A Sense Of ‘Urgency’ [v269]

JULY 2021

It is best to address an ‘URGENT’ situation as soon as one possibly can such that it doesn’t turn into an ‘EMERGENCY’ situation and one ‘loses’ their life because of it!

INTRODUCTION
Are there times that you really don’t feel that ‘motivated’ to do something? You know what you are supposed to be doing but you just can’t get yourself to do what is necessary.

Well, it just might be a bit of ‘PROCRASTINATION’ (Up to 95% of people report that they “occasionally procrastinate”). The thing is, studies reveal that 20% of people are ‘CHRONIC’ procrastinators. This can affect one’s morale, job performance, disrupt one’s family life, increase one’s stress, undermine one’s career, and eventually lead to anxiety issues and even depression. One study found that the worst offenders tend to have lower salaries, shorter employment durations, and are more likely to be jobless or under-employed.

Studies have also shown that these people are more likely to have acute health problems like headaches, insomnia, digestive issues, eating disorders, and a weakened immune system that makes them more susceptible to the flu and colds. Then, sometimes, a combination of these issues can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease!

[ VIDEO: “Life Is Short: How To Add A Sense of Urgency” ]

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<<< SUMMARY >>>

The following is a collection of ‘snippets’ from the post that aims to give you the overall ‘jest’ of this post. [ 10-15 Minute Read ].

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PROCRASTINATION

What is one of the main ‘REASONS’ we give up? Well, it so happens to be ‘PROCRASTINATION’. Oh, we all mean well and most try our best for a time, but, in time, the ‘excitement’ about the follow-through fades away. This could also be why this year many people had the same old resolutions as last year and the year before that and the year before that…

‘TYPES’ OF PROCRASTINATION

There are two main types of procrastination: “active” and “passive.” You either ‘semi-choose’ to procrastinate because you think you work better under pressure, or you get ‘sucked into’ a wormhole of self-doubt and indecision so you leave it to the last possible second!

Procrastination also manifests itself in a few different ways. You may do it because something more interesting has occupied your mind, you may not have the mental capacity at this exact moment, or you feel like you have more control by putting it off (which quickly spirals out of control as soon as that deadline starts looming).

‘REASONS’ FOR PROCRASTINATION

There are a multitude of reasons one might procrastinate. Some are:

– Perfectionism

– Fear of failure

– Distraction

– Dismissal

– Rebelling

– Anxiety

– Avoidance

– Revenge

– Low self-discipline

– Time Management

– Overconfidence

– Not knowing where to begin

– The feeling that a task isn’t so important

– Laziness

– Overwhelmed

– Lack of motivation

– Underestimation of present emotions

– Too busy

– Feeling unsure

– Just feeling too ‘tired’

TRIGGERS

So, let’s try to identify the ‘type’ of procrastinator you might be: A “Perfectionist,” an “Ostrich,” a “Self-Saboteur,” a “Daredevil,” or a “Chicken.”

WAITING FOR ‘ALL’ THE ANSWERS

Unfortunately, too many of us go through life waiting for ‘all the answers before starting something, while the ‘starting line’ continues to move away from us. We use a lot of “if only’s” along with several helpings of “when/then” excuses to avoid taking even the first step in the direction of what would be required to make something happen.

LAZINESS

Procrastination is often confused with laziness, but they are very different.

Procrastination is an ‘active’ process—you choose to do something else instead of the task that you know you should be doing. In contrast, laziness suggests ‘apathy’, inactivity, and an unwillingness to act.

Procrastination usually involves ignoring an unpleasant, but likely more important task, in favor of one that is more enjoyable or easier.

AVOIDANCE

At its core, procrastination is an ‘avoidance’ strategy. Procrastinators choose to do something else instead of doing what they need to do because it’s much easier to choose pleasure over pain. It is ‘human nature’ to seek for immediate rewards.

So, understanding what procrastination really is and the source of your avoidance tendencies is important in moving them out of the way and help you start the productivity momentum!

PLAYING IT ‘SAFE’

We procrastinate, justify, and ‘defend’ the status quo with the misplaced belief that accepting default outcomes is ‘safer’ than taking purposefully selected actions and getting into motion. We study, deter, and create contingency plans. We buy life insurance, create ‘circles of trust’, and even purchase pre-planned and pre-paid funerals. We work at developing ‘backstops’ of all kinds.

The thing is, security is mainly illusory. Helen Keller insightfully said, “Avoiding danger is typically no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Practice leaving your comfort zone.”

SELF-ESTEEM

Psychologist Jane Burka realized that those who procrastinated the most tended to have low self-esteem. “Your best efforts can’t be judged if you’ve waited too long to put in your best efforts. It’s safer to blame procrastination for a disappointing result than to feel your best wasn’t good enough. And if you do manage to do well at the last minute, you can feel exhilarated that you pulled off the impossible.”

TEMPORAL THINKING

Another factor strongly linked to procrastination is “temporal thinking.” Put it more plainly, it’s how close you see the current version of yourself to yourself in the future.

Studies have indicated you probably imagine the future version of yourself as a completely different person altogether.

CONTROL

Focusing on trying to ‘control’ the outcome of something is a good recipe for feeling overwhelmed and then procrastinating. So, don’t get caught up imagining what the results were going to be. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote that one needs to, “Remind yourself that past and future have no power over you. Only the present.” In other words, stick with what you can control.

STRESSFULNESS

Putting off our responsibilities is easy. Complaining is easy. Both are as natural to us as breathing. But what good has either ever done for anyone in the long run? Nothing!

Has procrastinating ever made your life less stressful and more efficient? I am willing to say that your answer is “No.” So, tackle your most important tasks first. If you can win that ‘battle’ first, the rest of the day/week/year will be a breeze!

OVERWHELM

Procrastination can often be a product of ‘overwhelm’. We have so much on our ‘plate’ (to-do list) we don’t even know where to begin—so we don’t begin! When we have our attention pointed in so many different directions, we have it pointed nowhere specific.

INFLUENCES

For thousands of years, we have known that humans are influenced by the people we spend the most time with. That’s why we have to be so careful about the people we ‘allow’ into our life.

CONSEQUENCES

The consequences of procrastinating are ‘ALARMING’! Procrastination can lead to:

– Poor mental health (Depression, guilt, and stress)

– Poor physical health (Stomach issues, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease)

– Poor sleep habits (Insomnia)

– Decreased job performance (Reduced morale and even job loss)

– Ruining a career

– Damaging one’s reputation

– A ‘danger’ to oneself and others

BAD HABITS

Those prone to procrastination merely put things off until the last minute. They tell themselves, “Oh, I’m definitely going to do it, but not right this second.” Or, “I’ve got time later in the week.”

THE “PROCRASTINATION EQUATION”

For all you ‘mathematicians’ out there, Dr. Piers Steel, author of “The Procrastination Equation” put forth an equation in his book that quantifies motivation. It goes like this:

Expectancy x Value

—————————— = MOTIVATION

Impulsiveness x Delay

HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATING

So, if you had a chance to investigate Alex Vermeer’s “How To Get Motivated” chart—which was based on Dr. Piers Steel’s “Procrastination Equation”—it would have given you a ‘primer’ and a head start on this section dedicated to investigating how one can ‘stop’ procrastinating.

TACTICS

As you might have guessed by now, procrastination is a BIG ‘PROBLEM’! But fortunately, psychologists know this and have been searching for effective methods to tackle it.

The first step to overcoming procrastination is to ‘RECOGNIZE’ that you are doing it. Then, ‘IDENTIFY’ the reasons behind your behavior, and use appropriate ’STRATEGIES’ to manage and overcome it.

Tim Pychyl is a procrastination researcher that suggests 10 tactics that will help one stop doing it. He says that, “The key issue is that for chronic procrastinators, short-term mood repair takes precedence. Chronic procrastinators want to eliminate the negative mood or emotions now, so they give in to feel good. They give in to the impulse to put off the task until another time. Then, not faced with the task, they feel better.”

MOTIVATIONS

As wonderful as it would be if there was no such thing as death here on earth, we can use death as a ‘tool’, we can use it as a spur to move us forward—as a reminder of what’s truly important, to beat procrastination. [ A bit more about this later ].

MASTERING WILLPOWER

People often say that they want options. However, when it comes to getting things done, options are not always a good thing. When everything is a possibility, it actually becomes harder to make the right choice (or any choice at all). This is what is called the “paradox of choice.”

However, when we place a constraint on ourselves, it can become much easier to get something done. This is especially true if it is a constraint that forces us to start small. [ See the “2 Minute Rule” below ].

DISTRACTIONS

Fred Stutzman was a graduate student at the University of North Carolina, and he was trying to grind out some important work on his thesis. However, there was a problem. His favorite coffee shop, which had previously been a quiet sanctuary where he could escape distraction and get work done, had just added a new and very ‘dangerous feature’ (at least for him): Wireless Internet.

Now Stutzman found himself constantly distracted by the endless supply of entertainment and social media on the web—even if he really wanted to get something done. He tried disconnecting from the Internet, but it wasn’t that simple. He was always clicking it back on to “take a break.” He was constantly fighting the urge to check his messages and updates.

So, being a programmer, Stutzman designed the “Freedom” app. It is effective not only preventing one from reaching the web, but it also reduces “decision fatigue.” It eliminates one’s options and, as a result, doing the ‘right thing’ (working on the ‘project’ you need to get done) becomes much easier. In other words, the application places a ‘constraint’ on one’s behavior—and constraints can make it easier to stick to good habits by eliminating the number of decisions you need to make to move forward! (‘Constraints’ are a good thing!)

[ FYI: The “Freedom” app prevents your computer from going online for a specified amount of time. If you wanted to get back on before your time was up, you had to turn your computer completely off and reboot: https://freedom.to/ ].

TIME MANAGEMENT

One of Peter Drucker’s strategies to become more effective is to identify HOW MUCH time we ‘waste’. He posits that if we want to stop wasting our time, we need to be first aware of how we spend our time. (Sounds reasonable).

So then, my question to you is: “Do you know how you spend your time?” If not, Drucker says it’s going to be pretty tough to stop procrastination or improve your productivity. (Because if you want to manage your time better, you have to know where it goes first.)

MOOD MANAGEMENT

Researcher Dr. Fuschia Sirois says that, “There hasn’t been any convincing scientific evidence to say procrastination is the result of poor time management. But we can easily say it’s all to do with mood management… At its core, procrastination is about not being able to manage your moods and emotions. Although many think impulsivity and self-control are the problems—and they do play a factor—underneath is a poor emotional response.”

Sirois explains that every person faces stressful situations, demanding tasks that trigger brain activity that involves a brain region known as the amygdala—and it’s the amygdala that processes emotions and signals threats, capable of prompting a ‘fight or flight’ response linked to procrastination.

New research from psychologist Joseph R. Ferrari says that one cannot hope to stop procrastinating until they first have a firm understanding of WHY they procrastinate—and that is more complicated than most people think.

People tend to think of procrastination as coming from poor time management or laziness, but Ferrari’s research shows that procrastination stems from negative emotions that hijack one’s mood and once one is under the influence of these emotions, they can’t bring themselves to work.

Instead of being lazy or disorganized, people usually put things off because they aren’t in the right ‘mood’ to complete the task. Doing so places you firmly inside what Ferrari calls the “Procrastination Doom Loop.”

INCREMENTS

Psychologists speak of “cognitive distortions”—exaggerated thinking patterns that have a destructive impact on the life of the patient. One of the most common is known as “all-or-nothing thinking” (also referred to as “splitting”). However, successful people know that to get things done, one’s pursuits should be just aimed at ‘progress’.

GOALS

Just like dealing with something in ‘increments’, that also works with goal-setting.

Psychotherapist Denise Fournier, Ph.D. discussed a particularly powerful method of goal-setting that uses the clever acronym S.M.A.R.T. to guide the process of turning big dreams into reality. [ The first know use of this is by George T. Doran in 1981 ]. She said that once one has come up with a goal, they then need to check to be sure it meets the following criteria…

JUST START — DO IT NOW!

Because I believe the world is inherently unpredictable and outside one’s control, when one has the opportunity to do something, they should just do it right then. Because, most of the time, there MAY NOT be a later, first and foremost, and if there is, it probably won’t conform to one’s expectations then!

Things usually get MORE complicated, MORE busy, NOT LESS so in the future! Things go wrong. Entropy reigns. So if it’s right in front of you, do it. DON’T think about it and ‘DECIDE’ not to do it!

TASKS

So often, we assume that breaking the habit of procrastination requires a monumental effort and that our lofty goals demand incredible doses of willpower and motivation. However, in fact, all one needs is dedication to small, manageable tasks, since mastery follows consistency.

‘HELPERS’

Author and speaker focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement, James Clear, suggests a “Two-Minute Rule” to help one stop procrastinating. The rule states: “When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.”

LIFE IS SHORT

When one is young, we feel like we’ve got all the time in the world, and that we are going to live ‘forever’. However, when we get a little bit older, we realize there’s a finite amount of time that we have on this planet. So, let’s do a bit of ‘math’ to determine how much ‘discretionary’ time we really have.

Entrepreneur and venture capitalist Dan Lok created a video (shown in the Introduction and in the “Articles” section) that presented a visual about how much time we all have. He starts off by saying that we are told that the average lifespan is 80 years. [ If it was me, I would have used M&Ms and then ate them as I counted off the years! ;^D ].

TIME MANAGEMENT

One of the best productivity systems I have read about is also one of the most simple. It is called the “Ivy Lee Method.”

‘EFFECTIVE’ LIVING

– Set Priorities

– Take Inventory (People/Things)

– Budget One’s Time

– Implement a Plan

‘COMPLACENCY’ (FALSE URGENCY)

Now, the first step in creating a true sense of urgency is to deeply understand its opposites: complacency and false urgency.

The dictionary says “complacent” is “a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger or trouble.”

Almost always, complacent individuals do not view themselves as complacent. They see themselves as behaving quite rationally, given the circumstances. They can sometimes be aggravatingly creative in justifying their point of view. You offer “the facts” about a threat or opportunity, and they come up with their own highly selective data and think to themselves that you worry too much. These people can sometimes be hard to ‘spot’ because they look rational, thoughtful, and prudent. Worse yet, they can ‘see’ themselves as rational, thoughtful, and prudent!

THE TACTICS

The most successful tactics people use to increase urgency with heart-head strategies fall into four categories:

– First, people dramatically bring outside reality into groups that are too inwardly focused.

– Second, they behave with true urgency themselves every single day.

– Third, they look for the upside possibilities in crises, but very selectively and with great care.

– Fourth, they confront the problem of “NoNo’s” (how one reacts to new ideas) and do so effectively.

‘CULTIVATING’ A SENSE OF URGENCY

If you are going to really make something happen, you have got to develop that sense of urgency. There’s a great illustration of this…

‘PROACTIVE’ URGENCY

Proactive urgency is purposeful, insistent, committed action pursued with a passionate edge, and a sharp, contrast exists between “reactive” and “proactive” urgency.

URGENCY BY ‘CHOICE’

EISENHOWER’S “DECISION MATRIX”

– QUADRANT 1: Urgent and Important Tasks

– QUADRANT 2: Not Urgent but Important Tasks

– QUADRANT 3: Urgent and Not Important Tasks

– QUADRANT 4: Not Urgent and Not Important Tasks

FIRST THINGS FIRST

To live a more balanced existence, you have to recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay. There is no need to overextend yourself. All it takes is realizing that it is all right to say “No” when necessary and then focus on your highest priorities—what’s most important to YOU!

Stephen Covey says that it is not necessarily doing things right, but it is about doing the right things. [ Similarly, Warren Bennis said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things,” and Peter Drucker said, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” ] So, the moral of this ‘story’ is, execute on the most important priorities, FIRST!

Covey suggests that “first things first” can be characterized by the contrast between two powerful tools that direct us: the “clock” and the “compass.”

CULTIVATING A SENSE OF ‘SPIRITUAL’ URGENCY

In the Bible, King David tells us that, “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more” [ Psalm 103:15-16 ]. Hmmm… I’m thinking that this should ‘encourage’ EVERY ONE OF US to a ‘sense of urgency’!

We all have a tendency of putting things off that we know we should be doing this can be physically (regular exercise), mentally (expanding our knowledge), and spiritually (reading the Bible and praying). Since we are ‘creatures of comfort’, we sometimes lack an urgency to do something and put it off for ‘another day’.

The thing is, the Bible is VERY ‘DIRECT’ in telling us that, compared to ‘eternity’, life is VERY ‘short’ so don’t be ‘complacent’ in one’s desire to be ‘reconciled’ to God. The Bible also tells us not to wait for ‘tomorrow’ since we have it in our power to act today and that we are NOT ‘assured’ of tomorrow! “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you” [ Proverbs 3:28 ].

James is a bit more ‘direct’ telling us that we are but “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” and that it is actually ‘sinful’ when one “knows the right thing to do and fails to do it” [ James 4:14c, 17 ]. Our days are ‘numbered’! (Essentially, James compared our lives to the liquid we see for just a second coming out of a spray bottle. The time that the tiny mist ‘exists’ is your life compared to eternity!)

STATE of ‘EMERGENCY’

Medically speaking, the difference between “urgency” and “emergency” is that urgency is a threat to the well-being in the NEAR FUTURE and an emergency is an ‘IMMEDIATE’ threat to one’s well-being.

The urgent care centers normally take care of non-life-threatening conditions like broken arms or legs and other simple health conditions. Whereas, “ER”s provide for life-threatening conditions.

In an ER in the hospital, everything is done with a sense of ‘urgency’—there is NO TIME TO ‘WASTE’ because a life depends upon it.

Well, might I suggest that if you are not a ‘child’ of God at this time (“saved” or “born again”) then it’s almost like you went into the “urgent care” facility but your condition changed drastically such that they are rushing you over to the ER!

PLEASE make finding out about all this an ‘URGENT’ part of your life in the ‘NEAR’ FUTURE—like TODAY!

THE ‘HOUR’ IS LATE!

“I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date. No time to say ‘Hello’, ‘Goodbye’!

I’m late! I’m late! I’m late! I’m late!”

In the “Alice in Wonderland” tale, the White Rabbit’s panicky behavior is presumably because he is late for the royal garden party where he is due to act as a herald—and being late could be quite enough for him to lose his head by the ‘touchy’ Queen.

Now, I’m thinking that the White Rabbit was a ‘chronic’ procrastinator, and probably a bit ‘complacent’, too.

Do you happen to be anything like the White Rabbit? Is there any urgency in your life to complete something? How about ‘WHERE’ you will spend ETERNITY?

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It’s possible to be in imminent danger without any knowledge of it or sense of urgency, but delay can be deadly. The word “urgent” comes from an old Latin word meaning “to urge.” It means that an event is occurring that is so compelling it requires ‘IMMEDIATE’ ACTION. To hesitate is to be ‘LOST’.

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There are two kinds of people. Ones who are ‘apathetic’ and indifferent about what’s going on and others that are ‘sensing’ something is just not right.

I have been writing about that this is an hour of urgency, expectancy, and discernment, and it’s NOT the time to be wasting our time with ‘non-essentials’ (kind of what the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 when Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to hear what He was saying and Martha was preparing the meal—something that showed her wonderful hospitality, but was a distraction. ‘Important’ but not ‘essential’.) Is there something that is ‘stealing’ YOUR attention and ‘affection’ away from Jesus? If so, let me strongly suggest you make ‘FIRST THINGS FIRST’!

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AGAIN, I am suggesting that because of all of the ‘PREVIOUS’ prophecies that have been fulfilled and the current ‘convergence’ of ‘CURRENT’ prophecies, there needs to be a sense of ‘URGENCY’ to GET ‘SAVED’. Convergence is God’s WARNING ‘SHOT’.

ESCAPE THE ‘END TIMES’!

The thing is you DON’T have to remain on earth during the worst days in human history! Jesus has promised that He will come and ‘RESCUE’ His people!

As I have mentioned, the time is late. Even scientists said a few years ago that the “Doomsday Clock” is just “two minutes” before the symbolic “Apocalypse”—known in the Bible as the “Tribulation.”

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The end time ‘signs’ prophesied in the Bible, that we can see today, agree with those scientists! The ‘end’ IS near!

Since no one knows the day or the hour of Jesus’ return (“Second Coming”), He told us to be ready—all the time (i.e. the “Ten Virgins” parable)—so that we escape the TERRIBLE things that are coming…soon! We should always be watching and be in ‘right standing’ (saved) with God [ Have accepted Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior ].

—–

So, for me, related to what I am trying to say, this pre-Tribulation period could be considered to be an ‘URGENT’ situation, but CAN BE ‘ADDRESSED’ before it becomes ‘critical’. However, the “Great Tribulation” could be considered to be an ‘EMERGENCY’ and you MAY NOT be able to ‘ADDRESS’ it! It may be TOO LATE by then!

So, I am saying that it is time to ‘run away’ from the coming ‘destruction’!

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I REALLY CARE that people (maybe you!) are ‘dropping’ into Hell every minute of every day, and I DON’T WANT YOU to be one of them!

PLEASE consider it VERY IMPORTANT that you DO SOMETHING about this SOON! If you are not ‘saved’ and reconciled with God, you are in GREAT DANGER because of what is on the way—The “Tribulation.” BUT, you can get yourself OUT OF THE DANGER!

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” [ Romans 10:9-10 ].

If you are an unbeliever, don’t put this off until tomorrow. GET ‘SAVED’ TODAY!

WRAP UP

When situations become ‘URGENT’, they MUST be addressed immediately, because if they are not they, most of the time, become ‘EMERGENCIES’ that sometimes CANNOT be ‘RECTIFIED’—and then become TRAGEDIES!

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As previously stated, much about future prophetic events are, as of yet, unclear—with the signs of the approaching End Times being more like gathering storm clouds than actual calendar dates. We may not yet be experiencing those “birth pangs” that Jesus spoke at in Matthew 24, but it is becoming pretty obvious that we are “great with child” (Matthew 24:19).

HOWEVER, for billions of people, it is just not their ‘reality’. They are just NOT ‘GETTING IT’ because the Bible says they have previously ‘suppressed the truth’ about Him (Romans 1:18). They are just not looking for something like this to happen in the near future, because they are way TOO ‘BUSY’ enjoying (or stressing out about) the ‘NOW’. As a result, they are TOTALLY ‘UNPREPARED’ for what’s coming! For them, life is the “same old same old.”

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Prophecy about the End Times is a sobering ‘alarm’, alerting mankind to God’s coming judgment—although He has provided a ‘WAY OF ESCAPE’! Today, God is holding open the ‘door’ right now, and Jesus is sending an ‘invitation’ to our generation. He longs to spare unbelievers from the wrath to come. He is ‘pleading’ for them to see not only their need for Him but His coming judgment.

SO, don’t be like the many that are so ‘caught up’ in this life and their own pursuits such that these ‘URGENT’ THINGS are not a priority for them!

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God has never promised any of us tomorrow—and the Bible implores us not to boast about tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1). Those who expect to repent and ‘turn’ to Jesus tomorrow may DIE TODAY!

So, be ready! “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” [ Hebrews 9:27 ]. The best preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today!

—–

WHAT THE BIBLE STATES ABOUT ‘URGENCY’

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” [ Psalm 90-12 ].

The phrase “number our days” expresses the thought of putting in order, arranging the use of, or prioritizing time because the end of one’s life is fast approaching, and that our remaining number of days grows smaller each day (Psalm 90:12).

Written by Moses, this psalm reminds us of this fact since we rarely make a conscious relationship between sin and our mortality. We are so busy living for the moment that we fail to see a connection between our conduct and our finite lifespan.

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In our ‘information age’, there is a greater diversity of ‘distractions’ that compete for our time and attention than at any other time in the history of mankind. If we are not extremely careful, and if we lose our sense of urgency, we will gradually lose our understanding of what is true and what is not.

Love of the truth comes from God through His Holy Spirit and must be nourished through our response to it. We must not only learn it, but also apply it in our lives. This will make the difference between being saved and perishing (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

—–

As an ‘ambassador’ of Jesus, I IMPLORE you to be ‘reconciled’ to God! All the admonitions in the Bible to “seek God now,” “now is an acceptable time,” and “do not let it come to nothing,” all indicate a ‘PASSING’ OPPORTUNITY! If one does not take advantage of the present opportunity, it MAY NEVER come back again!

—–

SO, let me remind you that it IS ‘URGENT’ that you BE ‘RECONCILED’ to God by ‘REPENTING’ of your sins and PUTTING YOUR ‘TRUST’ in Jesus as your Lord and Savior—it is the ONLY ‘WAY’ to get to Heaven! (John 14:6). [ This is “Quadrant 1” (“Urgent”/“Important”) in the Eisenhower/Covey Decision Matrix! ]

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Again, it is ‘DANGEROUS’ to count on tomorrow. “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” [ James 4:14 ]. The sin of procrastination may easily become the sin of negligence, then of indifference, and finally the unforgivable sin of irrevocable rejection and unbelief. “My spirit shall not always strive with man” (Genesis 6:3). This ‘WARNING’ is still certainly true today, especially when we have far more knowledge and evidence of God’s truth and His will than people had in the days of Noah.

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Because we do not know what will happen, today, tomorrow, or next week, it is VITAL that we ‘yield’ to Jesus, and accept His free ‘gift’ of salvation—before it’s TOO LATE!

To be ‘saved’, you need to GET ‘RIGHT’ with God—be ‘reconciled’ to Him. This is what the Bible tells us we need to do…

– ADMIT

– BELIEVE

– CONFESS

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As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, it’s best to address an ‘URGENT’ situation as soon as one possibly can such that it doesn’t turn into an ‘EMERGENCY’ situation and ‘lose’ your life because of it!

The ‘URGENCY’ is because of all of the ‘convergence’ of biblical prophecies, the ‘SIGNS’ seem to indicate that Jesus will be coming back for His people to ‘rapture’ them up to Heaven.

The ‘EMERGENCY’ I suggest is IF ONE ‘MISSES’ the Rapture, the following years (at least seven) will be the most ‘HORRENDOUS’ times this earth has ever experienced, and the ‘dissection’ will be so great, that FEW will make it through to the end of that time—which will be “Armageddon”—the ‘end’ of this earth are we know it!

Some people say that they are going to wait to see it the Rapture actually happens and then, after they ‘verify’ that it really did happen, they will then give their life to Jesus at that time.

WELL, the thing is, if you can reasonably ‘freely’ accept Jesus right now—especially in America—when there is ‘pressure’ that you will either suffer greatly or lose your life if you do that during the Tribulation time, you will MOST LIKELY NOT DO IT and will be ‘consigned to Hell for eternity! DON’T ‘GAMBLE’ with you soul!!!

SO, even though you feel that it’s not that easy for you to ‘accept’ Jesus now, it will be 1,000 TIMES HARDER for you to do it after the Rapture! If it ‘COSTS’ you relatively nothing to accept Jesus now—in America, right now, you will not lose your head for doing so—the ‘cost’ for hesitating and ‘trying’ to do it later will be MUCH, MUCH ‘GREATER’!

Today, we all believe that a beheading is cruel, evil, and wrong! HOWEVER, in the Tribulation, beheadings will be an ‘accepted’ practice of the Antichrist’s government for all who will not worship him and take his ‘mark’

“…as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

[ Revelation 13:15c-17 ]

You REALLY don’t want to ‘CHANCE IT’! Make your decision for Jesus TODAY!

SO, if you ‘tend’ to be a procrastinator, make it your ONE ‘GOAL’, at this time, to develop a ‘SENSE OF URGENCY’ “TOUT SUITE” and take proactive steps to prevent missing the SOON-COMING Rapture!

This is NOT the time to ‘PROCRASTINATE’!

Procrastination will DEFINITELY affect the ‘LOCATION’ of your ‘ETERNITY’!!!

<<< END OF SUMMARY >>>

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ALL THE ‘DETAILS’

The following is a comprehensive presentation of the topic that follows the ‘headings’ laid out in the Summary.

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PROCRASTINATION

They say, resolutions are made to be broken. So, what kind of things do we give up on? Well, according to Goskills.com, the most common annual resolutions are the following:

– Exercise more

– Lose weight

– Get organized

– Learn a new skill or hobby

– Live life to the fullest

– Save more money/spend less money

– Quit smoking

– Spend more time with family and friends

– Travel more

– Read more

So then, what is procrastination? Well, it’s the act of avoiding doing what you know you should be doing. It comes from the Latin “procrastinare,” “to postpone or delay,” and the Greek “akrasia,” “a lack of self-control or the state of acting against one’s better judgment.”

Procrastination delays an important task usually by focusing on less urgent, more enjoyable, and easier activities instead. It is different from laziness, which is the ‘unwillingness’ to act.

We all have tasks that we enjoy doing, some we don’t mind doing, and some we dread (Many of us put off doing those tasks that we dread). In fact, almost everyone procrastinates sometimes (Up to 95% of people report that they “occasionally” procrastinate). However, studies reveal that 20% of people are ‘chronic’ procrastinators (and 50% of high-school and college-aged students procrastinate!).

Now, procrastination is not a ‘modern’ problem, human beings have been procrastinating for centuries. The problem is so timeless that, in fact, ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle were the ones that created the word “akrasia” to describe this type of behavior.

Akrasia is the state of acting against your better judgment. It is when you do one thing even though you know you should do something else. Loosely translated, you could say that akrasia is procrastination or a lack of self-control. Akrasia is what prevents you from ‘FOLLOWING THROUGH’ on what you set out to do.

So then, why do we make plans, set deadlines, and commit to goals, but then fail to follow through on them?

Well, one explanation for why akrasia rules our lives and procrastination pulls us in has to do with a behavioral economics term called “TIME INCONSISTENCY.” This refers to the tendency of the human brain to value immediate rewards more highly than future rewards.

– Exercise more

– Lose weight

– Get organized

– Learn a new skill or hobby

– Live life to the fullest

– Save more money/spend less money

– Quit smoking

– Spend more time with family and friends

– Travel more

– Read more

When one makes plans for themselves—like setting a goal to do any one of those resolutions mentioned previously, like losing weight, quitting smoking, learning a new skill, or reading more—they are actually making plans for their ‘future’ self. They are envisioning what they want their life to be like in the future and when they think about the future, it is easy for their brain to see the value in taking actions with long-term benefits.

However, when the time comes to make a decision, they are no longer making a choice for their future self. Now they are ‘in the moment’ and their brain is thinking about the present self. Researchers have discovered that the present self likes instant gratification MUCH MORE than long-term payoff. This is one reason why you might go to bed feeling motivated to make a change in your life, but when you wake up you find yourself falling into old patterns. Your brain values long-term benefits when they are in the future, but it values immediate gratification when it comes to the present moment.

This is one reason why the ability to DELAY ‘GRATIFICATION’ is such a great predictor of ‘SUCCESS’ in life. Understanding how to resist the pull of instant gratification—at least occasionally, if not consistently—can help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

‘TYPES’ OF PROCRASTINATION

‘REASONS’ FOR PROCRASTINATION

There are a multitude of reasons one might procrastinate. Some are:

– Perfectionism

– Fear of failure

– Distraction

– Dismissal

– Rebelling

– Anxiety

– Avoidance

– Revenge

– Low self-discipline

– Time Management

– Overconfidence

– Not knowing where to begin

– The feeling that a task isn’t so important

– Laziness

– Overwhelmed

– Lack of motivation

– Underestimation of present emotions

– Too busy

– Feeling unsure

– Just feeling too ‘tired’

TRIGGERS

So, let’s try to identify the ‘type’ of procrastinator you might be: A “Perfectionist,” an “Ostrich,” a “Self-Saboteur,” a “Daredevil,” or a “Chicken.”

A “Perfectionist” often is too scared to show any imperfections. Because of this, they frequently fail to complete things.

An “Ostrich” prefers to stay in the dreaming stage. That way, they don’t have to work for real or deal with any negativity or stress.

A “Self-Saboteur” says that if they doing nothing, bad things won’t happen.

A “Daredevil” is most likely an unconscious thing, but daredevils evidently believe that starting early will sacrifice their time for pleasure. Often they sacrifice the quality of their work because of rushing it.

Finally, “Chickens” lack the ability to prioritize their work. They do what they feel like they should do, rather than thinking through what they really need to do.

This flowchart might just help you with all this:

So then, you may ask, how does one ‘FIX’ a procrastination ‘problem’? Well, whether it is fear of failure, overwhelming feelings, avoidance, or convincing yourself you’re just too busy to get something done, you CAN IMPROVE your ability to be productive by ELIMINATING procrastination ‘TRIGGERS’.

> For “Perfectionists”: Re-Clarify Your Goals

Try looking over your goals and ask yourself if they’re still what you want.

> For “Ostriches”: Do the Difficult Tasks First

If you leave your difficult tasks to later, you’re much more likely to put it off because you’re tired and lack motivation. Finishing lots of simple tasks at the beginning of the day such as reading all the new emails only gives you a false sense of being productive.

> For “Self-Saboteurs”: Write out a ‘To-Do’ AND a ‘Not-To-Do’ List Each Day

Writing things down is powerful and psychologically increases your need to get things done. By doing this, it brings these ‘difficult’ tasks to your mind’s attention instead of keeping them locked away somewhere in your avoidance mode.

> For “Daredevils”: Create a Timeline with Deadlines

If it’s a self-created deadline with no pressure, one tends to justify pushing it back each time it comes into sight and feel we haven’t yet done ‘enough’ to get there. So, create a bigger timeline, then within that, establish deadlines along the way. The beauty of this comes when each deadline completion is dependent on the next. It keeps you on track and keeps you accountable for being in alignment with the overall timeline.

