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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Chris Hodges
Read between
October 23 - November 15, 2017
Belshazzar’s greatest sin was how he wasted his life.
When we recognize our limitations, we tend to make the most of our lives.
The gravel represents all the “little things” in our day—texting, shopping, waiting in line at Starbucks, watching TV, ordering from Amazon, all the stuff we do on any given day. And the bigger rocks represent our main priorities: our relationship with God, our relationships with our spouses and kids, our commitment to exercise and having healthy bodies, our dedication to our careers, to serving others, to friendships—whatever our other priorities happen to be. The funny thing, though, is that when you try to put your “priority rocks” into the jar that’s already close to full of gravel,
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Order matters!
Because busy is never better.
Simply put, we can’t make a difference if we’re not different.
lives. If we don’t change, this division and fragmentation will destroy us.
The faster you go, the less you’ll produce.
It’s much better if we intentionally give our souls time to replenish.
Real rest doesn’t come from simply resting; it comes when your soul is connected to God’s power.
Don’t wait until you have a breakdown. Do it now.
First, this life is not about me—my priority of napping couldn’t compare to what Billy needed.
People are ready for God, but they want hope, not a debate.
Connect before we correct. Reaching people is our purpose.
“We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20 NLT).
Let’s make sure we don’t start arguing about what’s for dinner among ourselves and lose sight of the end goal. Let’s instead follow his example and go after the one lost sheep.
Jesus connected with people before he corrected them.
Sometimes those who consider themselves the “least likely to succeed” become the most likely to touch the world around them.
But the Bible says he “distinguished himself”—with exceptional qualities that impressed the king and the king’s leaders.
The difference is important, because it means that we can also distinguish ourselves through our attitudes, words, and behavior. We don’t have to be a super saint or perfect Christian.
The more time we spend with him, the more others can see him through our words and actions.
They all show an attitude of calm, resilient unflappability despite what seemed like impossible situations—debilitating sickness, uncontrollable natural circumstances, even the finality of death.
Don’t bring more problems; bring solutions.
Bring a steady certainty of who God is, and allow others to know that he and he alone is the source of your peace and purpose in this life.
Know our God-given identities (chapter 1) • Settle our core values (chapter 2) • Be ready to stand our ground in the tests of life (chapter 3) • Worship God (chapter 4) • Don’t worship other gods (chapter 5) • Give our lives fully to Jesus (chapter 6) • Identify our pride (chapter 7) • Put our feelings in their proper place (chapter 8) • Give God full control of our lives (chapter 9)
Understand the brevity of life (chapter 10) • Focus on our priorities (chapter 11) • Heed the warning signs of weariness (chapter 12) • Learn how to connect before we correct (chapter 13) • Let God change us into his likeness (chapter 14)
Because each and every person has a spirit and is made in the likeness of God, they will always be on a spiritual journey.
Father, I pray for the people around me, that you would supernaturally draw their hearts to you. Send your Holy Spirit to them, and give them the desire to give their lives to you. Help them to recognize their longing for more as spiritual, as a thirst only you can quench. Open their ears to hear your voice.
Father, bind the evil spirits that are blinding the minds of the people around me in the name of Jesus. I pray that they would be able to see clearly, to recognize who you are, and to give their hearts to you. Remove all hindrances the Enemy would use to distract them from your truth. Open their eyes, Lord, that they might see Jesus.
Father, I pray that people will understand how much you love them. Loose the spirit of adoption for the people around me, so that they come into a meaningful relationship with you. Stir in their hearts a longing to come home, to hear your voice, and to see you welcoming them with open arms. Let them know you are always running to meet them and hold them close.
Father, I pray for the lost around me to meet believers who will influence them in a positive way. Lord, let my life shine in such a way that people want to know the God I serve. Allow others to see my genuine love and concern for them in all that I say and do. Let me be your hands and feet to serve them and let them know just how much you love them.
Father, I pray for the people around me to experience the spirit of wisdom and revelation. I pray that they would truly understand their spiritual condition and see what Jesus did for them on the cross. Help them to have the information and experiences needed to come to you, so they can understand all you have for them.
1. Keep your standards high and your grace deep.
We should do as Jesus did and keep the standards high and the grace deep.
But arguing with someone, let alone condemning them and their behavior as sinful, has never won a single person to the Lord.
Our job is to make sure they know this, to paint an accurate and vivid picture of what it’s like to come home to the Lord.
The goal is to always show a welcoming spirit of kindness, generosity, and graciousness.
Look for opportunities to build bridges and care for people every chance you get.
We’ve got to influence the culture, not reflect the culture.
