Living Intentionally, A.C.T.S Prayer Time

When I got a journal in a blog swap I decided I would start writing down some prayers to God. At the end of each seminar my husband teaches a class for church about the importance of a devotional life. In that class he teaches the acronym A.C.T.S, which you can use during your prayer time with God.

A= Adoration
C= Confession
T = Thanksgiving
S = Supplication (A fancy word for the things you need and want)

I got to thinking about that acronym, applying it to my devotion time, and also how it related to Living Intentionally for God.

So here is my A.C.T.S prayer for this week:

A = I really adore God for the the beauty of His creation all around me: ocean, redwoods, wild daffodils, and sea life.

C= Some times this area is personal but I want to mention that I need forgiveness and your prayers for impatience, raising my voice, and better time management.

T = I am thankful for the safety God always bestows on us when we travel, I am thankful for my family, for our health, for hope, and above all for salvation.

S = Family friends just lost a 3 month old baby. After a surgery to repair a cleft pallette the baby stopped breathing in the home as he was sitting in his car seat (1 day after being released). I pray for them, it is difficult to understand that kind of loss. We also had 2 old friends come to our seminar, who are not walking in a right relationship with God. It is heartbreaking to witness that. One last supplication to God is that He help us fill up our 2011 seminar schedule.

So as you can see the A.C.T.S acronym can stretch your prayer time. I wrote this out briefly but when you actually pray to God this can make your prayers go from 1 minute to 10 minutes quite easily. And yes, I realize that my "S" section is a bit longer. Isn't that how we are? We need and want so much for God. I need to start incorporating more of the other categories in my prayer time as well. (Add one more necessity to my Living Intentionally in 2010 list!)

Blessings, LaVonne :)

For more Living Intentionally head over to Extravagant Grace.

Living Intentionally

Yesterday, my husband and I got into an argument. And we were both right. We are always both right. (That is the problem.) The thing is, the argument is often about something insignificant.

While he took the Princess out for errands, I began thinking of more ways I was right. Which is a wrong attitude, I know. It was then that I decided to take advantage of the time I had alone and read a chapter in a book, The Messiah, about the life of Jesus. Then I read and re-read Isaiah chapter 12.

As I was reading about God's awesome love and grace for us, I was convicted deeply. My husband and were not communicating effectively. My own pride and love of self were just getting in the way. I decided, intentionally, that I wanted to communicate my needs in a godly way. I prayed and wrote down what I wanted to say. When my husband returned home, gone was my prideful attitude, and in its place was a Christ like love. I could not have done it without the help of Jesus. I gave him my list, and you know what? He read that list, and said he was going to do his best to do every thing on the list. We hugged, apologized, and stated again, how much we love each other. That is what Intentional Living is for me this year -2010.

• Choosing to spend time with God, any opportunity I can.
• Choosing to allow Him to change me from the inside out.
• Choosing to love my family, even when it is hard.

Won't you join me, in Living Intentionally for Jesus? It is worth it, believe me.

Transformation: The Real Transformer

As I have thinking about Living Intentionally, and a theme for the year of transformation or even renewal. I have found the following verses helpful. I really want to be transformed daily by the power of Jesus Christ from the inside out. Continue to pray for me and with me that we can be transformed and renewed by His power.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 2

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: 22-24

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3: 4-6

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5: 8-10

Simply Overflow J.E.S.U.S.

I found this great little article on another blog. I had to use it here too. I really do want to Simply Overflow J.E.S.U.S. this year and always.


Simply Overflow J.E.S.U.S.

Simply: from simplify: to make less complex or complicated]

Overflow: to flow or run over

Join: mingle intentionally. “The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me."--Ministry of Healing p. 143.

Elevate: the tenor of my conversations. Psalms 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Surrender: A heart in surrender will be Spirit directed to give a "word in due season." Prov.15:33. Be it vocal words or printed words.
Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Unity: Involve other people, in prayer for, friendship with and service for our friends.
John 17:11 “That they all may be one…that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

Serve: Seeing eyes, willing hands and an understanding heart is Jesus' key to reaching the heart & mind. “ Sympathize…pray with them, watch for opportunities to do them good…and open the Word of God.”

-Review & Herald, March 13, 1888

Living Intentionally

Encouragement and conviction are wonderful things and tonight I have experienced both. Lisa's post over at Extravagant Grace regarding Living Intentionally has been a God send. What began as a week of encouragement, reviewing and planning has now been extended for the new year and I am excited to be participating. The things that Lisa has planned for her year are the things that I want to intentionally plan as well, they include:

• scripture memorization - 2 new scripture verses per month. I would like to learn not only promises that I can claim but also verses that will help in counseling others as we are traveling.
  
• expand my prayer time and relationship with God - some days it is difficult to find the time. I want to, with God's help, spend more time with Him.
  
• mentor my daughter and other women in my circle - I want to be a good role model to my daughter. I want her and others to truly see Jesus in me.
  

I would also like to add marriage enrichment to my intentional living plan for the year. I am so blessed with a great husband, I want to be a blessing to him as well. I also want to focus on my character faults, intentionally praying daily and allowing God to change me from the inside out.

Tomorrow I will be spending time looking for a verse for the year. A theme. As I have been recently studying the fruits of the Spirit, I know that my theme must include Transformation and I want to also focus on Relationships (God, Husband, Daughter, Others). So any suggestions of verses are greatly appreciated.

Ministry life is not always easy, but it is a blessing. It can save you, truly. It makes you want to cling to Him. This year, 2010, as we move into a new phase of ministry I do want to Live Intentionally for Him.