Podcast Transcripts

Have you ever lost track of what you were doing or the passion or meaning for why you were doing something? We unravel what it means to live intentionally and daily to get back on track and regain your passion all because you spent time with the Lord. Now what does that look like.

Tune in, be inspired, and enrich your journey of living intentionally and daily with Jesus. Why? Because Believers make every day count.

 

Please enjoy this podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Although efforts were made in editing, this transcript may include a few typos. It’s difficult to catch some minor errors. Enjoy!

 

Welcome to Hanging Out With Jesus Podcast where we equip the saints for ministry. By bringing you tips, interviews, inspiration and information on living intentionally and daily in Christ.

For more resources including your free newsletter visit www.hangingoutwithjesuspodcast.com or click the link in the show notes

Hi, I’m Lyvita Brooks, author Bible Teacher, founder of The Me Project Academy, and your host.

Thanks for supporting this ministry and rating and commenting on the blog and whatever podcast platform you are listening to because then it makes this feel more like a conversation. If this is your first time listening in… WELCOME!

This is episode 83. Our focus is on how to live with intention and do it daily. What does that look like, feel like, and be like especially for followers of Christ Jesus? That and more is coming up …

Now come walk with me where we intentionally and daily hang out with Jesus.

 

In Ministry news …

I’ve shared before the importance of supporting organizations that impact your ministry. For example parents should be focusing on organizations protecting parental rights. In my field of writing, teaching and podcasting, the NRB, National Religious Broadcasters, is an important association to be apart because it’s an association of Christian Communicators.

They work to protect the free speech rights of their members by advocating their rights in governmental, corporate, and media sectors, and works to foster excellence, integrity, and accountability in their membership by providing networking, educational, ministry and relational opportunities.

That’s a mouthful isn’t it? In short they equip, advocate and encourage Christian communicators.

One of the things I like about it is that it highlights members who are being intentional about what God has called them to do. Last week they highlighted Destiny Yarbrough the founder of DestinyX and she’s on a mission of discipling and empowering the next generation of leaders.

She shares on the NRB Members News blog, “Ask questions, listen, speak truth, be kingdom-minded in our delivery. Engage, impact, develop, focus, and impart our knowledge and experience to the future leaders coming up behind us. We must focus on having courageous conversations by sharing truth with boldness and substance.”

Her words are inspiring because as ministry workers, this is what we all should be doing because it’s about being an example of Jesus Christ but also a way to live with purpose and daily. Ms. Yarbrough’s ministry is going overseas. Just think what you could do when you apply all God’s given to you.

I’ve included a link to NRB and DestinyX in the show notes.

 

In Personal news …

Saints my BFF and I were talking about our schedules and somewhere during the course of the conversation, Lori said, “living intentionally”. Not sure what else was said after that because it opened up a world of clarity in my head and Lori’s.

You see saints, this is why it’s good to have blessed full friends, they can see things you can’t and God has a way of using them to inspire you. Thanks Lori, again for inspiring me to be me and I pray that I too am an inspiration to you.

Saints, be intentional about expressing your appreciation for those you love and who have encouraged you along the way. It doesn’t just bless your heart but encouraged them, as well.

Hey take some time today to check up on or call that someone who’s name the Holy Spirit just flashed across your mind. You never know what God’s got plan until you make that step in faith.

 

Living Intentionally ...

Now saints let’s dive into this Lori inspired episode on living intentionally and I‘d like to add, daily.

When I think of the word intentional. I’m talking about doing things on purpose, deliberate; making deliberate choices that reflect what and or who is most important to you. (The Google dictionary would agree to that definition as well.)

Being intentional helps you reach goals, experience more clarity, be in the present, increase focus and commitment, maintain a positive mindset, and brings more purpose and meaning to our lives.

You see there’s a big difference between knowing where you are going, flying by the seat of your pants vs being intently focused on where you want to go and how to get there. Jesus was. He knew that Calvary was His mission but sitting at the right hand of the Father, well that was His reward for a job well done. It’s true for us.

We have a mission and a reward for fulfilling that mission … “well done”. Every last one of us have a reason for being born and a length of time in which to complete that mission. Therefore, let’s not waste time.

