Time Management

• Some days, I "know that I know" that the Today's Seed message I am writing is specifically for someone somewhere in the world. Today, however, it is for me; it hits me right where I am.
  
  Did you know that ministers struggle with "busy-ness"just as you do? No one is immune. It is difficult to plan time for prayer and study when, as you are doing one absolutely-necessary-for-survival thing, there are thirteen more just as important that are not being done. 
  
  It is not just going to happen. I have to do what today's message says: plan time for prayer and study, and make it my first priority.

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She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:39-42 NIV)

Focus

• In a bad situation, I believe that the solution is more important than the reason. Meaning: Do not dwell on regret over why you are there; focus on how you are going to get out because while you cannot go back and change the past, you can influence the future.
  
  The best place for that focus to begin in with God, in prayer, listening for His wisdom and direction.

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Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isa 30:20-21 NIV)

Application!

• I had a childhood friend who became a "professional student". He has prestigious degrees in several fields--and last I heard, he has not worked in any of them. It compels me to ask: "What good is that?"
  
  I know Believers who do the same. They are always learning, but not applying what they learn. Same question: "What good is that?"
  
  Whether you know a little or a lot, put in practice what you know. Jesus said you will get more.

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So be sure to pay attention to what you hear. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they think they have will be taken away from them." (Luke 8:18 NLT)

Control your Reaction

• Newton's third law:
  
  "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."
  
  Actions have consequences. It is unavoidable--in the physical realm and in the spiritual. Scripture expresses the same concept: "A man reaps what he sows." (Gal 6:7b NIV)
  
  So, best to carefully consider what we set in motion by our words and actions... or lack of them. (The "equal and opposite reaction" pendulum could swing right back and bonk us!)

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The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a pit to trap others and then fall into it themselves. They make trouble, but it backfires on them. They plan violence for others, but it falls on their own heads. (Psa 7:14-16 NLT)

The same Jesus

• I hope the new year is off to a great start for you! For many, this is the week things "get back to normal". It is a time to reflect on last year, and set the plans for this year in motion.
  I look forward with great anticipation to all that He has in store for us in 2015!

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Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the stalls of those selling doves. He said, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a place of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" (Mat 21:12-13 NLT)

Start Fresh

• We hope you had a safe and joyous New Year. 
  

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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psa 111:10 NIV)

Happy New Years!

• Happy New Year!
  
  We measure time in years on a calendar, but eternity is timeless. We all have a purpose to fulfill in God's eternal Kingdom, and we have time to work now while we are here. 
  
  I feel this way: If I am going to work hard in this life, I want to make sure it is meaningful, not meaningless. I believe that can only be so with God.
  
  In this new year, I pray that you will set your heart to do whatever you have to do to discover and become what He has for you to be.
  
  (And what can you do today, Jan. 1, 2015? A great way to begin the new year would be to sincerely ask God to do whatever He needs to do in your life to cause you to be what He needs you to be.)

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I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Eccl 2:9-11 NIV)