> For “Chickens”: Break Tasks into Bite-Sized Pieces

If something feels too big to tackle and we don’t know where to start, it feels like a struggle. This is also true if our goal is too vague and lacking direction. Break down larger tasks into smaller ones and turn them into daily or weekly goals. Smaller steps may seem like the slower approach to achieving a goal, but it often leads you much more quickly to where you want to be due to the powerful momentum you get going.

One then needs to form a ‘RITUAL’ which saves one time from thinking about what to do next. When you don’t need to think about what to do next, you can go ‘autopilot’ to actually get what you have to do done because you have no time to think about what other things to do besides completing your important tasks.

Then, one needs to ‘KEEP TRACK’ of their time. By having a clear idea of where you spend your time, you can always review your productivity and know which areas to improve.

One of the most widely-known and influential thinkers on management, Peter Drucker, has a maxim that just might help here: “What gets measured, gets managed.”

[ FYI: There are a few apps that might be able to help you with this. One is “Forest” which turns productivity into a game and “Rescue Time” which keeps one more focused, productive, and motivated. Here’s a list of some specific time tracking tools:

https://www.capterra.com/time-tracking-software/ ].

The final thing to do is to ‘REWARD’ yourself for achieving even the small tasks. It creates a sense of motivation and releases those feel-good, productive emotions that spur you on to achieve even more.

WAITING FOR ‘ALL’ THE ANSWERS

Waiting to live until conditions are ideal, or even just ‘improved’ means never getting in the ‘game’. In fact, once you do start, you will identify new ‘issues’ and then stop to ‘do more research’ or ‘wait until conditions are optimal’. Trying to keep up with and correct them before engaging in true action toward the goals that matter is a downward spiral without end!

You also certainly don’t need to wait until your negative ‘self-talk’ about all these things goes away (it WON’T, at least for a while). In fact, you are far better off if you simply stop waiting for anything! Just GO!

So, ask yourself these questions: “If not you, who?,” “If not now, when?,”and “If not here, where?”

LAZINESS

Procrastination is often confused with laziness, but they are very different.

Procrastination usually involves ignoring an unpleasant, but likely more important task, in favor of one that is more enjoyable or easier.

AVOIDANCE

So, understanding what procrastination really is and the source of your avoidance tendencies is important in moving them out of the way and help you start the productivity momentum!

PLAYING IT ‘SAFE’

The thing is, security is mainly illusory. Helen Keller insightfully said, “Avoiding danger is typically no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Practice leaving your comfort zone.”

SELF-ESTEEM

TEMPORAL THINKING

Another factor strongly linked to procrastination is “temporal thinking.” Put it more plainly, it’s how close you see the current version of yourself to yourself in the future.

Studies have indicated you probably imagine the future version of yourself as a completely different person altogether.

Using functional MRI scans, researchers discovered that different sections of the brain are activated when we process information about our present and future selves. Then, when we imagine our future self, the same regions of the brain are activated as when we think of a stranger.

“This is important as if you perceive your future self this way then it’s easier to do something that might harm that person, leaving them a huge task rather than doing it yourself now,” explains psychologist Dr. Fuschia Sirois.

“As your future self might feel psychologically distant to you now, you might also see them as a kind of superhero. You might say, ‘Future me will have all the ideas because they’ll be well-rested’ or ‘Future me won’t have writers’ block.’ However, the truth is that we really don’t change much in a short period of time.”

If you are a ‘chronic’ procrastinator, you are probably well-versed in this fallacy. FORTUNATELY, there is some evidence suggesting there is an easy way to improve your temporal thinking: do it more often.

People who imagined a version of themselves merely two months in the future (from a third and a first-person perspective) for 10 minutes twice a week, were found to be LESS LIKELY to procrastinate.

As the researchers concluded, such a practice was “effective at increasing an altruistic motivation towards [a future self], mainly by procrastinating less in the present.”

CONTROL

STRESSFULNESS

Putting off our responsibilities is easy. Complaining is easy. Both are as natural to us as breathing. But what good has either ever done for anyone in the long run? Nothing!

OVERWHELM

INFLUENCES

For thousands of years, we have known that humans are influenced by the people we spend the most time with. That’s why we have to be so careful about the people we ‘allow’ into our life.

A major study on the depth of social influence found:

– If a friend of yours becomes obese, you are 45% more likely to gain weight over the next two to four years.

– If your friend smokes, you are 61% more likely to be a smoker yourself. If a friend of your friend smokes, you are still 29% more likely to start to smoke.

– A friend who lives within a mile and is happy with their life, increases the probability that their friend is happy by 25 percent. If a friend of a friend of a friend is happy with their life, then you have a 6 percent greater likelihood of being happy yourself. (Consider that other studies suggest that a $10,000 raise at one’s job only triggers about a 2% increase in their happiness!).

SO, if you are feeling stuck, consistently procrastinating, experiencing a lack of motivation, struggling to make the kind of progress you know you are capable of—take a good hard look at the people surrounding you. (They may be part of the reason you are ‘stuck’).

The proverb in the ancient world was: “If you dwell with a lame man, you will learn how to limp.” It’s a pretty observable truth. We become like the people we spend the most time with. That’s why we have to be so CAREFUL about the people we allow into our life!

CONSEQUENCES

The consequences of procrastinating are ‘ALARMING’! Procrastination can lead to:

– Poor mental health (Depression, guilt, and stress)

– Poor physical health (Stomach issues, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease)

– Poor sleep habits (Insomnia)

– Decreased job performance (Reduced morale and even job loss)

– Ruining a career

– Damaging one’s reputation

– A ‘danger’ to oneself and others

Procrastination is definitely not the most effective strategy for getting stuff done. Yes, you’ll likely make it just in time for the deadline, but at WHAT ‘COST’? Along with the expected lower quality of work, procrastinators also generally face stress-induced symptoms like insomnia, a weakened immune system and stomach issues.

Giving in to this impulse can also make one feel guilty or ashamed and lead to depression.

Procrastination can restrict your potential and undermine your career. It can also disrupt teamwork, reduce morale, and even lead to depression and job loss. So, it is CRUCIAL to take proactive steps to prevent it!

Procrastination can also cause a lot more problems than missed deadlines. People who chronically procrastinate—people who make it a habit—have higher levels of stress and a greater number of acute health problems. They are more likely to have headaches or insomnia or digestive issues, and are more susceptible to the flu and colds.

Even more alarming, studies have found that procrastination is a factor that can lead to hypertension and cardiovascular disease, with chronic procrastinators more likely to put off healthy behavior such as exercise.

Studies have also shown that procrastination leads to lower self-esteem, fewer visits to the dentists, and even a lack of “household safety behaviors” (for instance, checking to see if the fire alarm is working). So, it can actually be ‘dangerous’ to them and others!

Long-term, or chronic stress, can lead to depression, anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, obesity, eating disorders, and a handful of other health problems. Procrastination is not a problem we should take lightly!

One study found that the worst offenders tend to have lower salaries, shorter employment durations, and are more likely to be jobless or under-employed. Procrastinators tend to be more stressed overall, and there’s some evidence that the habit could even MAKE YOU ‘ILL’!

In fact, it can be so utterly crippling that it has been given a new ‘joke’ definition: Procrastination (noun). The action of ruining your life for no apparent reason.

Procrastination is definitely NOT ‘funny’, and a ‘condition’ that can have SERIOUS ‘CONSEQUENCES’!

BAD HABITS

“Lifehack” writer Marwan Jamal says that he is a “master procrastinator, a couch lover and a guy who has been nicknamed ‘the last minute man’.” So, he created the following list of 30 habits of procrastinators:

1. You get up late

You try to be an all-nighter and you delay your important tasks to the early AMs. Finally you end the night with a series of “energizing naps” which stop when you suddenly realize that it’s already the next afternoon and you’re not finished.

2. Every time is your bed time

Like I just stated, you don’t know when to sleep or when you wake up. So you simply sleep when you want to procrastinate. You don’t have a certain time to start working which makes it hard to get anything done.

3. You are getting addictive

Eating, drinking or nail biting calms you down for a while when you are nervous and stressed. But you just do it to get away from the boring to do list that you have on your shoulder.

4. When it’s too hard, you give up

You’re in love with new beginnings, a new movie to watch, or a new piece of cake to eat. You’re just so stressed that the only way to get out of it is to give up.

5. You no longer trust yourself

You never keep a promise, especially to yourself. You know that promises are stronger than you and that you can’t get out of it, so you just stop making them.

6. You envy hard workers

You admire how organized hard workers are. You really admire them and you want to be the same but deep inside you believe that you can’t That’s why the more you procrastinate the more you admire hard workers.

7. Your life is in a predictable loop

Procrastination became a rooted habit and you can predict your day before it even begins. You know what you can and what you can’t and overcoming your habits is just impossible.

8. The Last time you hit the gym was 2 decades ago

With a bad sleeping habit and an addictive/bad eating behavior, getting fit is just a dream.

9. Your friends always complain

You’re always late for an appointment, you simply don’t get along with the idea of being on time.

10. You are always in a hurry

Because to be early is boring as hell. And hard too.

11. You have a messy room/workplace

You only clean when you have an even more boring task to do.

12. You are easily stressed

Someone with a messy life must get easily stressed, especially when the idea of not being able to get things done fast become a fundamental belief.

13. You think “meditation” is a new shampoo

You’re so stressed that you can’t imagine life without it, relaxation is just an illusion.

14. Planning is something you can only find in Game Of Thrones

The number of the uncompleted plans you commit yourself to is bigger than the number of episodes of your favorite show. Planning is something that only happens in movies or in GOT.

15. And you’re waking up when it comes to deadlines

The inner voice only screams when you’re running out of time. You only take action when you’re threatened with a “Must do”.

16. Because it never seems to be late

You always have enough time. At least that’s what you keep telling yourself.

17. And you’re one of Bill Gates’ favorites

You’ve always find yourself in this quote:

“I will always chose a lazy person to do a difficult job, because, he will find an easy way to do it” – Bill Gates

18. You enjoy dreaming about the future

When you don’t know how to motivate yourself to work, your day dreaming becomes an addiction.

19. It always seems very easy until you do it

You see people making it and it looks easy but when you try it it’s not. This goes from a body transformation to a business plan. You’re easily excited but never get along with the hard work.

20. The most boring tasks become sexy

From grabbing something from supermarket to paying your phone bills, every boring task become enjoyable except the task you procrastinate. Remember your school days.

21. While the social media is your best friend

The place where all the fun begins, is where you check your “seven-years-haven’t-seen” friend’s status, and the never-ending notifications from people liking your latest post. You spend more time on facebook than the time you spend to get things done.

22. As are excuses

You simply believe you can’t, which is the biggest excuse someone can give.

23. Your kitchen is where you grab motivation

You simply can get your butt off to work and you hope food can do it for you. It’s just another excuse to keep away from what scares you or what makes you feel helpless.

24. You have no weekends

Because you don’t know when to rest, your nights and days are the same. Weekends are when you work and midweeks is when you rest. You’re far from being organized.

25. Waking up from “why are you late?” phone calls happens too often

How many times has your boss called you up for being late and you were sleeping? You know better.

26. You become a Pepsi man

Except for Red Bull, coffee, and tea.

27. When you love full hours

You’re in love with full hours. When it’s 7.51 you promise you’ll start at 8.00 and when it’s 8.32 you set the alarm for 9.00.

28. You’re a “desktop games” fan

Spider solitaire, Sudoku, bubble shooter, and Packman, all are on your phone or laptop. They’re your work buddies.

29. If you have a single wish, it is to have more self-discipline.

You really believe in that.

30. You are the best at giving advice you never listen to

You tell people what to do, because you’re a master of research for better ways to get things done, but you never tried them yourself.

THE “PROCRASTINATION EQUATION”

For all you ‘mathematicians’ out there, Dr. Piers Steel, author of “The Procrastination Equation” put forth an equation in his book that quantifies motivation. It goes like this:

Expectancy x Value

———————– = MOTIVATION

Impulsiveness x Delay

So, analyzing the equation overall, if you want to have a big level of motivation then the “numerator” (on top – the ‘sum of Expectancy and Value) needs to be big, and the “denominator” (on the bottom – Impulsiveness and Delay) needs to be small.

This means if one has high levels of self-efficacy and “expectancy,” then they expect whatever they are working on to succeed—they have an intense trust and confidence in themselves to create the outcome that they aspire to create.

Then, to have that higher sense of motivation, if one must perceive the “value” or meaningfulness of something to be high, they will likely engage in it at a higher level (if you don’t value something you are more likely to find it boring, and then more likely to procrastinate).

Humans are ‘hard wired’ to want something now and for it to be easy to do. However, life isn’t like that and one needs to ‘fight against’ “impulsiveness” and distractions (i.e. the Internet, ‘fun’ things to do, etc.) and ‘buckle down’ and do the things that ‘need’ to get done (researching, studying, developing, etc.) to get the project done. If this number is high, then motivation will suffer.

Finally, the next variable is “delay.” Basically, how far into the future do we need to complete our project. The further out it is, the lower our motivation is to do it right now. When one procrastinates (making the ‘delay’ number larger), the time to take acute action becomes very short and lowers one’s motivation.

[ FYI: For an in-depth explanation of each one of these ‘components’, I strongly suggest reading Dr. Steel’s book (a link to it on Amazon is in the “Resources” section below) ].

So, I came across the self-professed “life hacker,” Alex Vermeer, and he developed a “How To Get Motivated” guide for defeating procrastination. First, he gave a few examples of things that make one procrastinate, and ‘ties’ them back to the part of the “Procrastination Equation” that causes them:

– Can’t decide what to work on next (high I)

– Don’t know what you want (low V)

– Too many different things to do (high I or low E)

– Unclear priorities (low V)

– Lack of confidence in own abilities (low E)

– The work is boring (low V)

– The work is too difficult (low E or V)

– The project is too big/long (high D)

– The reward is months away (high D)

– Fear of failure (low E)

– Fear of judgement (low E)

– Don’t actually support the goals/outcome of the project/task (low V)

– Don’t expect to get any recognition for completing this thing (low E)

– Keep getting distracted (high I)

– Keep getting interrupted (high I)

– Goals are too abstract, vague (high D)

– Goals are too far away or distant (high D)

– Keep getting strong, intense cravings (I)

Vermeer then wants the reader to imagine that they are avoiding practicing the saxophone. Though the numbers are completely arbitrary, let’s rate each factor of the equation on a scale of 1 to 10 (where 1 is very bad and 10 is very good). How does practicing saxophone rank?

Value = 10:

You think this is incredibly valuable, and you realize this on a deep level.

Expectancy = 5:

You are fairly good at sax already, but your abilities may have plateaued somewhat. It’s going to take a lot of effort to reach the next “level” of ability. Your expectancy of getting there is moderate.

Impulsiveness = 2:

Every time you sit down to practice, you inevitably look up a YouTube video to “get inspiration” or to learn about a specific technique or song. But this leads you to browsing the web rather than practicing.

Delay = 2:

It’s tough to imagine being an expert saxophonist based on where you are right now. You know you’ll get there eventually, but it’s obvious that the road is long and the “end” is not close at hand.

Since Value is nice and high, your motivation can be improved by increasing Expectancy, decreasing Impulsiveness, or decreasing Delay.

So, to make his ideas a bit easier to understand, Vermeer created a kind of a ‘flowchart’ to try to ‘reduce’ Dr. Steel’s in-depth explanation into succinct ‘decisions’

[ FYI: View this web page to be instructed on exactly how to use Vermeer’s ‘guide’:

https://alexvermeer.com/getmotivated/ ].

[ FYI: Vermeer also has an interesting take on, as he describes it, “8,760 Hours,” a method on how to get the most out of your next year:

https://alexvermeer.com/8760hours/ ].

[ FYI: The main writer at the “College Info Geek” website, Thomas Frank, created a “GuideTack” quiz, with 30 questions, to determine how much of a procrastinator you are. After I took the quiz, it gave me a ‘rating’ of how much of a procrastinator I was, and then some suggestions about “Goal Setting,” “Stimulus Control, “ and “Routines.” Click the following link to take the quiz:

https://www.guidedtrack.com/programs/t59i89g/run ].

HOW TO ‘STOP’ PROCRASTINATING

Psychologists Neil Lewis of the University of Michigan and Daphna Oyserman of the University of Southern California attempted to prove that if people considered far-off events from the perspective of days rather than months or years, they acted more quickly.

For example, test subjects viewed an event like a friend’s wedding as being “16.3 days sooner when considered in days rather than months and 11.4 months sooner when considered in months rather than years.” In another test, participants were instructed to imagine they had a newborn child. Half of the participants were to consider that their “children” would begin college in 18 years, the other half in 6,570 days. Of course, this was the exact same amount of time. But did the way they counted time influence when would they start saving for that education?

Interestingly, the “parents” who looked at matters from a “days” perspective planned to start saving four times sooner than parents planning from a “years” perspective. Wow!

This experiment illustrated a valuable lesson: Procrastination can be overcome by finding a way to connect to your future ‘self’, now.

For example, you could use the same method: Your project deadline isn’t in two months; it’s in less than 60 days. BUT WAIT! You are not planning on working weekends, AND you have two days a week that are filled with meetings. That means you only have 28 DAYS LEFT to do the project! [ You’re already BEHIND! ;^D ].

[ FYI: Kevin Kruse, author of “15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management,” and host of the “Extreme Productivity” podcast offers a free “Quick Start Action Plan”: https://productivity-podcast.com/resources-2/ ].

The technologist C.M. Smith suggests some ‘tweaks’ to beat the deadly ‘foe’ of procrastination:

– Get up and Move

– Set up Reminders

– Get a Motivation Buddy

– Make Yourself Accountable

– Create Something Every Day

– Wake up Early

– Go to Sleep Early

– Clean and Clear as You Go

– Cut the Cable

– Just Do It

– Schedule Time Blocks

– Follow a Task List

– Have a System

– Don’t Check Emails

– Get Rid of Social Networks

– Time Yourself

– Track Yourself

– Automate When You Can

– Create a Playlist

– Identify and Face your Fear

– Realize It Will Never Be Perfect

– Become Mindful

– Set “Goals” for the Day

– Give Yourself a Break

– Stick with Tools

– Entertain Yourself

– Work Less

– Have Some Quiet Time Every Day

– Don’t Settle

[ FYI: For a bit of a discussion on each one of these suggestions, vie this article: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/29-ways-to-beat-procrastination-once-and-for-all.html ].

Psychologist and management consultant, Neil Fiore (and author of “The Now Habit”) says that the procrastination habit ‘catches’ people in a VICIOUS CYCLE: One gets overwhelmed, then feels pressured, then fears failure, then tries harder and work longer, then feels resentful, loses motivation, procrastinates, and then gets more overwhelmed! This cycle starts with the pressure of being overwhelmed and ends with an attempt to escape through procrastination.

Fiore says that people don’t procrastinate just to be ornery or because they are irrational. They procrastinate because it ‘makes sense’ to them, given how vulnerable they feel to criticism, failure, and their own perfectionism.

Fiore says that procrastination is not the ‘cause’ of our problems with accomplishing tasks. It is an attempt to resolve a variety of underlying ‘issues’, including low self-esteem, perfectionism, fear of failure, a fear of success, indecisiveness, an imbalance between work and play, ineffective goal-setting hot, and negative concepts about work and themselves.

Fiore created a strategic system that goes beyond the “how to” advice about procrastination and presents a plan based on the dynamics of motivation. The program shows one how to shift gears into a higher level of functioning so one can go faster more efficiently. It shows one how scheduling more “guilt-free play” in your life can attack the underlying causes of procrastination by lowering resentment toward work, making it easier to start working, improving the quality of work, and stirring motivation.

Dr. Fiore presents his system in his book, “The Now Habit,” that provides the following 10 powerful tools for overcoming procrastination:

1) Creating Safety

This shows you how to put a psychological safety net under your high wire act so that you can lessen your fear of failure and learn how to bounce back from mistakes with renewed purpose.

2) Reprogramming Negative Attitudes Through Positive Self-talk

This will help you identify your negative messages to yourself and discover how they adversely affect you, while replacing them with positive phrasing that directs your energy toward task oriented thoughts in rapid solutions.

3) Using This Symptom To Trigger the Cure

This will show you how to use old habits to invoke and strengthen the formation of new, positive habits.

4) Guilt-free Play

This will teach you how to strategically schedule your leisure time in order to shift your focus from work to play, thereby creating a subconscious urge to return to work.

5) Three-dimensional Thinking and the Reverse Calendar

This will show you how to control the terror of being overwhelmed by important tasks by creating a step-by-step calendar of your path to achievement, with adequate time to rest and to fully appreciate your accomplishments.

6) Making Worry Work for You

This will show you how developing plans for coping with distractions will help you achieve your goals and strengthen your ability to face the worst that could happen.

7) The “Unschedule”

This will let you see the freedom awaiting you through prescheduled guilt free play, Will create a realistic image of the amount of time available, and will give you a built-in time clock for recording quality time on project to let you see how much you have accomplished.

8) Setting Realistic Goals

This will help you to clear your mind of guilt-producing gold that cannot be worked on in the present, and will direct your energies toward the few worthwhile goals that deserve your attention now.

9) Working in the “Flow State”

This will bring you beyond stress and low motivation to a state of focused energy, interest, and concentration within two minutes or less–letting you know that regardless of how you feel about your project, within moments you will be working at your most productive and creative levels.

10) Controlled Setbacks

This will prepare you for setbacks so that you quickly turned them into opportunities, anticipate the temptation to procrastinate, and build persistence into your overall plan for achievement.

Fiore says that his system will help one NOT be ‘guilty’ of Mark Twain’s complaint: “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.”

Now, we can’t do much about the weather, BUT we can start today to do something about procrastination!

TACTICS

As you might have guessed by now, procrastination is a BIG ‘PROBLEM’! But fortunately, psychologists know this and have been searching for effective methods to tackle it.

Even though there is no ‘magical cure’, here are 10 tactics that Pychyl suggests you can use to quit procrastinating and get more done:

1. Flip a task’s characteristics to make it less aversive

Tasks that are aversive are usually a combination of boring, frustrating, difficult, meaningless, ambiguous, and unstructured. But by breaking down exactly which of these attributes an aversive task has, you can take those qualities and turn them around to make the task more appealing to you.

2. Know the ways your brain responds to “cognitive dissonance”

Whenever you realize that you should be doing something but that you aren’t (psychologists call this separation between your actions and beliefs cognitive dissonance), you can respond in one of several ways to feel better about yourself.

3. Limit how much time you spend on something

Limiting how much time you spend on a task makes the task more fun, more structured, and less frustrating and difficult because you’ll always be able to see an end in sight.

4. Be kind to yourself

The reason you deceive yourself when you procrastinate is simple: at the same time that you know you should be doing something, a different part of you is very much aware that you’re not actually doing it, so you make up a story about why you’re not getting that thing done. (This is the cognitive dissonance I mentioned in tactic #2.) Be mindful of how kind you are to yourself, and watch out for times when you try to deceive yourself.

5. Just get started

People, as a rule, overestimate how much motivation they need to do something. After all, usually you just need enough motivation to get started.

6. List the costs of procrastinating

Since procrastination is very much an emotional reaction to what you have to do, activating the rational part of your brain to identify the costs of procrastinating is a great strategy to get unstuck.

7. Become better friends with future-you

People are not very good at predicting how we will feel in the future. We are overly optimistic, and our optimism comes crashing down when tomorrow comes. When our mood sours, we end up giving in to feel good. We procrastinate.

8. Disconnect from the Internet when you have to get something done

Studies have found that 47% of people’s time online is spent procrastinating, which Pychyl calls a “conservative estimate” since that study was conducted before social networks like Facebook and Twitter became popular. “There is little doubt that our best tools for productivity–computer technologies–are potentially also one of our greatest time wasters.”

9. Form “implementation intentions”

Tasks that aren’t clearly defined are ambiguous and often unstructured, which makes you a lot more likely to procrastinate with them. The cure? Form implementation intentions for those tasks.

10. Use procrastination as a sign you should seek out more meaningful work

You procrastinate a lot less with meaningful tasks that are intrinsically rewarding. So, reexamining your work if you find yourself constantly procrastinating with what you have to do.

Pychyl’s research shows that depending on the stage of a project you’re in, the effects of these characteristics differ. For example, lack of autonomy will impact how aversive a task is to you a lot more during the “action” phase of a project compared to the “inception” phase of a project. But as a general rule, the more of these characteristics a task has, the more aversive it will be to you.

MOTIVATIONS

MASTERING WILLPOWER

DISTRACTIONS

TIME MANAGEMENT

Again, if I asked you what you were doing exactly one week at this time (or even yesterday), would you have an answer? I’m thinking not—so there you go. (Our memories are not ‘that’ accurate when wanting to know something to the minute.)

So, the best way to ‘accurately’ determine exactly what you spend your time on is to keep an “activity log.” It has been shown that to get a real ‘feel’ for your activities, one should track their time for two to three weeks.

The specific method you use for your activity log doesn’t matter. Just keep a pen and a notepad on your desk (or the ‘notepad’ on your phone or a time management ‘app’ if you are really ‘techie’), and every hour write down what you spent your time on. THEN you can make some ‘informed’ decisions on what you SHOULD be doing with your time.

MOOD MANAGEMENT

When one decides that they are not ‘in the right mood’ to work, they distract themselves with other tasks—checking e-mail, checking the news, cleaning their desk, talking to a coworker, etc.—and by the time they realize they have just ‘wasted’ a few hours, they then feel ‘guilty’ for having wasted so much time. This only worsens their mood, and as the deadline draws closer, they feel even worse than they did when they first put off the task! It then ‘loops’ again and again—a vicious ‘cycle’ that gets worse and worse as time goes on.

So then, how does one ‘escape’ the “Doom Loop”? Well, primarily it is a matter of ‘taking control’ of your mood. With the right strategies in place, one can take the ‘reins’ and get oneself in the mood to get things done. The following strategies can help one to make this happen.

> First, figure out WHY

When you aren’t in the mood to work, procrastination is telling you something important and it could also be something complex, such as being dissatisfied with your job. So, take a moment to reflect and figure out why you’re procrastinating.

> Remove your OBSTACLES

Prior to getting started on a task, take a moment to carefully consider the obstacles that might get in your way. Then, develop a plan to ensure that they don’t get in the way.

By planning ahead, you can maintain your focus and avoid procrastination. After all, it’s much harder to regain focus than it is to maintain it.

> Just START—jump right in, no matter what

Sometimes it’s really hard to get started on something, even when it’s something that you love to do.

But, as you probably have experienced in the past, once you get going, your mood improves dramatically. When you dive right in no matter what, your mood quickly improves, which helps you to stay on task.

> CUT ‘HOLES’ in your project

We often procrastinate because we feel intimidated by the ‘size’ of a project. To minimize intimidation, try cutting holes in it. Find smaller pieces of the task that you can quickly and easily accomplish. Before you know it, these smaller tasks have cut serious holes in the project and it’s no longer intimidating.

Work in the right environment. Even if you do everything else right, working in the wrong ‘environment’ can make you succumb to procrastination. This means keeping yourself away from television, electronics, friends, and loud places.

> Enjoy SMALL ‘VICTORIES’

There’s nothing quite like checking something off of your to-do list. You need to experience this sense of accomplishment by tracking your progress carefully. Small victories build new androgen receptors in the areas of the brain responsible for reward and motivation. The increase in androgen receptors increases the influence of testosterone, which further increases confidence and eagerness to tackle challenges. This keeps you ‘fired up’ and moving forward.

Get real. Setting unrealistic goals for your day is a great way to become discouraged and to succumb to the negative moods that fuel procrastination. Setting realistic goals keeps things positive, which keeps you in the right mood to work.

> Take control of your ‘SELF-TALK’

There’s a classic study where participants were told to not think about a white bear. It turns out it’s nearly impossible to avoid thinking about something that you tell yourself not to, as your mind gravitates towards the thing you’re trying to avoid. So, the ‘trick’ is to shift your attention to something completely different (and positive). Instead of telling yourself not to procrastinate, think about what you will do and how great it’s going to feel to have it done. This way, your mind fixates on the action you want to take instead of the behavior you’re trying to avoid.

> Don’t be a PERFECTIONIST

We tend to ‘freeze up’ when it’s time to get started because we know that our ideas aren’t perfect and what we produce might not be any good. But how can you ever produce something great if you don’t get started and give your ideas time to evolve? Author Jodi Picoult summarizes the importance of avoiding perfectionism perfectly: “You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank page.”

> Focus on RESULTS

While it may make you anxious to get started, don’t focus on that. Just think of how great it’s going to feel to get things done and how much worse you’ll feel if you wait until the last minute and don’t give it your best effort.

> ‘FORGIVE’ yourself

There’s no point in beating yourself up when you slip up and procrastinate. You might think that punishing yourself will help you to avoid procrastination in the future, but it actually has the opposite effect—beating yourself up sends you right back into the procrastination “doom loop.”

The key to beating the procrastination “doom loop” is to understand that procrastination is rooted in ‘EMOTIONS’. Hopefully, the strategies above will help you to turn the procrastination doom loop on its head and to achieve greater productivity than ever before.

INCREMENTS

One way to curb one’s procrastinating tendencies is to remember that incremental, consistent, humble, and persistent work is the way to improvement.

A way to turn chaos and confusion and complexity into something clear and manageable and simple. Most everything in life is built on ONE SMALL ACTION at a time.

One thing a day adds up. One step at a time is all it takes. You just gotta get one small win—and the sooner you start, the better you will feel… and ‘be’.

Doing anything of consequence or magnitude requires deliberate, incremental—and consistent work. At the beginning, these efforts might not look like they are amounting to much. But with time, they accumulate and then compound on each other. Whether it’s a book or a business—or an anthill or a stalagmite—from humble beginnings come impressive outcomes.

Just put one ‘foot’ in front of the next! It’s incremental progress, over a lifetime, done day after day. (Just like compound interest increases over time.) One push-up is better than not exercising. One minute of reading is better than never picking up a book. It’s far better to do less than you hoped than to do nothing at all!

Desmond Tutu once wisely said that, “There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.” What he meant by this is that everything in life that seems daunting, overwhelming, and even impossible can be accomplished gradually by taking on just a little at a time.

GOALS

Just like dealing with something in ‘increments’, that also works with goal-setting.

Psychotherapist Denise Fournier, Ph.D. discussed a particularly powerful method of goal-setting uses the clever acronym S.M.A.R.T. to guide the process of turning big dreams into reality. [ The first know use of this is by George T. Doran in 1981 ]. She said that once one has come up with a goal, they then need to check to be sure it meets the following criteria:

Specific

Be clear and concrete about what you want to accomplish. It’s much easier to work toward a specific goal (lose 12 pounds) than it is to work toward a vague one (get in shape). When working on this aspect of your goal, visualize what you and what your life will look like once you’ve accomplished it. That will help you to define exactly what you want to achieve.

Measurable

Set a goal that allows you to measure your progress toward achieving it. Ask yourself the following question: How will I know that I’ve accomplished my goal? Some people find it helpful to break the main goal down into small, measurable objectives.

For example, if your main goal is to start a business, you can break that down into all the progressive steps you’ll take along the way: Create a business name, register the business, set up the tax ID, etc. Making your goal measurable is an important way to keep yourself on track. The bonus is that you can celebrate along the way as you attain each of the objectives that brings you closer to success!

Attainable

Make your goals realistic. One of the biggest pitfalls to success is making the goal too big. You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew, so take some time to think carefully about your goal and be sure it’s reasonable and realistic. If you’re in your mid-30s and have a passion for baseball, it’ll make much more sense to set a goal of becoming a Little League coach than aiming to become a star MLB player. Improve your chances of making your dreams come true by factoring reality into your plans.

Relevant

Set a goal that means something to you. Working toward your goals, no matter how big or small, takes work. By setting a goal that you’re passionate about and truly want to achieve, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated along the way. When the going gets tough, you can remind yourself of how much you want to reach the finish it and find the energy to keep going.

Time-Bound

Set a deadline, and commit to it! Putting time stamps on your goals is a way of holding yourself accountable and making sure you stay focused and on task. You may need to do some research to find out how long you can reasonably expect to have to work on your goal before you can accomplish it. If you don’t set a deadline, you won’t be nearly as likely to stay committed and keep the wheels in motion.

Motivational coach Zig Ziglar reminds us that, “A goal properly set is halfway reached.” Setting a goal is just like eating an elephant. Bit by bit, bite by bite, you make possible what at first seemed impossible. You get a little bit closer to successfully completing your goal by getting ‘SMART’ and turning those dreams into reality!

JUST START — DO IT NOW!

TASKS

“Temptation bundling” is a term coined by the behavior researcher Katherine Milkman and her colleagues in a 2014 study. Here’s how it works: Basically, you “bundle” a source of instant gratification (like checking Instagram or watching an addictive show) with a beneficial but less fun “should” activity (like running on the treadmill or working on a spreadsheet). In Milkman’s study, the researchers gave participants iPods with four audio novels they wanted to listen to—but they could only access the iPod while working out. By and large, the participants’ gym attendance increased when an indulgence was tied to it.

