ALWAYS LIVE INTENTIONALLY
STOP BEING CARELESS
Kelsi sent me the best article to read entitled, “IT IS ONLY BY LOVE THAT ONE LIVES LIFE TO THE FULLEST.” This article is about a woman named Natalia Tulasiexicz. She was a woman who lived intentionally not carelessly every day of her life.
Natalia was born in 1906. She was polish and experienced the tumult of war. She was weak in body but strong in spirit. She lived intentionally by this motto, “Live as though the fate of the world depended entirely on the quality of your life.” Her primary goal was to merit holiness on earth by putting effort into every day. She went everywhere with God, her best friend. She wanted to bring Christ to all people. She wanted to be a holy warrior for God every day.
At the age of 39, she and her family were sent to a transitional camp. Natalia faced every obstacle and misfortune bravely:
at this point, it’s time to get a hold of oneself to keep your head attached and do what is necessary to endure.
She looked at suffering as a duty and also saw where joy should be exemplified in it.
Natalia lived life intentionally not carelessly. She felt the Lord chose her for an amazing mission of love in the world a mission which is worthy of giving one’s life for not to mention one’s talent and strength.
Ephesians 5:15-17 New International Version (NIV)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LIVE, MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY! Paul was saying we need to beware of evil because our days will be difficult. We must act wisely and do good whenever we can.
Do you live life intentionally?
INTENTIONALLY- deliberately on purpose
Do you live the way God wants you to live? Do you live loving others caring for others having empathy for others or do you live for self?
Start paying attention to how you live. Ask yourself, “Do I spend my time wisely and make the most of every opportunity sharing Christ?”
Being the week of Easter is the appropriate time to look at the one who was most intentional Jesus!
Jesus did everything with a purpose. He wasn’t just wandering around the land doing nothing. Jesus didn’t float through life. He was teaching and leading. He was spending time in prayer with His father. He was bringing others to God.
Let’s look at some things that Jesus did intentionally:
• Jesus went into the temple and caused a disturbance. This intentionally caused others to notice Him. It stirred up the situation. This set into motion His arrest. Matthew 21:12
• Jesus intentionally sent two of the disciples to get Him a donkey to ride. By doing this He road into the lives of many. Luke 19:28-38
• Jesus intentionally taught the disciples many lessons so that they would know about the Good News. He taught them through errors to reveal greater truths of God. Matthew 24
• Jesus intentionally healed the sick. This showed His true expression of compassion and empathy. Matthew 8, Matthew 4: 23-25
• Jesus intentionally conversed with people that others would have never spoken to. This demonstrated how He loved all. John 4:4-42
Everything Jesus did He did intentionally. He had a plan and a purpose. His walk one step at a time with the cross down the Calvary road was intentional. It was intentional for you and for me. He was intentionally making choices so that scripture would be fulfilled.
As we continue through this week – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and then Easter – remember that Christ intentionally suffered and died for us. We should understand the intensity of His love for us that He would do such an act intentionally.
With that being said are you going to live intentionally? Are you going to live like Natalia the Polish girl and live intentionally loving people? Are you going to live intentionally being wise or worrying too much about what others may think?
Be reminded of Christ get on your donkey, ride into Jerusalem and intentionally permeate the lives of others sharing the Love of Jesus and transforming the world!
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK:
• Keep your daily appointment
• Dive deep into the word
• Be intentional
• Fill your cup with Christ so that you can fill other cups
EXTRA READING:
THE INTENSITY OF CHRIST’S LOVE AND THE INTENTIONALITY OF HIS DEATH, JOHN PIPER
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-intensity-of-christs-love-and-the-intentionality-of-his-death
FOUR THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT LIVING INTENTIONALLY
https://intentionalbygrace.com/4-things-to-remember-about-living-intentionally/
HOW INTENTIONAL WAS JESUS?
https://trinitytulsa.typepad.com/ministry-moments/2010/03/how-intentional-was-jesus.html
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