Dayle's Blog

Perseverance means not giving up. It is persistence, tenacity and the effort required to do something and keep believing and doing something even when it’s hard.

The bible talks about perseverance and that persevering in our faith produces steadfastness. When this “steadfastness has its full effect it says it’s so, “that we may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4, 12 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Learning to persevere in life and in our faith is an important part of living the life God has planned for us. When we fail to persevere through difficulties, setbacks or things we may be afraid of or find challenging we will be far more prone to keep giving up, which is not something God wants for us. He doesn’t give up, He remains faithful and He always says keep going, keep running your race, keep believing and keep moving forward with me. That’s because He wants us to fulfil the purpose for which He made us so that we would be able to live the full and overflowing life where our joy is complete, that He has planned and desires for us.  (John 10:10) Plus we also have a great cloud of witnesses in heavenly places who cheer us on and encourage us to keep persevering.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Whatever you are facing today, I encourage you to seek God for His wisdom. Clarify if what you are believing for and focusing on are things that He desires for your life. If they are, then keep going even if it’s hard, because you will surely get there and reap the benefits of perserverance if you do.

Prayer: Lord thank you for your strength and help today. Please help me to persevere in the things you have directed me in until I reach my goal. In Jesus name Amen.

Having clear boundaries is so important for healthy, respectful relationships and a balanced life. Regardless of whether it’s having boundaries in our relationship with our partner, children, work colleagues, family, friends, neighbour’s or anyone we relate to.

A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. They define who we are and who we are not. What we value, find acceptable. A boundary is respectful of our personal needs, choices and their impact on the different areas of our lives.

Unfortunately we can become confused about boundaries and how to set these healthy ones. We struggle with questions and the fear of setting limits while still remaining open hearted and loving. Of struggling with guilt and wondering if our boundaries are selfish, and will be viewed as being inconsiderate to others.

Yet setting healthy boundaries is essential if we want to have flourishing close relationships. People are people and if we don’t have parameters around how we relate to others and vice versa our communication is affected, physical lines can be blurred, emotional and mental freedoms are hindered and we become unsure in our spiritual lives of how to be loving and kind, while not pushing ourselves to be and do things beyond our limits and wisdom.

I’ve discovered over the years as a wife, mum of six kids and a pastor that unless I put boundaries in place I am headed for trouble. God gives me strength to do all things but He also asks me to walk in wisdom. He wants me to live in peace, while leading a full productive life. A good way to know if a boundary is both healthy and loving is to examine the motive. Am I protecting myself or someone vulnerable from potential harm or just maintaing distance because I  want to exclude or punish?  Am I tired or fedup or just need to spend time in His presence to refresh and renew my purpose and vision?

If I push and strive all the time instead of learning to move in grace and rest then people and situations are soon going to overwhelm and damage my personal world, wheras choosing to set boundaries helps prevent damage, breakdowns in relationships and burnout.

We’ve got to know what we value, what season of life we are in, our purpose and what God actually desires for us in our everyday life. Without that understanding our boundary lines will always be blurred and able to be walked all over. The person who feels, thinks and probably is a ‘doormat’ in life perhaps doesn’t have personal boundaries in place. Situations, people, our unsurrendered desires and the devil will always try to push against our values, resolve and purpose, but when we have healthy boundaries we recognise what is happening far quicker and can push back, communicate and resolve the issue.

When we set boundaries and hold to them we can assess situations and relationships and whether they are a healthy space for us more easily and other people grow to respect our boundaries. They often feel safer and everyone is able to communicate and relate at a deeper level, plus the devil backs off hassling us so much in that area. The lines are drawn and its known to everyone, “don’t cross them.”

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you”

God wants us to live free and lightly. We all benefit from knowing when to say yes, and how and when to say no, so I encourage you today to consider what you value, what is okay with you and what makes you feel less than who God says you are. What pushes you to feel exhausted or beaten about? Consider what is safe, permissible, healthy and enables choice, freedom and connected, honest relationships? Then prayerfully put some boundaries in place and let people know them and if they’ve overstepped the line. Be aware the boundary is also there for you to acknowledge when you need to step back, how much to take on in your schedule and what is wisdom for this season of your life.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” ( Philippians 4:8)

“He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat“. (Psalm 147:14)

Prayer. Lord please give me wisdom to who and what to say yes to and how to say no, both to myself, others and situations that may arise in my life. In Jesus name amen

There are days when we can feel “got at”. You know the type of day where life isn’t going quite as it should, people are just downright annoying or being awful and you want to yell, “Stop I’m getting off here”!

