Success in Balancing Your Life

Successful Living Series

2002016

Subject: Successful Living

Introduction:

A. Belize – poor country. Either extremely rich or poverty stricken.

1. spent time w/those in poverty. Some living in nothing more than one room shack w/dirt floors.

2. expect to see unhappy; miserable people. No so! Happy & stress free!

B. Americans stand in great contrast. Blessed immensely! But largely unhappy & full of stressed out/burned out lives.

1. So many feel their lives out of balance.

2. Things come to us – right/left – DEMANDING:

a) time; money; interests; responsibilities

b) got things to do at home; work; got to maintain our health; duty to country/community…

c) get behind/further behind – finally pushed toward the breaking point.

C. Just where do we balance it?

1. How can we fix it?

2. How can I learn to get rid of stress/worry in life?

3. Rather than give you my opinion on what to do – we’re going to spend time this AM looking at what causes us to be so hectic these days.

4. By exposing the problems – perhaps we can apply steps to remove them thus eliminating stress/unhappiness.

I. What causes us to be so hectic?

A. 2 Cor. 10:12 – we compare ourselves to others.

1. might do this w/o realizing it.

a) men are often goal oriented….what have I accomplished? Achieved? Finished up?

b) We often brag about our work….how hard we work…12 hr day….really bragging….

c) Almost a status symbol to work all time – like we have to live up to an image.

2. women find themselves living up to the allusion created by NOW – supermom…

a) you know – women that can do everything!

1) all domestic activity – house kept sparkling…

2) work regular job & move up ladder

3) fix meals; keep up w/kids; etc etc

4) still enough energy left to spend quality time w/husband….

3. News flash: You can’t do it all! Impossible!

a) No wonder so many women depressed/stressed out.

b) Lk. 10:38-42 – Martha trying to be “superwoman.”

c) Mary contrasted greatly here.

B. We often rate ourselves on the # of our possessions.

1. must get away from idea that more “things” we have means the more successful we are.

a) more “things” often creates unhappiness.

b) Most of it not as necessary as we think!

2. Am most impressed with those who sensible as they go through life – realizing they don’t have to have the latest/greatest of everything.

a) trying to learn this myself.

b) Hope this comes w/age.

3. our fascination w/things can cause us to place spiritual priorities somewhere else.

a) know of no one who starts out intending to do this – but it just happens.

b) Eccl. 2:9-11 – what profit are physical things on an eternal scale?

c) Lk. 12:15

4. Success is not determined by the # of our possessions – but by the quality of our character!

C. Mixed up Priorities.

1. work/school/home/recreation/hobbies/God…all demand pieces of our time.

2. Where’s God? Does He factor in?

a) remember the God of heaven comes first!

b) Mt. 6:33; not 2^nd; 3^rd; 10^th – but 1^st!

D. Living up to the impression someone else has of you.

1. have idea that we have to be the greatest thing to everybody!

a) of course we should work to help others/etc.

b) but we often take too much upon ourselves b/c we haven’t learned to say NO!

1) what is it about this? All guilty! I’m sure!

2) Why we afraid of hurting someone’s feelings – when they could get someone else just as easy!

c) We try to do it all – worse & worse – more and more hectic!

2. We must learn to say NO!

a) take care of God given priorities FIRST!

b) Not just going to worship – although this is a priority.

c) Husbands – take care of families – see to your wife & her needs – children…etc. How many fathers have true relationship w/their kids?

3. Don’t worry about what others think! Worry about what God thinks!

II. Not all activities are equal!

A. If we can throw out some activities – they will not be missed!

B. Time mgmt specialists say that lives are divided up into 2 different areas.

C. Rich man – Lk. 12:13-21

1. what happened? 12:20-23

2. 12:24-34 – deals w/worry. What are we often worried about in this life?

D. We must not neglect the important things!

III. We must eliminate the bad!

A. All of us probably have need to take personal inventory of our lives!’

1. What’s good? What’s bad? What can I improve on?

2. what am I leaving out that should be there – but just don’t have time for?

B. Rom. 2:5-7 – God going to judge us – render to each of us according to our deeds.

1. 2:7 – need to persevere in doing good! Do good things!

2. 2:10 – those who do so receive glory & honor!

