Intentional Living: Transforming Choices for a Better Future
Summary
The message delivered at X Church on January 7th, 2023, focused on the importance of intentional living and the impact of our daily choices on our future selves. The concept, inspired by Levi Lusko's series "You in Five Years," was adapted to a three-year perspective, encouraging individuals to consider who they will become in that time frame. The message emphasized the biblical principle of numbering our days to gain wisdom, as stated in Psalm 90:12, and challenged the common "one-day" mentality that often leads to procrastination and unfulfilled intentions.
The discussion began with the recognition that the start of a new year often brings a desire for change and improvement in various aspects of life, such as health, finances, relationships, and career. However, change is acknowledged as a difficult process that requires time and consistent effort. The message highlighted the tendency to overestimate what can be achieved in the short term while underestimating the potential for significant progress over a longer period.
The speaker drew attention to the power of compound interest, not just in financial terms but also in personal growth and development. By making small, consistent efforts over time, individuals can achieve substantial results. The message also addressed the negative consequences of inaction or poor choices, illustrating how seemingly insignificant daily habits can lead to detrimental outcomes over three years, such as weight gain, addiction, debt, or wasted time on social media.
The message underscored the importance of starting with day one rather than waiting for "one day" to arrive. It encouraged individuals to take inventory of their lives, set intentions, and begin making changes immediately. The concept of urgency without consistency was discussed, with the speaker warning that a burst of motivation at the start of the year is insufficient without sustained action.
The biblical perspective was woven throughout the message, with references to Psalm 90, written by Moses towards the end of his life. The Psalm reflects on the brevity of life and the importance of living wisely. The speaker suggested that Moses' reflections serve as a lesson for all to live with intention and purpose, avoiding a life of regret.
The message concluded with a call to action, urging individuals to consider the gift of time from God and what they can offer back through their use of it. The speaker encouraged the congregation to dream about the possibilities for their lives over the next three years and to take practical steps toward realizing those dreams, whether it be learning a new skill, improving health, or deepening their spiritual journey.
Key Takeaways:
- Intentional living is crucial for personal growth and fulfillment. By numbering our days and recognizing the brevity of life, as Moses did in Psalm 90, we can prioritize what truly matters and make the most of the time we have. This perspective helps us avoid the trap of the "one-day" mentality and encourages us to start making changes today. [59:08]
- Small, consistent actions over time can lead to significant achievements. The power of compound interest applies to personal development just as it does to finances. By committing to incremental progress, individuals can transform their lives in ways that may seem impossible when looking at the big picture. [30:40]
- Urgency without consistency is ineffective. The initial burst of motivation at the start of a new year or project is not enough to produce lasting change. It's the regular, disciplined effort that leads to real results, much like the one-degree rule in aviation, where a small change in direction can lead to a significant shift in destination over time. [01:04:37]
- Negative habits can have a profound impact over time. Just as positive actions can build up to create a better future, negative habits can accumulate and lead to undesirable outcomes. Recognizing the long-term effects of our daily choices can motivate us to make healthier decisions. [49:28]
- Time is a gift from God, and how we use it is our gift back to Him. Viewing time as a precious resource entrusted to us by God can inspire us to use it wisely and purposefully. This perspective encourages us to invest our time in ways that align with our values and God's calling for our lives. [01:05:08]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 90:12 (NIV): "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 90:12 mean when it says, "Teach us to number our days"? How does this relate to gaining wisdom?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of starting with "day one" rather than waiting for "one day"? [59:40]
3. How did the speaker illustrate the power of compound interest in personal growth? [32:28]
4. What are some negative consequences mentioned in the sermon that can result from inaction or poor choices over three years? [49:28]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of numbering our days help us live more intentionally, according to Psalm 90:12 and the sermon? [52:54]
2. Why is it important to balance urgency with consistency in our efforts to change, as discussed in the sermon? [01:01:01]
3. How can small, consistent actions over time lead to significant achievements, both biblically and practically? [32:28]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our daily choices and our long-term outcomes? [49:28]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current daily habits. Are there any small, consistent actions you can start today that could lead to significant positive changes in three years? [32:28]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of starting with "day one." What is one area of your life where you have been procrastinating, and how can you take the first step today? [59:40]
3. Consider the concept of urgency without consistency. Can you identify a past goal where you had initial motivation but lacked follow-through? How can you approach it differently this time? [01:01:01]
4. The sermon mentioned the negative impact of poor daily choices over time. What is one negative habit you want to change, and what steps will you take to address it? [49:28]
5. Psalm 90:12 talks about gaining wisdom by numbering our days. How can you incorporate this perspective into your daily routine to make more intentional choices?