The unfortunate fact is that not everything always goes absolutely to plan and nobody behaves perfectly all the time…..we aren’t perfect, our family and friends aren’t’ perfect and the people that we share the rest of the world with are definitely not perfect.

So what do we do when we feel like we are being “got at” and a holiday to the Bahamas or Italy looks really tempting? Well we could buy a plane ticket and disappear for a few weeks or months, (I can highly recommend Florence) or we can do the following…

1.Understand that our enemy is not flesh and blood….(yes a few minutes in our flesh would make us feel better short term I know), but our ultimate battle is with the evil mastermind behind situations going awry or people behaving badly… Understand who the real enemy is and take your stand against him! (Ephesians 6:12)

2. Recognise that people are people and that if we don’t lean into Jesus, remember who we are and do what He says we can all mess up… Choose grace instead of judgement.

3. Take responsibility for your own stuff– essentially nobody has the power to make us feel or think something we don’t give them permission to. We are all powerful, intelligent, amazing beings created in the image of God, so don’t be giving your power up to anyone else and then blaming them for how you are feeling.

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

4. Remember who God says you are, what He says about your life and future and determine to think on, declare and rest in that truth and no other. (Jeremiah 29:11) 

“For you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”(Matthew 10:29:31)

5. Forgive –when we hold a grudge or anger towards someone else we don’t actually hurt the other person the most…we hurt ourselves and essentially put our lives under bondage to un-forgiveness, bitterness and every evil work that the devil wants to try and bring into our lives. With un-forgiveness comes sickness, stress, anxiety, relationship break downs and unflattering wrinkles… Choose to forgive and close the door on the enemy’s plans to mess with and destroy your life.

 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”(Matthew 6:14-15)

“And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence.”(Acts 3:19)

6. Trust God – when we give God our issues and hurts and choose to stand on His promises He says that He will go to work on our behalf. We don’t need to defend ourselves, strike back, protect or lower ourselves to someone else’s level. God declares that “vengeance is His”, and He will sort out wickedness, lies, and any weapon formed against us so that it will not prosper against us… so if your circumstances are not good yet, God’s not done yet. Choose to step back, keep your hands off and only do what He says and trust God to work all things together for your good. (Romans 8:28)

“The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace.”(Exodus 14:14)

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”(Psalm 121:1-2)

7. Do some hard exercise; go for a run, brisk walk, hit the gym, punch a boxing bag or pillow and get your angst at the world out, preferably without yelling at, slandering or hurting someone else.

8. Praise –find ten good things to focus on. Yes you will have to be disciplined if you are feeling really “got at”, but there is always good around us because God is good, so shift your focus.

Start singing, giving thanks, and being grateful. Choose to make a joyful noise and in doing so get perspective, bring God into your circumstances and silence the enemy. Amazingly God promises that when we get into praise and thanksgiving we do all the above things in one hit. Praise is powerful, so use it.

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger”… (Psalm 8:2)

8. Give it to Jesus and leave it there – unless we do this we will just continue carrying around the weight of whatever is bothering us, been said against us, or is just plain annoying our day. Cast all your cares upon Jesus because He cares for you, fix your eyes on Him, shake off the things that are trying to get to you, and run your race…

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”(Hebrews 12:1-2)

Life can have it’s moments, but I encourage you to come above them today and  keep moving forward because your day and life is far too important to get distracted by people or situations that most of the time you won’t even remember or be adversely affected by in a few years time.

Prayer: Lord thank you that you are with me and that you promise to be my ever present help, strength and comfort. Please help me today to keep my eyes fixed on you and the good things you have for me to walk in. In Jesus name Amen.

What and who we are in our own sight makes all the difference. If, in our own sight we see ourselves as weak and powerless, then for one the devil will take delight in running all over us, and two we will never step into all that we are capable of and called to become.

How often do we miss out on the unique and special life that God has planned and created for us because we don’t take the time to discover who God made us to be? But when we dont take the time to find out we can instead always live in fear, confusion, sickness, and complacency, far from the plan and purposes God has for us.

It’s too easy to never step into our “promised land”, going through life believing what the world and it’s system says about us and only ever looking at the possibilities but never taking any steps to enter and possess them.

Today if you are not strong in who you are in your own sight and have been seeing yourself less than who God says you are, you can change that. Begin to:

• Spend time with Jesus every day, and read His Word – the Bible.
• Ask God what His plan and purpose is for your life.
• Start to agree with what God says about you. Reject the negative words and images and visualise and speak about yourself succeeding and being healthy and whole, and seeing your prayers answered.