C. 1 Thess. 5:21 - Need to determine what is better and best.

1. after accomplishing the best – need to turn that which is better…

2. After I finish w/better – look to that which is good.

3. Tackle the good – but…if you did not get done what was good – you’re OK because you’ve done the best.

4. You’re OK – you’ve nothing to worry about.

D. Prioritize Prioritize prioritize!

E. Gal. 1:10

1. AM I trying to please God or men?

2. Am I a servant of Christ?

Conclusion:

A. Hope this lesson has helped you as much as it has helped me!

B. Need improvement – make a commitment to follow through!

C. Do it today!



Success in Balancing Your Life Successful Living Series 2002016 Subject: Successful Living Introduction: A. Belize – poor country. Either extremely rich or poverty stricken. 1. spent time w/those in poverty. Some living in nothing more than one room shack w/dirt floors. 2. expect to see unhappy; miserable people. No so! Happy & stress free! B. Americans stand in great contrast. Blessed immensely! But largely unhappy & full of stressed out/burned out lives. 1. So many feel their lives out of balance. 2. Things come to us – right/left – DEMANDING: a) time; money; interests; responsibilities b) got things to do at home; work; got to maintain our health; duty to country/community… c) get behind/further behind – finally pushed toward the breaking point. C. Just where do we balance it? 1. How can we fix it? 2. How can I learn to get rid of stress/worry in life? 3. Rather than give you my opinion on what to do – we’re going to spend time this AM looking at what causes us to be so hectic these days. 4. By exposing the problems – perhaps we can apply steps to remove them thus eliminating stress/unhappiness. I. What causes us to be so hectic? A. 2 Cor. 10:12 – we compare ourselves to others. 1. might do this w/o realizing it. a) men are often goal oriented….what have I accomplished? Achieved? Finished up? b) We often brag about our work….how hard we work…12 hr day….really bragging…. c) Almost a status symbol to work all time – like we have to live up to an image. 2. women find themselves living up to the allusion created by NOW – supermom… a) you know – women that can do everything! 1) all domestic activity – house kept sparkling… 2) work regular job & move up ladder 3) fix meals; keep up w/kids; etc etc 4) still enough energy left to spend quality time w/husband…. 3. News flash: You can’t do it all! Impossible! a) No wonder so many women depressed/stressed out. b) Lk. 10:38-42 – Martha trying to be “superwoman.” c) Mary contrasted greatly here. B. We often rate ourselves on the # of our possessions. 1. must get away from idea that more “things” we have means the more successful we are. a) more “things” often creates unhappiness. b) Most of it not as necessary as we think! 2. Am most impressed with those who sensible as they go through life – realizing they don’t have to have the latest/greatest of everything. a) trying to learn this myself. b) Hope this comes w/age. 3. our fascination w/things can cause us to place spiritual priorities somewhere else. a) know of no one who starts out intending to do this – but it just happens. b) Eccl. 2:9-11 – what profit are physical things on an eternal scale? c) Lk. 12:15 4. Success is not determined by the # of our possessions – but by the quality of our character! C. Mixed up Priorities. 1. work/school/home/recreation/hobbies/God…all demand pieces of our time. 2. Where’s God? Does He factor in? a) remember the God of heaven comes first! b) Mt. 6:33; not 2^nd; 3^rd; 10^th – but 1^st! D. Living up to the impression someone else has of you. 1. have idea that we have to be the greatest thing to everybody! a) of course we should work to help others/etc. b) but we often take too much upon ourselves b/c we haven’t learned to say NO! 1) what is it about this? All guilty! I’m sure! 2) Why we afraid of hurting someone’s feelings – when they could get someone else just as easy! c) We try to do it all – worse & worse – more and more hectic! 2. We must learn to say NO! a) take care of God given priorities FIRST! b) Not just going to worship – although this is a priority. c) Husbands – take care of families – see to your wife & her needs – children…etc. How many fathers have true relationship w/their kids? 3. Don’t worry about what others think! Worry about what God thinks! II. Not all activities are equal! A. If we can throw out some activities – they will not be missed! B. Time mgmt specialists say that lives are divided up into 2 different areas. C. Rich man – Lk. 12:13-21 1. what happened? 12:20-23 2. 12:24-34 – deals w/worry. What are we often worried about in this life? D. We must not neglect the important things! III. We must eliminate the bad! A. All of us probably have need to take personal inventory of our lives!’ 1. What’s good? What’s bad? What can I improve on? 2. what am I leaving out that should be there – but just don’t have time for? B. Rom. 2:5-7 – God going to judge us – render to each of us according to our deeds. 1. 2:7 – need to persevere in doing good! Do good things! 2. 2:10 – those who do so receive glory & honor! C. 1 Thess. 5:21 - Need to determine what is better and best. 1. after accomplishing the best – need to turn that which is better… 2. After I finish w/better – look to that which is good. 3. Tackle the good – but…if you did not get done what was good – you’re OK because you’ve done the best. 4. You’re OK – you’ve nothing to worry about. D. Prioritize Prioritize prioritize! E. Gal. 1:10 1. AM I trying to please God or men? 2. Am I a servant of Christ? Conclusion: A. Hope this lesson has helped you as much as it has helped me! B. Need improvement – make a commitment to follow through! C. Do it today!