The principle Jesus taught in Luke 18 about prayer was, in my estimation, to develop a sense of persistence in one who prays. So many of us give up on prayer--or other things, for that matter--that will require perseverance. Yes, holding on or hanging in there might also mean effort, hard work, patience, or sacrifice, but ultimately it begins with tenacity.
Tenacity will not let go.
Tenacity is rewarded in the Bible.
Tenacity is quiet resolve, as much as it is bold or outspoken.
Tenacity is managed, not impulsive.
Tenacity is not hearing "NO" but "NOT NOW."
What in your life REQUIRES tenacity? For some of us, it is parenting (young adults, not just teens or tweens). For others, it is our financial concerns--they are not going away anytime soon and they require a strategy of reworking that will take time. Others of us face difficult marriages--we cannot bury our heads in the sand; we must resolve to stay, work, fight for it. Many of us fight a legacy of genetics that plays havoc with our health.
We all need tenacity; we are ALL in a similar place but with a different set of circumstances. Read Luke 18 and underline, highlight or paraphrase the verses that speak loudly to you.
Be encouraged,
Becky
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For 2011, wanting to find a nice balance in my personal and professional life I want to be a "dedicated" leader, lover and healer. This will help my family at home and at work.
ReplyDeleteTo become and continue to be "dedicated" I will have to be tenacious and committed to my bible study and prayer. God will answer if I "cry to him night and day."
Wonderful call Becky! You are stretching my mind!
Robbi,
ReplyDeletethanks for the encouraging words from last week. I seem to have big plans lets see if I can be "Tenacious"
HOPE that is a word to hang on to. You just made me cry.
I'm so blessed to be a part of this group and year with Becky! My names Andrea Barnett and I'm a follower of Christ as well as pastor's wife, mother, and full time employee. My amazing mom (Donna Barnholt) is a part of this group and referred me. I feel honored to be doing this with her as she truly who I've always looked up to most in life!!
ReplyDeleteI'm finding it more and more difficult to be a wife, mother, and employee while maintaining the Christ-centered person I've always wanted to be. So, I'm praying that God will use this experience, with you all and Becky, to help me become the women God has called me to be.
In regards to Luke 18 the verse that stuck out to me the most was “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” I have full faith that the fleshly traits I was born with will die as I pursue the God-given gifts scriptures teach about. I know I can't achieve these daily gifts on my own but that through Christ all things are possible!!
Also, this scripture means life to me! Even though my husband and I are only 28 we struggled to get pregnant with our daughter Ellie (now 17 months). Although it will most likely never be 'possible' for us to get pregnant on our own, through Ellie's birth, I know more miracles like her are possible!
I look forward to this year with you all and pray God moves in each of our hearts, minds, and lives in a new and powerful way!!
Hi my name is Diana, I am just now joining. I have read everything posted. I want to introduce myself with some honesty. I am a procrastinator, a compulsive overeater and compulsive rescuer. I feel it is important for you to know I have been in relapse. I come today full of shame that food has been more important than God. That sleep has been more important than daily discipline. That pain has defeated me in the area of exercise. That once again I have regained fifty pounds.
ReplyDeleteI tried to forget that this group was something I needed to do saying I cannot afford this, after all, I was not consistent the last time yet I want to be more than the above person. There was hope in Becky's encouraging email said it was not too late to join. For me to be a HEALTHY AMERICAN WOMAN So here I am, afraid to make goals, afraid that I will not change, that I will disappont myself, God and you.
But yet as I read Luke 18 there is hope. I can be the little child that comes to Jesus, I can be the persistent woman who asks for justice, I can be the tax collector humbled, I can be the blind asking for sight. I do not have to be the rich ruler or the unbelieving judge.
So for me, persistentce and tenancity will be my new name. For me my first goal is to be in God's word daily and in prayer. I will get up every morning and start my day with God and a cup of coffee. I also want to fast and pray this year.
Then as a leader, I am going to lead a table group in Neil Anderson's work called Over coming Depression. I seem to know something about this. But I need to be faithful to the thirteen weeks of commitment. So I will go each week and will go prepared.
As a leader at work, I will be a better employee speaking positive words each day at work, not complaining and not giving into gossip.
As a lover, I was convicted by Becky and so I will be a comfort to my husband. I will let go and let God be God in his life. I will be a comfort to this group, my friends, my co= workers by praying and uplifting them with encouraging words. I will not give up.
As a healer, I need God's healing in my life befor I can heal others. I will lose 1/2 to 1 pound a week. I will exercise daily. I will not give into my pain. As as the opportunity becomes apparent I will offer healing to others by praying, encouraging and being a blessing and speaking up for the source of my hope.
My prayer then becomes, Lord, Jesus, have mercy on me, I am a sinner who wants to embrace you daily to be a persistent, tenacious pursuer of you.
Thanks for listening. Blessings and thank you for your prayers.
Diana -- and all -- I am fully aware of every post, every expression of yours; regret, need, and hope. I read each one and pray for you. We have each other--and we need each other. This group, for me (this year's theme and subtitle) is starting to drive me to a new place--I believe God wants this (healthy, American woman) for all of us. We live in a nation that needs, wants, but somehow cannot see the living, loving God. Through us He lives and breathes. Let's get healthy together--in all ways--and by Q4 we'll have our own victories that remind us that He is able to change anyone and He has been preparing us to be His Ambassadors. B
ReplyDeleteHi All. First of all welcome Andrea and Diana.
ReplyDeleteI'm blessed to read your introductions and to be on the same 'page' as all of you ladies.
I agree, this quarter is off to a mind stretching start.
I'm just getting to the Luke passage and mini-assignment so will post later.
I did some research on being Tenacious and found:
Determined, Stubborn (Let's make that in a *good* way), Persistent, Tightly Held, Not Easily disconnected (boy I could use that one!) and Sticky or clinging.
I know who to be clinging to! And well, perseverance prevents one from ending up disconnected, I think.
I am trying to keep the resolve to keep going...even though my little part time jobs have been disappearing and our own small business remains very affected by the economy.
I still have a part time job writing Internet content for the content mills, as they call them.
I'm going to work at that, find a few other small jobs like it but I am also going to try to do some more creative writing on the side.
I'm working on making devotionals out of my journal sheets from Becky's courses, and my weekly Bible studies. Hopefully I will be turning what I am learning into some kind of writings.
Yesterday I received an Email from another Christian life coach. She asked, what would we be doing if we had no more excuses? I think that gave me some resolve for the future as well. I'm looking at the excuses I have used, and saying no more of those!