Twelve Week Improvement, Week 8

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.'

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We laugh at Kermit the Frog's little song, It's Not Easy Being Green", but life is not easy. Being a Christian is not always easy. God didn't promise we would never have any problems but he did promise that He would always be there for us to lean on. He said in Matt. 11:30, "for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." This doesn't mean we won't have trials and tribulations. It doesn't mean we won't have sickness or heartaches. These things mold us and make us who we are. They make us stronger and many times prepare us for future problems that may come our way. You've seen the posters and bumper stickers that say, "when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping, fishing, ect." But when the going gets tough the wise go to God. When we need someone to lean on, He's a strong tower; when we need to cry, He has a wide shoulder; when we need comfort, He has an everlasting arm. He is always there! Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by life? Everyone does. Is there something you feel is too hard; something you can't do or face? Yes you can! But you can't do it alone! With God we can do anything. He makes the impossible possible.

How long has it been since you had a real heart to heart talk with God? I don't mean a whispered prayer, a table grace or a rambling list of "God blesses." I mean a prayer in which you let your emotions, your desires and your fears flow freely. This is a self-improvement program and I can't think of any better way to improve than adding prayer to your life. Even if you are already praying, you can always improve the quality and quanity of your talks with God. God craves communion with us. After He created Adam and Eve, every evening He would come to Eden and walk with them and talk with them. Prayer is not just a time of recitation; it should not just be a ritual. Prayer should be a time when we open our hearts and our souls up to God.

I want you to get your journal out and actually write out a prayer to God. That's right, I said write it down. There are many prayers written in the Bible and we sometimes even memorize and quote them but this one is going to be from your heart. You can make it rhyme if you like, you can even put it to the tune of a song if you want, but the words must be your own. When you are finished I want you to read it aloud to God and read it every day this week. This prayer should not be about anyone else but you! Don't express your concerns about anyone else's problems unless they directly affect your life. This is your spirit exercise for the week.

Is there something you have been putting off doing because you felt like it was too hard? Or maybe you were afraid you would fail? Well...this is the week to get started on it! As you pray this week, ask God to show you a way you can accomplish this task.

For your body exercise: This week we are going to get down and dirty. Continue the eating modifications you have made, drinking your water and exercising. To these we are going to add an organizational exercise. What area of your life do you feel is most unorganized? Is it a closet, dresser drawers, kitchen cabinets, garage, work bench, laundry room or perhaps your car? What ever it is clean it up! You'll feel much better about yourself just for doing this one task!

For your mind exercise, I want you to memorize as much of your written prayer as you can.

You can do this. We are just getting better and better a little bit at a time. And if you mess up one day or even one week don't quit!!! Just start all over! Just do the best you can and you'll come out on top!