Turning Point Tuesday: Are you too busy DOING YOU, that you can't DO GOD?

Happy May and Hello to all the wonderful people reading this blog. I pray you are Blessed and standing on the Strength and Word of Almighty God. As promised I am still working through the 15 Hindrances to a True Relationship with God. Recently I have encountered quite a few people using the phrase, “Do you and I will Do Me.” The prior statement simply means, Stay out my Business! We have all experienced seasons in our lives when we wanted people to leave us alone and stop telling us what to do. It could be a child not wanting to listen to the advice of a parent, a husband getting tired of the constant nagging of his wife, or an employee not being receptive to the direction of his supervisor. The bottom line is the flesh fights hard to resist people telling it how to Live. Temperature Check: If you Believe in God with all your heart, mind, and soul and you know without a doubt He is your Source then, “Can God tell you what to do?” Luke 6:46 NKJ “But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? When we start maturing as SOLD OUT BELIEVERS we become less concerned about DOING US and more Concerned about DOING GOD! Hindrance #4: In order to “Do God” we must rid ourselves of Unhealthy Habits that are hindrances to our Relationship with God.

Definition of Unhealthy habit according to Segen’s Medical Dictionary – A patterned behavior regarded as detrimental to one’s physical or mental health, which is often linked to a lack of self control. Examples: Alcohol or drug abuse, consumption of tobacco in any form, overeating, regular junk food consumption, late night partying, and compulsive activities including gambling, shopping, sexual addiction, and others.

Notice in the definition of Unhealthy habit a lack of self control plays a major part in this stronghold (Self Control is a Fruit of the Spirit). The definition does not spell how unhealthy habits impact one’s spiritual health, but we know this is indeed the case. It is critical that we produce the Fruit of Self Control, which assist with defeating Bad & Unhealthy Habits. On the other hand, some habits are good and bring us closer to God: Praying, Fasting, Reading the Bible, Treating people Kind, Loving others, Forgiving our brothers and sisters. You might ask, “If God is my Creator and truly loves me then why can’t He accept my unhealthy habits?” “Why do I have to change something that gives me gratification and keeps me content here on earth?” The answers to both of these questions are simple. The BIG PICTURE PURPOSE of our existence on earth is to GIVE GLORY TO GOD! Furthermore, Jesus Christ paid the price for our Unhealthy Habits on the cross to put us in Right Relationship with God. The Full Ransom that Jesus Christ paid is a Gift to Accept Him as our Savior, but does not give us “An Excuse” NOT TO obey God. Someone reading this blog might think it is quite arrogant of God to want us to Worship and Give Him Glory. If this is you, please define Glory. Think about what Giving Glory to God means to you. At times we may become confused about our Dynamic Destinies because we are not taking time to study God’s Word. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary defines Glorify as the following: “To glorify God (1Cor. 6:20) is to declare His praise by obedience to His law. Thus the “heavens are telling of the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1) in obedience to the law of creation, and much more do men glorify Him by willing obedience to the more law (1 Cor. 10:31; John 17:5). Ask yourself, “What is wrong with me wanting to Honor, Respect, Love, Adore, and Live for the One and True Living God that gave me Life and is still giving me Life today?” I pray you answer is, “Nothing is wrong with Glorifying God and I owe Him Everything!”

If there are HABITS IN YOUR LIFE THAT DO NOT give Glory to God through Obedience, you have to decide whether to keep or get rid of that thing, person, or situation (God gives us Free Will). Unhealthy habits don’t just hurt us, but it also hurts God because He is the Creator of Heaven and the Earth and everything in it. Check out what it says in 1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJ Do you not know that you are the temple of God that the Spirit of God dwells in you? Romans 12:1-2 NKJ reinforce the importance of how we should present our temples to God. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The problem is most of us can’t present our Bodies to God because we have some very Unholy Habits in our Lives that are taking first priority, while God takes last place. Yes, I am preaching myself happy too! I am not judging or condemning anyone, but it is our responsibility as Christians to Speak the Truth in Love to one another. Why? Because the Truth will set us free. The last part of the Great Commission is sometimes looked over, avoided, or not taken to heart. Matthew 28:20 NKJ Teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen.


