Friday Devotional..."Don't Procrastinate"...7/21/17

Good morning,

Karen Bennett is the author of this writing named, "Don't Procrastinate." I have often been a queen of this fault.When I was expecting my first child I planned to make the bassinet cover myself. However, I did not start it until I was in my ninth month. Sometimes we are afraid we will mess something up so we do not start. Karen wrote, "In most cases, the end result of undone projects is not a tragic event, but in others it is, especially when it involves our prayer life. We think to ourselves, "Oh yes, I need to start praying each day, take a devotional time. Well, one of these days soon, maybe even tmorrow I'll start, or I'll get back to it." Well, more often than not, that becomes another tomorrow, and another, and on and on....."  

Why not challenge  yourself to avoid procrastination throughout the weekend...have a good one.

God bless
Karen and Corinne
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Today's Devotional

Written by 

Karen Bennett

"Don't Procrastinate"

   "Let us lay aside every weight, 

and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." 

Hebrews 12:1

   

   

 Procrastination is a human trait all of us exhibit from time to time. When we have a task ahead of us we're dreading, we have a tendency to put it off till later. We tell ourselves we still have time before it needs to be done. The end result is usually a race with the clock to complete the task, especially if it's a project due, a favor for a friend, or some other issue for someone besides yourself.

   

     If the job is for ourselves, the time of procrastination many times is indefinite, and can even lead to the task never being accomplished. We will invent what seems like a logical excuse for it or even go to such lengths as to say we never cared that much in the first place. This covers our embarrassment if someone confronts us concerning it. Sometime later we may look back ruefully and wish we had tackled it and accomplished it, as it would be nice to have it done.

   In most cases, the end result of undone projects is not a tragic event, but in others it is, especially when it involves our prayer life. We think to ourselves, 

"Oh yes, I need to start praying each day, take a devotional time. Well, one of these days soon, maybe even tmorrow I'll start, or I'll get back to it." Well, more often than not, that becomes another tomorrow, and another, and on and on.....  "

The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started." Dawson Trotman

 

   When dealing with our prayer life, the delays are sorrowful. We are ignoring our Lord's call to come to Him. He gives us all we need when we take time with Him each day. When He tells us He is with is, it's factual, just as are all the other things He tells us, but if we don't take the time, we can miss these things. We can lose out on His comfort, His encouragement, His peace, His joy, His strength, His help, and His guidance. We need to take that daily devotion time and after we have prayed, be alert. God answers in many different ways. You may see a sign, words may come to your heart, people could bring your answer, and on and on. Be diligent in your watch. God will never lead you in the wrong direction. Remember, He wants us to come to Him. He stands at the door waiting for us to let Him in. We should say, 

"I will hurry, without lingering,
 to obey Your commands." 

Psalm 119:60.

   Don't delay! There's never a good or logical excuse to put it off.

   Abba, we never want to look back on our lives and wish we had spent more time with You in prayer. Help us to make devotional time with You each day, as being in quiet time with You, speaking the silent pleadings of our hearts is exactly what we need to help us through this life. It's what we need to draw ever closer to You and receive Your Spirit in the blessings You shower on us and in Your word to give us all we need to carry on, in Your way and in Your time! In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Here is an uplifting graphic

for you to think about.

The best way to overcome procrastination is

start small and do something

then to do more each day.

It takes twenty one days to overcome

a habit.

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you 

by the Staff Writers of 

Women's Focus Ministry

  Jan Andersen,  Cathy Friberg,  Sandy Billingham, Beverley Napier, Shelly Keith, 

Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Carol Steficek, Amie Spruiell, and  Corinne Mustafa

Occasional Contributors
Kathy Bireley,  Lynda Kinnard, Mary M. Wilkins,

Terri Baker, Beverley Napier, Kelly Dobyns

Glenna Williamson, Lisabeth  Lipp, Nandita Bhatnagar.