Ronan Byrne, an electrical engineering student in Dublin, Ireland, enjoyed watching Netflix, but he also knew that he should exercise more often than he did. Putting his engineering skills to use, Byrne hacked his stationary bike and connected it to his laptop and television. Then he wrote a computer program that would allow Netflix to run only if he was cycling at a certain speed. If he slowed down for too long, whatever show he was watching would pause until he started pedaling again. He was, in the words of one fan, “eliminating obesity one Netflix binge at a time.”

Temptation bundling works by linking an action you want to do with an action you need to do. In Byrne’s case, he bundled watching Netflix (the thing he wanted to do) with riding his stationary bike (the thing he needed to do). So, one is more likely to find a behavior attractive if they get to do one of their favorite things at the same time.

Temptation bundling is also one way to apply a psychology theory known as “Premack’s Principle.” Named after the work of professor David Premack, the principle states that, “more probable behaviors will reinforce less probable behaviors.” In other words, even if you don’t really want to process overdue work e-mails you will become conditioned to do it if it means you get to do something you really want to do along the way.

Here is a simple exercise you can use to stop procrastinating, boost your willpower, and figure out your own ‘temptation bundling’ strategy:

Create a two-column list.

– In column one, write down the pleasures you enjoy and the temptations that you want to do.

– In column two, write down the tasks and behaviors you should be doing, but often procrastinate on.

Now, take your time and write down as many behaviors as possible. Then, browse your list and see if you can link one of your instantly gratifying “want” behaviors with something you “should” be doing.

Here are a few common examples of temptation bundling:

– Only listen to audiobooks or podcasts you love while exercising.

– Only get a pedicure while processing overdue work emails.

– Only watch your favorite show while ironing or doing household chores.

– Only eat at your favorite restaurant when conducting your monthly meeting with a difficult colleague.

Now, Katherine Milkman ‘expanded’ her “Temptation Bundling” concept by combining it with “habit stacking” to create a set of rules to guide your behavior.

The habit stacking + temptation bundling formula is:

– After [ CURRENT HABIT ], I will [ HABIT I NEED ].

– After [ HABIT I NEED ], I will [ HABIT I WANT ].

If you want to read the news, but you need to express more gratitude:

– After I get my morning coffee, I will say one thing I’m grateful for that happened yesterday (need).

– After I say one thing I’m grateful for, I will read the news (want).

If you want to watch sports, but you need to make sales calls:

– After I get back from my lunch break, I will call three potential clients (need).

– After I call three potential clients, I will check ESPN (want).

If you want to check Facebook, but you need to exercise more:

– After I pull out my phone, I will do ten ‘burpees’ (need).

– After I do ten burpees, I will check Facebook (want).

The hope here is that eventually you will look forward to calling three clients or doing ten ‘burpees’ because it means you get to check Facebook or read the latest sports news. Doing the thing you ‘need’ to do means you get to do the thing you ‘want’ to do!

Yes, it is a bit of MENTAL ‘GYMNASTICS’, but studies have shown that IT WORKS!

‘HELPERS’

One will find that nearly any habit can be ‘scaled down’ into a two-minute version

– “Read before bed each night” becomes “Read one page.”

– “Do thirty minutes of yoga” becomes “Take out my yoga mat.”

– “Study for class” becomes “Open my notes.”

– “Fold the laundry” becomes “Fold one pair of socks.”

– “Run three miles” becomes “Tie my running shoes.”

The idea is to make your habits AS EASY AS POSSIBLE TO START.

Now, ANYONE can meditate for one minute, read one page, or put one item of clothing away. This is a powerful strategy because once you have started doing the right thing, it is much easier to continue doing it! A new habit should not feel like a challenge. The actions that follow can be challenging, but the first two minutes should be easy. What you want is a “GATEWAY HABIT” that naturally leads you down a more productive path.

Clear says that one then can usually figure out the gateway habits that will lead to your desired outcome by ‘mapping out’ their goals on a scale from “very easy” to “very hard.” For instance, running a marathon is very hard. Running a 5K is hard. Walking ten thousand steps is moderately difficult. Walking ten minutes is easy. Putting on your running shoes is very easy. Your goal might be to run a marathon, but your ‘gateway habit’ is just to put on your running shoes!

Now, the point is not just to do one thing. The point is to master the habit of ’SHOWING UP’. The truth is, a habit must be ‘ESTABLISHED’ before it can be improved. If you can’t learn the basic skill of ‘showing up’, then you have little hope of mastering the finer details. Instead of trying to engineer a perfect habit from the start, do the easy thing on a more consistent basis. You have to ‘standardize’ before you can ‘optimize’.

The more you ‘ritualize’ the beginning of a process, the more likely it becomes that you can slip into the state of deep focus that is required to do great things. (By doing the same warm-up before every workout, you make it easier to get into a state of peak performance.)

Another way to overcome the trap of chronic procrastination is to use VISUAL ‘CUES’ to trigger your habits and measure your progress. A visual cue is something you can see (a visual reminder) that prompts you to take action.

Visual cues remind you to start a behavior—like a calendar that tracks your progress. One look at your calendar and you immediately have a measure of your progress.

Visual cues can have an ‘additive’ effect on motivation. As the visual evidence of your progress mounts, it is natural to become more motivated to continue the habit. The more visual progress you see, the more motivated you will become to finish the task.

There are a variety of popular behavioral economics studies that refer to this as the “Endowed Progress Effect.” Seeing your previous progress is a great way to trigger your next productive action.

The Endowed Progress Effect is the idea that if you provide some type of artificial advancement toward a goal, a person will be more motivated to complete the goal. (Like Starbucks does with their “stars” that makes people more motivated to buy more drinks and earn enough stars for a free drink.) If you provide some type of artificial advancement toward a goal, a person will be more motivated to complete the goal.

Basically, the endowed progress effect makes people think they have a head start toward completing a goal. It reduces the amount of perceived work, which makes them more likely to put in the effort.

It’s important to note the difference between endowed progress—or progress that’s awarded—and progress someone earns. Each can affect motivation a little differently depending on the situation.

In one study, participants who had been given two free stamps toward a free sandwich as a promotion were more motivated to earn the rest of the stamps to get their reward than people who had two stamps because they had purchased two sandwiches. But when participants had a high amount of earned progress (people who had purchased many sandwiches and were really close to their free reward), they were more motivated than people with the same amount of endowed progress because they saw the extra free stamps as having more value.

Whether we are talking about ‘endowed’ progress or ‘earned’ progress, the ideas behind the effects are very similar—with the end goal of motivating people toward action.

So, why does it work? Well, one reason is the “Zeigarnik Effect.” This is the tendency to think about uncompleted tasks more than completed tasks.

Basically, not finishing a task or tying up loose ends can be really bothersome, nagging at us until we complete it. Researchers call this “task tension.” It is that ‘nagging’ feeling that helps someone stay the course until they have achieved the goal and then can ‘relieve’ that tension.

That is why ‘cliffhangers’ are so effective in movies and TV shows—and it is why crossing off an item on your to-do list can feel so satisfying.

To do this ‘physical’, use visual measures—like moving items from one place to another—to provide clear evidence of your progress. As a result, they reinforce your behavior and add a little bit of immediate satisfaction to any activity.

One woman shifted a paper clip from one container to another whenever she wrote a page of her book. Another man moved a marble from one bin to the next after each set of push-ups.

Visual cues display your progress on a behavior. Everyone knows consistency is an essential component of success, but few people actually measure how consistent they are in real life. Clear’s “Paper Clip Strategy” avoids that pitfall because it is a built-in measuring system. One look at your paper clips and you immediately have a measure of your progress.

Visual cues can have an additive effect on motivation. As the visual evidence of your progress mounts, it is natural to become more motivated to continue the habit. The more paper clips you place in the bin, the more motivated you will become to finish the task. (Which takes us back to the Endowed Progress Effect). The more paper clips you move to the “completed” bin, the more valuable completing the habit becomes to you.

Examples:

– Want to drink 8 glasses of water each day? Start with 8 paper clips and slide one over each time you finish a glass.

– Hoping to do 100 pushups each day? Start with 10 paper clips and move one over each time you drop down and do a set of 10 throughout the day.

– Need to send 25 sales emails every day? Start with 25 paper clips and toss one to the other side each time you press Send.

– Not sure if you’re taking your medication three times per day? Set 3 paper clips out and flip one into the bin each time you swallow your pills.

LIFE IS SHORT

Then, he says that, on average, we spend 26 years of our life just sleeping. [ That’s 54 years left to live ].

We then spend another seven years just ‘trying’ to sleep (because of thinking about school, work, and other things that create stress and anxiety). [ That’s 47 years left ].

We watch “TV” and browse the Internet for another 11 years. [ 36 years left ].

We spend another five years preparing to eat/eating. [ 31 years left ].

Surprisingly, we only spend, cumulatively, one year in primary and secondary school. [ So that’s 30 years left now ].

Most of us spend a year or so specifically ‘dating’ and ‘romancing’. [ 29 years left ].

Most spend about one year exercising (maybe two years if you are very health-conscious). [ Conservatively, that’s 28 years left ].

After 40 years, most spend about an entire year in our cars commuting to work and back. [ That’s 27 years left ].

If one goes past secondary school, it takes 7-10 years to become a ‘master’ in one’s chosen field (Time devoted to learning about your selected field of work, and more if you have switched industries or achieved a Master’s or Doctorate degree). [ Again, conservatively, that’s 20 years left ].

So, there’s also time for leisure, to ‘attend’ to life responsibilities, time for family and friends, and other miscellaneous activities. That’s usually another 5-10 years.

So, conservatively, we only have about 10-15 years of time for ‘OURSELVES’!

This is a BIG ‘WHY’ to create a ‘SENSE OF URGENCY’ in your life!

TIME MANAGEMENT

One of the best productivity systems I have read about is also one of the most simple. It is called the “Ivy Lee Method.”

One day, in the 1920s, Charles Schwab, president of Bethlehem Steel, met Ivy Lee, a pioneer management consultant. The industrial magnate said, “Show me a way to get more things done with my time, and I will pay you anything within reason.”

Lee handed him a blank sheet of paper and told him to take a few minutes that evening to write down, in order of priority, the six most important tasks he had to do. The next day he was to work on item number one until he had finished it, then go on to item two, and so on down the list. At the end of the day, he should tear up the list and make a new one for the following day.

“Don’t be concerned if you finish only one or two tasks. Your main objective is not necessarily to do them all, but to spend your time on those that are the most important. In other words, do first things first. If you can’t finish all the tasks on the list by this method, you couldn’t l by any other method, either. And without some system, you’d probably not even have decided were the most important. When you have tried this method, send me a check for what you think it’s worth.”

A few weeks later Schwab mailed Lee a check for $25,000 (equivalent to about $250,000 today!), with a note saying that it was the most profitable lesson he had ever learned.

Ivy Lee’s procedure sets daily priorities among a list of current tasks calling for action. But it doesn’t begin to deal with the more basic question of what items are simply urgent at the moment and not really important for the long run. So then, how do the tasks scheduled for today, even those near the top of the list, contribute to your goals?

The primary critique of Ivy’s method is that it doesn’t account for all of the complexities and nuances of life. Well, emergencies and unexpected distractions will arise, and they are to be ignored as much as possible. Ivy suggests that you deal with them when you must, but then get back to your prioritized to-do list as soon as possible. This method ‘forces’ you to MAKE ‘TOUGH’ DECISIONS!

There is something ‘magical’ about imposing limits upon yourself. It is to ‘prune’ your ideas and trim away everything that isn’t absolutely necessary. Basically, if you commit to nothing, you will be distracted by everything!

This method removes the ‘friction’ of starting. The biggest hurdle to finishing most tasks is starting them.

This method also requires one to ‘single-task’. Modern society loves ‘multi-tasking’, but the myth of multi-tasking is that being busy is synonymous with being better. The exact opposite is true! Having fewer priorities leads to better quality work.

Study world-class experts in nearly any field, and you will see that it’s all about ‘FOCUS’! The reason is simple. You can’t be great at one task if you are constantly dividing your time ten different ways. Mastery requires focus and consistency.

‘EFFECTIVE’ LIVING

Management consultant Peter Drucker realized that efficiency experts were barking up the wrong ‘tree’. He drew a crucial distinction between two words often used as synonyms: “efficient” and “effective.” For example, a dictionary defines efficient as “acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense or unnecessary effort.” But, effective is defined as “having an intended or expected effect.” Between the two words, there can be a world of difference!

Efficient emphasizes the means of production, the degree of economy with which it is carried out. On the other hand, effectiveness focuses on the result or purpose for which the activity is carried out.

Drucker noted that by using a minimum amount of energy and time, we can be very efficient in performing a certain task. Yet, our work is actually effective only when it ‘contributes’ to one’s goals. True effectiveness is not a matter of doing things right, but of doing the right things. For example, you may work out a very efficient, detailed procedure for keeping personal financial records, but before you congratulate yourself you should ask the basic question: “Are those records necessary?”

The effective person doesn’t let the apparent success of being more efficient ‘mask’ the mistake of performing an activity that is not important. The crucial question is not short-term efficiency but rather long-term effectiveness. In other words, how ‘significant’ is the task at hand.

The ‘principles’ for long-term ‘effectiveness’ are: Set Priorities; Take Inventory; Budget One’s Time; Implement A Plan; and Evaluate/Revise One’s Plan.

Set Priorities

Importance is gauged by contribution to our high-priority goals. Important tasks that are not urgent require initiative and perseverance.

Urgency calls for immediate attention. Urgent matters come into our life demanding action.

Take Inventory

Many time-management techniques—like Ivy Lee’s—focus on daily planning.

In evaluating our present use of time and planning future activities, we need to be aware of the significant difference between primarily working with people and wording on things. The following are several contrasting characteristics:

PEOPLE THINGS

Personal relationship Impersonal view

Principles Techniques

Effectiveness Efficiency

Empowerment Production

Cooperation Performance

Budget One’s Time

How can we keep on schedule to fulfill our commitments, guarded from encroachments and diversions?

Author Henry David Thoreau said regarding budgeting one’s time: “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumbnail.”

Implement a Plan

First, evaluate the proposed task in terms of its urgency (a matter of timing) and its importance (a matter of value).

Urgency is often needed in crises of life and death: like a house fire or, warning of a possible bomb threat. On the other hand, urgency can be a ‘counterfeit’ of importance, as such, and its compelling ‘call’ for immediate action is deceiving!

Then one must constantly evaluate and revise the plan. When your budgeting resolve breaks down, take courage, regroup, and press forward with your overall strategy.

‘COMPLACENCY’/FALSE URGENCY

Now, the first step in creating a true sense of urgency is to deeply understand its opposites: complacency and false urgency.

The dictionary says “complacent” is “a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger or trouble.”

Now, false urgency is a condition that is very different from complacency. While complacency embraces the status quo, false urgency can be filled with new activities. While complacency often has a sort of ‘sleepy’ quality, false urgency is filled with ‘energy’. While complacency is built on a feeling that the status quo is basically fine, false urgency is built on a platform of anxiety and anger.

Just as with people who are complacent, those acting with a false sense of urgency often don’t see it. The human capacity to hide feelings of fear and anger from others, and themselves, can be astonishing at times.

So, to increase a real sense of ‘true’ urgency, aim for the ‘heart’. Underlying a true sense of urgency is a set of feelings: a compulsive determination to move, and win… now!

More than thoughts in the mind, it is the feelings in the ‘heart’ that creates the unchanging behavior of complacency, the unproductive ‘flurry’ of behavior that is a false urgency, or the powerfully useful actions of true urgency.

The winning strategy combines analytically sound, ambitious, but logical goals with methods that help people experience new, often very ambitious goals, as exciting, meaningful, and uplifting—creating a deeply felt determination to move, make it happen, and win, now.

Tactics that aim at the ‘heart’, and successfully increase urgency, all seem to have five key characteristics:

– First, they are thoughtfully created human experiences.

– Second, elective experiences work appropriately on all our senses.

– Third, the experiences are not designed to create just any emotional reaction.

– Fourth, the experiences are rarely, if ever, explained. They don’t need to be.

– Fifth, the experiences almost inevitably lead us to raise our sights, to emotionally embrace goals beyond maintaining the status quo, beyond coping with a difficult situation, beyond incremental adjustments to what we now do. Ultimately, it is that gap between what exists and what you want—not only what you think is logical— and between the reality today and a deeply meaningful aspiration that generates the determination associated with a sense of urgency.

THE TACTICS

The most successful tactics people use to increase urgency with heart-head strategies fall into four categories:

– First, people dramatically bring outside reality into groups that are too inwardly focused.

– Second, they behave with true urgency themselves every single day.

– Third, they look for the upside possibilities in crises, but very selectively and with great care.

– Fourth, they confront the problem of “NoNo’s” (how one reacts to new ideas) and do so effectively.

All four sets of tactics can have an effect that is visceral, and not only intellectual. When they are used well, they influence attitudes, thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams, and behavior. One can turn a complacent contentment with the status quo, or the anger and anxiety associated with a perceived mess, into a determination to move, and win, right now.

HOWEVER, sustaining urgency over time requires that it not only be created, and created well, but that it be re-created again and again.

The basic pattern is simple: urgency leads to success which leads to complacency.

The ultimate solution to the problem of urgency dropping after successes is to create the right culture. This is especially true as we move from a world in which change is mostly ‘episodic’ to a world in which change is ‘continuous’.

With a culture of urgency, people deeply value the capacity to grab new opportunities, avoid new hazards, and continually find ways to win. Behaviors that arc the norm include being constantly alert, focusing externally, moving fast, stopping low-value-added activities that absorb time and effort, relentlessly pushing for change when it is needed, and providing the leadership to produce smart change no matter where you are in the hierarchy.

So, to keep urgency up after a success, one must do the following:

– Anticipate, in advance, a possible downturn in the sense of urgency.

– Plan for a solution.

– Whether or not it is anticipated and planned for, as soon as urgency starts to dip use an appropriate combination of urgency-raising tactics within the framework of a heart-head strategy: Bring more of the outside in; Act urgently in new and fresh ways; Use (or create) a new crisis; and Deal with the remaining ‘NoNo’s’.

In the future, the speed of changing trends will only increase. A sense of urgency will only become more essential!

‘CULTIVATING’ A SENSE OF URGENCY

If you are going to really make something happen, you have got to develop that sense of urgency. There’s a great illustration of this:

A Texas billionaire had a ‘graduation’ party for his only daughter. So, he called all of the eligible bachelors in town, and many came.

Starting the ‘festivities’ off, he announced that if any one of the young men that would swim across this pool, he would give them either a million dollars, a thousand acres of his best land, or the hand of my only daughter in marriage. HOWEVER, he stocked the pool with alligators and water moccasins

All of a sudden, everyone heard a large splash in the pool. There was this young man swimming LIKE ‘CRAZY’ until he came upon the other end of the pool. The billionaire ran down to him and congratulated him for making it all the way across the pool, and asked which ‘item’ did he want: The million dollars, the thousand-acre ranch, or the hand of his daughter in marriage.

Well, still ‘agitated’, the young man said that he DIDN’T WANT ANYTHING! So, the billionaire asked him, Then, what do you want?” The young man answered, “I just want the name of the fool who pushed me in the pool!” ;^D

Widely regarded to be the world’s foremost authority on leadership and change, John P. Kotter says that at the very beginning of any effort to make changes of any magnitude, if a sense of urgency is not high enough and complacency is not low enough, everything else becomes so much more difficult. (As was just mentioned, success can easily produce complacency.)

As was also just mentioned, Kotter mentions that the opposite of urgency is not only complacency, it is a false or misguided sense of urgency that is as prevalent today—as complacency itself is even more insidious.

With a false sense of urgency, an organization does have a great deal of energized action, but it is driven by anxiety, anger, and frustration, and not a focused determination to win, and win as soon as is reasonably possible.

The thing is, mistaking what you might call false urgency from real urgency is a huge problem today. People constantly see the frenzied action, assume that it represents true urgency, and then move ahead, only to encounter problems and failures not unlike what would happen if they were surrounded by complacency. Task forces underperform.

Urgency is becoming increasingly important because change is shifting from ‘episodic’ to ‘continuous’. With episodic change, there is one big issue, such as making and integrating the largest acquisition in a firm s history. However, with continuous change, some combination of acquisitions, new strategies, big ‘I.T.’ projects, reorganizations, and the like change, the challenge of creating a sufficient sense of urgency comes in occasional spurts. With continuous change, creating and sustaining a sufficient sense of urgency are always a necessity.

These two different kinds of change will continue to challenge us, but in a world where the rate of change appears to be going up and up, we are experiencing a more global shift from episodic to continuous, with huge implications for the issue of urgency and performance. Put simply, a strong sense of urgency is moving from an essential element in big change programs to an essential asset in general.

Kotter says that ‘THE’ PROBLEM is ‘complacency’. We have all seen it. Yet we underestimate its power and its prevalence. Highly destructive complacency is, in fact, all around us, including in places where people would deny it to the ‘death’.

In our fast-moving and changing world, a sleepy or steadfast contentment with the status quo can create a literal ‘disaster’!

This is a false sense of urgency that may be even more destructive than complacency because it drains needed energy in activity and not productivity.

The real ’SOLUTION’ to the complacency problem is a ‘TRUE’ SENSE OF URGENCY.

True urgency focuses on critical issues, not agendas overstuffed with the important and the trivial. True urgency is driven by a deep determination to win, not anxiety about losing.

The dictionary tells us that urgency means “of pressing importance.” When people have a ‘true’ sense of urgency, they think that action on ‘critical’ issues is needed NOW, not eventually, not when it fits easily into a schedule. NOW means making real progress every single day!

Urgent behavior is not driven by a belief that all is well or that everything is a mess but, instead, that the world contains great opportunities and great hazards. Even more so, urgent action is not created by feelings of contentment, anxiety, frustration, or anger, but the ‘gut-level’ determination to move, and to win now.

With a true sense of urgency, people want to come to work each day ready to cooperate energetically and responsively with intelligent initiatives from other. A real sense of urgency is highly positive and highly focused ‘force’.

A ‘real’ sense of urgency is rare—much rarer than most people think. On the other hand, complacency is pervasive, in part because it simply is not ‘seen’. In addition to that, a false sense of urgency is pervasive and insidious because people mistake activity for productivity!

‘PROACTIVE’ URGENCY

Proactive urgency is purposeful, insistent, committed action pursued with a passionate edge, and a sharp, contrast exists between “reactive” and “proactive” urgency.

Reactive urgency is powerful, efficient and effective. It typically arises in response to a confrontation with circumstances that have (or appear to have) the potential for inflicting significant harm.

Surviving the threat becomes your exclusive objective and you have no choice in the matter. In these situations your body is instantly ‘turbocharged’. One is compelled without hesitation into immediate action, whether that is staying and fighting the threat or getting away from it.

The triggering of these two rapid-delivery systems represents the full engagement of your fight-or-flight response.

In short, your body immediately brings to bear its most vital resources for a genuinely important objective: your ‘survival’. The human body has become ‘optimized’ for fighting or fleeing the threat.

Another potential automatic response to fight-or-flight circumstances is “freezing” —that is, remaining near the threat but not ‘actively responding’ to it in any way.

Freezing most likely eliminates any chance of recovery or escape. (Consider the misplaced and unfortunate choice made by a deer caught in the headlights of a vehicle accelerating toward it). A form of freezing is called “avoidance.”

It is common for high reasoning to be overwhelmed by ’threats’—real or imagined.

As to the latter, Mark Twain once said, “I’ve been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.” We often, and without thinking, give ‘imagined’ threats much more power than they deserve, Even the mere accumulation of day-to-day stressors can pave the way to feeling overwhelmed to the point of opting for avoidance. If you need a reason “not to,” you can, and will, always find one!

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius eloquently summarized it like this: “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”

Reactive urgency occurs automatically in response to feelings of distress arising from events over which an individual feels no control but is drawn into a ‘panicked’ search for a way out. Whereas, proactive urgency is the use of urgency as a powerful ’tool’, purposefully managed, to help one reach their most important personal and work objectives.

The good ‘news’ is that a sense of urgency CAN be proactively created, practiced and perfected!

With practice, and in the pursuit of an objective that is sufficiently important, one can, to a significant degree, create a sense of urgency similar to the kind that drives one when they are confronted with a fight-or-flight situation.

Proactive urgency is, by definition, not automatic or reactive. It is purposefully selected as a way of being in the relentless pursuit of a goal you will not be denied. It is manifested in your calculated actions and is engaged with a high level of sustained ‘intensity’.

It is one’s choice to act with a “first responder” urgency outside of an emergency or a crisis. Proactive urgency is a powerful way to engage one’s highest and best resources to get what they want!

URGENCY BY ‘CHOICE’

There is a palpable difference between an urgent and non-urgent state of mind. We are all familiar with the latter, and most us spend much of our time in less focused, neutral, or low-energy ‘states’. However, urgency-by-choice is the province of the active, directed, and decisive mind. This is why the word urgency is often used in combination with the word “sense.” The resulting phrase, “sense of urgency,” is much more than an abstract reference.

A frequently cited example of this combination is from the work of Dr. Stephen Covey, included in his “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “First Things First” books.

[ NOTE: Covey popularized Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “Decision Matrix.” Eisenhower said, “What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.”

[ Chart by: “The Art of Manliness” ]

Dwight D. Eisenhower lived one of the most productive lives you can imagine.

He was the 34th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1953 to 1961. During his time in office, he launched programs that directly led to the development of the Interstate Highway System in the United States, the launch of the Internet (DARPA), the exploration of space (NASA), and the peaceful use of alternative energy sources (Atomic Energy Act).

Before becoming president, Eisenhower was a five-star general in the United States Army, served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II, and was responsible for planning and executing invasions of North Africa, France, and Germany.

At other points along the way, he served as President of Columbia University, became the first Supreme Commander of NATO, and somehow found time to pursue hobbies like golfing and oil painting.

Eisenhower had an incredible ability to sustain his productivity not just for weeks or months, but for decades. Therefore, for that reason, it is no surprise that his methods for time management, task management, and productivity have been studied by many people.

His most famous productivity strategy is known as the “Eisenhower Decision Matrix” (or the “Eisenhower Box”) and is a simple decision-making tool that you can use right now.

Eisenhower’s strategy for taking action and organizing your tasks is simple. Viewing the image below, you will see that one separates their actions based on four possibilities:

– Urgent and important (tasks you will do immediately)

– Important, but not urgent (tasks you will schedule to do later)

– Urgent, but not important (tasks you will delegate to someone else)

– Neither urgent nor important (tasks that you will eliminate)

The great thing about this matrix is that it can be used for ‘broader’ productivity plans (“How should I spend my time each week/month?”) and for smaller, ‘daily’ plans (“What should I do today?”).

Here is an example of what an “Eisenhower Box” looks like for today created by continuous improvement author and speaker James Clear:

[ “The Eisenhower Box” chart by James Clear (2018) ]

Separating these differences is simple enough to do once, but doing so continually can be tough. However the Eisenhower Matrix provides a clear framework for making the decisions over and over again—and like anything in life, consistency is the hard part.

So, as it can be hard to eliminate time-wasting activities if you aren’t sure what you are working toward, there are two questions that can help clarify the entire process behind the Eisenhower Box.

Those two questions are:

– “What am I working toward?”

– “What are the core values that drive my life?”

Deciding which tasks to do and which tasks to delete becomes much easier when you are clear about WHAT’S ‘IMPORTANT’ to you!

So now, let me explain, in more detail, each of the ‘quadrants’ of the “Eisenhower Decision Matrix”

QUADRANT 1: Urgent and Important Tasks

These tasks are both urgent and important. They are tasks that require our immediate attention and also work towards fulfilling our long-term goals and missions in life.

– Pressing Problems

– Crises

– Emergencies

– Project Deadlines

– “Fire-fighting”

Examples:

– A job offer, or an email for a new business opportunity that requires immediate action

– Term paper deadline

– Tax deadline

– Spouse in emergency room

– Car engine ‘fries’

– Household chores

– You have a heart attack and end up in the hospital

– You get a call from your kid’s principal saying you need to come in for a meeting about his behavior

QUADRANT 2: Not Urgent but Important Tasks

These tasks are the activities that don’t have a pressing deadline, but nonetheless help you achieve your important personal, school, and work goals as well as help you fulfill your overall mission as a man.

– Planning

– Preparation

– Prevention

– Relationship Building

– Values Clarification

– Reinvention

Examples:

– Weekly planning

– Long-term planning

– Exercising

– Family time

– Reading life-enriching books

– Journaling

– Taking a class to improve a skill

– Spending time in a rewarding hobby

– Studying

– Service

– Car and home maintenance

– Date night with spouse

– Creating a budget and savings plan

QUADRANT 3: Urgent and Not Important Tasks

These tasks are activities that require our attention now (urgent), but don’t help us achieve our goals or fulfill our mission (not important). Most Quadrant 3 tasks are interruptions from other people and often involve helping them meet their own goals and fulfill their own priorities.

Here are some specific examples of Quadrant 3 activities:

– Interruptions

– Some meetings

– Some e-mail and phone calls

– Other people’s minor issues

Examples:

– Phone calls

– Text messages

– Most emails (some emails could be urgent and important)

– Co-worker who comes by your desk during your prime working time to ask a favor

– Request from a former employee to write a letter of recommendation on his behalf (it’s probably important to him, but let’s face it, it’s probably not that important to you)

– Parent drops in unannounced and wants your help with a chore

QUADRANT 4: Not Urgent and Not Important Tasks

These activities aren’t urgent and aren’t important. They’re what I like to call “fooling around” activities. Quadrant 4 activities aren’t pressing nor do they help you achieve long-term goals or fulfill your mission as a man. They are primarily ‘distractions’.

Specific examples of Not Urgent and Not Important Tasks include:

– Time wasting activities

– Busy Work

– Most e-mail and phone calls

– Many meetings

– Excessive Internet, texting, and Television

Examples:

– Watching TV

– Checking Social Media

– Mindlessly surfing the web

– Sorting through junk e-mail

– Playing video games

– Scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

– Gambling

– Shopping sprees

Covey’s principal recommendation is that most people spend their time on things in QUADRANT 2 (“Important, Not Urgent”)

Covey puts forth a concept called “Principle Centered Living” and explains that when one chooses to live in a “Quadrant Two” way, what changes first is their thoughts, and the way one sees their daily tasks.

They realize that on a typical ‘Monday morning’ one sees their list of things and must ‘decide’ how to handle the tasks. Covey suggests that one good approach is to ask oneself which of these activities is most important, and then ask the following questions: “What can I safely postpone?,” “What can I delegate?,” “What can I ‘get out’ of?,” and “What can I do more quickly?”

So, even though it’s ‘BEST’ to try to stay in “Quadrant 2,” one doesn’t need to eliminate Quadrant 4 activities altogether from one’s life. After a particularly hectic and busy day, randomly browsing the Internet or watching a favorite TV show for a half hour is exactly what some people’s brain need to decompress. Therefore, instead of aiming to completely rid yourself of “Not Urgent and Not Important” tasks, try to only spend a very limited amount of time on them—maybe 5% or less of your waking hours could be a good goal for Quadrant 4.

The thing is, in our presently ‘crazed’ world, the ability to filter the signal from the noise, or distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s truly important, is an essential skill to try to develop. We would ALL do better if we were ‘LIKE IKE’, spending more time on the ‘important’ tasks.

So then, when faced with a decision, stop and ask yourself, “Am I doing this because it’s important or am I doing it because it’s merely urgent?”

As you spend most of your time working on Quadrant 2 (“Not Urgent but Important”) tasks, you will probably feel a renewed sense of calm, control, and composure in your life—and feel like you are making real progress. By investing your time in these planning and organizing activities, you can prevent and eliminate many of the crises and problems of Quadrant 1, balance the requests of Quadrant 3 with your own needs, and truly enjoy the ‘veg-outs’ of Quadrant 4—knowing that you’ve ‘earned’ the rest.

By making Quadrant 2 tasks your top priority, no matter the emergency, annoyance, or deadline you are hit with, you will have the mental, emotional, and physical wherewithal to respond positively, rather than react defensively!

Urgency-by-choice takes the concept of time management to a different level. You will find that the effort and commitment put into work you have chosen to treat with urgency has nothing to do with clock time. Acting with proactive urgency is about your commitment to the objective, the attentiveness and depth of your focus, the ‘velocity’ and timeliness of your actions, and the fierceness of your pursuit!

Urgency-by-choice is the province of the active, directed, and decisive mind. Your engagement of proactive urgency will be evident from the level of your commitment to the objective, the attentiveness and depth of your focus, the velocity and timeliness of your actions, the fierceness of your pursuit. Engage it in the service of objectives that will be ‘GAME-CHANGING’ in your work and your life!

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Covey suggests that “first things first” can be characterized by the contrast between two powerful tools that direct us: the “clock” and the “compass.”

The “clock” represents our commitments, appointments, schedules, goals, and activities. It represents what we do with and how we manage our time.

The “compass” represents our vision, values, principles, mission, conscience, and direction. It is what we feel is important in how we lead our lives.

The struggle comes when we sense a ‘gap’ between the clock and the compass. The ‘pain’ of this gap can be more or less intense it can make some people feel empty in spite of those success.

Covey says that even though there have been many philosophies of time management (reminders and checklists; planning and preparation; prioritizing and controlling), there remains a need for a fourth-generation based on paradigms that will create quality of life results.

