Incomplete Work

 Do you ever begin a task with every intention of completing it but never actually getting around to doing so? Yea...me too. It can be quite frustrating at times. Often times I go so far as feeling the sense of being a failure due to the inability to complete a predetermined task. Why is it that we do this? Why are we able to start something with every intention to finish it, yet we don't? I have a few ideas.

 I've noticed a pattern in my incomplete assignments. It's not lack of motivation, it's not lack of interest, and it certainly isn't lack of ability. What it tends to be for me is the lack of gathering the necessary materials.

 No matter what you are trying to complete, there is always a list of pre-task materials. If you're writing a blog or a paper, you should gather your thoughts on paper before engaging. If you are painting a room, you should be sure and have enough paint, brushes, and plastic coverings so you don't ruin your carpet. If you are building a dresser, you might want to be sure to have the right amount of wood as well as the proper tools in your shed.

 I feel like the same thing happens in our walk with Christ. We may, from time to time, set out fully motivated to BE the Church as we are called to do. So why don't we? It goes back to what I was saying about the carnal tasks we set out to do. Lack of starting material.

 If we wish to fully extend our reach to the depths of the hurting and the dens of the needy, then we must be fully prepared. We must engage in Bible reading, we should be sure to be ready for all attacks of Satan, and we might want to be open and caring enough to love everybody equally.

 When we adequately prepare ourselves we cannot and will not be stopped. So with that, I ask of you, are you preparing yourself? Is there a reason your tasks stay incomplete more often than not? I challenge you to prepare your body, mind, and soul. Then let's see how much we can complete.


James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Psalm 1 Break Down Part 1

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

Psa 1:4  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 

Psa 1:5  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 

Psa 1:6  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

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Thursday night at Impact we were encouraged to meditate on Psalm 1 this week. To help me with that and gain further insight, I decided I'd break it down verse by verse.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Let's take a look at the meaning of the words in bold. For this, I will be using the Strong's Hebrew & Greek Lexicon.

• Blessed - 'esher(H835), meaning happiness. 'Esher comes from the word 'âshar(H833), meaning to go forward or prosper.
• Counsel - ‛êtsâh(H6098),  meaning advice or plan.
• Ungodly - râshâ‛(H7563); morally wrong
• Standeth - ‛âmad(H5975); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain
• Way - derek(H1870); along, conversation, custom, journey, manner
• Scornful - lûts(H3887); to scof, to make a mock, mocker

 My version:

Happy/prosperous is the man that doesn't take advice from the morally impaired nor abide by the customs of the sinners, nor sits as the mockers.

 Thoughts:

It is often times easy for us to get caught up in the what everyone around us is doing. If we let ourselves lose focus of God and fall into the traps the devil has set we will have difficulty in finding happiness.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

• Delight - chêphets(H2656); pleasure, desire, willingly
• Law - tôrâh(H8451); a precept or statute
• Meditate - hâgâh(H1897); study

 My version: 

But he willingly is in the law of the LORD; he studies the law both day and night.

 Thoughts:

We should have a desire for knowing the word of God so much that we willingly study it often.