Proverbs 16:3 - Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
What is a bucket list - A bucket list is a list of the experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.
Typically you might see travel, or start a hobby, fears to overcome or foods you want to try. If you Google it, you'll find so many ideas people put on their list. It's almost become "hip" or puts you "in the know" if you have a bucket list.
I'm going to switch gears a minute but I promise you, I'll come back to this and tie it all together.
These past few weeks (really much longer) I have noticed patterns in people, in things written on social media, in words, in behaviors and actions. I've been seeing and hearing commitments being broken, loyalty wavering and integrity just going out the window. For those that don't know Jesus, that can be, maybe normal or even expected......however for the believer, that should not be the case. Culture is changing rapidly and declining in every moral & ethical way. Many "believers" are following along with the "world". Oh, we may go to church and read our bible and pray, but are we really committed to following Christ and His way. Are we truly being a "doer" of the Word of God.
The verse above says if we commit our works to the Lord, our plans will be established. I researched what this actually means (having a really good idea) and I found on Bible Reference an excellent definition that speaks volumes....
"The best chance for success comes when plans are aligned with truth.
That means those who submit to God's will and seek Him
are in a better position
than those who ignore or reject Him."
If we are choosing to seek God daily for what His plans are, listen and act on those, then we would know what to commit to and do it, or what not to do.
These next examples are not meant to be offendable, but to make a point.
Recently, I came across a situation where a person invited another out for a special lunch. They set a date and then the person who invited the other said something like "well, if God would have me to do something else, we may have to reschedule" What that sounded like to me was if something better comes along, I will cancel.
Another recent thing I saw played out was someone asked for help getting to a medical appointment. The other person said yes, they could take them. Later that night they got a text from that person saying they couldn't take them after all because they had a bible study to attend. My two cents again would be the other person felt studying the Bible was more important than actually living the Bible out.
Am I off base for having these reactions? Is this warranted?
Now let's talk about that. Do you have a home group or bible study that you attend on a weekly basis? Are you committed to it? Do you often make excuses as to why you can't attend? Maybe you felt the need to go shopping beforehand and you just don't have the energy to go? Or maybe someone invites you out for a meal, do you say sure and put the bible study on the back burner? I completely understand if an emergency comes up, or there's a need that needs to be met - say taking a friend to the doctor or you have a sick child or something that just isn't in the normal routine. I'm not a legalist. I'm not saying that. What commitments do we make knowingly - and then not stay committed too?
Someone once said to me as a new believer, committing to something might require you take something else off your plate to free up your schedule. Often we over extend ourselves. We need to pray and seek God in every commitment we make. He will lead us on a path that will be rewarding, fulfilling and non-chaotic!
Here's my point. As Christians. As people who love the Lord or say we do, our actions need to line up with that. If we truly are following Christ - an interruption to help another is one I believe He would be thrilled about. If we make a commitment, I believe God would want us to honor that barring any emergency or something random. Relationship with Jesus and others are really the two most important things He tells us in Scripture. He desires us to study His Word - but to also live out the Word in real time. If someone texts you or calls you to pray - do you pray right then? If someone needs assistance and you are able to help, do you do it? Even know this next passage talks about those who are naked and poor, it really means, the Body of Christ or anyone for that matter - rich or poor, hungry or not.
Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
What's on your bucket list? What do your priorities look like? Does your bucket list line up with loving God and loving others first? I'm not saying you can't have a bucket list that meets some desires, because I do believe God often puts those desires in our heart and He wants us to find joy in different things. What I'm saying however, is God and His will and His ways your ways and your plan? There is much to be done in the Kingdom of God before He returns?
We need to be about our Father's Business and all other things will fall into place, Matthew 6:33
I don't mean condemnation by this. I'm just being obedient to highlight what the Lord has been showing me. I have been hearing this from others and seeing posts on social media talking about commitment or lack of. I'm definitely not the only one feeling this. So, I am calling this a pandemic of Christian character. I saw this quote today and decided to make a graphic from it and add in the Scripture that sums it all up.
"There is something wrong with your character if opportunity controls your loyalty. Author unknown.
Matthew 5:37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.
Jesus had a bucket list getting to the cross. Every day He was interrupted and unoffendable. He chose to stop and care for people and cultivate relationship. He still completed His bucket list - He made it to the cross for us! If He hadn't stopped for the multitudes of interruptions, how much would have been missed? Are we willing to be interrupted from our check list of things that need to be done for Him as well. His sacrifice is far greater than anything we may have to give up.
I think every believers bucket list should have the following on it:
1. Love God & Love Others - well!
2. Be part of an authentic community. Love, acceptance, family, accountability, correction, teaching and fellowship.
3. Make Integrity, Community, Commitment & Relationship a priority - if you're doing #1, you're probably doing this.
I'm thankful for those who reach out asking for prayer! Please let me know how I can pray for you.
1. God blessed us with a 4 day trip to Flathead Lake - to stay in someones studio apt on the lake at no charge. It was such a wonderful time admiring the beauty of the lake and the mountains. This was our view!
2. As always, please pray for health. Blood tests being done to further diagnose some other out of range blood test. Pray for God to completely heal me of ALL these afflictions! So weary!
3. Pray for Ken endurance and for a full work week as we move into colder temps.
4. Thankful for ALL God is doing seen and unseen!
Hugs, love and prayers.
Ken & Michele Cole
michele@wantinsight.com
michelecole.thrivelife.com - quality freeze dried food - simple to use, quality, non GMO, nutritious & delicious. I am looking for people who might want to host a Tasting Party - you can earn free food without even spending anything.
Here are ways you can give if you feel led:
1. Non tax deductible donations can be made to:
Ken & Michele Cole, 103 Geneva Ave, Hamilton, MT 59840 (preferable as the options below will tax us)
This is the only way currently we can use funds for our personal needs at this time. or through
Paypal - paypal.me/micheleacole
Venmo- @Michele-Cole-20
Cashapp - cash.app/$micheleacole2019
2. Tax deductible options:
Checks payable to Sonlit Fields, 103 Geneva Ave, Hamilton, MT 59840
This goes into our ministry account to be used for outreach and saving towards our vision.
Donor Fund - The Signatry - Ken & Michele Cole - listed under Want InSight Fund.
7171 W 95th Street, Suite 501, Overland Park, KS 66212
Phone 913 310 0279
www.thesignatry,com
This is an option to keep gifts anonymous - again for outreach and savings toward our vision.
Vision
God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.
The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted). We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord.
We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.
The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers. We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church.
In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.
Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world. To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas. Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!! We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.
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