Some of us get used to the adrenaline ‘rush’ of handling crises that we become dependent on it for a sense of excitement and energy. Urgency addiction is a self-destructive behavior that temporarily fills the void created by unmet needs. It is as dangerous as other dependencies such as addiction to chemical substances, gambling, and overeating.

It is important to realize that urgency itself is not the problem. The problem is that when urgency is the ‘dominant’ factor in our lives, then importance isn’t.

The process of putting first things first is like a garden which needs a gardener. We have to plant water cultivate and weed it on a regular basis if we are going to enjoy harvest.

According to Covey, daily planning gives us a limited view while weekly organizing provides a broader concept to what we do.

When you organize the coming week, the first step is to ‘connect’ with what is most important in your life as a whole with your ‘VISION’ and ‘MISSION’.

So, try this: List three or four things you would consider first things in your life. Then identify your roles at work in the family in the community, etc.

You will find that much of our ‘pain’ in life comes from the sense that we are succeeding in one role at the expense of others.

Then, the next step is to select Quadrant 2 goals for each ‘role’ and create a framework for the week starting with ‘big rocks’ followed by ‘pebbles’ then filling the rest with ‘sand’. [ How about then filling it with water? ;^D ].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyL93MlR_I0

So, the daily task is to keep first things first while navigating through the unexpected opportunities and challenges of the day. Equally important is the ‘balance’ of the roles. Each role is vitally important.

Success in one role can’t justify failure in another. That is, business success can’t justify failure in marriage or success in the community can’t justify failure as a parent. Success or failure in any role contributes to the quality of every other role in life as a whole.

Covey says that balance leads to abundance. We may plan our week perfectly but unexpected things happen all the time, and we need to choose over and over again how to react to the call for urgency. The moment of choice is the moment of truth, and a ‘testing point’ of our character and competence.

Over time one’s choices become habits of the ‘heart’, and are the ‘primary’ affect over one’s time.

CULTIVATING A SENSE OF ‘SPIRITUAL’ URGENCY

Spiritually, when one gets ‘comfortable’—when we experience a certain level of ‘worldly’ success—one tends to drift into thinking that we have all the time in the world to get to ‘know’ and be ‘reconciled’ to God.

The thing is, the only time we ever ‘surely’ have is RIGHT NOW! SO, my advice to you is that there is NO BETTER TIME than NOW to repent of your sins and believe in Jesus as your Savior, OR if you have already done so, start giving God ALL of your energy and a willingness to serve Him and undertake the Great Commission! (Matthew 28:16-20).

Someone once said something like, “There’s no better time than the present.”

[ FYI: “Go ahead and call him—there’s no time like the present,” was an adage that was first recorded in 1562. One compiler of proverbs, John Trusler, amplified it and said this: “No time like the present, a thousand unforeseen circumstances may interrupt you at a future time” (Proverbs Exemplified, 1790). ]

Now, I’m sure you have also heard the saying, “Time flies.” Most ‘older’ people will say this when they are talking with a ‘younger’ person, trying to encourage them to pursue a ‘life goal’ and start it as soon as possible since life will be ‘gone’ before you know it. One doesn’t want to be on ‘death’s door’ before they accomplish something with their life.

[ FYI: “Time flies” is a translation of an older Latin phrase “tempus fugit,” a poetic expression that captures the inevitable passing of time and the need to enjoy the time that humanity has (From book three of Virgil’s Georgics). Read more at: https://www.infowizzard.com/652/where-does-the-expression-time-flies-come-from/ ].

Sadly, only when people are ‘forced’ to think about death and the ‘after life’—like a person in the ER—do they realize that their situation is ‘URGENT’! Many people are ‘hit’ with the reality that life has passed by too quickly when it’s too late! [ I’m trying to get you to think about this BEFORE you are in that ‘situation’! ].

Another popular saying, “Time waits for no one” is trying to encourage someone to do something ‘soon’, while the time is available. [ Again, this is what I am trying to ’spur’ you on to consider turning your life over to Jesus—now! ].

No man knows the day or hour that Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36). It could be at any moment. He could decide to ‘snatch’ his Church away tomorrow (with the ‘Rapture’ – 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Many theologians say that when Israel become a ‘state’ (in 1948), that was when God started the ‘countdown’ of the last ‘hour’ for humanity. So, more than ever there needs to be a SENSE OF ‘URGENCY’ to live every day as if the return of Jesus is going to happen during your lifetime!

The thing is, our enemy the Devil is indeed trying to lead us away from God. He is trying to offer us the ‘silver and gold’ of this world at the expense of your soul!

Again, James helps us in this regard by saying, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you” [ James 4:7b ].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbnkxjGIM8c

[ “Resist Him” by ApologetiX ]

[ FYI: For more details about what ‘deceptions’ the Devil will be foisting on humanity in the ‘end times’, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/the-final-deception-v268/ ].

Compared to ‘eternity’, life is REALLY ‘SHORT’. But, since there is a natural tendency for us humans to be ‘complacent’. Let me, once again, encourage those who ARE NOT ‘BELIEVERS’, to make your ‘investigation’ of the Christian faith an ‘URGENT’ (Quadrant 1) item in your life RIGHT NOW!

STATE OF ‘EMERGENCY’?

The urgent care centers normally take care of non-life-threatening conditions like broken arms or legs and other simple health conditions. Whereas, “ER”s provide for life-threatening conditions.

As I have mentioned, urgency is described as a critical situation of haste. When something is urgent, it needs prompt attention so it doesn’t worsen. However, an emergency is considered a situation where the life, health, property or environment faces an immediate threat.

If you cut your finger chopping onions and it is bleeding profusely, that would be an example of an ‘urgent’ situation and you should probably go to an urgent care facility to get some stitches. However, if you find someone in cardiac arrest, that would be an ‘emergency’ and you should call 911 immediately to have them transported to the ER.

SO, I am trying to communicate that there is an ‘URGENCY’ in getting ‘SAVED’ right now, because of the ‘convergence’ of Biblical prophecies—and I want you to be able to ‘MISS’ THE COMING ‘EMERGENCY’ after the believers have been ‘Raptured’ and the Antichrist will appear on the scene to ‘lull’ the world into a sense of safety and security just before he starts his killing spree and God foists His wrath upon the unbelievers called the “GREAT TRIBULATION.”

In an ER in the hospital, everything is done with a sense of ‘urgency’—there is NO TIME TO ‘WASTE’ because a life depends upon it.

PLEASE make finding out about all this an ‘URGENT’ part of your life in the ‘NEAR’ FUTURE—like TODAY!

[ For more details on some of these topics, read the following previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” posts:

“Convergence” and the “Rapture”: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/blessed-hope-v245/

The “Tribulation”: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/

The ‘Warnings’: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/heed-the-warning-v251/

Are we the “Last Generation”?: https://markbesh.wordpress.com/last-generation-v249/ ].

THE ‘HOUR’ IS LATE!

“I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date. No time to say ‘Hello’, ‘Goodbye’!

I’m late! I’m late! I’m late! I’m late!”

Now, I’m thinking that the White Rabbit was a ‘chronic’ procrastinator, and probably a bit ‘complacent’, too.

Do you happen to be anything like the White Rabbit? Is there any urgency in your life to complete something? How about ‘WHERE’ you will spend ETERNITY?

As I read stories about sudden catastrophes and the damage they cause, I can’t help but think of what Jesus said: “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking… until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away” [ Matthew 24:37-39 ].

It’s possible to be in imminent danger without any knowledge of it or a sense of urgency, but delay can be deadly. The word “urgent” comes from an old Latin word meaning “to urge.” It means that an event is occurring that is so compelling it requires ‘IMMEDIATE’ ACTION. To hesitate is to be ‘LOST’.

Despite the urgency of our own times, people have a ‘lackadaisical’ attitude toward life. Our secular society has shrugged off religious concern. Governments consistently attempt to marginalize Christianity, while large numbers of people seek other avenues for ‘spirituality’.

For many people, there IS NOT an urgency to be ‘reconciled’ with God, and they want to continue in the lifestyle of sin.

Jesus tells a parable of the “Ten Virgins” (Matthew 25)—five foolish and five wise virgins—which the five foolish had no ‘urgency’ to have enough oil for the entire night. (They thought that the bridegroom was going to come sooner).

However, the Bible says as the bridegroom delayed and the foolish virgins recognized that they were not going to have enough oil for their lamps and had to leave to go buy some more. The ‘bridegroom’ came while they were gone and were not allowed into the wedding party when they arrived back, since the ‘door’ (Heaven) was closed and would not be let in!re

The foolish virgins didn’t seem to have enough of a ‘sense of urgency’ to take care of the important matters (having enough oil) when they needed to have done so.

People tend to lose their sense of urgency by the ‘sedative’ of comfort and

satisfaction and their priorities get ‘out of whack’. So they say, “I’m just too busy right now. I’ll get to it later.” Well, just like the foolish virgins, if you are not ‘prepared’ (‘saved’) in time (before your death) you WILL NOT get into Heaven!

There are two kinds of people. Ones who are ‘apathetic’ and indifferent about what’s going on and others that are ‘sensing’ something is just not right.

Time is such a precious commodity right now. Every minute that we have needs to be spent wisely!

We have all ‘wasted’ time in the past, BUT it is NOW time to redeem that time. The Bible calls us to “redeem the time because the days are wicked” (Ephesians 5:16).

I am trying to suggest that you NOT ‘GAMBLE’ on your eternity. The Bible says that what is coming to the world (the “Great Tribulation”) will shake you to your ‘core’—and it will be VERY ‘DOUBTFUL’ that you will be able to endure it! The Bible tells us that MANY will end up ‘selling their soul’ to the Devil!

In the beginning of the Tribulation, things will seem to be ‘okay’. BUT, that will be for a VERY SHORT time—3-1/2 years—then the ‘day of doom’ will come! (and just like the “Doom Loop,” you will not be able to get ‘out’ of it very easily!)

Most can sense—if you are in tune ‘spiritually’ with what’s going on in the world—that there’s just a proliferation of wickedness around the world right now. However, the Bible says that this is just going to get WORSE! (Romans 1).

The thing is, there is still a 100% death rate for EVERY person. The Bible says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” [ Hebrews 9:27 ].

In addition to this, the urgency of ‘salvation’ hasn’t changed. The Apostle Paul shared with Governor Felix: “Now as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you’” [ Acts 24-25 ]. Sadly, as far as we know, Felix never called for Paul again—and evidently went to Hell for eternity because of his hesitancy!

Theologian and Congregational minister Timothy Dwight once said, “To procrastinate the business of salvation is the real madness… Procrastination is the thief which steals away not only our time, but our hopes, our souls, our all…. Today is the day of salvation.”

The prophet Isaiah said, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near” [ Isaiah 55:6 ]. Furthermore, Jesus’ return is closer now than it’s ever been! The Apostle Peter said, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” [ 2 Peter 3:10 ]. Adding to this, Jesus said elsewhere, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” [ Matthew 24:42 ].

Remember the brevity of life! It is ‘short’ (compared to eternity). TODAY is the day of YOUR SALVATION! (2 Corinthians 6:2).

[ FYI: For more details about God’s ‘warnings’, view the previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/heed-the-warning-v251/ ].

In my opinion, most people are living their lives a bit too ‘casually’ and thinking they have a lot of time ‘in front’ of them. The thing is—as I previously mentioned—most of us have less than 15 years to ourselves during our lives to ‘address’ the ‘ESSENTIAL’ things before we pass from this earth—and that is for people that live a ‘full’ (80 years) life! Some of us WILL NOT get to 80 years old!

So, today, ‘soften’ your heart, ‘repent’ of your sins and ‘believe’ in Jesus as your Savior. Become ‘SAVED’!

[ A “Prayer of Reconciliation” is below, and might help you ‘talk’ to God about your desire to become his ‘child’ ].

ESCAPE THE ‘END TIMES’!

The thing is you DON’T have to remain on earth during the worst days in human history! Jesus has promised that He will come and ‘RESCUE’ His people!

[ FYI: For more details about the “Doomsday Clock,” view this previous “life’s Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/ ].

The end time ‘signs’ prophesied in the Bible, that we can see today, agree with those scientists! The ‘end’ IS near!

According to the Bible, this present earth has an ‘expiration date’ and it seems to be drawing dangerously near. During this final period, God will pour out His wrath upon a Christ-rejecting humanity.

[ FYI: For more details about the “Great Tribulation,” view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/ ].

There is an increased sense of urgency to understand the prophetic perspective because many Bible prophecy experts are warning that all of the end times signs are converging. The required technologies are developed, the apocalyptic weapons are fashioned, and the evil political leaders and their wicked national relationships are in place for every last days Bible prophecy to find fulfillment soon.

Prophecy expert Bill Salus presented in his documentary, “Pre-Tribulation Prophecies,” that there is an increased SENSE OF URGENCY to understand the prophetic perspective because many Bible prophecy experts are warning that all of the end times signs are converging. The required technologies are developed, the apocalyptic weapons are fashioned, and the evil political leaders and their wicked national relationships are in place for every last days Bible prophecy to find fulfillment soon.

Salus presented these top 20 pre-Tribulation prophecies (with their related Bible verses):

– Disaster in Iran (Jeremiah 49:34-39)

– Destruction of Damascus (Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49:23-27)

– Toppling of Jordan (Jeremiah 49:1-6, Zephaniah 2:8-9, Ezekiel 25:14)

– Terrorization of Egypt (Isaiah 19:1-18)

– Final Arab/Israeli War (Psalm 83)

– Emergence of the Exceedingly Great Israeli Army (Ezekiel 37:10, Obadiah 1:18, Jeremiah 49:2, Ezekiel 25:14, Isaiah 11:14, 17:9, Zechariah 12:6)

– Expansion of Israel (Obadiah 1:19-20)

– Vanishing of the Christians (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)

– Emergence of a Greater, Safer and Wealthier Israel (Ezekiel 38:8-13)

– The Decline of America (the U.S. is thought to be the “young lions of Tarshish” in Ezekiel 38:13)

– Russia, Turkey, Iran and their Coalition Invade Israel (Ezekiel 38)

– Unrestrained Supernatural Deception (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)

– Arrival of the Antichrist (Revelation 6:1-2)

– World Wars, Famines & Plagues (Revelation 6:3-6)

– 144,000 Jewish Evangelists Emerge (Revelation 7:1-8)

– “Mystery, Babylon,” the Harlot religion (Revelation 17)

1- Two phases of the “Overflowing Scourge” – (Isaiah 28:15-18, Rev. 6:7-8)

– Post-Rapture Christian martyrdom (Revelation 6:9-11,17:6)

– The True content of False Covenant Gets Revealed (Isaiah 28:15-18, Daniel 9:27)

– Preparations to Build the Third Jewish Temple are Approved (Revelation 11:1-2)

[ For more details on each of these 20 items, go to the original article:

https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=4821

Salus says that these are all globally impacting prophecies. Although some of them are centered in the Middle East, they will likely increase international terrorism, lead to worldwide oil and gas shortages, fuel economic collapses, provoke geo-political upheavals, and result in unprecedented humanitarian calamities.

So, I am saying that it IS time to ‘run away’ from the coming ‘destruction’!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8aBCoyaFXc

[ “The Pilgrim’s Progress” – Running from the City of Destruction ]

God tells us that it IS NOT His desire that ANY SHOULD PERISH and go to Hell—which was originally ‘created’ only for the Devil and his demons—and continues to be patient toward humanity that they should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

However, Jesus also said that He is “coming back soon” (Revelation 22:20) and that we should “be ready” and tell others that they should get ready, too.

[ THAT’S exactly what I am trying to do with this post! To ‘WARN’ all those who ARE NOT ‘right with God to DO SO, since there is an IMPENDING ‘DOOM’ coming! ]

Yes, this very ‘strong’ language, but don’t ‘shoot’ the messenger—I’m just telling unbelievers in Jesus (and superficial, apathetic, and lukewarm ‘believers’) what the Bible says! (Romans 10:9-10; John 3:5-6; John 3:18; John 5:24; Acts 16:31; Revelation 3:20).

[ FYI: For more details about this impending ‘doom’, read this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/being-a-watchman-v250/ ].

I REALLY CARE that people (maybe you!) are ‘dropping’ into Hell every minute of every day, and I DON’T WANT YOU to be one of them!

If you are an unbeliever, don’t put this off until tomorrow. GET ‘SAVED’ TODAY!

[ FYI: For more details about “getting saved,” read this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/saved-from-death-v219/ ].

WRAP-UP

On April 10, 1912, what was then the world’s largest ocean liner left Southampton and begin her maiden voyage across the North Atlantic with over 2,200 people on board. Her captain. Edward Smith, was a seasoned sailor, and it was rumored that he would be retiring following the journey.

Four days into the voyage, everything was going as planned. Passengers were enjoying themselves—eating, drinking, playing, and relaxing. The skies had remained clear and the seas were calm—making for a tranquil and uneventful trip. The last thing on anyone’s mind was ‘danger’. In fact, the opposite sentiment was present in the minds of the Titanic’s 1,316 passengers, all secure and confident given the ship experts’ proclamations that “the vessel was unsinkable.”

Then, on Sunday morning April 14th, the ship received a wireless message from the “SS Caronid,” reporting that icebergs had been spotted just a few miles north of Titanic’s plotted course. Later that same day, the Titanic received additional ice warnings. One came from the steamship “Baltic” (at 1:40 pm), that reported “passing icebergs and a large quantity of field ice.” (This message included specific coordinates marking the location of the ice.) Another message was received from the “Californian,” and reported ice about 19 miles north of Titanic’s path. (Coordinates were provided as well.) The German liner “Amerika” also sent a message with reports of seeing two large icebergs. Lastly, another message came through, again from the “Californian,” stating that, “We are stopped and surrounded by ice!” The Titanic’s radio operator wired back, “Shut up. I am busy!”

As the world would later discover, the Titanic WAS NOT ‘unsinkable’! The Titanic went down in 2 hours and 40 minutes, carrying 1,512 people more than two miles below the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.

The ‘urgent’ messages turned into ‘emergency’ warnings which, sadly, turned into ‘TRAGEDY’!

Not unlike those MANY iceberg warnings of April 1912, Bible prophecies ‘ALERT’ us regarding the “End Times.” They warn of approaching danger and give us ‘clues’ on how to AVOID ‘CATASTROPHE’! When heeded, they SAVE LIVES! When ignored, ‘DISASTER’ IS INEVITABLE! (There are similarities between Noah’s day and the final days of planet earth and a resemblance to OUR generation.)

Now, seeing these parallel signs doesn’t mean conclusively that we are about to be ‘raptured’ any more than spotting an iceberg means a ship is going to sink. BUT, there are ‘icebergs’ all around us! While we may not agree on the specifics, I believe, as do most biblical scholars and prophecy experts, that humanity is on a collision course with God’s coming judgment and SOON return of Jesus. We are racing full speed ahead into the ‘night’, toward a rendezvous with a global catastrophe.

Numerous compelling moral, cultural, geopolitical, and biblical evidences indicate we may very well be close to the End Times described in Scripture. Some of these signs and clues may sound as unlikely and improbable as a block of ice capsizing an unsinkable ship.

There are those who say the chances these prophetic events will really happen are so minuscule as to be thought ridiculous (Just as absurd as an Ark saving a family and some animals from a worldwide flood). But, for the ‘discerning’ person, there is a growing sense that the world is nearing the conclusion of its journey—and you don’t need a premonition to figure that out!

[ FYI: For more details about being ‘discerning’, view this previous “Life Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/being-discerning-v266/ ].

But, what is indisputable is that world boundaries are dissolving and our planet is rapidly becoming one big ‘society’. Globalization IS ‘merging’ humanity, giving us communication and a commonality mankind has not experienced since the Tower of Babel. Like the Titanic, we have ‘set sail’ and we ARE going ‘somewhere’.

The thing is, no meteorologist can, with pinpoint accuracy, forecast a coming global storm. Doppler radar will not pick up this prophetic ‘weather’ event. As with attempting to predict a tornado, we can only know when the conditions are right. Dark skies, wall clouds, swirling debris, and large hail indicate a tornado is near—and if the air becomes still and you hear what sounds like a freight train, you can be pretty sure a tornado is imminent and you should take cover immediately! Similarly, Bible prophecy lets us know the ‘signs’ that warn of coming events.

Moral, spiritual, and economic conditions on earth will likely become increasingly worse leading up to the Rapture. Following this event, a different phase of God’s justice will begin, as “sowing and reaping” will give way to another kind of wrath—the ‘apocalyptic’ kind. Jesus is coming to ‘conquer’ and to ‘judge’!

The “age of grace” in which we live is coming to an abrupt end, and what follows will be a mind-boggling, catastrophic conclusion to civilization as we know it. HOWEVER, until that time, there is something Jesus wants you to do.

As I have discussed in the past, [ https://markbesh.wordpress.com/the-final-deception-v268/, and https://markbesh.wordpress.com/being-a-watchman-v250/ ] what happened on December 7, 1941 was a ’SHOCK’—the U.S. was surprised by the Japanese with an attack on Pearl Harbor—which, essentially, was the start of World War II.

The next four years affected EVERY life in America, and MANY thought that, because of nuclear bombs, this just might be the end of the world.

Well, before World War II, it was hard to imagine how some of the Book of the Revelation’s prophecies could ever take place. However, since then SO MUCH has changed with the ‘exponential’ advancements in technology, the move toward a unified government in Europe, increasing development of a global economy, and much volatile relationship between nations. Perhaps most of all, the regathering of the Jewish people to Israel in 1948 makes much of biblical prophecy now ‘plausible’ for the first time since 70AD! (Almost all of the key events of the end times ‘hinge’ on the existence of the nation of Israel.)

SO, don’t be like the many that are so ‘caught up’ in this life and their own pursuits such that these ‘URGENT’ THINGS are not a priority for them!

We live in a constant ‘tension’ between the urgent and the important. Jesus discerned what was the MOST IMPORTANT to His Father’s will by being in prayer day after day. Because of this, He was able to resist the urgent demands of others and do what was really important for His mission—and every believer should be doing the same!

Frances R. Havergal said it well in his hymn, “Like a River Glorious,” that God’s people must always have a sense of urgency: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed, finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.” [ A video of this hymn is in the “Songs” section below ].

Last month, I talked about all the planning that went into the D-Day invasion, and how the competent General always draws up his battle plan before engaging the enemy—and he doesn’t postpone ‘basic’ decisions until the firing starts.

BUT, he is also prepared to change his plans, if necessary, to cope with an unexpected turn of events. Former President Crawford Greenwald of DuPont once said, “One minute spent in planning can save three to four minutes in execution.”

So, try to set aside a few hours after you finish reading this post to consider all of what I have said here and do some real deep ‘SOUL-SEARCHING’ about WHAT’S ‘REALLY’ IMPORTANT—where you will ‘live’ for eternity! Next week just might be too late!

Once, long ago, a prince asked his tutor to prepare him for the life beyond. The tutor replied, “There is plenty of time for that when you are old.” The prince exclaimed, “No! I have been to the cemetery and measured the graves, and there are many shorter than I am!”

The prince was wise, for the Bible says, “What is your life? It is even a vapor” [ James 4:14 ]. A ‘vapor’ appears for a short time, but then vanishes. Tomorrow may be TOO LATE to take the God of the Bible seriously!

A cartoon was once published in three parts. In the first scene, there was a young man seated at a desk. At his shoulder stood Jesus, inviting him to be saved. Politely he told Jesus that he was just launching his career and had no time for anything else.

The second scene showed the same man, now middle-aged. He was heavier and well-dressed, and his larger desk was covered with papers and reports. Again Jesus stood that his elbow. But again, the man replied with the same answer: “No time. Busy. I’ll do it tomorrow!”

The last picture shows an old and graying man at his desk. At his shoulder stood, not Jesus, but the gaunt, bony specter of ‘death’. Speaking in hollow tones, death declared, “I have come for you.” The businessman, with frightened eyes, replied, ”Go away, Death! I did not send for you.” However, death refused to go, and the man was ushered into an eternity in Hell!

Tomorrow is the fitting epitaph for many tombstones. Tomorrow sounds so innocent, but it can be life’s most dangerous word. Tomorrow is the barred and bolted ‘door’ that has shut many people out of Heaven!

God has never promised any of us tomorrow—and the Bible implores us not to boast about tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1). Those who expect to repent and ‘turn’ to Jesus tomorrow may DIE TODAY!

So, be ready! “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” [ Hebrews 9:27 ]. The best preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today!

God has already provided the way to salvation. Jesus Christ, God’s one and only begotten Son, died, to save us from the eternal penalty of our sins, then rose again from the dead three days later to give us NEW ‘LIFE’! (2 Corinthians 5:15). Jesus promises that everyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life, and “shall not come into condemnation; but has passed from death to life” [ John 5:24c ].

Through faith in Jesus, you will be prepared for life beyond the grave. You will also be prepared to live your life here on earth in peace and certainty, knowing that God your Heavenly Father cares for you! He has provided you with an invaluable guidebook for life, the Bible (“Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”). [ A song with this same name is in the “Songs” section below ].

So, when should you be ready? Well, the Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” [ 2 Corinthians 6:2 ]. Tomorrow may be TOO LATE!

WHAT THE BIBLE STATES ABOUT ‘URGENCY’

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” [ Psalm 90-12 ].

Closer to our day and times, the Apostle Paul expressed a similar sense of urgency: “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” [ Romans 13:11-12 ].

The prophet Enoch also warned that there is a time coming when men will have to answer for what they have done during their lifetimes saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him” [ Jude 14-15 ].

The Bible indicates that time is moving in a definite direction and that God Himself is orchestrating many of the events within its progress toward the ‘return’ of Jesus Christ, the “Day of the Lord,” and the establishment on earth of His Kingdom. This has led the church to develop, an overall concept of ‘time management’ unique to the Church, with its ‘roots’ in the Old Testament: “Seek the LORD while He may be found” [ Isaiah 55:6 ].

So, why should we seek Him? Because He has the power and the willingness, if we will trust Him, to give us a completely new nature, breaking the vain, frustrating, repetitious cycle. The prophet Isaiah adds some helpful understanding:

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God” [ Isaiah 61:1-2 ].

This is a prophecy that Jesus partially quoted as He began His ministry in the synagogue in Nazareth where He grew up (Luke 4:18-19). These passages suggest an element of movement toward something soon to happen.

Jesus partially quoted Isaiah 55:6 (in Luke 4:18-19) suggesting that one must seek Him urgently because He just might ‘move on’ if one doesn’t respond to Him when He ‘calls’ a person. If one waits, the acceptable day will pass, and the day of vengeance, even now moving toward us, will be here—and it will be too late to avoid its destructive powers!

The Apostle Paul said that, “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” [ 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 ].

Related to this, Jesus was concerned that when He returns, people will be so focused on—and thus distracted by—the secular concerns of life that they will be unprepared for the climactic events of His return. His concern is enhanced by three parables that follow this passage (Matthew 24), each dealing with the state of urgency and readiness we need to have as that time approaches.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” [ Matthew 24:36-39 ].

So then knowing this, why would a Christian not be prepared as the ‘end’ nears, when we should know full well that we are close? Well, the answer is fairly obvious. Those caught in the “pre-flood syndrome” in Noah’s time had their minds on something else—as do they have today!

The Parable of the Sower and the Seed addresses this clearly: “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world… choke the word” (Matthew 13:22). “The cares of this world” catch the people’s attention as the “flood” begins and contributes to their deterioration.

[ FYI: For more details about the Parable of the Sower, and how it is related to God’s coming Kingdom, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/kingdoms-past-present-and-future-v262/ ].

As a reminder, the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:6-13) illustrates our need to make the most of this opportunity now. This parable’s major lesson is that both life and time are moving forward, and even though the precise time of Jesus’ return is unknown, He urges us to take advantage of the knowledge and time we already have in hand. Because, those who reject His advice will find their way into the Kingdom ‘blocked’ later! SO, strike while the ‘iron’ is hot!

The Apostle Paul reminds us that our calling is rife with possibilities, so much so that we can consider each moment as big as eternity: Don’t be like the slave who refuses when presented with freedom, or the diseased person who rejects help when offered healing. God’s ‘door’ is open to us—for a time! So, ‘charge through it’ by being reconciled with Him!

Again, God is directing time and events to His desired end. “‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ 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 5:14-17 ]. One needs to make the most of every opportunity because time is inexorably moving toward God’s desired end, and it WILL NOT stop and WAIT for us. We DO NOT want to be ‘LEFT’ BEHIND! Time is precious, and must be taken very seriously!

The writer to the Hebrews said that, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” [ Hebrews 3:7 ]. “Today,” means RIGHT NOW! It must not be ‘PUT OFF! “Today,” injects a sense of urgency as well as the thought of “as long as the opportunity exists,” implying that NOW is the time of YOUR salvation! It must not be wasted because God may only ‘call’ a person only once!

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” [ Revelation 1:3 ].

In just the first three verses of Revelation, the idea of imminence has already appeared twice (“shortly take place”). Jesus wants the reader to catch a sense of urgency immediately. Elsewhere, biblical authors use similar wording: “soon,” “quickly,” “at hand,” and “the time is short” to give the suggestion of proximity without being precise.

[ Some say that it has been 2,000 years and Jesus has still not come back—that’s not “very quick.” Well, the Bible tells us a couple of things related to that. Number one, God “does not want anyone to perish” (2 Peter 3:9), and that to God “a thousand years is like day” (2 Peter 3:8) ].

Now, this is reminiscent of Jesus’ almost paradoxical remark: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect Him” [ Matthew 24:44 ].

Jesus also said that one must, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” [ Matthew 7:13-14 ].

One MUST ‘choose’ the more difficult of two metaphorical roads, each accessed by two different ‘gates’. To get to Heaven one MUST choose the “narrow gate.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQiaqtr1VGA

[ “The Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey To Heaven” – One Must Enter the Narrow Gate ]

The ‘gate’ being “wide” also implies that the gate leading to destruction accepts many different approaches. Scripture is clear that there is ONLY ONE ‘WAY’ to salvation, which is Jesus (John 3:36; 14:6). Those who prefer to “go their own way” are simply going to their own ‘doom’! Emphasizing this, Jesus also indicated that He is the SOLE ‘MEANS’ by which people can be saved (John 10:7).

This ‘gate’ being “narrow” means that there is only a ‘single’ means of salvation, which is Christ (John 3:16-18; Acts 4:12). It is the way His followers must travel (Matthew 5:10-12). The path of Jesus is the ONLY ‘PATH’ to eternal and abundant life!

Perhaps the most deadly ‘sin’ of the unbeliever is that of ‘PROCRASTINATION’. Satisfied with their current life, they neglect their spiritual need. Even if they understand the Gospel and realize their need of salvation, they still put off the decision to make Jesus the Lord of their life.

“‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” [ 2 Corinthians 6:2 ].

“Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your heart” [ Psalm 95:7c-8a ]. This warning of the psalmist was considered to be so important that the writer of Hebrews quoted it three times (Hebrews 3:7-8, 3:15; 4:7). Such an emphasis suggests there is indeed GREAT DANGER IN ‘RESISTING’ God’s ‘call’ to salvation. There MAY be another opportunity, but it is ‘presumptuous’ and DANGEROUS to impose too long on God’s patient mercy!

So, TODAY is the day of salvation! The accepted time is now! “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” [ Hebrews 10:29 ].

Because we do not know what will happen, today, tomorrow, or next week, it is VITAL that we ‘yield’ to Jesus, and accept His free ‘gift’ of salvation—before it’s TOO LATE!

To be ‘saved’, you need to GET ‘RIGHT’ with God—be ‘reconciled’ to Him. This is what the Bible tells us we need to do:

ADMIT you are a sinner:

“There is no one righteous, not even one… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” [ Romans 3:10, 23 ].

Ask God’s forgiveness. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” [ Romans 10:13 ].

BELIEVE in Jesus:

Place your trust in Him as your only hope of salvation. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” [ John 3:16 ].

Become a child of God by receiving Christ. “To all who receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” [ John 1:12 ].

CONFESS that Jesus is your Lord:

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” [ Romans 10:9-10 ].

SO, ‘call’ on Jesus and ask Him to save you before it is too late! Jesus promised: “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” [ Matthew 7:8 ].

[ FYI: To find out how one CAN ‘know’ that they are a ‘real’ follower of Jesus, read this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/knowing-assurance-v243/ ].

The ‘URGENCY’ is because of all of the ‘convergence’ of biblical prophecies, the ‘SIGNS’ seem to indicate that Jesus will be coming back for His people to ‘rapture’ them up to Heaven.

Some people say that they are going to wait to see it the Rapture actually happens and then, after they ‘verify’ that it really did happen, they will then give their life to Jesus at that time.

“…as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

[ Revelation 13:15c-17 ]

You REALLY don’t want to ‘CHANCE IT’! Make your decision for Jesus TODAY!

This is NOT the time to ‘PROCRASTINATE’!

Procrastination will DEFINITELY affect the ‘LOCATION’ of your ‘ETERNITY’!!!