Before you know it you will start to see yourself as God sees you; a conquering, victorious, healed, whole child of God with the power of heaven behind you.

 ^“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. (Philippians 4:13)

Prayer:  Lord help me to see myself as you see me. Let your Word renew and heal my heart and mind. Thank you that I am forgiven, healed, whole, victorious, and have all I need in you. I refuse to see myself as less than what you say I am any longer and I’m taking the steps to become all you have made me to be. In Jesus name. Amen.

To knock involves physical movement, where we take action. It means to strike noisily to attract attention; to collide forcefully and to make a dent in something by striking it. Asking and seeking are not complete without knocking. We can ask and seek God, but if we do not “put wheels on our faith” and do something in what we have sought and asked God for, it can all come to nothing.

When Jesus said knock and the door will be opened to you he was telling us that action for the thing desired is necessary. (Matthew 7:7) If a person needs something that is behind a door the most natural things to do is knock. It’s an invitation to come to God and ask in faith.
The heroes of faith again and again put their faith into action, – they moved expecting God to act and answer on their behalf.

However it’s important in all our asking, seeking and knocking to keep in mind that God has no obligation to provide positive answers to prayers that are harmful, outside His will, or below His best intentions for us. Our responsibility is to ask in faith and continue to ask, whilst seeking Him to discern and know His heart and will for situations and our lives. Once we know His will and best for us we can take action and expect our prayers to be answered.

God says we can come boldly to His throne of grace to find grace and mercy in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) We “knock”, as a way of saying, “I’m acting in faith, bringing my requests to you and I honour you as I come before your court.” We actively approach God knowing His will because we’ve sought Him and as a result God promises to release the supernatural ability of heaven on our behalf.

Jesus said, “Ask, seek, and knock. These commands are followed by fantastic promises, “for when we ask we receive, when we seek we find, and when we knock the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

God is not angry with us for asking or sees anything we ask, seek and knock for as trivial or unimportant. He is a good Father who always wants to exceed our requests . He promises to give good gifts to those who ask, seek and knock. (Ephesians 3:20) So go ahead and ask, seek and knock!

“Do not fear little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:23)

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for is all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things. (Romans 8:32)

Prayer: Lord please help me understand that you want me to ask, seek and to knock so that I can know how good you are and acknowledge you in every part of my day. Today I choose to ask, seek, and knock. In Jesus Name Amen.

Seek – Seeking is more than asking; it is a setting of priorities and a focusing of the heart. But the big question is, “What is it that we are seeking?” Is it money, comfort ability, a partner, fame, success, freedom. Is it God and His way of doing things?

The bible has some really awesome promises regarding seeking after Him. It says that, “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing, and that if we seek Him first He will add all the things to our lives that everyone else will spend a lifetime chasing.” (Matthew 6:33)

“Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing.” (Psalms 34:10 TPT)

God encourages us to seek Him and His strength and to seek His presence continually for when we do that with our whole hearts we will be blessed. (Psalm 27:8; Psalm 34:10; 105:4; 119:2).

God is not hiding from us and when we pay attention and seek Him with our whole heart, mind and strength we will find Him.

I love reading, listening and being around “God seekers”. These people aren’t spectators who made speculative guesses about God. They don’t take seeking and searching for the truth and to know Him half heartedly, but are willing to go to great lengths to find the truth and to really know and be a friend of God. They’re what I call “inspiring God seekers” for they chase after God with all they have and challenge, inspire,  and stir up in me a hunger for more.

Seekers ask questions, they study, they watch and learn from what is happening around them and they do whatever it takes to grow and find God and answers. They want to understand and to experience God more deeply.

The bible says, “But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

God seekers give up everything to seek out God. They often lay their time, money, and possibly even their reputations on the line to really know Him.They aren’t passive or mere spectators like many people can be, but engage fully in their seeking after God.

Today, how serious are you about knowing the truth about the universe, about why and how you are here, and God’s purpose for your life? How engaged are you with wanting to know Him more? And how often do you let other pursuits or distractions get in the way of searching and growing in your relationship with God?
Today  I encourage you to give yourself a challenge and to ask yourself, “What would I give up or invest into, so that this time next year I will know Him more deeply and be changed because of it?

