Monday, December 9, 2024

πŸ’₯ New Book: Chapter 8 - Approaching projects in a godly way

Book Title:  Living Continually In Peace While We Wait For The Return Of Jesus
(From: "Life in Christ Series, book #23")
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E-book:  99 cents
 
 
(Comments by Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ)
 
Most of us need to do projects at various times in our lives.  The projects may be as simple as painting a room, or may be much more involved, such as renovating a house.  
 
I've been involved in many projects, at home and when working at a secular job, and have found that when I try to deal with a project on my own, without turning to God for help, stress, frustration, and confusion follow.  Projects done like this consume me.
 
But when I turn to God throughout the project, seeking HIS wisdom and guidance and being established by HIM in what to do, the project is successful, and I am filled with joy, peace, and gratitude toward God.  A much better way! 
 
Joan Boney, who has lived at my house since 2019, has seen me deal with many projects and has noticed that they have worked out well.  She asked me to share how I approach projects. 


πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯
 
An important foundation before beginning any project is inward assurance that God knows what is best for me at all times and is able to lead me in what to do as I turn to HIM, seeking HIS wisdom.  
 
James 1:5   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
 
Proverbs 4:26   Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established (by God).
 
So I discuss what I'm thinking of doing with God. 
 
πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯
 
When considering doing a project, some of the things which often come out as I discuss it with God are:
 
* Is this something I should do?  My own flesh may have been stirred up by something I've seen on TV or heard from someone I've talked with.  Devils also bring ideas.  
 
So it is important to know whether this project is authored or approved by God for me to do. 

Proverbs 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

* Projects can be disruptive, take effort, and require time.  Do I have the time and energy to do the project at this time?  Can I, and those in my house, handle the disruption? 

* Do I have money to do the project?

* Am I excited to do the project, or does the thought of the project bring stress or a sense of dread?

I find that my way is often established as I talk with God honestly about the project like this and pay attention to things brought to my attention by the Holy Spirit. 

*** 
 
>> Sometimes a "STOP" sign may be revealed, something indicating that the way I'm thinking of going will not work or is not best for me at this time.   It's important to be willing to back off a project when needed. 
 
Example:  Several times I tried to remodel my kitchen after my flesh would get stirred up by kitchens I had seen on TV.  Each time I tried to do this, however, I would be stopped in some way.  So I did nothing.  Then in 2022 when the oven stopped working, I was led by God to replace the oven, cook top, countertop, sink, and faucet and to install a backsplash.  
 
This updated the kitchen with little disruption.  I like the way the kitchen looks now, and it is easy to work in.  
 
Many times I have thanked God that I was stopped from the remodel I so wanted to do at one time, for I can see the layout I had planned would have been harder to work in and was unnecessary for the amount of cooking I do.
 
 
>> I may be given something that confirms this is the right way to go. 
 
Example:  In 2024 I was considering putting motorized window shades in my kitchen.  The windows are behind a corner sink and I need a step-stool to reach them.  
 
There would be little disruption in having shades installed, and I had plenty of money to purchase them.   "But is this something I should do at this time?"  I asked God.

One morning a day or two later I was at the kitchen sink.  The sunshine was coming through the east-facing window so strongly that it was uncomfortable to work at the sink.  While considering whether to just finish what I was doing later, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of having prayed about whether to have shades installed at this time, pointing out that this was the answer to that prayer.  I was being shown to move forward with having shades installed now.
 
 
>> At other times I may be led to gather more information about some aspect of the project, and that information makes the way clear.
 
The sidewalk leading to my front door had become dangerously uneven.  One neighbor almost fell when coming to my porch.  I was considering having the sidewalk replaced and prayed about this.  My attention was drawn to an advertisement for a company that does "mud jacking".  I didn't know anything about this so called to gather more information.  They sent someone to look at my sidewalk, and it was determined that mud jacking would work well.  It would take just a couple hours to do, was very inexpensive, and there was almost no disruption.  I hired them to level the sidewalk.  It was much easier than having the sidewalk torn out and new concrete poured.  This was done more than 12 years ago, and there has been no further problem with the sidewalk. 


When it is God leading us to do a project, we can move forward in peace rather than in the uncertainty of our own ideas.
 
πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯

If I believe I'm led by God to do this project, pray about HOW to do the project:

* Can I and should I do the project work myself, or do I need to find someone to do all, or part, of the project? 
 
* If I need to find someone else for the work, how should I go about finding and recognizing the "right" person to work on this project.  This may, or may not, be someone who has worked on a previous project.  God knows the best person to do the work and is able to lead me in finding that person.    
 
* Projects often have multiple things that need to be done.  What is the best sequence to do these things?

In 2024 we were preparing for a home church meeting to be held in July at my house.  I had prayed about what projects to do and how to do them.  The sequence of projects was made clear ... the stair banister needed to be replaced and a bedroom painted before new carpeting was installed.   
 
I was led in finding a carpenter to replace the banister and he did a wonderful job.  
 