Okay Kendra, what is the Turning Point? The point is if we say we LOVE GOD, we must LIVE FOR GOD (Glorify), which results in Defeating Unhealthy & Unholy Habits. God only seeks the very BEST for his Children. It would be ridiculous and insane for a Loving Parent to tell their children to get drunk, smoke marijuana, have sex with multiple partners, and eat anything that shortens their lifespan. God is not asking us to do anything that JESUS DIDN’T DO WHEN he walked this earth as the image of the invisible God. Anything you are doing that is Taking the Place of God or Replacing the Time you should spend with God is an Unhealthy Habit. Of course there are things we have to do like work, sleep, and eat to name a few. However, this does not mean it is okay to OVER INDULGE in things that are necessary to live (sleeping all day, over eating, workaholic). You might ask, “How do I know my habit is unhealthy?” I answer that with this question, “Would Jesus Do It?” Jesus wants us to have fun and enjoy life, but unhealthy habits take away from our relationship with God (too much TV, on Face book more than we talk to our children and spouse, cursing and exposing others to this language (even our kids), spending too much time on phone, going out with friends every Saturday but avoiding church Sunday morning, spending all of your spare time on a hobby, acquiring more things and not sewing into the kingdom, playing video games into the wee hours of the night, pornography: need I say more). If you feel uncomfortable about any of these examples that is Great! The Holy Spirit is gently convicting you to a Place of Peace and Purpose! Recently, God dealt with me in the area of watching TV. I do not consider myself a person that watches too much TV; however God clearly spoke to my spirit in this area. God has clearly shown me his Purpose for my life and it does not include wasting time watching television shows that do not Glorify Him. What we allow to enter through our Eye and Ear Gates will eventually come out. For this reason, at the direction of God I started going without television for days and sometimes a week at a time (I miss HGTV, smile). During these times of silence God has spoken mightily. That additional time is transferred to spending quality time with family, Studying God’s Word, Praying, and Serving God. This does not mean I do not have fun, watch shows on television, and catch movies at the theatre. It means I am not allowing television to take the place of my Relationship with God and I am cautious about the Type of Shows I watch. Why are you telling me this Kendra? I want you to know that we are all in this together as Brothers and Sisters in Christ. As you know by now God has put a call on my life to Be Real in how I share what He has Placed in my heart (When It is Real it is Right and when it is Right it Feels Mighty Tight). Just know God Loves You and I do too and that is why I am obeying God in sharing this message.


1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Homework Assignment

1. Read 1 John 1:9. Pray and Ask God What he wants you to do in the area of Unhealthy Habits and Listen to the Holy Spirit’s soft and powerful voice.


2. Feedback- Ask your spouse, children, mentor, or best friend if you have any Unhealthy Habits they would like you to change. Remember, the point is to get the truth from someone who loves and cares for you. This is not for you to get upset or angry. Sometimes we see a different Image staring back when we look in the mirror. This exercise allows others to share their Perceptions of your Behavior or Lack thereof. Designate an accountability partner out of this group to share and pray with during this time of Deliverance.


3. Write Down All the Unhealthy Habits that God, Loved Ones, and You would like to Get Rid of or Cut Back On. Allow God to Direct You as to which Habit you should work on first. If you are battling with several Unhealthy Habits be sensitive to God’s Guidance on how to handle them. For Example: If you are battling with drinking, partying, and cursing too much; God might direct you to stop surrounding yourself with Unhealthy People. God can Deliver you from any and all strongholds if you Give them all to Him!


4. Based on the information collected in steps 1 -3 devise a Plan of Attack for Each Unhealthy Habit. Example of Goal: Only get on the internet for 1 hour instead of 3. Avoid sugary sweets on the week days. Yes, this might be a process, which is just fine. However God is capable of instantly Delivering us. Just Follow God and He will Do the Rest!


5. Replace with God – For all the Unhealthy habits you are cutting back on or getting rid of, Replace them with a Personal Relationship with God. That means spending more quality time with spouse and children (Family Unit is Important to God), Studying the Bible, Praying, Volunteering for a Great Cause (homeless shelter), Visiting the Sick and Shut In, Going to Church, Striving Daily to be transformed into the Image of Jesus Christ, Producing and Walking in Fruit of the Spirit, and the list goes on). All in all, Glorying God is Our Purpose!

* Thanks for your continued support!  Please continue to Pray for me and I will definitely Pray for you.  If this message has blessed you use the share bar to pass it on to someone else.  As Believers let's get Excited about Spreading the Good News instead of Spreading the Bad News.

Determined Events Sent To Ignite a New You!