[ Excerpts by: Steve Holbrook; Tim Ferriss; Don Lok; Tim Pychyl; Chris Bailey; The Daily Stoic; Leon Ho; Jeff Kinley; Brian Johnson; Alex Vermeer; William Keiper; Charles E. Hummel; John P. Kotter; Samuel Bistrian; Front Line Leadership; The Art of Manliness; James Clear; Brett and Kate McKay; Peter Drucker; James Parker; Prabhat S; Nimisha Kaushik; Graham King, M.D.; Nick Wignall; Neil Lewis; Daphna Oyserman; Kevin Kruse; Travis Bradberry; Joseph Ferrari; Thomas Ling; Dr Fuschia Sirois; Sarah Bolme; Denise Fournier, Ph.D.,; John W. Rittenbaugh; James Parker; Samuel Bistrian ]

RELATED POSTS:

“The ‘Final’ Deception”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/the-final-deception-v268/

“The ‘Ongoing’ Deception”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/the-ongoing-deception-v267/

“Being ‘Discerning’”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/being-discerning-v266/

“‘Kingdoms’ Past, Present, and Future”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/kingdoms-past-present-and-future-v262/

“Got Your ‘Attention’ Yet?”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/got-your-attention-yet-v255/

“Are You ‘Blind’?”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/are-you-blind-v252/

“‘Heed’ The Warning!”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/heed-the-warning-v251/

“Being A ‘Watchman’”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/being-a-watchman-v250/

“Last ‘Generation’”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/last-generation-v249/

“Mankind’s ‘Destiny’”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/mankinds-destiny-v247/

“‘Final’ Tribulation”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/final-tribulation-v246/

“‘Blessed’ Hope”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/blessed-hope-v245/

“Knowing ‘Assurance’”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/knowing-assurance-v243/

“‘Saved’ From Death”:

https://markbesh.wordpress.com/saved-from-death-v219/

‘PRAYER’ OF REPENTANCE

In the Bible, there is a parable that Jesus told about a Pharisee and a tax collector praying the the Temple. He notes that the tax collector didn’t even dare to lift his eyes toward Heaven as he prayed. Instead he “beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner’”—and Jesus said that the tax collector “went home justified,” he had been “born again” and ‘reconciled’ by God. (Luke 18:9-14).

If you are ‘sensing’ something like that right now, let me strongly encourage you to HUMBLE YOURSELF, CRY OUT to God, and PLEAD for Him to mercifully ‘SAVE’ YOU! None of us have a ‘claim’ on our salvation, nor do we have any ‘works’ that would cause us to deserve it or earn it—it is purely a gift of Divine grace—and all any of us can do is ask. So, CONFESS YOUR SINS and acknowledge to God that you have no hope for Heaven apart from what He provides through Jesus. [ See Psalm 51 ].

There is no ‘formula’ or certain words for this. So just talk to God, in your own words—He knows your ‘heart’. If you are genuinely sincere, and God does respond to your plea, one will usually have a sense of joy and peace.

Jesus said, “He that comes to Me, I will not cast out” [ John 6:37 ].

[ FYI: This is a great sermon on the “Call to Repentance” by John MacArthur from his book “The Gospel According to Jesus”: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-22/the-call-to-repentance (Transcript: http://www.spiritedesign.com/TheCallToRepentance-JohnMacArthur(Jul-27-2019).pdf) ].

[ NOTE: If you have ‘tasted the kindness of the Lord’, please e-mail me—I would love to CELEBRATE with you, and help you get started on your ‘journey’ with Jesus! ].

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RESOURCES

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“Still Procrastinating?: The No Regrets Guide to Getting It Done”

By: Joseph Ferrari

Find out why you put things off-and learn to conquer procrastination for good!

“What if I make a bad decision?” “What if I fail?” “I’m better under pressure.” There are all sorts of reasons people procrastinate. What are yours? This book draws on scientific research on procrastination conducted over more than twenty years by the author and his colleagues, to help you learn what stops you from getting things done so that you can find the solutions that will really work.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, chronic procrastination is NOT about poor time management, but about self-sabotaging tendencies that can prevent you from reaching your full potential. This book gives you the knowledge and tools you need to understand and overcome these tendencies so you can start achieving your goals-not next week, next month, or next year, but TODAY!

– Exposes the hidden causes of procrastination, including fear of failure, fear of success, and thrill-seeking

– Identifies types of procrastinators and helps determine which type describes you

– Shares surprising information on how factors such as technology and the time of day affect procrastination

– Examines specific issues related to putting things off in school and at work

– Shares more than twenty years of research on the causes and consequences of chronic procrastination

– Written by a psychologist who is an international expert on the subject of procrastination

Are you still procrastinating? This take-charge guide will help you stop making excuses and start transforming your life-right now!

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Procrastinating-Regrets-Guide-Getting/dp/0470611588

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“The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done”

By: Piers Steel PhD

“The Procrastination Equation will teach you how to bust the excuses that are preventing you from doing your best work and living your best life….So don’t put it off any longer. Read this book. Today.”
—Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind

“Illuminating….Piers Steel shows us the secrets of procrastination, how it affects us and how we will, one day, be able to prevail.”
—Dan Ariely, author of The Upside of Irrationality and Predictably Irrational

Using a mix of psychology, evolutionary biology, self-help, and more than a decade of research, Dr. Piers Steel, the world’s foremost authority on procrastination, offers a tried and true method helping us to identify, understand, and break free of our self-destructive bad habits and create more positive lives for ourselves.

https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Equation-Putting-Things-Getting/dp/0061703621/

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“Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change”

By: Timothy A. Pychyl

The revised edition of the self-published hit, offering powerful strategies to end procrastination.

Why do we sabotage our own best intentions? How can we eliminate procrastination from our lives for good? Based on current psychological research and supplemented with clear strategies for change, this concise guide will help readers finally break free from self-destructive ideas and habits, and move into freedom and accomplishment. With numerous practical tips for change, Solving the Procrastination Puzzle brings clarity and scientific studies—and a touch of humor!—to the quest for successfully achieving goals. This accessible guide is perfect for entrepreneurs, parents, students, and anyone who wants to get unstuck, stop delaying, and start living their most inspired life.

https://www.amazon.com/Solving-Procrastination-Puzzle-Concise-Strategies/dp/0399168125/

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“The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play”

By: Neil Fiore

Learn how to overcome procrastination and enjoy guilt-free play! One of the most effective programs to combat procrastination, THE NOW HABIT has sold over 100,000 copies, has been translated into 11 languages, and is now revised and updated.

Featuring a new introduction and a new section providing strategies to understand and deal with the role technology plays in procrastination today, THE NOW HABIT offers a comprehensive plan to help readers lower their stress and increase their time to enjoy guilt-free play. Dr. Fiore’s techniques will help any busy person start tasks sooner and accomplish them more quickly, without the anxiety brought on by the negative habits of procrastination and perfectionism.

https://www.amazon.com/Now-Habit-Overcoming-Procrastination-Guilt-Free/dp/1585425524

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“Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones”

By: James Clear

Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving–every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:

• make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);

• overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;

• design your environment to make success easier;

• get back on track when you fall off course;

…and much more.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299

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“The End of Procrastination: How to Stop Postponing and Live a Fulfilled Life”

By: Petr Ludwig and Adela Schicker

Over 100,000 copies sold worldwide, The End of Procrastination offers science-based, practical tools to stop procrastination

Even with overflowing inboxes and unmet deadlines, most people still can’t manage to take control of their time and stop procrastinating. The End of Procrastination tackles the problem head on, helping you stop putting off work and reclaim your time. Author Petr Ludwig shows that ending procrastination is essential to developing a sense of purpose and leading a happier more fulfilled life.

With eight clear, approachable tools – from quick daily worksheets to shift your perspective to to-do lists that actually help you get things done. The End of Procrastination provides everything you need to change the way you manage your time and live your life.

The book will help you learn:

– The science behind why we postpone things

– How we can motivate ourselves so that we enjoy our work, feel less stressed, and focus more

– How to avoid becoming a goal junkie?a high achieving but unsatisfied person

– How to organize your daily life and follow your vision

– How to acquire new positive habits and end bad ones

– How to cope with decision paralysis

Based on the latest research, The End of Procrastination synthesizes over one hundred and twenty scientific studies to create a program that is based on the way our brains actually work. By understanding exactly why procrastination happens and how our brains respond to motivation and self-discipline, the book provides readers with the knowledge to conquer procrastination on an everyday basis.

https://www.amazon.com/End-Procrastination-Stop-Postponing-Fulfilled/dp/1250308054/

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“Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time”

By: Brian Tracy

It’s time to stop procrastinating and get more of the important things done! After all, successful people don’t try to do everything. They focus on their most important tasks and get those done. They eat their frogs.

There’s an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re done with the worst thing you’ll have to do all day. For Tracy, eating a frog is a metaphor for tackling your most challenging task—but also the one that can have the greatest positive impact on your life.

Eat That Frog! shows you how to organize each day so you can zero in on these critical tasks and accomplish them efficiently and effectively. The core of what is vital to effective time management is: decision, discipline, and determination. And in this fully revised and updated edition, Tracy adds two new chapters. The first explains how you can use technology to remind yourself of what is most important and protect yourself from what is least important. The second offers advice for maintaining focus in our era of constant distractions, electronic and otherwise.

This life-changing book will ensure that you get more of your important tasks done today.

https://www.amazon.com/Eat-That-Frog-Great-Procrastinating/dp/162656941X

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“The Self-Discipline Blueprint: A Simple Guide to Beat Procrastination, Achieve Your Goals, and Get the Life You Want”

By: Patrik Edblad

Achieve Anything You Set Your Mind To Without Feeling Overworked and Overwhelmed!

What if a few simple habits and strategies could help you stop putting things off and start getting things done? What if you kept every promise you made to yourself? What if you could enjoy guilt-free leisure at the end of each day?

Certified mental trainer, Patrik Edblad, has helped hundreds of coaching clients and thousands of readers beat procrastination and achieve their goals. In this book, he lays out the complete step-by-step guide to develop relentless self-discipline. You’ll discover:

The four fundamental ”keystone habits” of self-discipline

How to change your mindset to cultivate success

How to establish your mission in life using The Hedgehog Concept

How to find your unique ”why” using The Golden Circle

How to get laser-focused on the right things by defining your Circle of Competence

How to biologically reshape your mind and body for success by creating a Winner Effect

Several research-backed strategies to radically transform your behavior

https://www.amazon.com/Self-Discipline-Blueprint-Simple-Procrastination-Achieve/dp/198190641X/

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“Procrastination: Overcome the bad habits of Procrastination and Laziness and become more productive”

By: George Pain

Are you very talented and creative but cannot find the willpower, drive and motivation to achieve your dreams?

Procrastination is the problem. This book is your answer.

There is nothing that depresses productivity and stunts personal development more than procrastination. Yet, procrastination creeps slowly and meekly into our lives through the very same shortcuts that we engaged to allow us comfort and convenience – bad habits.

This book, “Procrastination: Overcome the bad habits of procrastination and laziness and become more productive” has been specifically written to enable you kick out procrastination, regain your productivity and achieve your full potential.

The book starts by introducing you to what procrastination really is and provides you with telling signs of procrastination, some of them often hidden and uneasy to detect. It further cautions you on the pitfalls you are likely to fall into should you not be careful and the negative effects of procrastination.

Most people never realize that they are procrastinators. Never assume you are not one unless you prove it. A simple, yet powerful self-diagnosis procrastination test kit has been devised for you. Should you find yourself not a procrastinator, that would be great for you. However, it does not end there. You can use the same kit to help your family, friends and loved ones who could be suffering from procrastination without knowing it. Discovery is the best way to finding a lasting solution.

The best way to confront a disease it to go beyond its symptoms and attack its root causes. Some of the root causes may be common to all procrastinators while others could be unique to each procrastinator. Nonetheless, this book provides all likely causes of procrastination so that you can review and evaluate your very own condition and determine the most likely causes of your procrastination.

Once you determine the root causes of your procrastination, the next obvious step is to heal it. This book provides you with the most elaborate, powerful and effective ways to overcome procrastination.

Procrastination is an aggregate collection of bad habits which results into you delaying your decision or action without prudence. Like all bad habits, the best way to overcome procrastination is to engender good daily habits that will help you to prevent, avoid or nullify bad habits. Powerful and effective daily habits have been prescribed, which, if you diligently employ, will permanently keep off procrastination from your life.

Lastly, but not least, every endeavor has a reward. The rewards of overcoming procrastination are immense and unlimited. Yet, this book provides you with the most obvious rewards that you will gain in the most prominent facets of your life – health, relationships and money.

Enjoy reading.

https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Overcome-habits-Laziness-productive/dp/1922300586/

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“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Overcoming Procrastination”

By: Michelle Tullier

Whether you’re a chronic or occasional procrastinator, this guide will help you break free from your bad habits so you can get quick tasks done immediately and have the stamina for bigger projects over the long haul.

Focusing on three sections, The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Overcoming Procrastination, Second Edition will help you understand where procrastination comes from, how to stop doing it, and how to deal with it in specific areas of life. Explanations and practical solutions are offered on these topics including:

– Why the realities of life cause us to procrastinate

– How our surroundings (and our brains) affect our tendency to put things off

– Strategic thinking to change negative behaviors – for good

– Steps to quickly banish the clutter, get organized, and get things done

– Strategies for work, school, relationships, and everyday matters, including your digital life

The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Overcoming Procrastination, Second Edition will help you say goodbye to procrastination and hello to productivity for good.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Overcoming-Procrastination/dp/1615642110/

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“The Procrastination Cure: 21 Proven Tactics For Conquering Your Inner Procrastinator, Mastering Your Time, And Boosting Your Productivity!”

By: Damon Zahariades

Learn How To Take Quick Action, Make Fast Decisions, And Get More Done In Less Time!

Do you regularly procrastinate? Do you often struggle to get started on important projects? Do you allow tasks to pile up until they make you feel stressed and overwhelmed?

If so, there’s a simple solution: THE PROCRASTINATION CURE.

Imagine looking at your to-do list and immediately tackling, completing, and crossing off tasks. Imagine making quick decisions regarding which projects receive your immediate attention. Imagine finishing your work each day with hours to spare!

Amazon bestselling author, Damon Zahariades, provides a start-to-finish blueprint for beating your inner procrastinator. He’ll show you, step by step, how to overcome your tendency to put off important chores, projects, and activities, and consistently take action that catapults your productivity.

You’ll receive more than 21 proven tactics for conquering your impulse to procrastinate. You’ll also learn the REASONS you procrastinate, along with actionable advice on how to nip them in the bud.

In THE PROCRASTINATION CURE, you’ll discover:

The 13 most common reasons people postpone taking action

Why your to-do list might be encouraging you to procrastinate (and what to do about it)

How to create an action-prompting reward system tailored to your personal proclivities

4 easy tips for silencing your inner perfectionist and getting to work

Surprising advice from Mark Twain on how to beat procrastination

The one decision that’ll spur you to take action and complete tasks in record time

The power of accountability (and how to find the perfect partner)

How to prioritize tasks and projects according to your personal goals

A 3-step system for tracking your energy levels, and using the data to maximize your productivity

How to use Time Chunking to tackle large, daunting projects

One of the most common forms of self-sabotage (and how to avoid it)

How to muzzle your inner critic and eliminate negative self-talk

A curious strategy novelist Victor Hugo successfully used to tame his inner procrastinator

And much, much more!

Plus, you’ll receive 3 BONUS tactics, each of which will prove instrumental in overcoming your inner procrastinator. There’s also a BONUS SECTION that includes detailed answers to common questions asked about how to curb the procrastination habit.

THE PROCRASTINATION CURE is for anyone who struggles to take action. Whether you’re a student, corporate executive, entrepreneur, or stay-at-home parent, the tactics described in this book can set the stage for a personal transformation.

Grab your copy of THE PROCRASTINATION CURE today to finally conquer your inner procrastinator and get to work on tasks and projects you’re tempted to put off until later!

This how-to guide is written in the great self-help, personal development tradition of Cal Newport, David Allen, and S.J. Scott.

https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Cure-Conquering-Procrastinator-Productivity/dp/1521345473/

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“The Self-Discipline Blueprint: A Simple Guide to Beat Procrastination, Achieve Your Goals, and Get the Life You Want”

By: Patrik Edblad

Achieve Anything You Set Your Mind To Without Feeling Overworked and Overwhelmed!

The four fundamental ”keystone habits” of self-discipline

How to change your mindset to cultivate success

How to establish your mission in life using The Hedgehog Concept

How to find your unique ”why” using The Golden Circle

How to get laser-focused on the right things by defining your Circle of Competence

How to biologically reshape your mind and body for success by creating a Winner Effect

Several research-backed strategies to radically transform your behavior

BONUS: The Self-Discipline Blueprint Workbook — A FREE complimentary resource you can use to easily put everything you learn into immediate action

https://www.amazon.com/Self-Discipline-Blueprint-Simple-Procrastination-Achieve/dp/9198587218/

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“HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATING IN 10 DAYS: A Proven Method To Overcome Procrastination, Form Productive Habit And Get more Done”

By: Robert Marrat

If уоu’rе rеаding thiѕ, you’re рrоbаblу ѕtruggling with рrосrаѕtinаtiоn in ѕоmе fоrm. Whеthеr уоur рrосrаѕtinаtiоn iѕ a minor iѕѕuе that’s ѕimрlу hurting your productivity, or a major one рrеvеnting уоu frоm асhiеving your goals, you’ve рrоbаblу triеd to оvеrсоmе it on your оwn bеfоrе, аnd ѕаw thаt thiѕ can bе diffiсult to do. Do not worry, because everybody does, at least once in a while. However, if setting aside work for something insignificant becomes a habit, then that could lead to more problems and unproductivity. This book iѕ meant tо bе a dеfinitivе source, that will help уоu solve уоur procrastination рrоblеm once and for аll. It is based оn dесаdеѕ оf ѕсiеntifiс rеѕеаrсh on thе tорiс, and соntаinѕ a ѕуѕtеmаtiс approach that уоu саn implement in оrdеr to beat уоur рrосrаѕtinаtiоn; tоgеthеr with a соmрrеhеnѕivе list оf anti-procrastination techniques thаt you саn uѕе. Thе bооk iѕ ԛuitе еxtеnѕivе, ѕinсе procrastination iѕ a complex problem, that rеԛuirеѕ a thorough solution. Hоwеvеr, it’s rеlаtivеlу еаѕу tо skim thrоugh, еѕресiаllу whеn it comes tо the liѕt оf anti-procrastination techniques. Thiѕ bооk ореnѕ with аn intrоduсtiоn to procrastination, tоgеthеr with an еxрlаnаtiоn оf whу wе рrосrаѕtinаtе, аѕ well аѕ scientific evidence whiсh ѕhоwѕ thаt уоu саn lеаrn hоw tо ѕtор рrосrаѕtinаting. Thеn, it provides an оutlinе оf thе approach thаt will аllоw уоu tо bеаt уоur рrосrаѕtinаtiоn, fоllоwеd bу a list of thе аnti-рrосrаѕtinаtiоn tесhniԛuеѕ that you саn uѕе, along with tiрѕ оn how tо make this рrосеѕѕ аѕ еffесtivе аѕ роѕѕiblе. While rеаding, keep thiѕ in mind: procrastination is a tough issue tо hаndlе, but if уоu take thе nесеѕѕаrу timе to read thiѕ book and formulate a valid рlаn of action, and if уоu then fоllоw thrоugh on thiѕ рlаn, you will have аn excellent сhаnсе аt оvеrсоming оr reducing уоur procrastination.In this book, you will learn: • Understanding Procrastination • How to Stop Procrastination • List of Anti-Procrastination Techniques • Stages of Breaking Procrastination Habit • And much more!GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY AND OVERCOME PROCRASTINATION!!!

https://www.amazon.com/HOW-STOP-PROCRASTINATING-DAYS-Procrastination/dp/1686019351

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“Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity”

By: David Allen

In today’s world, yesterday’s methods just don’t work. In Getting Things Done, veteran coach and management consultant David Allen shares the breakthrough methods for stress-free performance that he has introduced to tens of thousands of people across the country. Allen’s premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve effective productivity and unleash our creative potential. In Getting Things Done Allen shows how to:

* Apply the “do it, delegate it, defer it, drop it” rule to get your in-box to empty

* Reassess goals and stay focused in changing situations

* Plan projects as well as get them unstuck

* Overcome feelings of confusion, anxiety, and being overwhelmed

* Feel fine about what you’re not doing

From core principles to proven tricks, Getting Things Done can transform the way you work, showing you how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down.

https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280

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“It’s About Time!: The Six Styles of Procrastination and How to Overcome Them”

By: Linda Sapadin and Jack Maguire

Are you a procrastinator?

Do you think a lot about things you want to accomplish, but rarely get them off the ground? Do you have difficulty completing projects because your own standards haven’t been met? Do you sometimes paralyze yourself before starting something, worrying about the “what ifs”? Do you become sulky, irritable, or argumentative when asked to do a task you don’t want to do? Do you have difficulty saying “no” to people’s requests, then feel resentful when it’s time to do them? Do you ignore important assignments, then at the last minute work frantically to get them done?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a problem. Learn how to identify which of the six types of procrastinator you are—the Perfectionist, the Dreamer, the Worrier, the Defier, the Crisis-maker, and the Overdoer—by using quizzes and case studies, and then begin psychologist Linda Sapadin’s clear three-prong program for change.

“This practical book walks us through the proven steps of procrastination recovery and helps the reader feel inspired and empowered to reclaim their energy for life and love.”—Dr. Ellen McGrath, author of When Feeling Bad is Good

https://www.amazon.com/Its-About-Time-Procrastination-Overcome/dp/0140242716

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“Procrastination Workbook: Your Personalized Program for Breaking Free from the Patterns That Hold You Back”

By: William Knaus

Procrastination is a near-universal trait, at its most troublesome when it holds someone back from doing well in school, adds a frustrating dimension to personal relationships, or closes off the road to professional fulfillment with an endless series of detours and roadblocks.

Based on over thirty years of clinical experience and research, this workbook distills the essence of the best insights and the most effective techniques to help you identify the root causes of your procrastination problem and find workable solutions for overcoming it. Best-selling author William Knaus begins by providing self-assessment exercises that help you discover why you procrastinate and identify your procrastination style. The book explains how to change the underlying mechanisms that reinforce your procrastination and helps you tailor an individualized plan for counteracting it at work, at home, at school, in your relationships, or anywhere else it occurs. Throughout, engaging exercises and an array of tips and techniques keep you motivated to get to the root of your problem and overcome it.

https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Workbook-Personalized-Breaking-Patterns/dp/1572242957

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“The Procrastination Cure: 7 Steps To Stop Putting Life Off”

By: Jeffery Combs

20 percent of people admit to being procrastinators and an untold number never admit to it at all. Procrastination is an epidemic that can only be eliminated if the underlying causes are uncovered. Yet there’s very little understanding of how to let go of procrastination, how to recognize and diffuse the feelings that lead to it, and most importantly, how to develop the ability to both produce and relax without guilt.

In the pages of The Procrastination Cure, you’ll discover:

– The root causes of procrastination (as opposed to viewing procrastination as merely a time-management issue)

– The six types of procrastinators: the Neurotic Perfectionist, the Big Deal Chaser, the Chronic Worrier, the Rebellious Rebel, the Drama Addict, and the Angry Giver

– Key strategies, practical solutions, and real-life examples for overcoming each variety of procrastination

Many books on procrastination are written from a distance by PhDs whereas Jeffery Combs, a recovering procrastinator himself, will help you overcome procrastination and achieve the life of your dreams based on his own experiences and research.

https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Cure-Steps-Stop-Putting/dp/1601631995

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“168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think”

By: Laura Vanderkam

It’s an unquestioned truth of modern life: we are starved for time. We tell ourselves we’d like to read more, get to the gym regularly, try new hobbies, and accomplish all kinds of goals. But then we give up because there just aren’t enough hours to do it all. Or if we don’t make excuses, we make sacrifices- taking time out from other things in order to fit it all in. There has to be a better way…and Laura Vanderkam has found one. After interviewing dozens of successful, happy people, she realized that they allocate their time differently than most of us. Instead of letting the daily grind crowd out the important stuff, they start by making sure there’s time for the important stuff. When plans go wrong and they run out of time, only their lesser priorities suffer. Vanderkam shows that with a little examination and prioritizing, you’ll find it is possible to sleep eight hours a night, exercise five days a week, take piano lessons, and write a novel without giving up quality time for work, family, and other things that really matter.

https://www.amazon.com/168-Hours-Have-More-Think/dp/159184410X

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“Finish What You Start: The Art of Following Through, Taking Action, Executing, & Self-Discipline”

By: Peter Hollins

Practical tactics to grow your willpower, stop procrastination, focus like a laser, and achieve whatever you set your mind to.

Following through and finishing what you start- more valuable skills than you realize. They are a combination of traits that enables you to create the life you want – without having to compromise or wait. The alternative is a status quo that you’re stuck in.

Is your life a series of unfinished tasks and intentions? That stops now.

Finish What You Start is a unique deep dive into the psychology and science of accomplishment, productivity, and getting things done. It takes a thorough look why we are sometimes stuck, and gives detailed, step by step solutions you can start using today. Every phase of finishing and following through is covered, and even productivity pros will be able to learn something new.

Above all else, this is a guide to understanding your brain and instincts better for optimal results.

Channel massive productivity and mental toughness.

Peter Hollins has studied psychology and peak human performance for over a dozen years and is a bestselling author. He has worked with dozens of individuals to unlock their potential and path towards success. His writing draws on his academic, coaching, and research experience.

Resist distractions, de-motivation, temptations, laziness, and excuses.

-The surprising motivations that push us past obstacles.

-How daily rules and a manifesto can help you achieve.

-Valuable and insightful mindsets to view productivity from entirely new lights.

Seize self-control and finally accomplish your big and small goals.

-The science and tactics to beating procrastination easily.

-Focus and willpower pitfalls you are probably committing at this very moment.

-How to beat distractions, remain focused, stay on task, and get to what matters – consistently.

Transform your life through productive habits and avoiding mental traps.

You only have 24 hours in the day, but so does everyone else. You can be among those who make the most and accomplish exactly what they want. The ability to finish and follow through parallels your ability to be happy and fulfilled. Your life is in your hands, so make the most of it!

https://www.amazon.com/Finish-What-You-Start-Self-Discipline/dp/1647430518/

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“Soon: An Overdue History of Procrastination, from Leonardo and Darwin to You and Me”

By: Andrew Santella

“Well-researched…[Soon] argues that in many cases eminent figures have done great work while putting off work they were supposed to be doing. Procrastination might, for some people, be part of innovation and the creative process.” — Wall Street Journal

A fun and erudite celebration of procrastination

An entertaining, fact-filled defense of the nearly universal tendency to procrastinate, drawing on the stories of history’s greatest delayers, and on the work of psychologists, philosophers, and behavioral economists to explain why we put off what we’re supposed to be doing and why we shouldn’t feel so bad about it.

Like so many of us, including most of America’s workforce, and nearly two-thirds of all university students, Andrew Santella procrastinates. Concerned about his habit, but not quite ready to give it up, he set out to learn all he could about the human tendency to delay. He studied history’s greatest procrastinators to gain insights into human behavior, and also, he writes, to kill time, “research being the best way to avoid real work.”

He talked with psychologists, philosophers, and priests. He visited New Orleans’ French Quarter, home to a shrine to the patron saint of procrastinators. And at the home of Charles Darwin outside London, he learned why the great naturalist delayed writing his masterwork for more than two decades.

Drawing on an eclectic mix of historical case studies in procrastination—from Leonardo da Vinci to Frank Lloyd Wright, and from Old Testament prophets to Civil War generals—Santella offers a sympathetic take on habitual postponement. He questions our devotion to “the cult of efficiency” and suggests that delay and deferral can help us understand what truly matters to us. Being attentive to our procrastination, Santella writes, means asking, “whether the things the world wants us to do are really worth doing.”

https://www.amazon.com/Soon-Overdue-History-Procrastination-Leonardo/dp/006249158X

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“Supercharge Productivity Habits: 50+ Simple Hacks to Organize Your Tasks, Overcome Procrastination, Increase Efficiency and Work Smarter to Become a Top Performer”

By: John R. Torrance

Increase Your Productivity Levels, Become More Efficient, and Work Smarter (Not Harder)!

Do you often feel like everything would work out if only a day had more than 24 hours?

Are you a person who has trouble keeping up with the deadlines, and takes their work home?

Have you ever felt stressed, unmotivated, and inadequate?

We live in a fast-paced, stressful world. The advancement in technology should have reduced our working hours, and yet somehow, our workload keeps getting bigger and bigger. It’s hard to keep up the desired productivity levels when one feels burned out, tired and dejected.

You’ve probably heard people say that everything is possible if well organized. That statement is both true and false. Yes, organizing your workload and time properly will help you become more efficient in your daily tasks. However, it’s not only about organizing your day. We need to reach inside, change our habits, understand the reason we’re putting so much stress on ourselves and train our brains to work smarter, not harder.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about increasing productivity without having to work longer and harder. Productivity coach John R. Torrance is ready to relay onto you everything he learned in his impressive career, and help you unlock your hidden mental skills!

Soon, you’ll be more productive in the workplace, and at home, you’ll feel energized, optimistic, motivated, and ready for everything life throws your way!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

– How to make smart decisions in your life, and stop putting up barriers and limitations on what you could do

– Visualization techniques that help reach your goals

– How to create a working plan of action to increase efficiency and productivity

– How to set high, but achievable goals

– Recognize habits that don’t seem bad, but they’re slowing you down

– Techniques for implementing productive habits in your daily routine

– How a healthy diet and exercise can help you become more productive

– How to prioritize and organize tasks

– Techniques for overcoming procrastination

– Successful hacks for increasing productivity

– How to develop time-management strategies to optimize your time and workload

– How to increase your physical and mental energy levels

– And much, much more!

This book will not only make you a more productive, successful worker but will help you achieve that inner peace that we’re all chasing for. When you get rid of stress and pressure, you create room for positive thoughts and self-reflection. That fun and happy side of your personality will finally be allowed to come out and play.

This guide does not rely on theoretical knowledge. It contains real, proven methods that have already worked on millions of others. It’s an incredibly practical, straightforward instruction manual, that is easy to follow, and written clearly and understandably.

Use this guide to implement some serious, successful techniques and habits into your daily life, and reach your full potential!

https://www.amazon.com/Supercharge-Productivity-Habits-Procrastination-Efficiency/dp/1647800544

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“The Procrastinator’s Handbook: Mastering the Art of Doing It Now”

By: Rita Emmett

Almost everyone procrastinates. For some it causes problems and strains relationships at home and at work. For most people, though, procrastination is a frustrating or troublesome habit we would like to overcome. Rita Emmett will inspire you to get started. With humor and with advice drawn from her own triumph over procrastination and that of people she has met at her acclaimed seminars, she gives you proven tips and techniques for:

– identifying how and why you put things off

– motivating yourself to begin-and finish-unpleasant tasks

– organizing your time and efforts to achieve your goals

– developing strategies to move forward when stuck or reverting to old procrastination patterns

Filled with useful advice and real-life stories of people who have overcome procrastination, and written with a winning touch, The Procrastinator’s Handbook is as entertaining as it is helpful and rewarding. After reading it, you’ll find that your self-esteem and your productivity grow.

https://www.amazon.com/Procrastinators-Handbook-Mastering-Art-Doing/dp/0802775985

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“18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done”

By: Peter Bregman

Based upon his weekly Harvard Business Review columns (which is one of the most popular columns on HBR.com, receiving hundreds of thousands of unique page views a month), 18 Minutes clearly shows how busy people can cut through all the daily clutter and distractions and find a way to focus on those key items which are truly the top priorities in our lives.

Bregman works from the premise that the best way to combat constant and distracting interruptions is to create productive distractions of one’s own. Based upon a series of short bite-sized chapters, his approach allows us to safely navigate through the constant chatter of emails, text messages, phone calls, and endless meetings that prevent us from focusing our time on those things that are truly important to us.

Mixing first-person insights along with unique case studies, Bregman sprinkles his charming book with pathways which help guide us –pathways that can get us on the right trail in 18 minutes or less.

https://www.amazon.com/18-Minutes-Master-Distraction-Things/dp/0446583405

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“10-Minute Focus: 25 Habits for Mastering Your Concentration and Eliminating Distractions”

By: Daniel Walter

Have you ever felt procrastination creep into your life?

Do you live through your every day feeling the struggle to sit down and focus?

You may or may not have realized – but you carry the great power of being productive in just 10 minutes

Often, focusing is an essential skill in the modern workplace. Especially in fields like tech and the creative industries, the ability to focus is your golden ticket to success. Yet time and again, the hours tick away and your work goes unfinished. You feel anxious to start a project, frustrated while working on it, and discouraged with the result. You wish that you could concentrate long enough to put your ideas into action.

So how do you take control and breeze through projects distraction-free?

In 10-Minute Focus, attention-expert Daniel Walter guides you through 25 actionable habits that will help you power through your day, distraction free. You will gain a better understanding of how attention, distractions, and rewards work. With this knowledge, you can plan your day to maximize effective working time while avoiding your personal distraction triggers. And it won’t take long. Like the title says, you only need ten minutes a day to see results. A few things you will discover:

Understanding your personal distraction triggers and how to eliminate them

Figuring out why you procrastinate and how to overcome it

Which healthy habits can turbo-charge your focus

Why you should take breaks and avoid meetings

How you can use self-reward to strengthen your focus

Protecting yourself from draining your energy

With 10-Minute Focus, you can develop a personalized game plan for getting things done- even if you’re tired or don’t feel like it.