New banister with new carpeting
 
I enjoy painting and planned to do that myself.  However, Joan was concerned this would be too much work for me to do. She mentioned her concern a few times.  So I prayed, asking God who should do this work?  I was given the concept "How is it charity to do something that troubles and concerns another person just because you want to do it?"  By this, I knew to hire someone to paint the room.
 
So I prayed, asking God who to hire to paint the room?  I was reminded of the "Next Door" website and looked to see what nearby painters were recommended.  
 
The first painter I called was pleasant to talk with and seemed very competent, quickly understood what needed to be done, used quality paint, charged a reasonable price, and was able to do the work before the carpet was installed.  I hired him.  The job was done as scheduled and the end result was better than I could have done.  Having them do the work also freed me to take care of other things.


* What materials are needed to do the project?  Where should I get each of these things?  Ask God to lead me to the exact items that will be best for the project.  HE knows exactly what is needed.  

While looking for materials for a project, I try to pay attention to what stands out to me and whether I really like the product.  Sometimes I see something and recognize God has already put that in my heart!  When I find something I like, I check more closely into such things as size, price, availability.  
 
We need to be careful about seeing something less expensive and trying to convince ourselves it will be "OK" if it's not something we really like. 
 
In the project to get new shades for my kitchen, the first window covering company I contacted sent a woman to my home.  She told me how quickly they could have the shades made and installed and that they were currently offering a sale with considerable savings on the price of shades.   Although some of the options shown to me would probably be "OK", none of them were something I really liked and was excited about ... none of the options made me smile.   So I didn't purchase anything from that company.  

In praying about what to do next, I was reminded of a new, nearby, window covering store.  I went there one afternoon.  The shades in one of their displays strongly attracted my attention.  It was as if this style of shade had previously been put in my heart without my knowing it!  This company was not offering sale prices, but I could easily afford the shades.  Also, it would take several weeks for the shades to be made and installed, but that time frame was no problem for my project.  
 
The shades were installed very professionally and I am delighted with the way they look and work.  It is now very easy to work in the kitchen even on extremely sunny mornings.  At the same time, I also purchased shades for the breakfast nook and master bath and they have worked out great as well.

Often when I see or use the shades, I thank God for them, knowing HE worked this all out for me. 

Kitchen shades

I find that when God is leading me, HE goes before me and prepares the way with the needed ideas, plans, people, and products.  It just "works," and it is exciting to see everything come together.

(JB)  I'm so amazed at the way Pam goes about projects.  Often she will come to me and say, "Someone is coming to the house tomorrow at 2 pm to talk with me about completing part of the basement."  I know Pam has worked it out with God because that is what Pam always does.  She usually does not entangle me with the project nor trouble me at all.  She just quietly does it and I'm always amazed at how easy it is and how pleasant.

πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯
 
Pam says:
 
If a problem is encountered while doing the project, stop and turn to God, asking what to do. 

In 2018 I was living alone (with 2 dogs and 1 cat) in my house.  It was put in my heart to remodel the main level of my house so there would be a bedroom and handicap-accessible shower.  At that time, all bedrooms were on an upper level of the house, requiring the use of stairs to get to the bedrooms.  I didn't know why this was in my heart to do and wondered if something might be about to happen to me which would prevent me from using the stairs.
 
I began praying about this potential project. 
 
A shower could be added to the existing half-bath.  
 
For a bedroom, there was a room on the main level of the house which I had setup as a theater room with a 57" TV and sound system.  A double doorway was between this room and the room with a fireplace.   
 
 
The theater room could be made into a bedroom by making a solid wall where the double doorway was, adding a single doorway on an adjacent wall, and adding a closet.  The fireplace area was too small to accommodate the sound equipment and TV, so I was praying about selling those things. 

I hadn't mentioned this potential project to anyone.  Then one evening Joan Boney called me on the telephone (she was living alone in Texas at the time).  
 
She told me she was planning to get a new TV and asked if I would like her current 70" TV.  I told her I was considering selling the equipment I had because I may be making a bedroom out of the theater room and there was not room in the fireplace area for a large TV and sound equipment.  
 
As we spoke, Joan was given the idea of putting an "alcove", recessed about 2 feet, where the double doorway was.  The TV and sound equipment could be placed in the alcove.  What a wonderful idea!  I was thankful to God for this idea, and began drawing plans with an alcove. 

I hired a man named Scott to do the framing and drywall.  He began by removing the double doors and making an opening in the adjacent wall for the new single door.  He also prepared for framing the alcove the following day by putting tape on the floor where the alcove walls would be.

The next morning at 4am, I was awakened with excitement to see the construction area.  I began walking through the area, when suddenly my eyes were opened to a problem ... the new single door would not be able to fully open because of the alcove wall!

I began praying fervently.  Everything was already torn up!  What could we do about this serious problem?  

As I prayed, an idea came to my mind from the Holy Spirit ... Change the shape of the alcove. 

I began putting tape on the floor with the new shape that was put in my mind and was delighted that, not only would this allow the door to fully open, but it would still accommodate the TV and sound equipment and would be a much more interesting design. 
 