 

Plan Your Time Daily With The Lord

Izey Victoria Odiase, self-care & personal development advocate, is quoted as saying, “Work on purpose, play on purpose, rest on purpose. Do not let yourself or anyone else waste your time.”

Saints we need to spend time with the Lord planning, daily.  Have you ever lost track of what you were doing or your purpose for doing something or the passion or meaning for doing it? I know that when this happens to me it’s because I am overwhelmed, stressed out over stuff, or I’m irritated because I didn’t eat and so absorbed into trying to finish something.

That’s why I’ve learned to deliberately plan my month, weeks and days with the Lord. Saints, establishing routines, habits with your purpose in mind as you are conversing with the Lord can, will, boost and increase your focus, in able you to  set achievable goals, and put meaning back into your life.

It’ll also help you focus on first things first with the next thing waiting once you’ve finished the first thing. Check out episode 81 on the next thing. Cecil Taylor may help in bringing even more clarity here.

Now the key to executing your planning time daily with the Lord is to set boundaries. You see when I don’t eat and plow through just to finish something I become irritable which frustrates the process and I don’t do my best work because it’s taking me longer than it should so now I’m overwhelmed because I’m taking time from something else.

Therefore, one of my boundaries is to work within a block of time, or depending on the day, focus on completing that one thing. This reduces the stress for me. Also not answering the phone before the end of my workday it’s in another room.

For me this is one of the best boundaries because when I’m focused, “determination” kicks in and won’t let me get up, unless it’s for the bathroom.

Therefore, don’t waste time. Plan your work time, play time, retirement nap time, bible study, etc. with the Lord. It makes sense to ask Him, spend time with Him while planning your year, quarter, month, week, days because He is the author of your life.

Yo’ it’s not that intense. Planning doesn’t have to take forever. That’s you overthinking it. And yet …

Not following Him, doing your own thing … well that results in stress, taking away your peace, your joy and your sanity. Let’s not travel down that path and it you have, time to make a path adjustment.

Plan your time, daily with the Lord, in order to live life intentionally and on purpose without becoming overwhelmed or losing your passion.

 

Set Boundaries

Colossians 3:23 reads, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Saints whatever ministry work you do, rather it’s a 9 to 5, being a grandma, office work, being a big brother, preaching, or responding to that person who cut you off while driving, it’s all ministry. Because it’s all about “whatever you do as working for the Lord.”

We are in Christ. Therefore where we go, we take Christ. What we say, act like, facial expressions, Ms. Gossip- Station, attitude … yep all that is reflected back on Christ because our claim is to be in Him. Covered by the blood of Jesus, born again to live for Him.

This is where living intentionally and daily puts its mark. Because it’s here that you fix in your head and clamp into your heart, “whatever you do it’s going to be done as unto the Lord”. It’s here where you realize that your life isn’t in your hand, but that your joy comes from the Lord, your peace is of God and the joy of the Lord is your strength.

It is God who has good plans for us and a future that is prosperous, according to Jeremiah 29:11. This is why we intentionally plan with the Lord, set goals, and put boundaries in place to keep us on track.

Remember, “if you are being intentional, then you are remaining in control of who or what you allow into your lives and when.”

This is why staying in God’s word, praying, spending time with Him, meditating on scripture and listening to Him is vital to living intentionally and daily because it comes with wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discernment. All of that helps you stay focused on your mission, goals to pursue, things to avoid, and the direction you should be going.

 

Setting Goals

That brings me to setting goals. You can plan your time, daily. Set boundaries to ward off distractions which that kick you off course. But you also need to set achievable goals in Christ.

Think about it:

• Jesus Christ’s goal is being our Savior. Think about how God planned for Jesus to be born and what God said about Him from Old Testament to Jesus fulfilling it in the new.
   
• God set goals. Before He made man, He set up a place for man to strive and do stuff. And I love how God rested on the seventh day to enjoy the fruits of His labor. Saints, we are to do the same. So plan a day to do nothing each week but enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

Saints, think about it. God plans. He says so in Jeremiah 29:11.