Won’t you want to start living with a much better understanding of focus and getting things done? Get your copy of this fantastic guide as a part of your commitment to improving today!

https://www.amazon.com/10-Minute-Focus-Concentration-Eliminating-Distractions/dp/1989588093

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“The Psychology of Procrastination: Understand Your Habits, Find Motivation, and Get Things Done”

By: Hayden Finch PhD

Understand your procrastination and break through to productivity

Many different factors can trigger procrastination. The good news is, you’re not lazy or undisciplined, and you can achieve real productivity. Discover the psychological factors that drive your procrastination habits and unlock the secrets to overcoming them. With this research-based approach, you can learn to stop procrastinating, finish projects, and accomplish your goals.

Begin by unpacking the common thought processes and emotional roadblocks that trap you in cycles of problematic behavior. Apply that awareness to each step of getting things done, using practical evidence-based techniques that address the root causes of procrastination and time management problems. When you are empowered to work along with your brain, rather than against it, you’ll be able to take control and create lasting change.

This empowering choice in psychology books helps you:

– Examine core issues―Look at possible mental health issues that often exacerbate procrastination, like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and others.

– Succeed step-by-step―Work through procrastination one step at a time: prioritize, find motivation, overcome avoidance, get started, focus, follow through, and finish.

– Get perspective―Explore real-life anecdotes of people struggling with procrastination to gain insight into how it works in your life―and help you identify its causes.

https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Procrastination-Understand-Habits-Motivation/dp/1647398231

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“Getting Things Done”

By: David Allen

The book Lifehack calls “The Bible of business and personal productivity.”

“A completely revised and updated edition of the blockbuster bestseller from ‘the personal productivity guru'”—Fast Company

Since it was first published almost fifteen years ago, David Allen’s Getting Things Done has become one of the most influential business books of its era, and the ultimate book on personal organization. “GTD” is now shorthand for an entire way of approaching professional and personal tasks, and has spawned an entire culture of websites, organizational tools, seminars, and offshoots.

Allen has rewritten the book from start to finish, tweaking his classic text with important perspectives on the new workplace, and adding material that will make the book fresh and relevant for years to come. This new edition of Getting Things Done will be welcomed not only by its hundreds of thousands of existing fans but also by a whole new generation eager to adopt its proven principles.

https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-free-Productivity/dp/0349408947/

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“A Sense of Urgency”

By: John P. Kotter

Most organizational change initiatives fail spectacularly (at worst) or deliver lukewarm results (at best). In his international bestseller Leading Change, John Kotter revealed why change is so hard, and provided an actionable, eight-step process for implementing successful transformations. The book became the change bible for managers worldwide.

Now, in A Sense of Urgency, Kotter shines the spotlight on the crucial first step in his framework: creating a sense of urgency by getting people to actually see and feel the need for change.

Why focus on urgency? Without it, any change effort is doomed. Kotter reveals the insidious nature of complacency in all its forms and guises.

In this exciting new book, Kotter explains:

– How to go beyond “the business case” for change to overcome the fear and anger that can suppress urgency

– Ways to ensure that your actions and behaviors — not just your words — communicate the need for change

– How to keep fanning the flames of urgency even after your transformation effort has scored some early successes

Written in Kotter’s signature no-nonsense style, this concise and authoritative guide helps you set the stage for leading a successful transformation in your company.

https://www.amazon.com/Sense-Urgency-John-P-Kotter/dp/1422179710/

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“Tyranny of the Urgent”

By: Charles E. Hummel

Written by the famed Charles Hummel, this pamphlet offers ideals and illustrations for effective time management. Drawing from Christian values, this work will help anyone escape the throes of urgency that seem to be instilled in almost every aspect of life.

https://www.amazon.com/Tyranny-Urgent-Charles-Hummel/dp/087784092X/

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“Freedom from Tyranny of the Urgent”

By: Charles E. Hummel

Winner of the 2004 ECPA Platinum Book Award! Is the clock a slavemaster or a tool that serves you? Does the quantity of your responsibilities squeeze out the quality of your life? Are urgent things so pressing that you don’t have “inner time” to sort out what’s really important? How can you discern what God wants you to do? Charles Hummel’s classic booklet Tyranny of the Urgent has sold over one million copies. Now for the first time he expands on the life-changing perspective that has transformed the lives of thousands struggling to keep from being swept away by the rush of life. Gathered in this book are proven principles taken straight from biblical teaching, from today’s time-management experts and from Hummel’s own life experience. You’ll discover how to

– make the calendar your friend

– manage your life instead of your time

– get motivated

– stay open to God’s guidance in small choices

–avoid being dragged down by past choices

– develop “inner time” for reflection and planning

and much more! If you have too much to do and not enough time to do it, this book is for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Tyranny-Urgent-Charles-Hummel/dp/0830812873/

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“The POWER of URGENCY: Playing to Win with PROACTIVE Urgency”

By: William Keiper

The world has changed. Our long-trusted external support systems are weakening. Self-reliance in thought and action is critical for reaching your most important objectives. It is your choice to act with “first responder” urgency outside of an emergency or a crisis. Proactive urgency is a powerful way to engage your highest and best resources to get what you want and need to survive.Why can The Power of Urgency give you the best system you may ever find for solving your biggest challenges? Because it is the fastest.If you can choose between a system that works when applied over a long period of time and one that works right now, which do you want? Me too.From the introduction by Steve Chandler:“When I first met Will Keiper I thought he had a bit of a problem. He wasn’t a very good compromiser. His preference was to challenge “go-along-to-get-along” company cultures and people. He was a man on the move and he sometimes came off as impatient. Some called him “brutally honest”—with the emphasis on the “brutal” part.He would call it getting to the “obvious truth.”I later learned that what he had wasn’t a problem at all. He had a special kind of objectivity and sense of urgency that was his alone. It was how he knew to be most effective. He preferred results—and rapidly.It was clear he had found amazing strength and enlightenment on the other side of his warrior’s sword.He had found his true calling as a genius change-agent-for-hire specializing in very rapid reversals of fortune.From failure to success, from stuck to moving, from broke to prosperous. He could go into a company, bring his own brand of applied urgency to its most challenging problems, turn things around for the better—and leave before they knew what hit them.Don’t you wish we could all do that? Or, at the very least, have access to Will’s brain to turn our own problems around that quickly?Prayer answered! This book is proof that you can bottle this stuff. At least Will Keiper can, because as far as I know only he understands how to do this. I’ve spent my life studying systems that work to change businesses and lives. There aren’t many that work, but this is one that does—maybe even the best one.”

https://www.amazon.com/POWER-URGENCY-Playing-PROACTIVE-Urgency/dp/0984989366/

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“How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be”

By: Katy Milkman

“A welcome revelation.” — The Financial Times

Award-winning Wharton Professor and Choiceology podcast host Katy Milkman has devoted her career to the study of behavior change. In this ground-breaking book, Milkman reveals a proven path that can take you from where you are to where you want to be, with a foreword from psychologist Angela Duckworth, the best-selling author of Grit.

Change comes most readily when you understand what’s standing between you and success and tailor your solution to that roadblock. If you want to work out more but find exercise difficult and boring, downloading a goal-setting app probably won’t help. But what if, instead, you transformed your workouts so they became a source of pleasure instead of a chore? Turning an uphill battle into a downhill one is the key to success.

Drawing on Milkman’s original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, How to Change shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. Through case studies and engaging stories, you’ll learn:

• Why timing can be everything when it comes to making a change

• How to turn temptation and inertia into assets

• That giving advice, even if it’s about something you’re struggling with, can help you achieve more

Whether you’re a manager, coach, or teacher aiming to help others change for the better or are struggling to kick-start change yourself, How to Change offers an invaluable, science-based blueprint for achieving your goals, once and for all.

https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Science-Getting-Where/dp/059308375X/

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“First Things First”

By: Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill

From the author that brought you the New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes a guide to prioritizing your personal and professional goals.

I’m getting more done in less time, but where are the rich relationships, the inner peace, the balance, the confidence that I’m doing what matters most and doing it well?

Does this nagging question haunt you, even when you feel you are being your most efficient? If so, First Things First can help you understand why we so often prioritize things that are unimportant to both our larger goals and our inner happiness. From the author that brought you the New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes a guide to building your work on the principles of effectiveness so that your life can spent cultivating genuine relationships, investing in pursuits you enjoy, and achieving balance in both your personal and professional lives.

In First Things First, Stephen M. R. Covey advocates categorizing tasks by urgency and importance so that you can focus on what actually needs to be done in the limited amount of time that you have. Using personal examples and insight from years of business experience, he argues for a new way of looking at your “to-do” list. Rather than offering you another clock, First Things First provides you with a compass, because where you’re headed is more important than how fast you’re going.

https://www.amazon.com/First-Things-Stephen-R-Covey/dp/0684802031

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“15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management: The Productivity Habits of 7 Billionaires, 13 Olympic Athletes, 29 Straight-A Students, and 239 Entrepreneurs”

By: Kevin Kruse

Double Your Productivity Without Feeling Overworked and Overwhelmed.

What if a few new habits could dramatically increase your productivity, and even 5x or 10x it in key areas? What if you could get an an hour a day to read, exercise, or to spend with your family. New York Times bestselling author, Kevin Kruse, presents the remarkable findings of his study of ultra-productive people. Based on survey research and interviews with billionaires, Olympic athletes, straight-A students, and over 200 entrepreneurs—-including Mark Cuban, Kevin Harrington, James Altucher, John Lee Dumas, Pat Flynn, Grant Cardone, and Lewis Howes—-Kruse answers the question: what are the secrets to extreme productivity? In this book, you’ll learn:

– Why millionaires don’t use to-do lists (and what they DO use)

– How to cure procrastination with the “Time Travel” trick

– How the Harvard “DDR Questions” save 8 hours a week

– How to identify your REAL priorities

– How to get to zero emails in your inbox using 321Zero

– How the simple E-3C system will double your productivity

– How to reduce stress with the Richard Branson Tool

– How to leave work at 5:00 without feeling guilty

– How to run meetings like Apple, Google & Virgin

– How to conquer social media distractions

– BONUS: QUIZ – Discover Your Time Personality

– BONUS: 100+ Time Management Quotes

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Successful-People-Management-Straight-/dp/0985056436/

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“Undivided: A Greater Sense of Urgency in Reversing the Trend of Biblical Unbelief”

By: Shawn Hyland

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)

The world is changing, and it seems like the pace is ever-quickening. The Christian worldview has declined in influence over the past three generations. Humanism has become the dominate perspective in our country. Lawlessness cripples our nation. Many leave the faith. A great delusion leads our culture astray.

And the Church’s response is timid. Her voice is shamed, scorned, and silence.

Undivided is a visionary proclamation for the Church; a call to urgency and unity in the face of these trends. Shawn Hyland’s bold assessment and compelling research describes the influential agendas shaping the post-Christian world. He challenges the Church to stand, undivided, holy, centered around 5 core beliefs–one shared identity.

https://www.amazon.com/Undivided-Greater-Reversing-Biblical-Unbelief/dp/057816762X/

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“The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles”

By: Steven Pressfield

A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul.

What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do?

Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece?

Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success.

The War of Art emphasizes the resolve needed to recognize and overcome the obstacles of ambition and then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline.

Think of it as tough love . . . for yourself.

Whether an artist, writer or business person, this simple, personal, and no-nonsense book will inspire you to seize the potential of your life.

https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026/

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“How Do You Eat An Elephant?: One Bite at a Time”

By: Bill Hogan

“A very insightful book. It makes the reader think about resolving issues by first looking inward. Our management team found that getting others to change was much easier once we changed our own behavior.” Scott Needham, President Princeton Air “A quick, easy read – all we need to know in one source. Should be on every manager’s desk as a ready reference.” Scott Harrah, President Harrah Insurance “Leading or managing people does not necessitate an MBA. The author clearly articulates a singular theme of involvement throughout most all the fundamental business practices.” Rich Weise, President Xerographic Document Solutions “The author offers a 1-2-3 “how to” approach that gave us a blueprint for handling the maddening problems of time management and energy consuming employees.” Marc Brahaney, President Lasley Brahaney Design-Build

https://www.amazon.com/How-Do-You-Eat-Elephant/dp/1595262040

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“Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway”

By: Susan Jeffers

THE PHENOMENAL CLASSIC THAT HAS CHANGED THE LIVES OF MILLIONS

Are you afraid of making decisions . . . asking your boss for a raise . . . leaving an unfulfilling relationship . . . facing the future? Whatever your fear, here is your chance to push through it once and for all. In this enduring guide to self-empowerment, Dr. Susan Jeffers inspires us with dynamic techniques and profound concepts that have helped countless people grab hold of their fears and move forward with their lives. Inside you’ll discover

• what we are afraid of, and why

• how to move from victim to creator

• the secret of making no lose decisions

• the vital 10-step process that helps you outtalk the negative chatterbox in your brain

• how to create more meaning in your life

And so much more!

With insight and humor, Dr. Jeffers shows you how to become powerful in the face of your fears–and enjoy the elation of living a creative, joyous, loving life.

“Should be required for every person who can read! I recommend this book in every one of my seminars!”

–Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

“It’s a must! The most practical guide to personal empowerment I have ever read. Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway goes to number one on my recommended reading list.”

–Jordan Paul, Ph.D., co-author of Do I Have to Give Up Me to Be Loved by You?

“Living is taking chances, and Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway has helped so many people, both men and women, to achieve success.”

–Louise L. Hay, author of The Power Is Within You

https://www.amazon.com/Feel-Fear-Do-Anyway/dp/0345487427

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“Something Needs to Change: An Urgent Call to Make Your Life Count”

By: David Platt

The author of Radical takes readers on a soul-searching journey through impoverished villages in the Himalayan mountains, daring them to make a difference in a world of urgent need, starting right where they live.

“Grippingly vulnerable and unforgettable. I could not put this book down.”—Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts

While leading a team on a week-long trek of the Himalayas, bestselling author and pastor David Platt was stunned by the human needs he encountered, an experience so dramatic that it “changed the trajectory of my life.” Meeting a man who’d lost his eye from a simple infection and seeing the faces of girls stolen from their families and trafficked in the cities, along with other unforgettable encounters, opened his eyes to the people behind the statistics and compelled him to wrestle with his assumptions about faith. In Something Needs to Change, Platt invites readers to come along on both the adventure of the trek, as well as the adventure of seeking answers to tough questions like, “Where is God in the middle of suffering?” “What makes my religion any better than someone else’s religion?” and “What do I believe about eternal suffering?” Platt has crafted an irresistible message about what it means to give your life for the gospel–to finally stop talking about faith and truly start living it.

Praise for Something Needs to Change

“Rugged. Authentic. Gritty. Real. Worshipful. There are no other books like this one. I always pick up David’s books with a sense of excitement and, quite honestly, apprehension—because I know that areas of compromise and complacency in my life are going to be exposed. But this book exceeded even my high expectations, for which I am grateful. And so will you be. As David writes, it’s time to run, not walk. Let’s go.”—J. D. Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention

“Extraordinary and challenging. I’ve just never read a book like this before. I am so moved. Bring your full heart to this story and watch how God opens your eyes, changes your mind, and broadens the dreams you have for your life.”—Annie F. Downs, best-selling author of 100 Days to Brave and Remember God

“If you dare to read this book, you might just have an unexpected encounter with Jesus that leaves you weeping on the floor, as David’s experience did. Something changes within us when the seemingly overwhelming needs of the world present themselves simply in the life of a single person. Ultimately, I pray your compassion will be transformed to action.”—Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado, president and CEO of Compassion International

https://www.amazon.com/Something-Needs-Change-Urgent-Count/dp/0735291438/

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“Urgency – Making a Difference in the World”

By: Keith Joseph

As the firefighters arrived on the scene, the chief called out, “The house is totally enveloped in flames.” The firefighters knew what this meant, it was too late to save the house or anyone that might be in the house. The chief commented, “If we had only been notified earlier, we might have saved everyone in the house and even the house.”

It seems to many, that we live in a day when our world is “totally enveloped” in an inferno of moral destruction with no way to either walk it back or to begin again. Many in the church have made the decision to just try to survive and pray for the Lord to return. Still others just do not know what to do.

The book you hold in your hands holds the keys to making a difference now. No one can deny that this is a day of urgency. No one can deny the fact that the last days are before us. But the question is, what should we be doing now?

In Pastor Keith’s latest study, he outlines God’s path for the church in these difficult days which may well turn out to be the days of Jesus’ Second Coming. On each page there is vital information for those who want to make a difference now. Join with Pastor Keith as he walks us through a verse by verse study of the book of Revelation.

This study will bring into clarity the hidden mysteries of God that previous generations have not been able to understand. This may be the most important study you will ever engage in.

https://www.amazon.com/Urgency-Keith-Joseph/dp/1947671677/

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“Sense Of Urgency” (Movie)

By: David D. Ford

When a teen learns that she is adopted, Izzy hires an investigator to find her birth parents. When a meeting is set up, Izzy hops on a bus to go meet her mom, but when the bus is taken over by hijackers, Izzy soon discovers her captors are using her as a ransom. Through it all, Izzy meets a variety of people, some who encourage and others who are conspiring against her.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A12XHinvF18

https://www.amazon.com/Sense-Urgency-Miciah-Auden/dp/B07BZW6ZMD/

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“The Last Hour: An Israeli Insider Looks at the End Times”

By: Amir Tsarfati

Avoiding sensationalism and date-speculating, respected Bible teacher Amir Tsarfati uses his unique perspective as an Israeli Christian to lead you through a fascinating modern-day description of God’s plan for the end of the world.

Grounded from start to finish in Scripture, the book reveals how the Rapture, the imminent rise of the Antichrist, and the tragic horrors of the Great Tribulation will play out in our world today. He also helps you understand the roles–and fates–of Russia, Iran, Syria, Turkey, the European Union, the United States of America, and Israel in the end times, showing just how biblical prophecies are being fulfilled in our time. But above all, he offers hope that in the midst of chaos and horror, God is ultimately in control, and those who belong to him will be safe with him.

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Hour-Israeli-Insider-Looks/dp/0800799127/

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“The Day Approaching: An Israeli’s Message of Warning and Hope for the Last Days”

By: Amir Tsarfati

Are You Noticing the Signs of the Times?

In the Bible, Jesus spoke about the signs that would make it clear His return is near. What are those signs? And are they evident today?

As a Jewish native Israeli who is a Christian, Amir Tsarfati has a distinct perspective that weaves biblical history, current events, and Bible prophecy together to shine light on the mysteries about the end times. From his vantage point in the Middle East and through careful Bible study, Amir points to evidence that informs us the return of the Lord is imminent.

In The Day Approaching, you will learn…

– God’s plans for the world, Israel, the church, and you

– that the signs of Christ’s return are visible all around us

– about the smoke screen of deception that will lure people away from truth

– how even now God is revealing Himself to people and changing their hearts

– of the wonders that await us in Jesus’ future millennial kingdom

As you seek hope and clarity about earth’s final days, let the Bible alone be the resource you turn to for answers.

https://www.amazon.com/Day-Approaching-Israelis-Message-Warning/dp/0736981055/

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“Are You Ready?”

By: Billy Graham

DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS EARTH AGAIN? I do. And I don’t see any other hope for the world because we’re heading toward a catastrophe.

The Bible says, “Scoffers will come in the last days. . . . They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming?’ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:3–7).

The Word of God, the Bible, speaks of the certainties of the end of the world. Jesus said, “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37). What were the days of Noah like? And is there a parallel for today? The people of Noah’s day were very wicked: “Every intention of the thoughts” of their hearts was “only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Marriage was abused, people were corrupt, violence prevailed (Genesis 6:1–13). There was a lot of “religion,” but it was decadent. People were preoccupied with things and didn’t have time for God.

So God warned them, “Unless you repent and change your ways, you’re going to face judgment.” In the middle of all that corruption, Noah dared to live for God. Noah believed in God, and true faith determined how he lived. By that faith Noah built a ship in the middle of the desert, and he and his family were saved when the waters of destruction came (Genesis 6:1–13, Hebrews 11:7). True faith should determine how we live, too.

Today the only bright spot on the horizon of this world’s future is the promise of the return of Jesus Christ. We can’t go on like this much longer, either morally or scientifically. The technology that was supposed to save us is ready to destroy us. Yet we’re not to wait in terror, because as Christians, we have the hope of the return of Christ. When is he going to return? Jesus said, “Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).

NOAH BELIEVED IN GOD, AND TRUE FAITH DETERMINED HOW HE LIVED. TRUE FAITH SHOULD DETERMINE HOW WE LIVE, TOO.

But are you ready when the end of life in this world comes for you personally? The Bible says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). It is coming the moment you die, and that could be at any time for any of us. You may be expecting to live for many more years, but you can’t know for sure. We never know. One of the biblical prophets wrote, “Prepare to meet your God” (Amos 4:12). What have you done spiritually in your life to prepare for that moment when your heart stops beating? The Bible also says about Jesus: “There is salvation [from God’s judgment for sin] in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). You need to make a commitment to Christ today.

First, repent of your sins, including all of those things we say and do that offend other people, and God himself! “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Without God’s Spirit coming to live within us we don’t have the strength to change and live a life that pleases God. That’s why we need to be saved! Repentance means that you say to God, “I have sinned. I am sorry for my sins. I want to change my way of living by your empowerment.”

Second, you come to God by faith. That means that you put your whole trust in him and say, “Lord, I believe Christ’s death for me provides everything I need to be forgiven for my sins and become accepted by you. I trust in Jesus alone for my salvation. Please save me now and help me live for you.”

You may be a good person. You may do all the good that you can think of, but all of that isn’t enough. You must come in childlike faith to Jesus who died on the cross for you, who rose again, who is waiting for you to make that commitment.

ARE YOU READY TO MEET GOD?

https://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Ready-Pack-25/dp/1682163210/

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“Tipping Point: The End is Here”

By: Jimmy Evans

The prophetic clock is ticking. We are living in tumultuous times. From corrupt world politics to global pandemics to an unprecedented rebellion against God and His Word, humanity has reached a critical stage. What happens next? In this eye-opening book, Jimmy Evans examines biblical prophecies about the end times and points to their unmistakable parallels with today’s world. With clear, insightful analysis of Scripture, he answers many common questions, such as:

• Are we living in the end times?

• How should Believers respond to increasing immorality?

• Will Christians go through the Tribulation?

• What role does Israel play in God’s prophetic plan?

• Are COVID-19 and other world events announcing the imminent return of Jesus?

Ultimately, Tipping Point will help you understand current events with confidence. There is no going back, but hope and peace are possible as God’s plan unfolds and we approach the end of the age. Jimmy Evans is senior pastor of Gateway Church in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and holds an honorary doctorate of literature from The King’s University. In addition to authoring more than seventeen books, Jimmy has studied eschatology for more than 45 years and is passionate about helping believers find hope, peace, and encouragement in the Word of God.

https://www.amazon.com/Tipping-Point-Here-Jimmy-Evans/dp/1950113345/

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“It Will Cost You Everything: What it Takes to Follow Jesus”

By: Steven J. Lawson

Nestled in a few verses in Luke’s Gospel is a Jesus who would not have been tolerated today: He was not politically correct and He certainly did not try to save people’s feelings. Steven Lawson unpacks these few verses, looking at the unashamed honesty, passion, and urgency with which Jesus explains the life–long cost involved in choosing to follow Him. True Christianity is the biggest sacrifice any person ever makes … but it is in pursuit of the most precious prize ever glimpsed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1527107035

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“Putting First Things First – How To Have Eternal Life”

By: Adrian Rogers

Life comes at us fast. We’re pulled in different directions and bombarded from every side with decisions that have to be made…now! But there is one decision that is infinitely more important than all the rest: “What will you do with Jesus?” These six message will help you put first things first by showing you how to have eternal life, receive assurance of your salvation, and know God’s purpose for life by Living By The Book.

Messages included:

2300 – The Church Triumphant

2119 – How to Be Absolutely Sure

2418 – My Heart—God’s Home

1999 – Three Things That You Cannot Learn in School

2259 – Understanding the New Birth

2427 – Why Do I Exist?

https://www.lwf.org/products/putting-first-things-first-series

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

SPECIAL ‘GENERAL’ RESOURCE

“ApologetiX Songbook”

(An interactive PDF)

It features the lyrics to every song on every CD and every “download” from 1993-2020

Special features:

– indexed by title, original song, original artist, subject, and Bible verse

– each song’s page has icons showing what albums it appears on

– each song’s page has a commentary from lyricist J. Jackson

– each album’s page includes liner notes and track listing

– print any pages you like or use for slides in church

– photos from ApologetiX’s debut concert in 1992

– discography of out-of-print cassettes

– downloadable in PDF format

New features in this edition:

– all song commentaries from J. Jackson updated and expanded

– also indexed by year when original song spoofed was a hit

– J.’s original handwritten rough lyrics to 40 ApX classics

– scads of photos from ApX 25th-anniversary concerts

– list of 40 ApX parodies most likely to be redone

– over 200 new parodies and journal entries

– list of the first ApX concerts in each state

– six new full-length feature articles

– DVD discography and synopses

– never-before-seen rare photos

– lyrics for over 700 parodies

– over 1000 pages!

Interactive features:

– click on any page number in indexes or TOC to go to that page

– click on any album icon to go to its liner notes and track listings

– click on any song title on an album page to go to that song

Note: This e-book is a download-only and doesn’t include sheet music.

The songbook is available for a donation of $50 or more. After we receive your donation, we’ll send you a follow-up email with the link.

Get the Songbook for a donation:

http://www.apologetix.com/store/store.php#songbook

Songbook Demo Video: https://rumble.com/vfazhl-apologetix-songbook-2020-demo.html

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“THE SEARCH FOR MEANING” WEBSITE

This site presents discussions on the 12 most commonly asked questions about the Christian faith.

The 12 discussions are accessed by the “tabs” at the bottom of the page. The tabs are numbered 1-12. Roll your mouse over them and you will see the question displayed at the right. Click on the number to select that question.

Within each question (i.e. tabs 1-12), there are subtopics (or dialogues) to select that appear as smaller tabs underneath the numbered tabs. Roll your mouse over them and the title of these topics is also displayed to the right. Click on the open rectangle to select that dialogue.

For each question (1-12), a link to related resources and an optional flowchart is provided. To access this material, click on the respective words, “Related Resources” or “Options Flowchart.”

To play a more detailed discussion of the subject, between two people, select the desired dialogue and click on “Play Audio Dialogue.”

In the upper right-hand corner of the page, there is an icon that looks like binoculars looking at a question mark. Click on this icon to return to the homepage.

In the upper right-hand corner of a “Related Resources” page, there is an icon that looks like some books. Click on this icon to get to an “overview” page that has links to all of the resources for all of the questions. There also are additional “appendices” for most of the questions.

In the upper right-hand corner of a “Flowchart” page, there is an icon that looks like an Org chart. Click on this icon to get to an “overview” page that has links to all of the flowcharts.

http://4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q1_d1_1of10.html

[ Content by: Bill Kraftson and Lamar Smith; Website by Mark Besh ]

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“FRUITS OF THE BEATITUDES” WEB SITE

(The ATTITUDES of Jesus that produce the CHARACTER of Jesus)

CLICK ON THE LINK to view:

http://fruitsofthebeatitudes.org/

FACEBOOK PAGE:

https://www.facebook.com/FruitsOfTheBeatitudes/

[ Mark Besh ]

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[ P.S.: If you would like to investigate further what it means to “believe,” visit the following link:

http://www.4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q10_d4_1of10.html ].

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ARTICLES

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“How to STOP Procrastinating Right Now”

Tired of letting procrastination stop you from achieving your dreams? In this episode of The Lifehack Show, Justin will show you 5 strategies for getting past procrastination.

[ Justin Aldridge ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoa4nPgtTsU

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“The ONLY way to stop procrastinating”

If you keep finding yourself stuck in that loop of stress and avoiding the things you know you need to do, WATCH THIS.

I give you my tools for dealing with procrastination… I know they’ll work for you too.

If you struggle with procrastination, you’re not alone. Research from a PhD at the University of Calgary found that 80–95% of college students are procrastinators.

There’s also nothing wrong with you. You don’t lack willpower, drive, and focus. It also has nothing to do with your work and your ability to get it done.

If you beat yourself up for procrastinating, that ends now. And here’s why:

You’re looking at procrastination wrong. Rather than a trait or sign of motivation, it’s simply a habit.

A habit that comes about in response to life stress.

In this video, learn the only way you can break the habit of procrastination–for good. This simple 4-step strategy will help you stop procrastinating and in the process make you happier and less stressed.

[ Mel Robbins ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x7MkLDGnu8

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“How to Stop Procrastinating”

Get your procrastination worksheet at http://bit.ly/13EawBF

Do you procrastinate? Are you forever putting things off till tomorrow, missing deadlines and pulling all nighters to get projects done last minute? We’ve got the solution. We’re going to help you beat that slipper monster called procrastination once and for all with our three-step method! Let us know if these tips worked for you below.

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvcx7Y4caQE

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“How to finally overcome procrastination”

[ Matt D’Avella ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGfN9297Yq8

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“Procrastination – 7 Steps to Cure”

Procrastination is a common affliction. Here are 7 steps to cure your self to stop procrastinating!

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irp5ghCVNAM

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“Procrastination”

This video will help you understand what causes procrastination by telling you about motivation and habits. Next, you’ll learn creative strategies to be more productive.

[ UNC Learning Center ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ft0dTFYBtU

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“The Biggest Mistake I See: Strategy First, Urgency Second”

Working with thousands of people in organizations around the world for the past 30 years, I have run into many misconceptions about what it takes to really make change work. Some people think a “burning platform” gets people urgent and committed to change. Other leaders think that they can announce the change and then leave it to everyone else to make it happen. Both are mistakes. But the biggest one I’ve run into is when someone says, “We’ve done our research, we have our strategy, we’re ready to get everyone on board.” In the video below I talk about why this approach just doesn’t work for large-scale change, and what you need to do instead: start with a sense of urgency.

[ Dr. John Kotter ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx46Z2daVtQ

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“Kotters 8 Steps Leading Change”

11:56 Example step 1 – Establishing a sense of urgency

12:19 Example step 2 – Forming a powerful guiding coalition

13:14 Example step 3 – Creating a vision

13:48 Example step 4 – Communicating the vision

14:29 Example step 5 – Empowering others to act on the vision

15:27 Example step 6 – Planning for and creating short-term wins

16:16 Example step 7 – Consolidating improvements and producing still more change

17:01 Example step 8 – Institutionalizing new approaches

[ John Kotter ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QWiMkXyTP4&t=715s

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“A sense of urgency – The secret ingredient of successful changes”

[ Brigita Tomas ]

TEDxMaribor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IehzpdK1F88

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“Leading Change Step 1: Create a Sense of Urgency”

Change is inevitable. How do you get your team and others (like your boss and peers) to feel like you do? You can get them to accept that change is necessary by creating a sense of urgency.

This video will explain step 1 of John Kotter’s Eight Step model for leading change: Creating a sense of urgency.

Read Robert’s article on How to Create a Sense of Urgency at https://managementisajourney.com/lead….

• LEARN more about management and leadership at https://managementisajourney.com. 

• REVIEW Robert’s eBooks at https://amzn.to/2JXEvLD.

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzThM3WQyMQ

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“Life Is Short: How To Add A Sense of Urgency”

Are You Procrastinating? Sometimes You Just Don’t Feel Motivated? Then This Video Will Show You That Life Is Short And How To Add A Sense Of Urgency. Unlock Your Full Potential And Get Your Free Unlock It Book Today: https://lifeisshort.danlok.link

Right now you might feel like you’ll live forever. But this video will remind you that life is short and your time on earth is finite. Discover how to add a sense of urgency to your life as Dan demonstrates the shocking number of years you really have to live. What is one thing you’ll stop doing and what will you do instead?

[ Dan Lok ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD2vzxPESwY

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“How to get a SENSE OF URGENCY”

Having a sense of urgency is THE secret to success.

If there’s one thing I value in myself and the people in my life, it is those that have a sense of urgency. Having a sense of urgency is the single thing that can help you accomplish your goals, to stop procrastinating, to finally get moving on that side project or business you want to build. On this episode, I’ll teach you how to get a sense of urgency.

[ TK Kader ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HPzBxDPwjU

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“LIVE LIFE WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY- Motivational Video”

We must live life with a sense of urgency. Whatever you want to achieve, whichever area you want to be successful in, wherever you want to go.. do something about it today! Make your goals and dreams a reality! There’s no reason to wait because you might not have a later, but you do have NOW. That clock is not gonna wait for us, so stop waiting for it! Start making every single day from now on count.

[ Amanda Al ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4JZLbS7mQ8

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“Achieve Your Dreams | Having A Sense of Urgency Motivational Video”

In today’s motivational video, I wan t to talk to you about having a sense of urgency in our lives.

So many of us are looking to achieve our goals

, and dreams. We are looking to take our lives to the next level.

We ask questions like, “How do I change my life and how do I achieve my goals?”

Well today I want to offer some inspiring words of advice that may help you on your journey to achieving your best self.

[ Create Imperfect ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Wz2wH759g

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“Develop a Sense of Urgency”

[ James Parker ]

Motivational Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKhuf-ePUEE&t=76s

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“Live Life with Urgency and Do Your Best Work”

Life is limited.

Therefore don’t postpone your deepest desires.

Live life with urgency and leave your mark in the world.

Discover your unique gift and reason for being here.

Share with your special talents and abilities with the others.

[ Perry – Purpose Driven Mastery ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CtTlMB_hwY

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“LIVE WITH THE URGENCY OF NOW.”

Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.