“For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognising and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10-11)

“Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life….saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’  For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them….  But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right–the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. (Matthew 6:31‭-‬33 AMP)

Prayer: Lord help me to be a seeker of you and truth. Please show me if there is anything or anyone who is hindering me from knowing you, and help me to take the action I need to stop that happening.  Would you bring people into my life that will inspire, challenge and draw me closer to you. In Jesus name Amen.

When I was growing up I didn’t like to ask for many things, perhaps because finances were often stretched, other pressures were obvious in the family dynamic or I didn’t want to be a bother or disappointed. This hesitancy to ask unfortunately carried over into my adult life and relationships with both people and God. Its easy to begin to think it is better to go through life not asking anyone for anything, yet that would mean that we are primarily dependant upon our own limited resources, whereas God wants us to know we can ask of Him.

Jesus said, “And I say to you ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and I shall be open to you.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
We aren’t designed or meant to do life alone or only in our own strength, primarily because it limits our possibilities, relationships and God ordained opportunities. Doing life in our own strength and never asking God or others for anything means we only have our resources and abilities available to us, whereas God’s grace extended towards us means we have available  His supernatural ability to enable us to do and be what we previously would never have dreamed possible.

As I’ve learnt to ask God for help and grace to do or be what I want and need to be I have discovered he’ll impart wisdom and understanding to solve problems, grace and strength to handle difficult situations and ability which has unlocked potential and gifts in me I previously didn’t know existed. Other times I’ve asked and help has been sent to assist me through finances or another person coming alongside me.

God wants us to ask, and He wants us to use our mouths to petition Him for what we desire so that He can be our ultimate source so that we know He hears us and our prayers. When we go to His Word and find the answers through what He has promised, He clearly states, “ask and you will receive”. Jesus said, “until now you have asked for nothing in my name; ask and you will receive so that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:24)

Asking in prayer is how we communicate our needs and desires to God. When we ask we acknowledge He is far bigger than any problem or issue we may be facing and as we ask with faith it changes our perspective to see that nothing is impossible for Him. The bible actually says that the angels are waiting at the ready to act when they hear us speaking Gods word with faith. When we ask, they go to work on our behalf.

“Bless the Lord, you His angels, you might ones who do His commandments, obeying the voice of His word“! (Psalm 103:21)

“Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” (James 4:2)

Today I encourage to begin to ask God for what you need and petition Him with the desires of your heart.

Start where you can believe for and ask according to His Word. Nothing is too small or insignificant to God for He is interested in every detail of our life. Ask for help where you need it, lean on His wisdom and strength, and listen to His promptings because they often hold the answers to our asking, such as an inner nudge telling us, “go down that way to a parking spot, connect with that person or take that offer or opportunity up”.

Ask so you can receive!

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”. (Psalm 37:4)

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened“. Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)

I would hazard a guess that there are things that all of us have always wanted to do and be. Whether that is writing a novel, travelling to a foreign country, opening a little coffee shop or parachuting out of a aeroplane.
We all have things we dream about. But how many of these things do we ever actually see happen?

Fear usually steps in, practicalities, financial considerations or some other limitation clouds our view to see our dreams come to pass and we persuade ourselves that it’s just a dream, that it could never actually happen and it probably wouldn’t work anyway.

The tragedy is that the more we limit our dreams and assign all the things we want to do as pipe dreams, the more we train ourselves to think small. Our confidence in what we can do and whom we could be lessens as we doubt our ability to do anything that really matters to us.

But what if we could see some or all of what we have always wanted to do and become happen?

Here are three thoughts on how to move forward to do what we’ve always wanted to do.

1. Dream – A key is to open up our hearts and minds to dream and imagine and then take the time to investigate what’s involved. Look for resources that can inform and help and talk to other people who might have done something similar. Then take the time to pray and bring those dreams to God.

Dreaming is free and there is no risk as it is simply allowing ourselves to remove the limitations so we can gather ideas and resources we think might help us to get moving. We can write down all the questions we have about what we want to do and then go and find the answers to them.

2. Make a decision
Once we have allowed ourselves to dream and started to research all the possibilities we can decide whether this really still matters to us. Does it make our soul sing thinking about it? Will we grow as a person and find enjoyment? Is it what God wants us to do – is His blessing on it?

We also have to consider what’s important to us in the season of life we are in and what are our priorities? Do any of these need to change? What is at the top of our list in life? Are our dreams and priorities right for the stage we are at in life? Can we commit to starting to do some of the things we have always wanted to do?

3. Do one thing everyday
When we make the choice to start to pursue our dreams and can answer what is actually important to us, then we can begin to do one thing today towards making it a reality. Then tomorrow do one more thing.

