Intentional Living Part 2

How can we give more attention to the areas that should matter the most in our lives? 

The most important things in our life are…

• Relationship with God

• Purpose

• Marriage

• Children

• Emotional, mental & physical health

• Friendships

• Stewardship

“Fruitfulness requires intentionality.” 

“When we experience a breakdown in our relationship with God, a breakdown in our 

 relationship with people follows.  The connection between the two is unbreakable.”  

—Peter Scazzero

• The world tries to tell us, “Slow is bad, fast is good.”

• Typically, the unhealthy parts of our lives are connected to a lie that we’ve believed somewhere.

1.  When we were “born again,” we entered into an upside—down kingdom.

2.  If a fast-paced life is the goal, then why was Jesus never in a hurry?

John 11:1-6 [NLT], A man named Lazarus was sick.  He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair.  Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death.  No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 He stayed where He was for the next two days. 

If Jesus was never in a hurry then why are we?

Luke 2:49 [NKJV], “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 

Have you ever wondered how often you miss divine [God ordained] moments because you are in a hurry? 

“Being in a hurry.  Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me.  I 

 cannot think of a single advantage I’ve ever gained from being in a hurry.  But a thousand 

 broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing…Through all 

 that haste I thought I was making up time.  It turns out I was throwing it away.”  

—Ann Voskamp

Can busyness [hurry] keep us from becoming who God has called us to be?      

“The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it’s who you become.  That’s what 

 you will take into eternity.”  —Dallas Willard

Matthew 22:37-39 [NLT], “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important:  Love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 13:34-35 [NLT], “So now I am giving you a new commandment:  Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 15:10-11 [NKJV], “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Philippians 4:4 [NLT], Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again—rejoice!

John 14:27 [NLT], “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Colossians 3:15-16 [NLT], And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.

1.  Hurry is incompatible with LOVE

2.  Hurry is incompatible with JOY

3.  Hurry is incompatible with PEACE

How does busyness [hurry] remove your capacity to walk in love, joy, and peace?