[ DBF Lifestyle TV ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVAf7e8KICY

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“Living With A Sense of Urgency – The Night I Got Shot Twice Stopping a Robbery”

On November 13, 2004, I was shot twice while tackling a gunman who attempted to rob 12 of my closest friends. I bled out on the ground and begged for one more chance.

This is a detailed account of a very personal story that I’ve only told to a select inner circle, but wanted to finally share publicly.

But more importantly, it’s about living with a sense of urgency. It’s how you can live with urgency in everything you do and work with an unparalleled hunger and drive.

[ Clint Warren ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WchtQU24UTI

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“Living with a Sense of Urgency”

Lewis Howes is a professional football player turned entrepreneur, podcaster & author. On this episode of The Ground Up Show we discuss…

1. Why people need to live with a sense of urgency.

2. Getting clear on your vision & the questions you should be asking yourself.

[ Matt D’Avella ]

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl2iixeX1FU

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“MOVE WITH URGENCY”

[ Les Brown ]

Motivational Snippet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mHgfPl-YQo

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“re:leadership – Cultivate a Sense of Urgency”

[ David S. Penner ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prz3N-JKxQk

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“The Magic Question for Creating Urgency”

You can’t create urgency with prospects on your own. Learn how to help them help you make sales happen faster.

[ Colleen Francis ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfIsm0umN7g

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“URGENCY- INSANE MOTIVATION”

URGENCY is about recognizing that you have limited time to walk this earth, accomplish your goals, live your life, manifest your gifts, chase your dreams, and make your impact. It’s about operating with a mentality of ATTACKING your goals today because you might not have tomorrow!

[ Les Brown and Bo Muchoki ]

Motivational Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH9RjgxV12Y

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“Create a Selling Sense of Urgency”

The ‘ I’ll think about response ‘ from a client means you haven’t generated a great sense of urgency for your product or service. In selling, it’s your sales objective to get the client to think about why they should buy now. That’s selling effectively.

[ Victor Antonio ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7T68rUCQ-8

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“The Psychology of Creating Urgency. . Understanding Urgency vs Pressure.”

Influence Mastery Training – “Urgency vs Pressure”. You need it but what is urgency? Where does it come from & how is it created? Do you know the difference in pressure and urgency. Create urgency on demand!

When I get to the end of my presentations my finance managers all keep telling me the same thing. They say my clients just have “no sense of urgency to buy”. How do I create urgency but not be a “high pressure hustler”?

[ Paul Rhines ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rSyJOsgQPE

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“Why Sense of Urgency Creates Massive Success”

What is your sense of urgency? Most people don’t have one because they are too complacent, and that’s the problem. As a business owner, you need to create a sense of urgency. You already have the ability to do whatever you want to do — all you have to do is to make the decision and commit to that decision.

[ David Neagle ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm3GemtsnRA

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“Urgency”

Motivational video

[ Mulligan Brothers ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYx-1nrDpHg

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“Sense of Urgency”

[ Derrick Rose and Eric Thomas ]

Motivational Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjcNcyCAuxw

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“URGENCY”

Change is the only constant. It is your choice whether it is good or bad.

[ Pure Motivation ]

Motivational Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzFyF6PAdZ0

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“URGENCY 2”

Motivational video.

[ Mulligan Brothers ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pN3n5Ann7I

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“How To MOVE From A Sense Of URGENCY Into EMERGENCY In Your Life (5 WAYS)”

How To MOVE From A Sense Of URGENCY Into EMERGENCY In Your Life (5 WAYS). NOW is the PERFECT TIME to start making adjustments In Your Life. There are a lot of things In Your Life right now that you probably haven’t thought of if it’s an URGENCY or an EMERGENCY. There are also those that requires IMMEDIATE ATTENTION From You! In this video, we’re going to dive into five ways of how to convert from a sense of urgency into emergency in your life that will allow you to be ALERT and CONSCIOUS of the things around you, and to succeed and grow your mindset through the years to come.

I want to SHARE with you FIVE WAYS on How To MOVE From A Sense of URGENCY Into EMERGENCY In Your LIFE. These 5 Ways that I’m SHARING to you has been something I’ve been personally applying in my own life as well as my own businesses to think and grow rich, not just financially, but also having a richer sense of emergency in life. This video will allow you to DIFFERENTIATE and BENEFIT from it by improving your mindset and becoming self aware in being your own champion in your life. This will enable you to cultivate the way you think as well as enhance your perception in taking matters into your own hands. Make sure to WATCH this video and use this as a GUIDE to REFLECT within yourself on how you can apply these CHANGES and ACHIEVE a different PERSPECTIVE In Your LIFE.

[ Steve Holbrook ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN5HD3blW2o

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“A Sense of Urgency”

Aaron North, Kauffman Foundation vice president of Education, discusses how every moment counts for students who have fallen behind on their path to meaningful, productive and happy futures. North recommends moving beyond the ideologies and personal philosophies that can distract efforts to stay focused on advancing academic achievement for every student.

[ Aaron North ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mioff9so_TE

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“Creating a Sense of Urgency”

It isn’t unusual for leaders to complain that their team members are lazy, work harder at avoiding work than actually doing the work, and have no sense of urgency when it comes to completing tasks.

The pace of work in any environment is important because the more you can produce, the better the results.

So, why don’t employees work as fast as their supervisor or manager wants them to?

Here are a few possible reasons. [ more…]

[ Front Line Leadership ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtG1uNjdxJo

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“3 Tips to Create Urgency in Sales”

Do your sales cycles seem to drag on forever? Here are three tips to creating urgency in sales, helping you close more sales more often.

Do your sales cycles seem to just drag on and on? This is a really common challenge, and it’s not only costing you time—it’s also making you miss huge sales opportunities.

Creating urgency with prospects is critical to closing more sales. But let’s be clear: Creating urgency doesn’t mean telling prospects that “the price goes up tomorrow.” In this video, I’m going to teach you three tips to creating real urgency in sales. Check it out!

So, there you have it. Three tips to creating urgency in sales. I want to hear from you. Which of these ideas did you find most useful? Be sure to share in the comments section below. I’ll read every single comment. If you enjoyed this video, visit http://www.marcwayshak.com/opt1/ to get a free eBook on 25 tips to crush your sales goal.

[ Marc Wayshak ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4T1v1WumxY

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“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Summary”

This book has touched millions of people’s lives – it’s one of, if not THE, most well know success books out there. There are literally 1000’s of success books out there, so why should the 7 habits of highly effective people be any different? Stephen researched the last 200 years of success literature and found something interesting. In the last 50 years, most of the books have been focused on the personality ethic – things like public image, how you dress, how you perform in social interactions, positive mental attitude, and skills and techniques to get people to behave in certain ways. These books focus on how to appear rather than how to actually be.

The 7 habits of highly effective people takes an inside out approach – it focuses on the character ethic rather than the personality ethic. In the words of Stephen covey:

Almost all the literature in the first 150 years or so focused on what could be called the character ethic as the foundation for success — things like integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty, and the golden rule. … the character ethic taught that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character.

Greatness starts from the inside out.

Of course, there is a place for the personality ethic, but character forms the foundation. Personality ethics need to be rooted in character. The personality ethic can be seen as fake or as a fake it til you make it image if it’s not rooted in character. Sometimes people apply these personality techniques in order to use and manipulate people to meet their own goals and agendas. In the long run, people will eventually see through this duplicity… but you can’t fake character ethic.

If you’re still confused, imagine an iceberg. The personality ethics are above water while the character is below the water. The character forms the foundation. It is where the greatest impact over the long term is. It’s where you sow the seeds. The problem is that people don’t focus on the foundation, they focus on the appearance. They are looking for shortcuts and quick fixes, but there are no shortcuts. This is not a quick fix program… but if you endure and apply the following habits, you will absolutely achieve your goals and it will help you develop better relationships.

Let’s jump into the 7 habits.

Click on this link to finish reading the article:

https://russjamieson.com/7-habits-highly-effective-people-stephen-covey-summary/

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“The Eisenhower Matrix Apps”

Effectively manage your tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix, a proven time management technique, and dramatically increase your productivity in an instant.

https://www.eisenhower.me/

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“First Things First by Stephen Covey”

In his book “First things first” Stephen Covey, the well-known author of the book “The Seven Habits of highly Effective People”, further examines the third of the seven habits: how to focus on what is really important. “First things first” presents a fourth-generation time management according to which you see your day in terms of people and relationships rather than activities and appointments.The key concept of the book is spending most of our time on things that are important but not urgent.

[ Read and Grow ]

Book Summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvBHyE7PGdE

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“Rocks, Pebbles and Sand Story”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5ZvL4as2y0

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“I’m Late”

I’m late!

For a very important date!

No time to say “Hello”, goodbye!

I’m late!

I’m late! I’m late! I’m late!

And, when I wave I lose the time I save

My fuzzy ears and whiskers took me too much time to shave

I run and then I hop, hop, hop

I wish that I could fly

There’s danger if I dare to stop and here’s the reason why

You see I’m overdue

I’m in a rabbit stew

Can’t even say “Good-bye”, hello

I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

I’m overdue!

I’m really in a stew!

No time to say “Goodbye”, hello!

I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!

[ Alice in Wonderland – Disney ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOLpCWlsCjw

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“The Procrastination Equation”

[ Piers Steel ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYiCwROJKL0

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“The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel”

Here are 5 of my favorite Big Ideas from “The Procrastination Equation” by Piers Steel. Hope you enjoy!

[ Brian Johnson ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3GqcZJdswo

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“Professor Katherine Milkman on Temptation Bundling”

Professor Katherine Milkman describes her research on a new idea she calls “temptation bundling” at Wharton’s “Iron Prof” competition.

[ Katherine Milkman ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snHnUc9Yudk

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“Katy Milkman on Choice and Temptations⎟Unbeatable Mind Podcast”

Today Mark talks with Katy Milkman, professor at the Wharton School and host of Charles Schwab’s “Choiceology with Katy Milkman” podcast. She’s a frequent writer of behavioral science for The Washington Post and Scientific American. Her newest book is How to Change. In this episode, she discusses temptations and improving our chances for change.

Hear about:

-Temptation Bundling and its counterintuitive way to make you more productive

-The Advice Club and its benefits to help you achieve your goals

-The Impulsivity Problem, the Forgetting Problem, the Confidence Problem, and how to get past them all

Listen in for some insights from a top behavioral expert on how you can make a positive change for yourself and others.

[ Mark Hayes ]

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvJSJc7Ti4Y

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“Some Lessons Only Come When Its Too Late (This Will Touch You!)”

An inspirational video that will make you consider how you are living and whether you’re living with an urgency for the things of God!

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9uIo_4zDs0

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“Things You Should Know About This Eleventh Hour”

As we live in the last days this video is a reminder that the return of the Lord will happen in the twinkling of an eye!

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dts1SwlErc4

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“Dr. David Platt: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need”

Pastor of McLean Bible Church and Founder of Radical, Dr. David Platt, speaks at Biola University Undergraduate Chapel on March 11, 2020.

[ David Platt ]

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4-AZ0ymO6g

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“Living With Urgency Pt 1”

[ Francis Chan ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKExrcoDk5k

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“Ignite Purpose Devo 3156: Living With Urgency”

Are you a procrastinator? Not many of us live with any urgency. There’s always tomorrow, right? Not always. If you spend any time with God at all, you know what’s important, but sadly, many just are convinced that they have all kinds of time and can deal with those important things TOMORROW. Because life is crazy busy right now, we’ve resolved to get around to doing what we know we should be doing, later—when things slow a bit. Believe me, things DON’T SLOW DOWN! In the verse below, Peter made his appeal to live with urgency.

[ John Mizerak ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PQJ0tmyQVc

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“The Urgency of Holy Living – Romans 13:11-14 (8.25.19)”

Dr. Jordan Rogers continues preaching through The Book of Romans in this sermon from Romans 13:11-14 entitled, “The Urgency of Holy Living.”

Because Christ is coming, it’s time to wake up and live right! The Apostle Paul wrote, “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). Our salvation is nearer today than it has ever been, and the passing of every day brings us closer to the coming of the kingdom of God and the reign of King Jesus.

The expectation of every Christian should be that Jesus is returning very soon. In other words, His return is imminent. This reality ought to shape our daily lives and our outlook on all things. The imminent return of Christ should motivate us to live in readiness and in holiness.

The following is a sermon from Romans 13:11-14 and below you will find the video recording and a sermon outline to help you follow along as you watch. I hope this study tool helps you grow in your love for the Lord Jesus and in your obedience to Him.

[ Dr. Jordan N. Rogers ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m4thTtQKWw

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“Live With Urgency – 4/26/15”

[ Brian Burkholder ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQV_7AKEi1o&t=145s

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“Live with Urgency”

[ Pastor James – Overcoming Faith Centre ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNWcQYvM78g&t=294s

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“The Urgency of Eternity”

[ Dave Koop ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7dcgYel8hY&t=2482s

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“Living In A Sense Of Urgency”

[ Diego Mesa ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmKPHU0UyE0&t=27s

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“Living With a Sense of Urgency”

[ Darrell Boomer ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ3gQ6aD9xk&t=1976s

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“Living with Urgency in Days of Panic”

There’s a difference between living with urgency and living in panic. Urgency is driven by preparation, while panic is driven by fear. We live in a panic-driven world. Jesus, however, lived with urgency. So, what does a life of urgency look like in the 21st century? Sermon Text: John 4

[ Bucky Kennedy ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPNCWF7vl7I

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“State of Urgency: Live by Faith, not by Fear”

[ Marty Ocaya ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxONjMwOXxM&t=54s

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“Living With A Sense of Urgency”

[ Rick Piña ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVbRQsfuqqA

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“Your Time Is Now”

Every time we get ready to do something important, it seems like everything starts to fall apart. When it comes to spiritual preparation, Satan stands in the wings ready to wage war against our efforts. But as Tony Evans points out, God’s perfect timing uses the strategies of Satan against him and works them in our favor.

[ Tony Evans ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dQZj99IGm4

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“You Don’t Have Anymore Time To Waste”

The return of Christ will happen in the twinkling of an eye. Whether or not these are the last days or end times, you should be living wholeheartedly for the Lord.

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Z3Q3QbKiQ

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“The Coming FINAL ANTICHRIST’S GLOBALIST world!!!”

The Globalist movement all over the world is laying the groundwork for what we know will happen when the Final Antichrist makes his appearance. This are happening quickly just as the Bible said!!!

[ James Kaddis ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E3NtzF5qdQ

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“Are We Reaching A Prophetic Boiling Point?”

They say a watched pot never boils. Well I’ve been watching and it seems like things are beginning to heat up! It appears we are in an era when the water is not only heating up, but the bubbles are beginning to form more rapidly than any other time in history.

Consider this sampling of earlier signs of the times and how spread out they were.

• In 1897, Theodore Herzl chaired the 1st Zion Congress with the goal of creating a home for the Jewish people. That was (arguably) the first concrete step toward setting the stage for prophesied end-time events.

• In 1946 Winston Churchill called for a United States of Europe.

• In 1948 Israel became a nation.

• In 1967 Israel miraculously won the Six Day War and gained control of Jerusalem.

• In 1968 the Club of Rome was founded.

• In 1991 the Gulf War turned the worlds attention once again to the Middle East.

• In 1993 the European Union was created.

• In 2001 the terrorist attacks on the symbols of the US military and the US economy took place.

• In 2011 the “Arab Spring” led to civil war in Syria (creating the Ezekiel 38 playground for Russia, Turkey, and Iran).

Take a moment to ponder the prophetic implications of these key events and how spread out they were. (By the way, I wish I had time and space in this article to unpack how each of those connects directly with key end-time Bible prophecies.) It was about the time of the last event on the list (civil war in Syria), that I began carefully studying eschatology and the signs of the times–and felt called to do so.

The 2011-2012 timeframe was prophetically significant on many levels. It seemed we had entered a new era where end-time signs were noticeably increasing. In addition to the events listed above, there were scores of other significant events including extreme weather, the weakening of America, and the coarsening of society. It was as if the pot was beginning to bubble–but those of us who were watching the signs could still keep track of each bubble and take the time to analyze it in light of Scripture.

Enter 2020. The events of 2020 including, Covid-19 virus was released–as was lawlessness, violence, deception, deep political corruption, and other moral evils on a broader scale than we had ever seen or been made aware of. And this time, these signs were happening globally!

It was as if we entered a “medium-boil” phase. Whereas those of us paying attention to signs that lined up with end-time conditions used to be able to identify just about every significant prophetic stage-setting event fairly easily, now I literally cannot keep up!

I liken it to battlefield tactics. As long as it is possible, a soldier on the field carefully notes each detail that will help him understand the coming battle. The more intel the better. But once the battle begins to get thick, the soldier’s attention has to turn to more pressing matters. The soldier must decide on what is priority in order to complete the mission.

This necessarily means the soldier must decide what to focus on, even though he knows there are more key details he could assess at any given moment. The pot is beginning to boil and I can’t keep track of all of the bubbles!

Here are a few noteworthy details that have come to light the past few weeks that I have looked into on a cursory level, but haven’t had time to research fully.

The recent list includes: record-breaking wildfires, heat waves, flooding, mass animal deaths, droughts, famine, and major riots (in South Africa and Cuba to name two). Meanwhile inflation is occurring, the workforce in America can’t keep up with the demand because people are being paid to stay home. People who have been fully vaccinated are still being infected with the Cover-19 virus. A video shows a school function where a woman is saying those opposed to critical race theory should die–and the crowd applauses.

The San Fransisco Gay Men’s Choir put out a creepy music video informing anyone who believes in traditional marriage that they are “coming for your children.” A Brazilian taboo artist turns himself into a demonic looking ORC (from the Lord of the Rings Series) by tattooing his eye balls, removing his nose and implanting horns. More shows celebrating witchcraft and the occult are launching in the fall. So many in the world are ready to welcome and embrace all things demonic and evil.

But wait, there’s more…A company in Ireland is looking to fund the creation of a colossal moving, speaking statue known as “The Giant” in 21 cities by the end of the year. There have been 321 mass shootings already in 2021 leaving 352 people dead and 1,331 injured. Russia and China are flexing their military muscles regularly. Iran is close to having nuclear weapon capability at the same time Israel is facing major internal challenges.

Macron (surely having consulted with other European leaders who will follow suit) announced a “vaccine pass” to be implemented in order to take part in normal activities. On top of all of this, apostasy in the church is growing steadily through “wokeness,” teachings by people claiming to be apostles (which is a Scriptural impossibility since they did not witness the events of Christ’s ministry in the first century), and other mind-bending heresies that gut the truth of Scripture and the fundamentals of the true Christian faith.

I could go on and on. This is just the tip of the iceberg! Ten years ago globalism was a conspiracy theory, the conditions needed for the Ezekiel 38 war seemed impossible, technology had not yet reached the mark-of-the-beast level, and America was sick but still fighting. In 2021 all of that has changed.

We are trending toward a rapid boil and could be there at any moment. Liquids boil at different temperatures depending on the molecular structure of the liquid and the amount of air pressure (due to altitude) that is pressing down on the liquid. The air pressure restrains the boil until such a time when the pressure of the boil is greater than the air pressure restraining it.

The Lord could cause the heat to be turned down and the water could cool a bit, but it doesn’t seem that is the case and I don’t read anything like that in Scripture. Jesus said he would come quickly (Greek word tacos, which means rapidly/when things are revved up), and end-time birth pains (whether Braxton Hicks or the real thing) won’t stop once they have begun.

We are heading full speed into everything the Bible prophesies about the future tribulation period–and our generation is seeing it all unfold!

By the way, if you are taking note of end-time signs and conditions you are in good company. The Old Testament prophets and even the angels have longed to understand the timeframe we are currently in. In 1 Peter 1:10-12 we read, “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah (1st coming) and the glories that would follow (2nd coming/Millennial Kingdom).

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”

Notice the key details I highlighted in the verses above. The prophets longed to understand the “time and circumstances” related to the 1st and 2nd coming! In the midst of the struggle to live in our day we need to remember how blessed we are to see these things!

Thankfully God’s people will be removed (via the rapture) prior to God’s judgment of the world (as has been the clear pattern of his activity in times past and his stated intentions at the end of the age), but that doesn’t mean we won’t live in dangerous times prior to the rapture. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us as much. We are not left uninformed.

My friends, it seems the air pressure is about to be lifted and the rapid boil is soon to begin. When the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit indwelled Church is removed via the rapture–the preserving pressure of the salt and light will allow the world to move immediately into a rapid boil. I dare not set dates or even years, but unless the Lord intervenes in a major way (and He could, he’s done it before), it seems to me that we are nearing the time of the rapture.

I know several generations of believers in different eras of church history have thought the same, but never in the history of the world have there been so many signs and conditions in place as they are right now. We have a front row seat to prophecy and end-time conditions. Let’s rise to the occasion, wake the Bride, and reach the lost! And let’s keep in mind only God knows the day or hour so we must keep courageously planning as we continue to watch for His return.

If you are reading this article and have never accepted the gift of salvation offered and paid for by Jesus Christ–please do so now! Noah seemed crazy until the rain started. But soon, the world was covered by violent water like a massive boiling pot.

Please don’t ignore the conditions that are screaming at us that the Lord is real, that time is short, that judgment is coming, and that Jesus paid it all. Please come to him now! You too can have hope, clarity, and joy in the midst of these increasingly disruptive world conditions. He promises to never leave us.

Matthew 28:20–“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Luke 21:28–“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

[ Todd Hampson ]

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“EXTRAORDINARY FAITH as the DAY APPROACHES!!!”

Make no mistake about it, we are living in the last days! More than ever, we need to walk with extrodinarty faith. This is how we build it!!! A special study in Hebrews – Sunday Morining, July 11th, 2021

[ James Kaddis ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XB1f3I0CE4

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“Futures: The Reality Of Hell”

What you believe about hell shapes the way you live your life. Some people believe that hell is not such a horrible place, but they are deceived. Join us for this week’s program to discover what the Bible says about the reality and nature of hell.

[ Jack Hibbs ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Y5EltCKHQ

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“Tell Us, When Shall These Things Be?”

The Signs of Christ’s Coming, Part 1 Matthew 24:1–3

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pvFcV6RlVM

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“The Beginning of Birth Pangs”

The Signs of Christ’s Coming, Part 3 Matthew 24:6–14

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QkRvBpXuxs

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“End Time Signs That Will Save You”

The Lord is coming soon… its time for us to act like it. When it comes to your prayer life… do you act like you know the Lord is coming soon? Matthew chapter 24 verse 42 to 44 says “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

you waited until the last minute to get

ready

now you’ll be caught short

now the unfortunate reality is that this

is how

many of us will respond to the coming of

christ

we’ll go about our day-to-day business

we’ll go about our day-to-day activities

we will go about enjoying our day-to-day

entertainment

and then suddenly we’ll be caught off

guard when the master

returns it’s not like we haven’t been

given

ample warning does revelation 22

verse 12 not say behold i am coming

quickly

does first thessalonians 5 verse 2 not

say

for you yourselves are fully aware that

the day of the lord will come like a

thief in the night

there should be an urgency in our lives

there should be an urgency in terms of

how

we live because there is certainly an

urgency in the word of god about how

soon

christ is to return it will be

sudden it will be unexpected

so rather than waiting until the last

minute wouldn’t it be better to be

prepared now

wouldn’t it be better to be ready all

the time

wouldn’t it be better to live in a

constant state of preparation

so we will never be caught off guard

this is what the scripture asks of us

and what jesus commands us to do

matthew chapter 24 verse 42 to 44

says therefore stay awake for you do not

know on what day

your lord is coming but know this

that if the master of the house had

known in what part of the night the

thief was coming

he would have stayed awake and would not

have let his house be broken into

therefore you also must be ready

for the son of man is coming at an hour

you do not expect

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyGjX7rasPw

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“The Grim Reality of the Last Days (Mark 13:1-13)”

Let’s go to the gospel of Mark, our familiar location. When I have been kind of discussing what we might do after the gospel of Mark, thinking about after a little bit of a break this summer for me and Patricia, a little time away, we’ll come back, and it has been suggested to me by several people that we ought to do the gospel of John, and go back through and start again on the story of Christ from a completely different viewpoint, from the person of John, because it’s been essentially 40 years since we had the opportunity to do that.

So, that’s just how much people love the story of Christ – you cannot get enough – so, I’m weighing that wonderful consideration. I think we’re all finding out that this is a very dangerous planet to live on. You – you can get caught in a war – a war that you really had nothing to do with – and become a victim of the hatred and the greed and the struggle for power by people in high positions. We are watching essentially war stretching across the Middle East – very much aware of it.

Now that war engages virtually the world, in a no-fly zone of Libya, a coalition of nations coming against Muammar Gaddafi; before it’s all over, there will be thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people who die. That’s really nothing new for us. It’s a dangerous world as well because you can be the victim of an earthquake, or a tsunami. You can be the victim of a famine because you can’t get to the food or the food can’t get to you because of a natural disaster. You can be the victim of a fire, or a flood, as we see repeated again and again throughout the world. [ more…]

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpMSRV1e2ac

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“The Pre-Tribulation Prophecies”

The prophecies that will likely happen before the Seven-Year Tribulation Period.

[ Bil Salus and Tom Hughes ]

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awBw2AoPuiM

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“Signs of HIS Coming” | Matt. 24:3-13 | Bible Prophecy Update”

[ Joe Pedick ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn1s9o9AC_M

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“What On Earth is Going On? Perilous Times Ahead”

Even the secular, unbelieving world is stunned at all that is happening in our collapsing world. Most have no explanation for it. Some offer weak explanations that to the tuned-in and spiritually astute are laughable.

Even once-sound pulpits remain silent and perplexed. Political commentators suggest that if we just elect their candidate, all will be rosy again someday soon. Their faith is in their political party.

We Will Own Nothing and be Happy?

Leftists promise that if we fix climate change and spread the wealth around, we will achieve peace on earth. Outfits like the World Economic Forum suggest some day, if we follow their formula, we will own nothing and be happy! How can society be happy under Godless Communism?

Here are my conclusions as to why we’re where we are in history. I am sure the list is much longer than this but here goes:

Our times are perilous because God is trying to wake up and warn a sinful world. People don’t listen when life is smooth-sailing.

The Bible is fulfilling itself. It predicts perilous times (II Timothy 3); a Laodicea end-time church; a Romans 1 society at the end, characterized by depravity. Evil and violence will escalate. The “birth pangs” will become intense and will be hard to watch and read about. We get worn out seeing floods, fires, droughts, and hurricanes. But the Bible says these things must happen.

God is warning because He always warns before He judges and the world is facing judgment. It is being judged now but far worse is coming during the Tribulation. This is just a warm-up.

There are terrible consequences when we don’t do things God’s way. Society will fail. The church will head into apostasy. But prideful mankind always thinks their way is best and wreckage results.

God is specifically sending a message to His church. He is trying to shake us up, so that we will wake up and ultimately look up.

America and the world are now caught up in end-time strong delusion. That has serious consequences. Delusion does not permit people to think rationally and to act reasonably. It does not allow people to vote sensibly. The consequences are staggering.

Many think that politics will be the savior, or a particular political party. They just want to “make America great again” but minus God’s oversight. God is letting us know that only “one nation under God” will ever function properly and no nation can be great and Godless.

America showed God the door fifty years ago. That has consequences. His blessing and protection may have left when we opened that door!

God is allowing some pre-Tribulation birth pains on the entire world. But what we see happening today is minor compared to what is coming. The Church will be absent during that Tribulation time, so in the meantime, may we have a greater burden to save people from the wrath to come. The consequences for a world that rejects Jesus Christ are unthinkable.

America and other Western powers have to fade as world influencers so that global government can rise up and rule the world. As these nations diminish, keep in mind that this is orchestrated by God for his end-time purposes.

Lastly, I think there is chaos on earth because Satan knows his time is short and he has ramped up his activity. He is getting new recruits for his kingdom. This is all the more reason we must be salt and light in these final days.

What Did You Expect the End-Times to Look Like?

That’s a short list summarizing a few options as to why the world is in a mess! What did you expect the end-times to look like?

With God marginalized and mocked, society cannot work properly. It will collapse under the weight of everything in the world that is fractured. Only Christ’s return at the Rapture and then His Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation to establish a near-perfect Kingdom will fix it!

The closing days of the Church Age are a challenge for all mankind. For the Godless, these days cannot make sense. For those who know the Bible, it has the road map ahead all spelled out for us!

Your Assignment

Don’t let more time to become wasted. Seize the moment. Jesus is coming and most of the world is in a dark place! And they have not a clue how to turn the light on unless you tell them.

[ Originally published at Olive Tree Ministries ]

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“13 Reasons Why We Live in the Last Hour of Human History”

Most Christians do not believe that we live in the last moments of human history before the events of the tribulation sweep over the earth.

The reasons for this vary.

Many belong to churches that have long since rejected beliefs in the pretribulation rapture, a seven-year tribulation, and the millennial reign of Jesus. Others remain unaware of how so many signs point to the nearness of Jesus’ appearing either because their pastors do not teach biblical prophecy or when they do, they dismiss it as something irrelevant to the lives of those listening.

All the signs of the last days are converging at the same time. Bible Prophecy is happening right before our eyes and like birth pains, the predicted events are happening more frequently and more intently. Never, in the history throughout the world have so many forces, including economic, scientific, techno-logic, ecologic, cultural, geopolitical, moral, spiritual and religion, converged together to bring this world that’s already teetering over the edge into the abyss, to a point of no return. Jesus said when you see all these signs happening, know that I am near, even at the door.

[ Prophecy Update ]

Part 1: https://vimeo.com/547650952

Part 2: https://vimeo.com/556326723

Part 3: https://vimeo.com/560897609

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“THE 12 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR CHRIST’S RETURN–URGENTLY LIVING THE WAY GOD TOLD US”

God’s Pathway to Eternal, Life-long Usefulness (Titus 2:2-8): God has clearly communicated in easy to understand terms His desires. God wants 21st Century saints who follow His pathway to life-long usefulness. This desire of God was embraced by generation after generation of believers: which led to personal spiritual disciplines, focused priorities and deeply impacting lives.

But in modern times, it seems we have lost that sense of urgency that earlier generations of Christ’s church all seemed to share.

[ John Barrett ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsLYbSFGFFs

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“SEVEN BAD YEARS DEAD AHEAD”

So what’s the bottom line? There are seven years of history left for Israel to complete in God’s program. It’s a time like never before – demonic creatures ravage the earth; one-half of the population is horribly murdered; the earth is a wasteland; mankind fiercely fights against God and tries one last time to destroy Christ – and at that moment, He returns.

[ John Barrett ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4hzGyxJmcs

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“Strange Signs Happening (What Does It All Mean?)”

Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call on Him while is near.

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVSraUfPyNE&t=860s

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“It’s Time to Get Your Affairs in Order”

Pastor JD talks about the clarion call for us today is to get our spiritual house in order with everything that’s happening in the world.

[ JD Farag ]

Sermon: https://vimeo.com/519562879

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“Be Ready and Stay Ready In These Last Days”

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRFOeRTWyn4

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“The Day Is Coming!”

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXoGxDTU9vQ

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“Take Heed! Jesus Said The Last Days Would Be Like The Days Of Noah | Act Before Its Too Late”

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWDaFZK5E7s

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“Before Its Too Late…”

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR4I0Llcnag

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“As the Days of Noah Were | John MacArthur | The Olivet Discourse Series”

Ready or Not, Part 1 Matthew 24:36–42 July 15, 1984

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb697G9Ptuo

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“Jesus Is Coming!”

Topical Series

“Danger ahead.”

That’s the ominous road sign confronting the human race as we speed toward the future. While much is uncertain about what’s coming, one thing is clear: There will be a day, possibly not long from now, when mankind will endure violence, destruction, chaos, and judgment on a worldwide scale. A few will experience salvation, peace, and triumph—but most will be doomed. And for people in both groups, the same event will prove decisive: the return of Jesus.

That’s the starting point for John MacArthur’s prophetic study from Matthew 24. Jesus Is Coming! answers questions like:

– Why will Jesus return?

– Is there a way to know when He’ll return?

– Where will Christians be when He comes?

– What role will Christians have in end-time events?

The answers you discover could make a profound difference in how you live the rest of your life.

[ John MacArthur ]

Series: https://www.gty.org/library/topical-series-library/252/jesus-is-coming

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“Could Jesus Come Today?”

Sermon: Matthew 24:32–35

We have such a great privilege as we meet together on the Lord’s Day in studying God’s Word. It’s easy for us to forget that privilege. We may take for granted the abundance of biblical teaching to which we’re exposed here at Grace Church. Whenever I’m away in another place, meeting other people who do not have the privilege that all of us enjoy here with so many God-given teachers, I’m reminded of how rich we are and how I ought to be thankful to God and never take – ever – for granted the wonder of His great and glorious Word. And I hope that as we come to God’s Word on each Lord’s day, there is in your heart a sense of anticipation, a sense of joy, a sense of separation, if you will, from the world and the things around so that you can concentrate with all your heart on the things that the Spirit of God would say through the Word of God. This is a high and holy and sacred privilege for us and is no less the Word of God than if the Lord Himself were here to speak or if an apostle or a prophet were here giving the message. This is God’s Word to us and we hear it with great joy and thankful hearts.

