Tag Archives: Overcoming procrastination

Re-examining the Anointing of Jehu

Posted on December 8, 2019 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Q4QmtufXU

Sometimes the message that God is trying to communicate to you doesn’t make sense initially. Take the prophet Elisha for example, who is about to retire, but is called by God to anoint a new king . The passage below details instructions given to Elisha to follow. The first two verses seem clear, but the end of verse three raises some concern. “Why is God telling me to run? What is going to happen immediately following my anointing for me to flee?”

And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, Gird up your loins, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. 2 When you arrive, look there for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi; and go in and have him arise from among his brethren and lead him to an inner chamber. 3 Then take the cruse of oil and pour it on his head and say, Thus says the Lord: I have anointed you king over Israel. Then open the door and flee; do not tarry, 2 Kings 9:1-3.

During the anointing of Jehu, Elisha reveals several accomplishments that this new king will fulfill during his reign. One of these promises is to overthrow queen Jezebel. Perhaps inspired by this prophecy, Jehu doesn’t waste anytime. The passage below details Jehu’s encounter with Jezebel. Jehu’s call to action was simple, “who is on God’s side?” Two of the three body guards of Jezebel, knowing of her evil deeds, took Jehu’s advice, throwing Jezebel off a balcony, falling to her death.

Now when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes and beautified her head and looked out of [an upper] window. 31 And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, [Have you come in] peace, you Zimri, who slew his master? 32 Jehu lifted up his face to the window and said, Who is on my side? Who? And two or three eunuchs looked out at him. 33 And he said, Throw her down! So they threw her down, and some of her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses, and he drove over her, 2 Kings 9:30-33.

While the example I have chosen is extreme, procrastination is a major factor that prevents many individuals from achieving their full potential. A sense of urgency is rarely demonstrated. People pften fall into the trap, “I have plenty of time to do this or that.” Yet, as each passing day goes by without acting, time becomes your enemy. As I re-examine the anointing of Jehu, the call for action should be for today, not tomorrow. Don’t second guess yourself. Rather, seize the day just as King Jehu was a man of action.

by Jay Mankus

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Turning Procrastination Into Desire

Posted on February 7, 2018 by expressyourself4him

In the minutes leading up to your lunch break or end of the day bell, signs of procrastination come forth.  To pass the time, there is a temptation to remain idle, delaying or loitering as much as possible without being noticed.  Others who are forced to endure deadlines, wait until  the last possible moment to begin, relying on adrenaline to finish on time.  This pattern may be effective for some, but after any failure in life, guilt tends to prompt individuals to consider a change, turning procrastination into desire.

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied, Proverbs 13:4.

In the book Communicating with a Purpose, procrastination is the fourth barrier to effective communication.  After rejection, indifference and skepticism, the last two hurdles to clear are procrastination and fear.  The author uses dreaming as a technique to help people visualize success.  When a group or audience fails to act immediately, remind each person of the ideal outcome, what could be or should be if desire is exercised.  Once inspiration is conceived, motivated hearts can turn procrastination into desire.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is, Ephesians 5:15-17.

After spending a year and a half in Corinth, the apostle Paul had a limited schedule.  Thus, his stay in Ephesus is brief, eager to maximize his time with Jewish converts to Christianity.  During his short stint, Paul reassures this new church that if you commit to the apostles teaching, following the blue print found within Acts 2:42-47, success is possible.  Seizing each day, Paul was driven to cast out any thought of procrastination with desire fueled by faith.  May this blog help you resuscitate hope, joy and the motivation to change for the better.

by Jay Mankus

 

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U-Centered Writing: How to Capture the Attention of your Audience

Posted on January 15, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Whether you are teaching a class of students or preaching to a congregation of 1,000 members, there are 5 common thoughts flowing through the minds of your audience.

1) Are you going to say something interesting today?

2) What facts, information or story will hold my attention for your entire talk?

3) So what, how does what you are saying apply to me and my situation?

4) You’re out of your mind, show me something tangible that I can grasp or see.

5) How can I be assured that if I do what you say will I will succeed?

These mental obstacles will continue to distract listeners and readers until you develop a strategy for conquering these communication barriers.  Spirits of rejection, indifference, skepticism, procrastination and fear lurk in the shadows, attempting the block your message.  However, there is hope for the battle against minds tuning you out.

According to 2 Timothy 3:16, all scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.  The author of Hebrews concurs, claiming the Bible is unlike any other book as these words are living, able to penetrate deep into an individual’s spirit and soul, Hebrews 4:12.  The apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica provides evidence of this supernatural power, a blue print for educators, pastors and writers to follow.

Immediately following his Dear church comments in verse 1, Paul overcomes the spirit of rejection by thanking God publicly for the church of Thessalonica in verse 2.  If anyone was asleep or not paying attention, Paul adds another U-centered comment by expressing his continual prayers for the church and its members.  The key to being successful day in and day out is by making sure you are genuine, not fake or phoney in your compliments.

Paul quickly tackles indifference within verse 3 by praising their work done in faith, as a labor of love and the endurance displayed through their personal relationship with Jesus.  From his initial experience in Acts 17:1-9, he recognizes how difficult it is to stay committed to Christ while living in Thessalonica.  From a modern sense, Paul’s compliment is another way of saying, “that a boy or way to go!”  You must put yourself in the shoes of your audience to connect with and strike a cord with each individual.

Beginning in verse 5, Paul addresses skepticism with a painful truth, “you can’t do it alone!”  Paul wants to make sure he isn’t seen as some kind of super Christian.  Rather, Paul informs Thessalonica that the gospel came to him through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Remember, whether you or speaking, teaching or writing, they are only so many words you can say or write.  Therefore, rely on the power of the Bible to make your point, Romans 10:17, to convict the hearts of your audience and drive home your message.

The best way to conquer procrastination is to cast vision as demonstrated by Paul in verse 7.  Paul reminds each believer of the ideal situation, where your faith becomes a model for others to emulate.  If you don’t practice what you preach, your respect will plummet like the stock market on Black Friday, commencing the Great Depression.  However, when you become a living example for your flock, the masses will eventually be drawn to you thinking, “I want what this person has!”

Finally, Paul eliminates any fear through his words in verses 8-10.  Positive reinforcement is used to illuminate progress Christians have already made within Thessalonica.  Paul highlights their spiritual fruit which is slowly transforming the culture of their city.  Essentially, Paul is suggesting, “look how far you have come, why would you want to return to your formal spiritual condition.”  While this may be the most powerful obstacle to overcome, with God all things are possible, Luke 1:37.  May the power of the Holy Spirit talk your preaching, teaching and writing to new heights!

by Jay Mankus

Follower of Jesus for 29 years

Writer for the past 19

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