Set goals because they give direction and inspire us to move forward, but whatever you do do it as unto the Lord. Make sure you write them down. Studies show that those who write down their goal are three times more successful than those who don’t.

Lastly, in order to make the goal meaningful, include why it’s important to you. Doing this helps with dedication, commitment, being consistent and increases your chances of accomplishing it.

Now don’t try overdoing it with goals by making them too restrictive, limited, giving yourself unrealistic deadlines or overthinking. That’s why I keep saying you need to spend time with the Lord daily, praying over and talking through what you need to do that’s first thing first for that day.

So living intentionally daily is taking back the control over your life and giving it into the hands of Jesus, so that together you can live with purpose fulfilling the calling God’s placed on your life.

Only God knows the hiccups and surprises coming your way but it’s the choices you make that determine your destiny. Living intentionally and daily in Christ by planning your time daily, establishing boundaries, setting achievable goals are all accomplished through spending time with the Lord.

Now do you see why I’m always inviting you to hang out with Jesus?

I know I’ve shared a lot about living intentionally and daily but also the importance of spending that time with Jesus. If you have any questions about setting goals. Then check out episode #74: What Setting Goals Can Do For You? or #71: How to Use Journaling to Maintain Your SMART Goals? Or #69: 13 Prompts to Goal Setting with Holy Spirit.

And for those who might have other questions such as What is Ministry? Check out #60 or one of my favorites #65: “Are You Doing Too Much?”

 

Updates From The Me Project Academy 

First, Saints for those of you who know what God’s called you to do and it’s to turn your ministry into a business, well I’m opening the Fortified Coaching Program in late September. It’s designed to help you get started, organized, motivated and builded up to go and do what He’s calling you to do.

This is for believers who need help starting their business, and for those who did start but can’t seem to get organized to move it forward, or you have a business but simply need help getting and maintaining your focus. Well, it that’s you than click on the link in the show notes to learn more about the Fortified Coaching Program or go to www.hangingoutwithjesuspodcast.com.

Remember you’ll need to get on our newsletter, to know the opening day for registration. I’ve only space for 20 people. So the sooner you register, the better your chance of getting in.  The link to the newsletter is in the show notes and on the website.

 

Lastly, for my booklovers. October is Nugget’s Book Club. It’s for anyone who enjoys reading poetry or books. It begins October 1 but registration will only be opened for a short time in September. It includes some fun activities, including a Poetry Slam and Book Discussion both on Zoom. For more details check out our newsletter, website or the show notes.

 

So two things are coming your way: Nuggets Book Club in early September and Fortified Coaching Program in late September.

 

Let’s Pray …

Our Father, The God Who Planned the Heavens and the Earth, we come to You in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for giving each and every one of us a purpose for being on this earth. Strengthen us to do whatever you’ve called us to do with all our heart and that our reason for doing it, our “why” is that its’s to give you glory. Help us to take time to live intentionally and daily in Christ. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

 

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, then please consider subscribing to the podcast, rating and reviewing it. This helps in moving it forward to being heard by more believers. Also if you haven’t done so, get your free twice a month Newsletter to keep up with new releases of the podcast, registration date for the Fortified Coaching Program, how to participate in the Nuggets BookClub, monthly activities on how to live intentionally and daily in Christ, and much more. All this and more can be found, including my contact info on hangingoutwithjesuspodcast.com or the show notes.

So until we meet again over the airwaves, intentionally and daily, hang out with Jesus.

Lyvita: Shalom!

 

 

 

Resources Mentioned on the Episode and suggested reading & social media handles:

• Colossians 3:23
• NRB
• The Fortified Coaching Program
• Nuggets Book Club
• Izey Victoria Odiase

Calls to Action:

• Sign up for The Me Project Academy Newsletter for resources on developing disciplines to help you grow in Christ, prayer and new releases of the podcast.
• Website: www.hangingoutwithjesuspodcast.com
• @hangingoutwithjesuspodcast (Instagram)
• @themeprojectacademy (Pinterest)
• [email protected] (for comments)
• www.goodreads.com/lyvitabrooks