6. The speaker encouraged dreaming about the possibilities for the next three years. What is one dream or goal you have, and what practical steps can you take to start working towards it today? [01:10:17]
7. Time is described as a gift from God. How can you use your time more wisely to align with your values and God's calling for your life? [01:05:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Today, Shape Tomorrow
Intentional living is the key to unlocking a future that aligns with one's deepest values and aspirations. By acknowledging the brevity of life, individuals can focus on what truly matters, setting aside the procrastination that the "one-day" mentality breeds. This approach to life ensures that each day is lived with purpose, contributing to a future self that is a product of wise choices and deliberate actions. [59:08]
James 4:14 - "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
Reflection: How can you make today count towards the person you want to be in three years?
Day 2: The Compound Effect of Daily Habits
Small, consistent efforts can lead to monumental achievements over time. The principle of compound interest, when applied to personal growth, suggests that incremental progress can transform lives. This perspective encourages individuals to persevere through the mundane, trusting that their daily contributions are building towards a significant cumulative effect. [30:40]
Galatians 6:9 - "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: What small action can you commit to today that will contribute to your growth over the next three years?
Day 3: Consistency Over Intensity
The initial surge of motivation is not a reliable foundation for lasting change. True transformation requires regular, disciplined effort. Just as a small change in a pilot's course can significantly alter the flight's destination over time, so too can consistent actions lead to a dramatically different life trajectory. [01:04:37]
Hebrews 12:11 - "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: What consistent action can you start today that will help you stay on course for your long-term goals?
Day 4: The Weight of Our Choices
Daily habits, whether positive or negative, accumulate and shape our future. Recognizing the long-term impact of our choices can inspire a shift towards healthier decisions. It's the small, seemingly insignificant actions that, over time, can lead to either a fulfilling life or one filled with regret. [49:28]
1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Reflection: What is one daily habit you need to change, and how can you start making that change today?
Day 5: Time as a Divine Trust
Time is a precious gift from God, and how it is used reflects one's stewardship of that gift. Viewing time as a resource entrusted by the Creator can inspire individuals to invest it in ways that honor their values and God's purpose for their lives. This perspective can lead to a life lived with intentionality and gratitude. [01:05:08]
Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: How can you use your time today in a way that honors God and aligns with your deepest values?
Quotes
"We often overestimate what we can do in the short term, and we underestimate what we can do in the long term." [31:03] (Download)
"One day will never come until you start to do something about it on day one. Today could be day one." [01:00:11] (Download)
"Counting our days will help our days count." [01:00:30] (Download)
"Urgency without consistency will not produce real results." [01:01:01] (Download)
"Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. In other words, take inventory of your life because it is slipping away faster than we know." [59:08] (Download)
"New years is a great time for us to reassess our lives, to see the direction that we're headed, and to make sure that we're moving in the right direction." [28:10] (Download)
"What could your life look like in three years? Let's not think three weeks. Let's think three years. What could happen if you pointed in the right direction over the next three years?" [40:47] (Download)
"Small things done consistently over time are way more powerful than having all the urgency and intensity in the world and the flame out." [01:04:37] (Download)
"Time is your gift from God. What you do with it is your gift to Him." [01:05:08] (Download)
"We count what matters. And listen, you do too. You count every single dime that hits your account every Friday or whenever payday is." [54:50] (Download)
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