CHAPTER 28: THE TEMPTATION OF NOT DOING THE LIST 2022
There’s many reasons why I can’t get to the list and they all appear to be quite honorable. I’ve even said the list is impossible, can’t be done. I’ve needed to replace the list with other very important tasks that needed to be done (in quotes) “for my future.” Bottom line, I didn’t do what was on the list. I changed it to fit my way. It’s very simple. I choose what God gives or what I want.
Proverbs 10:4
New King James Version
He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
There’s no in between. The list is a gift God gave me, and I can do the impossible wonderful list if I thank Him for it and let Him know that I can’t do it without HIm. And I really can’t. It would seem I have to change the laws of physics to get it all done. That’s true, really!
I call it compressing time. Compressing Time is a concept where God does the impossible with me and my list. Only in the Lord can I do more things in a minute than is humanly possible. I guarantee you, praying and asking for His help will yield a miracle in your list. I also know if I decide it can’t happen before I accept God’s help, it won’t. I will fail my list today, and frustration/anxiety and loss of time will be my partner instead of God. How do I know God can “compress time” as I call it, change time or do impossible things?
Joshua 10:12-14
New King James Version
12 Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon;
And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still,
And the moon stopped,
Till the people had revenge
Upon their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. 14 And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.
Dude, there it is compressing time. If he did that for Joshua, what will He do for you? Jesus, got a lot done in the three years. How do you think He did all that?
Matthew 19:26
New King James Version
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is
impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
All of us fall victim to ourselves. “It’ll do Lou”, I call it. The spirit of sloth, lazy, entitled. I wouldn’t admit that at the time, oh no.., I’d call it busy, important, maybe even use the phrase, can’t be done, I’m only human. As a Christian I had to stop saying “I’m only human.”
Genesis 1:27
New King James Version
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Human looks like a pretty big deal to God.., “in the image of God..,” that doesn’t sound like an excuse to skip my responsibilities.
Ecclesiastes 10:18
New King James Version
Because of laziness the [a]building decays,
And through idleness of hands the house leaks.
Do you want to hear what is sounds like to ultimately be a big time loser on the list?
“I’ll get by, what do you expect, can’t be done, tomorrow, doesn’t matter, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, I’m preparing for the future, I need a break…,”
Sound familiar? It is familiar. All of us have said those things.., and whether you know it or not, you paid a price for acting on such phrases, however you are on this phone and God has given you how many chances to prevail again? In His mercy how many times! Let’s revisit the definition of the list. Really embrace the fabric and layers of responsibility that God gives you the strength to do every day, how lucky we are. All of it can be done, by you, correctly, efficiently and as a great example to those around you, giving all the glory to God. I know it’s hard, that’s the point, that’s why God is using you and me — zero heroes.
People with no chance of success, winning – overcoming – prospering and giving all the glory to God. Oh, I forgot for all of us when we decide to say, “I didn’t know it was on the list..”, look that’s dumb, I know it when I say it.., God didn’t give me this job and then leave me out of the Holy Spirit on how to do it. However, on those days when I need to be reminded — here it is. And as advertised it is impossible.
THE LIST:
Absolutely everything that needs to be done by you or anyone else who has not completed the jobs on your watch, tasks, responsibilities et all, all-inclusive line items on this days list to be done this day to full and total completion, solution, transition, updates, deliveries, information retrieval, personal and business items, financial truth, produce, deliver, collect monies, quality control in all areas of your life, implementing yourself as a peace maker in every situation, living correctly, realizing there is an enemy and standing against what will surely fall you, asking for strength and relying on the grace of God, and do all of it on this day, for this one day starting right now.
Of course it is impossible. That is the point. God is God. Use Him and let Him use you. Why wouldn’t I want to do all that? What could possibly tempt me to do anything else? Me, that’s what, I can tempt me all day long to do anything else, especially if it avoids doing anything and everything on that list when I doubt myself and I’m being ridiculous. Yes, that’s true isn’t it? Why I can come up with all kinds of reasons, I can even come up with a brilliant idea to “revise the list” so I don’t need to do it at all! And when I fail, do I say “I’m sorry, I was wrong.” That my friends is a true challenge, realizing my priorities were incorrect and things got out of whack and it has caused major problems. If I can’t admit I was wrong and if I can’t admit I was wrong, it will cost everybody, because I’m the fiduciary in charge and God has required more out of me for the blessings given.