By the time Scott arrived at 7am, I was able to show him the problem and the solution I had been given.  He was very happy that the problem had come to light before he had started framing, and he made the needed adjustments.
 
The solution I was given by God resulted in a very attractive alcove for the TV and sound equipment, so much better than I originally planned. 


Alcove with TV and Sound Equipment

View of Alcove with Adjacent Door 


 
It made me especially grateful to God that HE was watching over the project, waking me at 4am, showing me the problem, and giving me the solution before framing began.   

Although we didn't know it at the time, Joan would not be able to live alone at her house in Texas after a fall in December, 2018.  She moved to the new bedroom in February, 2019, and has commented multiple times how much she likes it.

Joan's Bedroom:
 
"Back side" of the alcove
                                                                       
 
Joan's TV and sound equipment in her room



Joan's closet with desk

πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯

On larger projects, I'm often first given the general plan, the "big picture".  After that, the more detailed parts of the plan (such as wall color or finishes) start to unfold and fall into place.   
 
This doesn't concern me, and I'm often grateful to God that I don't have the entire plan all at once for it would probably overwhelm me.  I try to just take each step that is in front of me.
 
God knows how best to lead each of us in whatever we're doing.  We simply take each step HE shows us to take.   

πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯

As we work on projects, many thoughts come to us.  Some of these are from God but some from a devil or our own flesh. 
 
It is so important for us to try the spirit bringing a thought to us so we can know whether to go in the way of that thought.  
 
1 John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world.

***

Here is an example of my failing to try the spirit bringing thoughts to me and thereby allowing devils to lead me to go a wrong way in a project.  Turmoil and confusion were rampant until God got me set on the right path.
 
In 2022 the kitchen tile backsplash was being installed.  The tile installer asked me if I wanted the tile to go around the windows or just to the window sill?  His recommendation was tiling to the window-sill.  I liked the idea of having tile go around the windows, but a thought came telling me that having tile around the windows would be too much tile in that area and would look "busy".  I didn't try the spirit bringing that thought, and I didn't know what to do. 
 
I began to pray asking for help in making this decision.  After praying, I kept having a thought (from the Holy Spirit) to ask Joan what she thought would be better where tile around the windows was concerned.  But another thought came (from a devil) that I shouldn't trouble Joan with this matter.  Again, I didn't try the spirits bringing these thoughts.
 
By not dealing in a godly way by trying the spirits that brought thoughts to my mind and allowing God to establish me in what to do, I was confused and didn't know what to do. 
 
About that time, the tile installer had done what he could without knowing what I wanted done in the window area.  So I hurriedly made a decision to have the tile go only to the window sill. 
 
Fortunately, as the installer began doing this, Joan came to see the tile.  (I believe Joan was led by God to come help me.)  She immediately commented that she thought it looked "choppy" to have the tile go only to the window sill.  As soon as she said this, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I had been given the word "choppy" earlier but didn't try the spirit bringing that thought.  Instead, I ignored it.
 
(When you "try the spirit" and hear "Yes" then you know that idea is from God.) 
 
What confusion and turmoil I brought on myself by not trying the spirits that were bringing thoughts to me!


Tile around windows
 
I have no doubt that to have the tile go only to the window sill would have continually bothered me.  
 
Devils will certainly try to lead us, often with very subtle thoughts, to make decisions that will torment us. But God leads us in ways of peace and life.  
 
John 10:10  Jesus says ...  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
 
It is critical for us to try the spirit when it brings a thought to our mind as we are instructed to do in I John 4:1-4.

We say to that spirit:  "Do you confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh?"  After I ask this, as John said to do, "Yes" or "No" comes to my mind.

See chapters 4 & 5 of this book concerning "Trying the spirits to see if they are from God."
 
***
 
1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
 
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯
 
Comments by Joan Boney:
 
I Timothy 6:10    "The love of money is the root of all evil:"
 
God has taught me many things about dealing with money.
 
I owned a business in American Indian Arts between the years of 1971-1979.  
 
Women would often come into my shop to purchase jewelry.  Their usual approach was to point at an item and ask, "How much is that?"
 
In buying items, that is the last thing I ask.
 
(They don't even know if they like the item and it's, "How much is that?"
 
πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯
 
God taught me this way:  First, determine if you even like the item.  Then, in your own mind, how much would you be willing to pay for that item, if you like it.  Then last, "How much does that item cost?" 
 
Do not allow money to rule over you ... You rule over money.
 
πŸ’₯πŸ’₯πŸ’₯ 

I was born again August 5, 1975.  God said to me:  "Get out of debt and stay out of debt."

Within about 6 months, God gave me a plan to get fully out of debt.

I was never again in debt.  God enabled me to build 4 houses and to purchase 2 cars paying cash for each It is a wonderful way of life.  I also taught our church group to live this way.
 
So when I do a project, I have the money in my savings account to pay for the items before I ever design the project.  If I do not have the money, I wait until I have saved the money for the project.
 
I do not shop "sales".  When money enters your decision, I often find money leads the wrong way.  Have the money first, then begin all the decision making.

Joan Boney
 
 
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