INTENTIONAL LIVING

Of all the programs I listen to on “BOTT” radio I believe my favorite is, “Intentional Living.” This program, hosted by Dr. Randy Carlson, covers every topic imaginable and shows us how to be overcomers in “The Way” – by being intentional. Since everyone’s life, and especially a Christian’s, is not fate or an accident, we can experience that abundant life it speaks of in John 10:10 only by living intentionally. Jeremiah 29:11-13 tells us that our Father’s plans for us are for our welfare, our peace, for good and not evil and to give us hope in the end. He tells us to pray to Him and He will hear us (Jer.33:3). We are to seek Him as a vital necessity and then we will find Him when we search for Him with our whole heart. To pray and seek those plans until we find them will necessitate a life of “intentional living.”

Webster’s says that something done by intention is “done by design,” therefore we must live our lives in such a way that we choose our every decision, from our relationships, parenting, our words, our prayer life, our study of God’s Word, how we spend our time, our jobs, being the salt and light God intended us to be in this world, etc.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism says our purpose is, "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever." We as Christians must live intentionally in thought, word and deed to glorify God and by so doing we will enjoy Him forever, and consequently we will enjoy life also.

The wisest man to ever live said in Proverbs 23:7 "As a man thinks, so is he," - in other words, we become what we think about. An old adage says, "Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character." So what our character has become all started with our thought-life. Have we been intentional in thinking on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, kind, virtuous and excellent, (Phil.4:8)? Our intentionality in our thoughts determines the way we will act. "Even a child is known by his acts, whether or not they are pure and right" (Prov.10:11). Whether our acts are pure and right will display what kind of thoughts we have been entertaining. Repeated acts in the same direction build a habit that will develop our character. How are you known?

What about being intentional with our words? ; In James 3:8-11 it talks about the words that come out of our mouth - blessings and cursings - "this ought not to be." Our words will show our true self. Verse 8 says the tongue can't be tamed - whatever is in our thoughts will come out our mouth eventually. It is impossible to consistently speak evil and unkind words and have pure and righteous thoughts (vs.11-12).
So we must have a daily check on our intentionality in our thoughts, words and deeds.

Live with a purpose - to be like Jesus. Boaz left "handfuls of purpose" for Ruth. Boaz purposed and lived with intentionality and was a picture of Christ in his kindness, beneficence, hospitality and became a kinsman redeemer to Ruth.

Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king's food and drink. God honored his intentionality with knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, also, gave him understanding in all kinds of visions and dreams and favor with the king (Daniel 1:8).

One of Jesus' purposes was to "undo the works of the devil" (I Jn.3:8). Another of His purposes was to give us abundant life (Jn.10:10). The Father has purposes for each of us, "welfare and peace, not for evil, and hope in our final outcome." (Jer.29:11).

Intentional living begins with our first waking thoughts in the morning and continues throughout the day until we go to bed at night. Plan your day with the right priorities, then, work your plan. Plan to start every day with being alone with the Father and studying and meditating on His Word and determining to obey, committing all that your day may hold to Him, both the planned and the unplanned events to Him. Here are a few suggestions on how to be intentional:

1) Ask the Lord to bring opportunities into your day to demonstrate His love to
someone who needs to be loved
2) Be intentional about planning your schedule for the day so that you have time for
family first, others and then yourself.
3) Be intentional in your choice of the words you use to respond to others.
4) Be intentional in being sacrificial in giving yourself to others. Seek out
opportunities to meet someone else’s needs, to encourage and help. Listen, with
our hearts, to others.
5) Be intentional in practicing what you preach.
6) Be intentional in being thankful in and for all things remembering the Father is
in control of every detail of our life, both of what we think is good or bad.
7) Be intentional in keeping your word – be trustworthy.
8) Be intentional in being transparent – be real, speaking the truth in love.
9) Be intentional in being humble, remembering by yourself you are nothing but with
Jesus help you are everything and can do everything.
10)Be intentional about quickly confessing your sins and repenting.
11)Be intentional about forgiving when wronged, and even forgiving yourself when you
fall.
12)Be intentional about praying always, in every situation and about everything,
with thanks.
13)Be intentional about studying the Word to show yourself approved unto God a
workman who doesn’t have to be ashamed

If we truly want to "glorify" God in our lives, the only way is that we must determine to live intentionally for God.