs!  Will He miraculously make more money magically appear in the budget? No, but He will give wisdom. He will guide. Best of all, He promises that if we will pray He will  steady our minds and hearts with a gift of peace that guards us from the fear that will rob us of rest.

Last, direct your mind by taking control of those negative emotions.   Choose to expect better things, to look for the best, and to seek out the excellent.  This is not about becoming naïve or living in a way that hides from the truth.  We do best when we choose our perspective by "filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Philippians 4:8, The Message)

Life has troubles!  We live in a world where sin and evil oppose the good of God, all the time.  Sickness will come. Heartbreak is inevitable. Crops will fail, businesses will take the hit of down economies. Temptation will roar from the shadows of your mind. Satan will prowl on the perimeter, looking for an opening to attack.  But, in Him we are ‘more than conquerors.’

Here is that word from the Word one more time.  "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." (Philippians 4:4-9, The Message)

So, what kind of week will you have?  God offers you JOY!

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God Is Good All The Time

If you're walkin' through the valley

And there are shadows all around;

Do not fear, He will guide you,

He will keep you safe and sound.

'Cause He has promised to never leave you,

Nor forsake you, and His Word is true.

We were sinners so unworthy,

Still for us He chose to die.

Filled us with His Holy Spirit,

Now we can stand and testify.

That His love is everlasting,

And His mercies they will never end.

God is good all the time,

He put a song of praise

In this heart of mine.

God is good all the time,

Through the darkest night,

His light will shine.

God is good, God is good,

All the time!

Though I may not understand

All the plans You have for me.

My life is in Your hands,

And through the eyes of faith,

I can clearly see:

God is good, He's so good.

God is good, He's so good.

God is good, He's so good, all the time!

Don Moen | Paul Overstreet

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