intentional

Intentionally Focused

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , ,

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

When you first wake up in the morning, are you prep to go with a game plan or simply hang about until something happens?

Do you have a structured priority list of objectives you aim toward or simply go with the flow of others?

Do you already know how you will invest your time for the day or will respond subject to the care of others?

Either you are pursuing your dreams or living the dreams of others is how one writer stated the obvious. Now you may be focused on your dreams while also living out the dreams of others. This is the best way. But if you are solely living out their dream and not yours, you will find yourself one day disappointed.

Paul writes to remind us that as Christ-followers we are to be intentional knowing what the will of the Lord is. That without intentional purpose, evil may win the day. That the best way is to be wise how you invest the time you are responsible for today.

This doesn’t mean you need to deprive yourself of your daily joys. But it does mean you need to understand God’s will for the moment you are living. God wants you to be the person you are wired to be. HE created you to be so. But HE gives us boundaries to practice our ways within the space of HIS character.

This is why we invite HIM to participate in our daily work and play for the day. HE adds that unique Spirit into the mix. HIS wisdom is second to none. HIS attitude, creativity, and joy spark a room. The more you lean on HIM, the more you come to know HIM. The more you seek HIS advice and recommendations, the stronger your relationship becomes. Plus, the outcome adds love and adventure into the mix.

Yes, we all have 1,440 minutes per day. HE allows us to live our dreams and enjoys sharing HIS presence with us. As we learn to be intentional each day with HIM, HIS character rubs off on us. The more we reflect HIM before others, the more our witness of HIS ways shine before others. Before long, others will want what you have. That gives you another opportunity to share the good news of Jesus. Yes, we first share the gospel in our actions. Then when necessary, we use words.

It all starts when we are intentionally focused on our relationship with Father-Son-Spirit.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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The “Only One” Trap

Dr. Mike Traps ,

Ecclesiastes 11:6 (ESV)

In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Some estimates state that us humans make about 35,000 decisions every day which equates to about 2,000 decisions every hour if you are one who sleeps around 7 hours a day. Many of these choices may already be habitual, but if a person doesn’t have a sound system for making decisions, the anxiety and worry could neutralize one’s response.

Early in my business career, a mentor taught me his technique of making a decision when one has many viable choices. He was a very successful real estate operator and basically would practice Ecclesiastes 11:6. He would list the top five possible options and then pursue each of them with a full gusto as if that one was the best solution. However, he wouldn’t make a final decision until the very last moment. When he came to the gate of the bridge when a decision had to be made regarding that one choice, he would again evaluate the choice with his other options. Many times, he would say no and keep pursuing the other four options with full intensity. Many times, the options would be 180 degrees opposite of each other. And we would pursue them as if each one was the best solution.

The bottom-line: Eventually the choices would narrow down to one or two strong possibilities. And then we would select one and work it with all the gusto and resources at our disposal. This practice taught me that there was more than one option to choose from and one never knew the outcome from the beginning until many years later.

Life is like that in many ways. Some people feel that there is only one person destined for them to marry. The fact is God has given us an abundance of selections. We can witness that in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve could eat from the thousands of trees except one. God gave them multiple options. But they kept coming back to the one which eventually led to the fall of mankind.

In business, we generally have many options to choose from but because of resource limitations, we select what will do the job. Many of the choices would probably work. Some may cost more than others; others may provide more convenient features. However, whichever one you choose, is the one you learn to make work and to maximize its capabilities within the working environment.

Only hindsight will dictate whether it was a good, better, or best decision at the time. But the fact is, there rarely is “only one” choice. It’s more about you making a choice and executing the plan. Socrates got it right when he quotes that hard work after you make your choice really determines the outcome of your decision. Think about that the next time you think you only have one choice on the matter.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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