Hi New Hope Family,

A friend of my recently broke down his morning routine.: He gets up, eats, spends some time in the Word, then works out. After that, he gets his kid to school and starts his workday.

What makes this somewhat extraordinary is that he works from home. One would think that would leave a lot of flexibility in his day to read God’s Word whenever, work out whenever, go to work whenever.

But that is not the way he is wired. He makes a plan and tries to stick to it. By the way, he is in great shape and seems to be paying his bills. More than that, I can see God’s blessing on his life.

This reminds of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. He writes:

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Paul’s not just talking about working out. He is talking about putting his body in its place. More importantly, he is talking about intentionally living a God-honoring life –- not just shadowboxing. He is literally concerned that he (Apostle Paul) could fall in such a way as to be disqualified if he doesn’t stay intentional about his walk.

How serious do you take your walk with God? How are you doing at using the gifts He has given you? Is your everyday comfort more important or less important than everyone else’s eternity?

Jesus weighed in this way:

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:20-21

Invest in the Kingdom that lasts forever by loving God and loving people today. This is your best life, even when it doesn’t feel like it. Be intentional.

Blessings,

~Pastor Chuck