1 00:00:01,560 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: For they that are after the flesh, do mind the 2 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: things of the flesh, but they that are after the 3 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 1: Spirit the things of the Spirit. Romans eight five. Dear Lord, 4 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:22,639 Speaker 1: you know the desires of our hearts, our longing to 5 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 1: draw closer to You and to live in accordance with 6 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: your will. We long for the spirit's guidance instead of 7 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 1: fulfilling the cravings of the flesh. Help us resist the 8 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:41,279 Speaker 1: temptation to succumb to worldly pleasures, so that we may 9 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: seek after You, For it is only through you that 10 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: we will find true joy and satisfaction. Give us the strength, 11 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 1: Lord to obey your commands. Enable us to keep our 12 00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: eyes fixed on you, and may our hearts continually desire 13 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: to please you. Grant that all of our aspirations would 14 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: be in line with yours, so that every one of 15 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: us may glorify You in what we do. We ask 16 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:21,040 Speaker 1: this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 17 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 1: Thank you for joining me in prayer. Stay tuned for 18 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: today's free podcast Meditative Prayers with Zach Clinton, where you 19 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: can draw close to God and find strength in him. 20 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 2: My friends, welcome to your meditative prayer on more productivity 21 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 2: to get the most out of your spiritual journey. Youspray 22 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:46,319 Speaker 2: dot com every day and make prayer a priority in 23 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 2: your life. Again, our goal for today's meditative prayer is 24 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,639 Speaker 2: all about more productivity. So let's just take a second 25 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 2: now just to simply breathe. If you look for a 26 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 2: calm and quiet place, a place where your focus can 27 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 2: be on this time of reflection, close your eyes and 28 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 2: take a couple of deep breaths. Let your spirit arise 29 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 2: unto the throne of grace, and open your mind to 30 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 2: receive from the Lord, because God is waiting for you. 31 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 1: Again. 32 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 2: Today we'll be meditating on Colossians chapter three, verses twenty 33 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 2: three to twenty four from the King James version. They read, 34 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 2: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, 35 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 2: and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord, ye 36 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 2: shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve 37 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 2: the Lord Christ. Now, my friends, let's just take a 38 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 2: moment to pour out our adoration to God for his goodness. God, 39 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 2: I praise you, for you are great and mighty. There 40 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:57,640 Speaker 2: is nothing hidden from your sight. You see all things 41 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 2: and given to each person according to their work. I 42 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 2: extol you, Lord, for you are fair and just. You 43 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 2: will not allow the righteous to be shaken. I worship you, Jesus, 44 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:13,440 Speaker 2: for strength and grace come from you alone, and I 45 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 2: bless your name. For all glory, honor, and power are yours. 46 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 2: Today we're going to be talking about what it looks 47 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 2: like to focus on God. You see in this life, 48 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 2: your focus will shape who you are and what you do. 49 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 2: This is why it's so important to understand God's plan 50 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 2: and purpose for your life. Once you recognize that you 51 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 2: are created by God to be productive, and you commit 52 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 2: your plans unto him, God will become your focal point. 53 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 2: With God as your focus, you will do everything as 54 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 2: if doing it unto Him. This means that your thoughts 55 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 2: and your actions will be centered on Christ. When you 56 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 2: operate from this mentality, Jesus becomes your incentive and your 57 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 2: boss Us. And when you live for Jesus, his Holy 58 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 2: Spirit renews your mind and changes your heart, and he 59 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 2: transforms you from a reactive person into a proactive one. 60 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 2: The opinions of others will no longer dictate how you 61 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:17,479 Speaker 2: behave as your actions will not be based on what 62 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 2: others do, but rather on what God says you should do. 63 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,479 Speaker 2: You will no longer work to please or impress those 64 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:28,359 Speaker 2: around you, but instead everything you do will be done 65 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 2: to bring glory to God. And when you commit your 66 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:35,279 Speaker 2: plans unto God and you focus on him, my friends, 67 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 2: he will bless the work of your hands and you 68 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 2: will have productivity. So right now, just take a moment 69 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:46,839 Speaker 2: to reflect on what is hindering you from focusing on God, 70 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:51,839 Speaker 2: and present yourself before the Lord and confess your sins 71 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:58,280 Speaker 2: to him. Now as we transition, let's just thank God 72 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:02,279 Speaker 2: for his care over your life. Thank God for watching 73 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:05,960 Speaker 2: over you. Thank God for being present in your life 74 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 2: and for always being beside you. Thank Jesus for his 75 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 2: mercy and for his blessings upon your life. Thank you 76 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 2: for his goodness and his grace for the reward that 77 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 2: comes from Him alone. Thank the Holy Spirit for the 78 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 2: work he is constantly doing within your heart and your mind. 79 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 2: And thank him for ministering to you and helping you 80 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 2: keep your focus on God. Do not forget God is 81 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:37,720 Speaker 2: present and he is listening to you. You are working 82 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 2: for the Lord, and your reward comes from Him. So 83 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 2: lift your voice in prayer to God and ask him 84 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:49,560 Speaker 2: for his heavenly help help in accomplishing your commitments and 85 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:54,919 Speaker 2: responsibilities efficiently. Help to have dedication and to be devoted 86 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 2: to the timely completion of your tasks. Help to have 87 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 2: wisdom and discernment when dealing with others. Help to stay 88 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,200 Speaker 2: focused on God and not become distracted by others in 89 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:10,720 Speaker 2: their actions. Help in the form of Godly strength, so 90 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 2: you may persevere in all the goals set before you. 91 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 2: Remember your focus is to be on God, for you 92 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:23,160 Speaker 2: are serving Christ. Therefore, in everything you do, do the 93 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 2: best work that you can, work as if you are 94 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 2: working for the Lord and not for people. For your 95 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 2: reward comes from God. So take heart and chase after 96 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:39,480 Speaker 2: the fullness of what God has for you. Go forth 97 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 2: in the knowledge that God sees you and that your 98 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 2: blessing comes from Him. You already are more than an 99 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:52,919 Speaker 2: overcomer in Jesus Christ. Be blessed. My friends, thank you 100 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 2: for completing today's meditative prayer on pray dot com. By 101 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 2: incorporating this healthy habit as a daily practice, I believe 102 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 2: you're not not only making prayer priority, but you're also 103 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 2: strengthening your walk with God. My name is Zach Clinton, 104 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 2: Vice President of the American Association of Christian counselors and 105 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 2: we love being a part of your life. Hey, to 106 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 2: receive some more help, hope and encouragement, please visit our 107 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 2: website at AACC dot net. Again, that's AACC dot net.