Make Your Time Count

The "now" that existed when you began to read this sentence is gone forever! No wonder the Apostle Paul wrote, "Redeeming the time for the days are evil." The greatest commodity you have is time. It is here and then it's gone.

Whew! That moment sure flew by! As they all do as the clock ticks on. Counting time is not nearly as important as making time count. The important thing in life is not how old you are, but how you are old; not how much time has passed in your life, but how you have passed your time!

So what is the best use of your time? While you are making a living, don't forget to make a life. Everyone has the same amount of time in a day. Those that use it wisely are the one’s that experience the most success.

Here are some ways to make your time count:

Enjoy your life by enjoying the present moment.

You can't relive your past, it's gone forever. You can't live the future; it's not here yet. The only time you have is the present moment. God desires for you to enjoy life.

Find a dream and pursue it.

Discover what you really want out of life and go after it! Do what you were created to do. Someone once said: "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

Sincerely love people and treat them well.

Treat others with the respect and dignity they deserve as humans created in the image of God.

Drop your regrets.

Live in the present, not in the past. Avoid self-tormenting language. "I should have . . ." "I could have . . ." "I wish I had . . ." "If only . . ." The Apostle Paul wrote, "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press towards the prize for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Let the past go. There is nothing you can do to change it.

Learn to like yourself.

People who feel good about themselves are the most positive and productive people in the world. Jesus taught, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." If you don't have a healthy self-concept (love) of yourself you won't have one of others.

Give every project your total concentration and maximum effort.

King Solomon once said, "Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your might."

Spend quality time with your family.

There is no greater relationship in the world as important as that of you and your family. Don't give them the leftover time of your life. Give them your best.

Spend quality time with your heavenly Father.

Time spent reading the word, meditating the promises and praying to God, is never wasted time. The prophet Daniel wrote, "The people that know their God, shall be strong and do exploits." The word “know," means to know in an intimate way. The only way intimacy can be developed with God, or others, is to spend time with them.

Guard your associations.

Choose your friends wisely. Run with the wise. The Bible says, "Evil associations, corrupts good manners." Whether you want to admit it or not, you become like the people you hang with.

Watch out for time wasters.

As you pursue making your time count, there will be many obstacles and distractions that rise before you. Before involving yourself in any pursuit ask your self this question: "Is this in line with my overall purpose and mission in life?"

Toxic People

Perhaps you’ve noticed that negative people tend to associate only with other negative people. People that fail are constantly running with other people that are constantly failing. My mother used to tell me, “Birds of like feather flock together.”

Your relationships are vital to your personal success in life. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Evil associations corrupt good manners.” You become like the people you associate with on a constant basis.

There are some people that are toxic to your spirituality, your mental health, and your future. These are people who are constantly spreading their poisonous venom to anyone that will listen. They are unhappy and want everyone else to be also.

Here is a list of people that can be toxic to your personal success:

Negaholics—people that are addicted to being negative. These are the people that always see the glass as half full.

Complainers—people that are always griping about what they are experiencing.

Cynics—people that believe others are insincere

Criticizers—people that are always giving a negative opinion of others or things, people that constantly express disapproval of somebody or something

Gossipers—people that are always talking about others generally in a negative sense

Faultfinders—people that never find the good in anyone or anything.

Tempters—people that are constantly tempting you to do what you know you shouldn’t be doing.

Rebellious—people that refuse to live under authority

Jealous—people that are bitter or unhappy because of another’s advantages or possessions

Lazy—people that refuse to work or are constantly procrastinating

Backstabbers—people that are constantly attacking others when they are not around to defend themselves

Suspicious—people that area inclined to believe that something is wrong with either something or someone

Doubters—people that don’t see or believe in the good that can happen

Arguers—people that are always expressing disagreement or trying to prove their point

Fighters—people that are always looking to pick a fight

Troublemakers—people that are always stirring up trouble where ever they go

Dream stealers—people that are adept at shooting down your dreams and aspirations

Skeptics—someone who doubts something is true

Victims--- people that see themselves as victims of the past,

Blamers --- people that are always blaming others for their lot in life.

Encourage Yourself

Have you ever felt like no one in the world understands you? Doe's it seem like no one cares about what you are going through? Do you ever feel like giving up? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this article is for you.

Everyone, from the greatest to the least, experience these sorts of feelings from time to time. Many times however, the only way that we can be encouraged is to encourage ourselves in the Lord!

King David despite winning many victories, had times when all of his allies turned against him. On one occasion, after returning from battle with his mighty men, he discovered that a band of Amalekites had taken the wives, children and property of David and all his mighty men captive while they were away. After crying until he could cry no more, the Bible teaches us that David’s own mighty men turned on him and wanted to stone him to death. They failed to remember what David had done for them; all they could see was that he was to blame for their loss. It was at that time that David “encouraged himself” in the Lord! (I Samuel 30:6)

Perhaps you find yourself in a situation where it seems like all your friends are gone. Maybe you feel as though everyone has forsaken you, and has left you to suffer alone. Maybe someone close to you has betrayed you. You may be facing a financial difficulty that there seems to be no way out of. Maybe the doctors have given you a negative diagnosis. Whatever it is you are going through, I have good news for you today. God cares about you and desires to see you win over the situations of life. Let me challenge you today to “encourage yourself in the Lord.”

Here are some keys for encouraging yourself in the Lord:

Remember your past victories.

Take the time to reflect on some of the past situations that God has enabled you to overcome. Remember the blessings that you have already received. Recall the times when it seemed there was no way out, yet God made a way. Be assured, if God did it once, He will do it again!

Refocus on your life purpose.

By refocusing on what God has called you to do you are able to take your mind off of the situation you find yourself in. By remembering your life purpose you become empowered with a sense of calling and perseverance. Remember that your provision is at the place of your assignment.

Spend time in God’s word.

Spending time in the word of God causes your faith to grow. (Romans 10:17) Faith is the inner image of the finished product. It is seeing things as God says they can be, not as they may be at the moment. (Hebrews 11:1) You become encouraged in the Lord when you see what he has promised you in His word.

Let go of past hurts.

This may be one of the hardest, yet most important, steps to encouraging yourself. You must learn to forgive and forget. We all have excess baggage from past experiences that will weigh us down if not dealt with. The Bible tells us to “lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” (Hebrews 12:1) It also teaches us to forgive in order that we can be forgiven and our prayers be unhindered. (Mark 11:25)

Associate with encouragers.

Author Mike Murdock says, “Go where you are celebrated, not where you are tolerated!” There are some relationships that are toxic to your emotional, physical and spiritual well being. The Bible teaches us “Evil associations corrupts good manners.” (I Corinthians 15:33) Solomon wrote, “Iron sharpens iron.” If you associate with encouragers, you will be encouraged.

Refuse to allow yourself to wallow in self- pity.

Make the decision to “encourage yourself in the Lord!” Determine to adjust your attitude. It is a true statement; “your attitude determines your altitude.

Begin to confess, “I am blessed and highly favored. Everywhere I go goodness and mercy follow me. God always causes me to triumph. This too shall pass. I am more than a conqueror because greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.”

If you will do these things, you will be surprised at how fast you are encouraged!