Be on your P's

We all know the saying be on your p's and q's. Well, at yesterday's Bible study, Dove Sister Ariel Pierson talked about being on your p's; what to do when you have too much to do and how to handle it.

The first P was Priority. Matthew 6:33

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

A lot of times we confuse this scripture and use it as an excuse when we shirk our responsibilities for "ministry." This scripture does not say ministry, it says KINGDOM. KINGDOM does not equal ministry, KINGDOM is seeking time with God. Ministry should not run your life because God runs your life. You should be at His heels everyday, which brings us to the next P: Pour.

The only way we can pour out is if we are being poured into everyday. Luke 10:38-41, Matthew 26:7

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!

7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

The woman with the alabaster box was Mary. Mary only had oil to pour out because she sat at Jesus's feet. We pour out of our abundance, our overflow. We do not just pour to pour. If we do that, we will eventually become empty and drained, and that is not what God has promised. He has promised to fill us, and the only way to be filled is to come to Him everyday. When we come to Him everyday, we don't even have to neccessarily work to do ministry; our overflow automatically helps to add drops to others' cups. Why else do we have an overflow? To bless others! When we sit at His feet everyday, we will be able to minister and minister and pour and pour and remain filled because we are constantly overflowing.

The next P is Plan. Make a plan everyday if you have to, stick to it, and most importantly, incorporate God into it everyday!. Give it to God and don't worry! He is already in full control of our lives; we merely have to acknowledge this fact and submit it all to Him.

However, be Prepared, because God may change your plans. Acts 16:6.

6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.

God changed Paul's plans; he thought he was called to Asia, but God changed that. This is another reason why we must be on God's heels, because if He moves or gives us something, we can catch it quick if we are already right there at His feet.

Another important P is People. don't try to do it all on your own; ASK FOR HELP! Remember, you are not God, so you cannot do everything. And God sent certain people in our lives for specific reasons; utilize them. We are not solitary creatures.

The last P is Peace. Psalm 34:14

14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
 
This passage is very curious as it does not describe peace the way we usually define it: It does not say that peace will flow to us all sedately and embrace us, it does not  put it in a soft light at all. It tells us to actively obtain and pursue peace, and when we get it to cling to it. As a matter of fact, the Greek word used here for peace means pursue but with a military connotation. That means it is a battle to get peace. But when you have it, you will see it is absolutely neccesary. Peace surpasses all understanding--this means that when we should be stressed and going crazy, we aren't becasue we know God and we know that He will handle it all for our good. That is peace.

At the end of Bible study, before we prayed out, we discussed ways that we actively pursue peace in our personal lives. It was a short, sweet, and powerful message (just like the facilitator!)