Intentional Living

Aren't donuts great! But have you ever wondered about how or why donut holes are made? Contrary to what you may assume, donut holes are not made of leftover donut centers, but rather, they are made with intention and for a specific purpose. As followers of Christ, we too are made with purpose. 

My challenge for each of us today is to consider if we are living with intention. If we're not, let's begin doing so! 

• By paying attention to and carrying out what God's word teaches us.
  Heb. 2:1 -- Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
• By renewing our minds and not conforming to the world around us but by being set apart/different.
  Rom. 12:2 -- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
• By working out the salvation that God has provided (NOT working to obtain or keep our salvation, but by intentionally living out our faith in the world around us).
  Phil. 2:12-13 -- Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
• Spend time with the Lord in prayer; spend time in His word and apply what you read; model these things to the kids in your life. They are watching us. What are you showing them?
  Deut. 6:5-9 -- You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

How intentional am I in pursuing the God who pursues me? 

How intentional am I in modeling my faith to the kids (or adults) in my life? Do they see me not only going to church but also to living out what is taught here?

May we represent Jesus well and live with intention today!