Juggling Sheep
Welcome to Juggling Sheep, Jay Perry's blog about time management and personal productivity for pastors. Learn to balance work, life, family, and personal spirituality.

Share your best practices, tips and tricks, processes, sermon planning ideas, and resources. Feel free to email me: jaylperry[at]gmail[dot]com.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Personal Vision Workbook - 2. Giving God Access

The following is from my Personal Vision Workbook. Read the introduction and legal stuff.

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God will not force His way into our lives. He will only come in as we intentionally invite Him. He can only work in the areas of our lives where we give Him access.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” - Revelation 3:20

Jesus is knocking, patiently waiting for us to give Him access.

God gains access to our lives whenever we open our hearts to Him in prayer. If you pray through your finances and spending, you are giving God access to show you His vision for handling your money. If you don’t talk to Him about it, He’s not going to force His way in.

Think through what you do and think in a typical day (or week).
What areas do you need to talk to God about, so He can have access in those parts of your life?

Schedule at least 20 minutes of prayer (access) time every day until you complete the vision process.
When will you do it? Write it down and tell someone.

Listening to God is just as important as praying. Fasting is useful for intentionally listening for God.
Consider turning off all excess noise for a week or two. Let leisure time become listening time.
How will you listen? Write it down and tell someone.


Here's a sample list of possible access areas:
Money, Television, Food, Parenting, Internet, Spouse, Sex, Work, Friendships, Honesty, Emotions, Habits, Bible Study, Spirituality, Attitude, Health, Discipline, Forgiveness, Lust, Plans, Drugs, Trust, Music, etc.

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