Today’s Tip is this:

Pray for our nation.

This week, leading up to the 250th Anniversary of the United States is a great time to be reminded of this tip. This is something that we should be doing all the time though, and if you are a reader from another country then this applies to you too.

We are called to pray for our cities and nation all throughout Scripture in so many places. Just a few of those include:

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Not only should we be doing this for the peace and prosperity of our country and lives, but even more importantly because God tells us too and it pleases Him. So let’s be in prayer for the place where we live and the local, city, county, state, and national leaders that God has put in place.

Today’s Tip is this:

Take time for some self-reflection to help you stay on track.

When we don’t build time for self-reflection into our lives and just let the demands and pressures and pleasures of life dictate our schedules and priorities, we can easily lose sight of who God has created and called us to be. A lack of self-reflection can lead to us getting off track of not just where we want to be in life but also who we want to be.

Taking time to reflect is an important part of leading yourself, and leading yourself well helps you to lead others well. Resist the urge to think that you don’t have time for reflection and begin to see it as time well spent to better equip you and make ultimately make you more efficient in your other responsibilities.

Today’s tip is this:

Taking time to rest better equips you.

When we rest, especially when it’s Sabbath rest where we’re truly resting in God, it restores us in ways that equip us to do what we need to better. Physical rest helps to restore our bodies, our minds, and keeps us healthy. Resting in God gives us rest for our souls. When we are rested, we can think better and have more energy and peace. What we are able to do and how we are able to live is more effective, more abundant and full. So why do we resist this so much?

It’s time to stop resisting and accept God’s invitation to take time to rest in Him.

Today’s Tip is this:

Take time to discern what you need to equip you for what God has called you to.

God equips us for what He has called us to, but if we’re not careful we can become so busy that we miss the tools that He is placing in front of us. To do what God has called you to is there something He’s whispering that you need? Do you need to take advantage of an opportunity for education or training? Do you need more rest than you’re currently allowing yourself? Do you need to take a close look at your priorities and shift some things? Do you need to spend more time with Him? Do you need to seek wise counsel?

It’s hard to answer those questions, if we never slow down enough to take time to reflect and ask God for His wisdom, discernment, and guidance. So, slow down today and take time to discern what you need for what God has called you to.

Today’s Tip comes out of John 15:5 which says: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

The tip is this:
Dwell in Christ.

Dwelling in Him frees us up to take the pressure off and leave the results up to Him. If we dwell, we stay with Him, doing as He directs, and allow Him to accomplish what truly needs to be accomplished. The peace and freedom that come from dwelling in Him are wonderful.