“Common sense is not so common and stupid is very, very expensive”
Lazy gets in the way, indignant gets in the way, stubborn gets in the way, unnecessary distraction gets in the way, disrespect gets in the way, stupid gets in the way.
Romans 7:15-20
New International Version
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Bypassing the list could make me and all my endeavors irrelevant, maybe not today, or maybe today, I will reap the consequences. Is it really worth it? My job is critical to me and you. And as discussed in Chapter 27, the List also has a line item for me to keep me in order, physically, mentally, spiritually, asking the Holy Spirit for knowledge, wisdom, truth, discernment – ears to hear the Lord, eyes to understand and read His word!!
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Any good reason you have for not doing your daily list is probably a good reason, however no matter what the reason good or bad, it doesn’t pay well, ever! (Quote by Patrick)
James 1:14-15
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
We have been given so much – so much. Is it really asking too much to take care of it – asking God for the help of compressing time and “doing better than our best?” Ah, there it is, “doing better than my best.” I’ve said it before my very best could put me in jail, I gotta do better than my best and the only way to do that is with Him.
Proverbs 24:27
English Standard Version
27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.
Notice the scripture doesn’t say “and then maybe build your house,” it says get everything ready “and then build it.” I guess that means we are capable, so just do it and let God be God and time be time.
Stress comes from not doing items on the list. It’s like saying to yourself —
“I’m too busy enjoying the blessings God has given me to do the list God has given me to take care of things I’m currently enjoying.”
I used to have a number one reason why I didn’t feel like doing the list et all. I’ve changed my mind — it’s different everyday, why my genius brain can come up with all kinds of good reasons to shirk my responsibility, so instead of the number one reason that gets in the way of responsibility I decided to call it the number one result. The number one result is “it doesn’t get done, if I don’t do it. “Amen, Hallelujah.., thank you, Jesus for the opportunity to serve, sorry I blew it one more time, guess I’m the wrong guy for the job.” Sound groovy? Of course not.
Statements like I need a break, I didn’t sign up for this, time to retire, it’s not fair, why should I, it’ll do, that’s not the way it’s suppose to be, it used to be, it should be — all of those little sayings are big losers, big losers, does not pay well, does not yield and has nothing to do with destiny, precisely mine and yours — rather not doing the list will award you with a whole lot of mediocre’, lose everything, victim minded, I quit, go nowhere, be nothing —— as an end result…, “the memory of being special and not being special anymore.” Yep, you risk everything. Then you can say “I coulda been a contender..”, and that would be a correct statement, “coulda’ been.”
Proverbs 6:9-11
New King James Version
How long will you [a]slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—
So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
I teach a concept, “Age Before Beauty.” It’s not about opening the door for the elderly, not the way I teach it.., although that is a good idea.., what I’m talking about is spending time. Spending your time, cultivating your blessings, day by day so you put in the time, age, like a great paint job on a classic car, time — patience…, and as you do.., beauty is revealed from the endeavors. Age before beauty…, you gotta put in the time to refine the beauty of tasks completed and then God does utilize you in kingdom work…, in your life and in the life of others. You see, the list is there to keep me and you safe. It is the hi way to clear and correct thinking, the fence around you and your loved ones to keep out the chaos. The list is my best friend given to me by God to keep watch over me, so that I may work happily in the Lord.
Galatians 6:5
New King James Version
5 For each one shall bear his own load.
You know as well as I do that you can make yourself super busy on items that are not relevant, and having nothing to do with the mission the Lord has given. You also know that you can do such things in the name of what God has given you.., you can lie to yourself, and all those around you, in the name of importance — the good work — God’s will — all of it wasting time in disobedience and having nothing to do with God’s will and man, I can sell that to anyone who will listen. I don’t want to do that anymore. Who’s got the time to kill?
1 Corinthians 3:8
New King James Version
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Chapter 28 The Temptation of Not Doing the List 2022
Take this one to heart…, and talk to Him, get it done.
Amen.