That might mean writing 100 words towards starting that novel we’ve always wanted to write, or choosing to forgo our daily coffee so as to save the money towards an overseas holiday instead. Is it turning off the TV an hour earlier so we get up earlier to exercise to train to run that marathon or simply be fitter, or choosing to take a course of study we’ve always wanted to.

God desires for us to have dreams. He actually says He will do above and beyond what we can dream or wish we had always had a chance to do. He’s actually for us and not against us. He wants us to really live and not just exist. But first we have to make some choices about what is really important and valuable to us and how that fits into the plan God has for our lives.

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20 AMP)

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Today take some time to dream a little. Think about those things that you’ve always wished you could do and contemplate whether they are actually worth the commitment and cost for you to do them. Pray and ask God for His wisdom and enabling and then if you still want to move ahead begin to do just one thing everyday towards those things you’ve always wanted to do becoming a reality.

Prayer: Lord thank you that you have given me the ability to dream. Please help me to be honest and real about what I really want to do in life and to not keep putting things off because it doesn’t seem practical or I am afraid. Thank you that with you all things become a possibility.  In Jesus Name Amen.

Scheduling is an important life skill of planning our life so that we can achieve our goals and priorities in the time and energy we have available. It can greatly reduce our stress and give us peace of mind, as we know that we have formulated a plan of action and that our goals are attainable.

A schedule helps us to be prepared for obstacles as a good schedule includes a contingency plan with space in our day for unexpected challenges or emergencies. Its wisdom to only schedule 60% of the day, so as to leave room for urgent needs, spontaneous moments, emergencies, or someone or something just “messing” with the plan. (If you are a parent this goes with the territory). Otherwise we can get too inflexible and legalistic about our schedules and run the risk of becoming uptight and controlling.

Planning our daily and weekly activities clearly illustrates whether we are staying focused on what is really important because we soon see what we are spending our time on.

When planning a schedule it’s important to understand what we can realistically achieve with our time. God does do “time miracles” to give us extra time (that’s for another blog), but He also gives us wisdom to live by too, so it’s important to schedule time for God, family, friends, exercise, hobbies and just having fun.

The aim of a schedule is to achieve a good work-life balance. This takes wisdom and prayer, so take the time to pray carefully over your schedule and ask God to lead you as you plan.
“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:6)

Here are a few ways to help begin to schedule your time and see you achieve your goals:

1.Set a regular time to do your scheduling – at the start of every week or month for example. A simple and easy way to begin to keep a schedule is to use a pen and paper and organise your time using a weekly planner or diary. You can also use an “app” or any other tool that suits your situation. Make sure it has enough space for the level of detail you need.

2.Start by establishing the time you want to make available for your work, family, relationships, interests, hobbies and quiet times with God, study etc.

3.Schedule in essentials in your day/week. What you need to do regularly? When we write these daily activities down it quickly reveals to us what we are spending our time on and whether we are doing and being those things we value or not.

4.Schedule in those things that are a priority and important, as well as those things that cannot be delegated or avoided. Plan to do the high priority activities in your day when you are most productive, alert and energised.

5.Schedule in a contingency plan. This is my issue; I can often not leave enough time for the unexpected, emergencies or the “I have to deal with this now” moments. The more unpredictable or flexible our life tends or needs to be, the more “contingency time” we need. If we don’t schedule this time in emergencies will still happen and we’ll end up working late, stressed out, always running behind and at the risk of burn out.

6.Create a schedule that is consistent in the daily essentials, as this will create positive habits. What do you do every day/week that you can build more consistency into? (eg: exercise, Jesus time, family night, date night, etc)

7.Make sure that your schedule is not too intense. Only plan 60% of your day and leave room for “down time,” otherwise you will end up stressing over your schedule, which is pointless.

8.Put your schedule in a visible location so that it is easy to see and follow. Following a plan is just as important as creating one. We don’t create a schedule with the intent to ignore it, but if it’s too rigid or hidden away we just won’t look at it.

God promises that He will direct our steps and give us a heart of wisdom if we seek Him. When we have little children He also promises He will lead us gently, so if that’s you, give yourself a break and don’t put so much pressure on yourself…There are seasons for things.

“He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; he gently leads those that have young.” ( Isaiah 40:11 NIV)

Every day is a gift from God, so let’s make the most of each and every day and make a plan to win!

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Prayer: Lord please help me to be wise with the time you have gifted to me. Where I am not as organised or as careful with my time as I could be please help me to set a schedule and plan in motion. In Jesus name Amen.