And God’s Word to us this morning is from Matthew chapter 24 verses 32-35. That’s the next passage in our ongoing study in this great gospel of Matthew. I want to read the passage to you before we take a look at it in depth. Matthew 24, beginning in verse 32. “Now, learn a parable of the fig tree, when its branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, you know that summer is near; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things are fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” [ more…]

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2372/could-jesus-come-today

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“Ready or Not—Here I Come!, Part 1”

Sermon: Matthew 24:36–42

We open our Bibles this morning to Matthew chapter 24, looking again at the signs of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the signs of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I don’t know about your childhood, but my childhood was filled with lots of games. I – when I look back and think of myself as a child, I don’t think of myself in a house, I think of myself outdoors. Maybe that’s because I lived much of my life in Southern California. And we used to play all kinds of outdoor games. And one of the ones that we often played, and you did too, was Hide and Seek. And somebody was “it” and everybody ran and hid and the game was sort of triggered when the person who was “it” said, “Here I come” – what’s the rest? – “ready or not.” You played it, too. Wasn’t a very sophisticated game, but that’s the way it went. “Here I come, ready or not.”

Well, that statement, if referred to the Lord Jesus Christ, has great and profound eschatological implications. And the text in Matthew 24 that we’ll be looking at this morning really could be titled “Here I come, ready or not” because that’s exactly what it teaches. It is a text that deals with the suddenness and the unexpectedness of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re going to be looking at verses 36 through 42 of Matthew 24, and this is really only part one in the message that takes us all the way down through verse 51.

Now, I want you to remember the setting so that you understand where we are in this tremendous gospel and in the life of our Lord. He is only a few hours now from betrayal and execution on the cross. He sits on the Mount of Olives and His disciples approach Him with a very important question that’s on their minds and it’s given us in verse 3. They say, “Tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the age?”

They have this feeling inside that the end of the age of man is very near, that the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is coming very soon. They have been led to believe that because He is, after all, the King and He is there. He has done signs and wonders to prove His kingdom power. He has recently denounced the false religious leaders of Israel. He has cleansed out the temple of all of the godless enterprises that were being done in that place. He has also announced that there will come soon a desolation of the whole temple complex, and He even has pronounced the truth that He would come in glory. And all of these things have led them to believe that it must be very, very soon. In fact, Luke 19:11 says they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. I mean it seemed to them that He was there announcing Himself as King, He was there destroying the false religious system that existed in order that He might establish the true spiritual kingdom promised to them by the prophets of old. And so they were filled with anticipation. [ more…]

Sermon: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2373/ready-or-nothere-i-come-part-1

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“Ready or Not—Here I Come!, Part 2”

Sermon: Matthew 24:43–51

I invite you again this morning to open your Bible, if you will, to the 24th chapter of Matthew. We are again this week going back to what is becoming for us a familiar text, this great sermon of our Lord Jesus Christ on His own second coming that occupies chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew’s gospel. We have come now to the section in verse 36 through 51. We began in our last time together to look at these verses, and we’ll conclude that look this morning.

We sang this morning a hymn that indicated that we were looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And all of us as Christians so live in anticipation of His coming. One theologian – I believe it was Oscar Cullmann – said, “The Christian exists in a tension between what is already and what is not yet.” We have already experienced salvation; we have not yet experienced the fullness of salvation, that is, the redemption of our bodies. We have already received the power of the Holy Spirit; we have not yet seen the fullness of that power in bringing us to full glory. We have already received life eternal; we have not yet participated in the resurrection.

And so we are in a sense caught between the already and the not yet, and we live in that tension. Looking back to the cross, looking forward to the second coming, living already in the last days and not yet in the last of the last days. Every believer, then, lives with a sense of what is already true and what is not yet come to pass. We live with that excitement, that thrill, that joy of looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so the writer of the Hebrews puts it in these words: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

Yes, already He has borne our sins, but we look for Him because not yet has He come the second time unto full and glorious salvation. Peter puts it this way: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to the abundant mercy hath already begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us.” Yes, already have we been begotten again, but not yet have we entered fully into our inheritance. And 1 John 3 says, “Beloved, it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Yes, we have received Jesus Christ, yet we are not yet like Christ in all ways. [ more…]

Sermon: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2374/ready-or-nothere-i-come-part-2

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“JESUS SAID THE END WILL BE LIKE THE DAYS OF NOAH”

JESUS SAID THE END WILL BE LIKE THE DAYS OF NOAH, that comes from Genesis 4-8 that records The Lost World, a mysterious part of human history involving up to 7 billion people who lived before the Flood. What was the Antediluvian World like? Why did God destroy it? Who lived and served God at that time? And what can we learn from the world that perished? All this and so much more lies ahead in Genesis 4-5.

[ John Barrett ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjkEHWeEJgw&t=2231s

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“HUMANITY’S SURVIVAL IS TIED TO JERUSALEM–ZECHARIAH GIVES THE CLEAREST PICTURE OF THE END”

Welcome to our latest class “HUMANITY’S SURVIVAL”. This month I am teaching a group of pastors who serve local churches on three continents–they all share something in common, they are bi-vocational. They work a day job to pay for their expenses as they evangelize and train new believers. What a thrill to see their hunger. I have been assigned Ezekiel, Daniel & Zechariah as my class list. This is a distilled class compilation of my overviews of the book flowing from the opening Q&As from past classes.

[ John Barrett ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgm9lBFYzuY

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“Understanding Our Times”

[ Ken Mikle ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bferuEKFzxk

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“REVELATION 13 is RAPIDLY becoming MORE of a REALITY!!!”

You won’t believe what companies like PayPal are doing to accelerate what we know will happen in Revelation 13! Things are getting real!

[ James Kaddis ]

Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6CcCyMCNrE

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“The Wrath of God. Is it a Myth or a Reality?”

Back in the mid-1990s, a popular radio talk show host on an Oklahoma City secular station interviewed me live on the air via telephone. He had seen an article I had written about the financial accountability of Christian ministries, and he had liked it.

He began the interview by graciously giving me the opportunity to talk non-stop for about ten minutes about the way God had transformed my life and called me into the ministry. We then moved on to a discussion of the scandals that had recently rocked the Christian community nationwide.

The Unmentionable Word

Everything went well until the host asked me to summarize the fundamental message of my ministry. I responded by saying that God had called me to proclaim “the soon return of Jesus in wrath.”

Before I could proceed with my explanation, the announcer cut me short. “What do you mean, ‘wrath’?” he asked.

“I mean that Jesus is going to return very soon to pour out the wrath of God upon those who have rejected God’s love and grace and mercy.”

“Your God is a monster God!” he snapped. He then added, “I happen to be a Christian, and I can tell you that my God wouldn’t hurt a flea!”

That was the end of the interview. He hung up on me. I was not given an opportunity to respond to his misrepresentation of our Creator.

Satan’s Grand Deception

The radio host’s vehement response to the wrath of God did not surprise me. It is characteristic of both Christians and non-Christians, and I have encountered it many times.

Satan has sold the world a bill of goods concerning the nature of God. Most people, both Christian and non-Christian, tend to view God as being a sort of Cosmic Teddy Bear.

They see Him as big and warm and soft, full of infinite love and forgiveness. He couldn’t hurt a fly, and He certainly wouldn’t be so cruel as to condemn or harm any beings created in His own image. On the Day of Judgment, God will simply give everyone a big hug and wink at their sins.

The only problem with this wonderfully comforting image is that it is a lie straight from the pit of Hell.

The True God

Yes, the Bible teaches that God is loving, patient, caring, and forgiving (Psalms 86:15 and John 3:16). As the apostle John put it, “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Two of my favorite passages in the Bible emphasize the personal loving nature of God. One was penned by the apostle Peter. In 1 Peter 5:6-7 he says that we are to cast all our anxieties upon God “because He cares for you.” That is a very comforting thought.

The other passage that I love to read over and over consists of words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:22-24 (RSV):

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

His mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning;

Great is Thy faithfulness,

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I will hope in Him.”

But the Bible also clearly teaches that there is another aspect of God’s character that is equally important. It is the aspect that Satan wants us to ignore, and he has been very successful in prompting ministers to overlook it. After all, it doesn’t produce popular sermons! I’m speaking, of course, of the holiness of God (Leviticus 11:44; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:16).

Grace or Wrath?

The Bible teaches that God is perfectly holy. Because of this attribute of His character, He cannot tolerate sin (Numbers 14:18). The Bible says God must deal with sin, and He does so in one of two ways — either grace or wrath.

All of us seem to know John 3:16 — a very comforting verse about God’s love for us. But few of us seem to be aware of the words recorded a few verses later in John 3:36 — words taken from a sermon by John the Baptist: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him”.

The apostle Paul emphasized this point in his preaching and teaching. In Ephesians 5 he warns against immorality, covetousness, and idolatry, and then he adds this observation: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6).

We come under God’s grace by placing our faith in Jesus and appropriating His atoning sacrifice for our lives (1 John 1:7). There is no salvation apart from Jesus (Acts 4:10-12). Those who have rejected God’s free gift of grace in Jesus are under God’s wrath (John 3:36), and they have no one to blame but themselves.

The Unchangeable God

Despite the Bible’s clear teaching that our Creator is a God of both love and wrath, I never cease to be amazed at the number of pastors I run across who argue that the God of wrath is the Old Testament God and not the God of the New Testament. In the process they ignore another clear teaching of the Bible that is found in Malachi 3:6 where God, speaking of Himself, says, “I, the LORD do not change…”

The New Testament confirms this important point in Hebrews 13:8 where it says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.”

Nonetheless, Jesus seems always to be presented in sermons as the meek and gentle Savior who is full of grace and forgiveness. That statement is true, but it is not the full picture. Jesus castigated the Pharisees, calling them “hypocrites,” “serpents” and a “brood of vipers.”

Likewise, in His letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor, Jesus condemned the church at Thyatira for tolerating a false prophetess. He called upon the church to repent, and then He warned that if they refused to repent of their immorality, He would cast the offenders “upon a bed of sickness,” killing them with pestilence (Revelation 2:22-23).

Types of Wrath

The Bible reveals several different aspects of the wrath of God:

Consequential Wrath — This is what might be called “sowing and reaping wrath.” It is the wrath we bring upon ourselves when we reap what we sow through sinful living.

Cataclysmic Wrath — As evidenced in disasters, either natural or man-made, like the 9/11 attacks. God allows these as a way of calling people and nations to repentance.

Abandonment Wrath — The wrath exhibited by God when He turns His back on a person or a society, allowing self-destruction.

Eschatological Wrath — The wrath God will unleash on all the world during the Great Tribulation.

Eternal Wrath — The ultimate punishment God will inflict upon those who are consigned to Hell.

Abandonment Wrath

God’s wrath of abandonment is what our nation is experiencing today. Again, this type of wrath can fall on an individual as well as a society.

A biblical example of it in the life of an individual can be found in the story of Samson. Although he was mightily anointed by God to protect Israel from the Philistines, he persisted in sexual sin to the point that the Scriptures say that “the Lord departed from him” (Judges 16:20). As a result, he was captured by the Philistines and ended up committing suicide.

In Romans chapter one, the Apostle Paul strongly warns of God’s wrath of abandonment concerning nations. He asserts that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:18). He then proceeds to tell how God does this when dealing with a nation that is in rebellion against Him.

First, God steps back and lowers the hedge of protection around the nation, allowing evil to multiply. The result is an outbreak of sexual sin (Romans 1:24-25), which is what happened in the nation in the 1960s.

If the nation refuses to repent, God takes a second step back and lowers the hedge even further (Romans 1:26-27), producing a plague of homosexuality. Again, this nation has experienced this second phase ever since the 1990s, but it gained momentum in 2003 when our Supreme Court struck down all sodomy laws.

If the nation persists in its rebellion, God will take a third step back and abandon the nation to “a depraved mind” (Romans 1:28). This depravity was manifested in this nation when our Supreme Court sanctioned same-sex marriage in June of 2015, and our President celebrated the decision by having the White House lit up in the rainbow colors of the Sexual Perversion Movement.

The Coming Wrath

God’s eschatological wrath will fall on all the world when Jesus returns (Jude 1:14-15). The passage in Revelation which pictures the return of Jesus says that He will return in righteousness to “judge and wage war” (Revelation 19:11).

The first time Jesus came, He came in loving compassion with eyes filled with tears. But when He returns, He will come in vengeance (Revelation 6:12-17), with eyes like a flame of fire (Revelation 19:12). He will come to destroy the enemies of God (Revelation 19: 11).

The presidents and kings and prime ministers of the world will get on their knees and cry out for the rocks and mountains to fall upon them, so great will be the terror of the Lord (Revelation 6:15-17). The unrighteous will stumble about like blind men, and their blood will be poured out like dust (Zephaniah 1:17).

The Meaning of Wrath

Does this make God a “monster”? No! On the contrary, it proves His goodness, for how could a good God ignore the evil of sin and allow it to go unpunished? His wrath against evil will demonstrate His righteousness.

The prophet Nahum summed it up best. Writing of the love of God, he said, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him” (Nahum 1:7). But a few verses earlier Nahum had also spoken of the holiness and wrath of God:

2) A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.

3) The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished…

(Nahum 1:2-3)

God’s wrath is never motivated primarily by a desire to punish. Rather, it is designed to bring people to repentance so that they might be saved. Even in His wrath, God remembers mercy.

God demonstrates His mercy in wrath by never pouring out His wrath without warning. He tried to warn Sodom and Gomorrah through Abraham. He warned Noah’s world through the preaching of Noah for 120 years. He sent both Jonah and Nahum to warn the pagan city of Nineveh.

Consider too how He sent prophet after prophet to call the nations of Israel and Judah to repentance (2 Chronicles 36:15-16):

15) The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place;

16) but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy.

God’s mercy in wrath is also manifested in the fact that He always leads up to His final outpouring of wrath through a series of progressive judgments. These judgments are outlined in detail in Deuteronomy 28:15-57.

This characteristic of God’s wrath is demonstrated in the prophecies concerning the Tribulation. Rather than simply pouring out His wrath on the rebellious nations of the world, destroying them in one instant of overwhelming catastrophe, He subjects the world to a series of judgments that sequentially increase in scope and intensity (Revelation 6,8-9,16).

Although most people refuse to repent in response to these judgments (Revelation 9:20-21), there is “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues” who do repent and respond to Jesus in faith (Revelation 7:9).

These radically different responses to the wrath of God illustrate the point that is often made by Billy Graham: “The same sun that melts the butter also hardens the clay.” The wrath of God melts some hearts in repentance, but it has the effect of hardening the hearts of many others.

Wrath and the Redeemed

Many Christians respond negatively to Bible prophecy. It’s not at all unusual to hear a Christian say something like this: “I don’t want to hear anything about prophecy because it’s too full of gloom and doom.”

Well, there is a lot of gloom and doom for those who refuse to respond to God’s gift of love in Jesus. But there is only good news for the Redeemed.

The Old Testament ends with a passage that presents both the gloom and the joy of end time prophecy. Malachi says that when the Lord returns, the day will be “like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff” (Malachi 4:1). That’s the bad news.

But consider the good news: “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall” (Malachi 4:2).

There is no reason for any child of God to fear the wrath of God. Paul wrote that since we have been justified by the blood of Christ, “we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Romans 5:9). And in a most comforting verse, Paul told the Thessalonians that Jesus will “deliver” the Redeemed “from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The reason, Paul explained, is that “God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

A Plea

Are you under grace or wrath? The choice is yours. Jesus is coming soon. When He appears, will He be your Blessed Hope or your Holy Terror? Will you cry for the mountains to fall upon you? Or, will you go forth leaping with joy like a calf released from a stall?

God loves you and He wants you to accept His Son as your Savior so that you will come under grace and can participate in an event that will occur when Jesus returns (Isaiah:35:10):

And the ransomed of the Lord will return,

And come with joyful shouting to Zion,

With everlasting joy upon their heads.

They will find gladness and joy,

And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

[ Dr. David R. Reagan ]

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“This Has Already Started Happening!”

The bible says in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3: Now in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] come. Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed]

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSwYhOthRLg

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“Are You Ready For The Rapture Part 5”

Pastor Billy Crone speaks on Bible Prophecy,

World Religions, Cults, and the Occult, Charismatic Chaos,

Abortion, Modern Technology, The Rapture, and more.

[ Billy Crone ]

Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsiBVC6S3so

Part 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQAj_jd1Ses

Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz96uUGvzWE

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“Vintage MacArthur: The Rapture”

What Happens to Christians Who Die Before Jesus Comes?

[ John MacArthur ]

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUDa-aO_qd8

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLXkpZjcNZQ

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“Rapture Video – Don’t Be Left Behind”

What will it be like when the rapture happens? Maybe something like this short video…the scariest event to happen in our world. Thousands if not millions of people missing. People who are driving cars, airplanes, trains, and running nuclear power plants just disappear.Remember the words of Jesus Christ “Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:40-42)

[ Billy Crone ]

Sermon Snippet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ShqBNa308

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“Prophecy Update: Where the Path Ends”

As our country and the world push towards the New Babylonianism—new but ancient religion of man made paganism–doctrines of demons—it uses fake problems such as Critical Race Theory, white privilege, the so called Evils’ of Capitalistic Greed, and Nationalism/Patriotism, unnnatrual/deut. 22:5 positive rights to destroy things. Where The Path Ends is at the Church’s doorstep—and the Agenda is to eliminate all opposition.

[ Brandon Holyhaus ]

Teaching: https://vimeo.com/568986966

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“Unfolding Bible Prophecy”

On July 7, 2021, Nathan Jones, Internet Evangelist for Lamb & Lion Ministries, and Todd Hampson, Bible prophecy teacher of the Prophecy Pros podcast, e-mailed a list of “10 Reasons Why Bible Prophecy Exists.”

Shows that God Speaks the Truth

Proves the Bible Is God’s Word

Shows God Is in Control

Demonstrates God’s Love

Describes God’s Plan

Demonstrates God’s Might

Proves God Is Worthy

Promises Evil Will Be Punished

Prepares Us to Get Right with Him

Gives Us Hope

This writer agrees with Jones and Hampson and will add that current events indicate that the God that punishes evil and gives hope to His people will soon act.

It is difficult to deny that society is in a long-planned global pandemic that is moving toward the identification and tracking of everyone on earth.

The implications of that (Rapture, Tribulation Period, World Government, etc.) and the push to establish a global tracking system are beyond comprehension.

Here are more reasons to believe that Bible Prophecy is unfolding.

One, on July 7, 2021, the group behind the Ark Encounter Theme Park in Kentucky announced that it is raising funds to research and build a “Tower of Babel” attraction near its Noah’s Ark exhibition.

It will take about 3 years to complete the project.

The idea of a one-world government and religion can be traced back to Nimrod and the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11).

In addition to the Tower of Babel, the group is also planning to build an indoor model of “what Jerusalem may have looked like in the time of Christ.”

Two, concerning peace in the Middle East: on July 12, 2021, it was reported that Yair Lapid, Israel’s new Foreign Minister, told the EU Foreign Affairs Council he supports the Two-State Solution (division of Israel) between Israel and the PA, but the PA nation must be a democracy that seeks peace with Israel (that is not trying to destroy Israel).

Three, here are some statistics on adverse reactions from Covid-19 vaccinations:

In the US, on July 2, 2021, it was reported that the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) said there have been 438,441 (41,015 serious) adverse reactions and 9,048 deaths from Dec. 14, 2020 to July 2, 2021.

In the EU, adverse drug reactions are reported to an agency called EudraVigilance, and as of June 3, 2021, EudraVigilance had recorded 1,687,527 adverse reactions (837,588 serious) and 17,503 deaths from Covid-19 shots.

In the UK, on July 9, 2021, it was reported that there have been 146,000 cases of the delta variant in the UK, and at least 50% of the cases are people that have been vaccinated.

On July 11, 2021, it was reported that Israel’s Director-General of the Ministry of Health is recommending that those that have been vaccinated twice for Covid-19 take a third vaccination for the Delta Variant.

As bad as this appears, some doctors and scientists say the numbers are understated (and these numbers do not include most of the world; China, India, Africa, etc.).

Also, it is the opinion of some prophecy teachers that a third vaccination will not be the last one.

They believe there will be a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, etc., and this will ultimately lead to the mandatory Mark of the Beast.

For whatever it is worth, no vaccination means no money, but every vaccination means more money to big pharma and their bought-and-paid-for politicians.

Four, on July 12, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine has been linked to a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré.

Officials have received 100 preliminary reports (95 serious that required hospitalization, and 1 death).

Five, concerning famine: in the first two weeks of July 2021, there were several reports of panic buying by food stores and food store chains that are concerned about food shortages in the U.S. in the coming months.

On July 12, 2021, several UN agencies reported a sharp increase in world hunger and malnutrition in 2020.

As a group, the agencies reported that Covid-19 has exposed weaknesses in the world’s food systems, no region of the world has been spared, and it will take years, perhaps decades, to reverse the problem.

(Note: On July 13, 2021, it was reported that the cost of eating away from home increased in the month of June more than any other month since 1981).

Six, concerning the Days of Lot (Sodomy; Luke 17:28-29): on July 9, 2021, Bishop Strickland of Tyler, TX called the LGBT rainbow flag, “a sign of sinful pride and rebellion against God’s commandments.”

The Biden administration supports the flying of this symbol of “rebellion against God’s commandments” at U.S. embassies.

Seven, concerning the days of Noah (corruption and violence; Gen. 6:11): on July 12, 2021, Peter Schweizer, Pres. of the Government Accountability Institute (GAI), said the GAI has a copy of Hunter’s laptop and files, and the GAI has confirmed that Pres. Joe Biden did benefit with Hunter’s business dealings with foreigners.

This is called corruption, and the Democrats and Justice Dept. have done nothing.

Also, shootings, murders, and thefts (violence) are getting worse in many large cities, and very little is being done (political corruption).

(Note: On July 13, 2021, it was reported that Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, has received a verified copy of Hunter Biden’s laptop, and it contains damning evidence of Joe Biden’s involvement in Hunter’s financial dealings with foreigners, including in China.).

(Note: If corruption doesn’t exist in the Justice Dept., why are the demonstrators at the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, being prosecuted, but Hillary Clinton, and many arsonists, rioters and looters in Antifa and Black Lives Matter are not being prosecuted? If corruption does not exist at the highest levels of the Democrat Party, why is Biden’s China collusion, etc., ignored after Trump was impeached twice for Russian collusion? (when no evidence was found).

This is the point: These are signs that the days of Noah (corruption and violence) have arrived, and God will soon intervene.

Oh, by the way, why does Hunter Biden, who is not an accomplished artist, think he can get $500,000 each for some of his paintings?

FYI, the Sunday edition (July 11, 2021) of https://harbingersdaily.com posted an article by Leo Hohmann titled, “What Should You Do If Federal Agents Arrive at Your Door Asking About Your Personal Health Decisions?”

Hohmann posed the question to several constitutional attorneys, and this is some of what John Whitehead, founder and president of the Rutherford Institute, said:

“You are under no obligation to answer any of their questions.”

“Ask them (politely but firmly) to leave.”

“Ask them to leave your property; they are trespassing.”

“You may wish to video your encounter with the government agent.”

“Just say, ‘sir, I’m calling the police.’”

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

[ Daymond Duck ]

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“7 Signs Jesus is Coming Sooner Than You Think”

1) Signs, like birth pangs, will grow in intensity

2) Israel will become a nation

3) Massive numbers will return to Israel

4) Israel will bloom, despite being desert

5) Jewish children will play in Jerusalem streets

6) Gospel to the ends of the earth…

7) Nations will align against Israel

[ Mark Ashton ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a9hg_FnXxs

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“The Super Sign Of The End Of Days”

What is the point of studying Bible prophecy? Pastor Greg shares on Israel as the center stage, the blessing, and preparation for believers who read, hear, and keep God’s Word.

[ Greg Laurie ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBIrNTNHoS8

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“The Time Is Near”

The Believer’s Immediate Response to Christ’s Imminent Return – Revelation 22

[ John MacArthur ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW9C8Bb6EUI

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“Only TRUE Believers Can See The Signs”

An eye opening video about some of the forces the bible has told us to watch out for.

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Motivational video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKkhf6zTy60

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“Pray That You’ll Escape These Things”

The bible in Luke 21:36 says: Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. This video explains what the bible means when it says “”Pray that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things”

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Motivational video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKtQy8H3fO4

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“Strange Things Are Happening All Over The World”

Watch the signs and see what the bible says about ‘the god of this world’ and the effect he is currently having on people.

[ Grace For Purpose ]

Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ge1u_8NHn0

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“End Time Manipulation (The False Prophet) | Bible Prophecy Update |Revelation 13:11-14 | 4-11-2021”

[ Joe Pedick ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IthhUhvpoJ4

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“Apocalypse Hell on Earth | Bible Prophecy Update | Revelation 16:8-11 | End Time Destruction”

[ Joe Pedick ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omtB1tMdCqo

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“End Time Deceptions”

[ Michael G. Blankenship ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXdKWcxgxBg&t=1222s

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“Put First Things First”

As believers we need to daily remind ourselves to put first things first and have God’s kingdom as the supreme priority of our lives. There are a million plus distractions which could direct our zeal in other directions that are eternally fruitless.

[ John Sytsma ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_NnSjOpw4w

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“Can I Have The Assurance Of Heaven?”

Is it possible to know with complete certainty you are going to heaven? According to the Bible – YES! On this week’s program, Pastor Jack examines what scripture has to say about our assurance and how to be confident in Christ and His promises.

[ Jack Hibbs ]

Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tryt5G51QaE

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____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

SONGS

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

“Urgent”

[Verse 1]

You’re not shy, you get around

You want to fly, don’t want your feet on the ground

You stay up, you won’t come down

You want to live, you want to move to the sound

[Verse 2]

Got fire in your veins

Burning hot but you don’t feel the pain

Your desire is insane

You can’t stop until you do it again

[Verse 3]

But sometimes I wonder as I look in your eyes

Maybe you’re thinking of some other guy

But I know, yes I know, how to treat you right

That’s why you call me in the middle of the night

[Verse 4]

You say it’s urgent

So urgent, so oh oh urgent

Just wait and see

How urgent my love can be

It’s urgent

[Verse 5]

You play tricks on my mind

You’re everywhere but you’re so hard to find

You’re not warm or sentimental

You’re so extreme, you can be so temperamental

[Verse 6]

But I’m not looking for a love that will last

I know what I need and I need it fast

Yeah, there’s one thing in common that we both share

That’s a need for for each other anytime, anywhere

[Verse 7]

It gets so urgent

So urgent

You know it’s urgent

I want to tell you it’s the same for me

So urgent

Just you wait and see

How urgent our love can be

It’s urgent

[Verse 8]

You say it’s urgent

Make it fast, make it urgent

Do it quick, do it urgent

Got to rush, make it urgent

Want it quick

Urgent, urgent, emergency

[Outro]

So urgent, emergency

Emer… emer… emer…

It’s urgent.

[ Foreigner – “4” album ]

Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcb-Fsx_phM

“2010 Live Video”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wTu_OO02T8

*****************************

“Dust In The Wind”

I close my eyes

Only for a moment, and the moment’s gone

All my dreams

Pass before my eyes, a curiosity

Dust in the wind

All they are is dust in the wind

Same old song

Just a drop of water in an endless sea

All we do

Crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind

Now, don’t hang on

Nothin’ lasts forever but the earth and sky

It slips away

And all your money won’t another minute buy

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind

(All we are is dust in the wind)

Dust in the wind

(Everything is dust in the wind)

Everything is dust in the wind

The wind

[ Kansas – “Point of No Return” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH2w6Oxx0kQ

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“Basic Instructions”

(B.I.B.L.E – Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth)

Basic Instructions before leaving earth…

For God so much loved the world,

That He gave His one and only Son.

That whoever believeth in Him

Shall not die but live on.

Living on…

Through the Son

Peace almighty

Living on,

Let your heart go

To the one.

Yes the road is narrow.

Yes the road is tough.

But whoever remaineth in Him

Shall not die, but lift up.

Basic Instructions before leaving earth.

[ Burlap to Cashmere – “Anybody Out There?” album ]

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq39DiRybMQ

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“Like A River Glorious”

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,

Over all victorious, in its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Refrain:

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest

Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;

We may trust Him fully, all for us to do;

They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

[ Frances R. Havergal ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIcKms_IUY

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

APOLOGETIX SONGS

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

“Virgin”

Parody of “Urgent” by Foreigner)

You’re not blind — you’ve been around

You want a sign — it’s got to be so profound

Isaiah — he wrote some down

You won’t believe — you want ’em proved to you now

You’ve got pride in your brains

Learned a lot — but you don’t feel the faith

Your Messiah — He still came

You can’t spot Him — until you do it’s a shame

But one sign and wonder in the Book caught your eye

A baby predicted whose mom was undefiled

And I know, yes I know, now it’s Jesus Christ

That’s why we all need to admit Him in our lives

You see a virgin — a pure virgin

You know a virgin, virgin, virgin with a pregnancy

A virgin – it was Mary – yes, a virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin

The snake tricks all mankind

You best beware — it’s comin’ through our bloodline

We’re not pure – our sin’s parental

We’re Adam’s seed – you can see that’s detrimental

But my God took us on another path

He’d grow up a seed to redeem us back

Yeah, the one from the woman that He’d prepare

Read Isaiah 7:14, and you’ll find that it’s there

It says a virgin – a pure virgin

You know a virgin – I wanna tell you that it came to be (ooh ooh)

Go, go, go searchin’, searchin’, searchin’ — check in Genesis 3

The verse is number 15 – it’s a virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin

You see a virgin – came to pass

Yes, a virgin – go and check

Yes, a virgin – God with us

Yes, a virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin

Not a trick — yes, a virgin, virgin — the virgin’s seed

Virgin, virgin — the virgin’s seed – virgin, virgin, virgin, virgin

The virgin’s seed – Virgin virgin virgin virgin

The virgin’s seed

A virgin – the virgin’s seeeeeeed

Ooh ooh (ooh ooh) ooh ooh (ooh ooh)

Ooh ooh (ooh ooh)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.

[ ApologetiX – “Handheld Messiah” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRj8IAQCNHg

*****************************

“Want It Dead or Alive?”

(Parody of “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi)

We’re all the same — all gonna praise His name

Everything that He’s created and made

On Judgment Day in the place where our souls go

You find out now or when you get back home

Find it now, boy — or you will once you die

Do you want it dead or alive?

Want it dead or alive?

The time is late — so don’t procrastinate

The people who wait — often overestimate

Your time could come today while you dawdle at the brink

The choice is yours alone — I’m callin’ you to think

Find it now, boy — or you will once you die

Do you want it (Want it) dead or alive?

Want it (Want it) dead or alive?

Oh, get it right!

Go!

Ooh … find it now, boy — or you will once you die

Do you want it (Want it) dead or alive?

But now you want free speech — you wanna get me off your back

It’s plain to see that you might not face the facts

But you’d best prepare for that judgment hall

You’ve had a million chances, so don’t drop the ball

Find it now, boy — or you will once you die

Do you want it (Want it) dead or alive?

Find it now, boy — you’ve got the right to decide

Do you want it (Want it) dead or alive?

Get it right (Get it right) dead or alive

Christ still triumphs (Christ still triumphs) dead or alive

Dead or alive, dead or alive, ooh … dead or alive, dead or alive

[ ApologetiX – “Word Play” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEJERLtMQaU

*****************************

“Wish You Could Hear”

Parody of “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd)

Oh, don’t you see for yourself?

You’re headed for Hell

Mute, blind and lame

Can you smell or even feel?

Can your soul read braille?

You smile through a veil

Don’t you think I can tell?

Did you get what I said?

Your hearing is gone

Can’t actually see

Caught up in a cruel scheme

All covered with chains

Will you escape?

In second Corinthians four*

I believe Paul will explain

How I wish – how I wish you could hear

But so few lost souls in the devil’s control

Clear up their ears

He’s blinded all of them – they don’t know

They’re headin’ south – and they can’t steer

Wish you could hear

[ ApologetiX – “Soundproof” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajB4cSB4cmo

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“Life in the Last Days”

(Parody of “Life in the Fast Lane” The Eagles)

It’s sorta hard to understand, but it’s totally awesome

And it’s eternally finished

Who wrote it up? It was John the Apostle

Aand the Lord said it won’t diminish

He had fantastic revelations of the future news

Sent here from Jesus, sent here for you

When he saw Jesus comin’, John fell down as dead

He told him, Grab your tablet and write this down instead

Life in the last days — sure to make you lose your mind

Life in the last days — yeah, heh

He saw four horsemen, holding the reins

Of colorful stallions, who brought different things

He who rode the white conquered, and the red one brought war

And the black one brought famine; then pale horse number four

There was death in the saddle, ridin’ out through space

He had Hades right behind him, killed a fourth of the human race

All of the people, were trying to hide

When the earth started shakin’ and the moon turned to blood — the sun was

Black in the last days — sure to make you lose your mind

Life in the last days — yeah, heh

Life in the last days — everything prophesied

Life in the last days — yeah, heh

So much to tell you; I’ve got one verse. Man didn’t heed the stop signs

And the earth got worse and worse

If you’re a Christian, baby, you don’t need to fear a thing

If you’re not, go read the Bible ’cause there’s more than I can sing

There’s a false messiah, the people will think he’s Christ

The world will take his number, but they’ll have to pay his price

They’ll look up and they’ll see Jesus and they’ll know that they’ve lost

He won the war when He was dyin’ on the cross and it was

Life in the last days — sure to make you lose your mind

Life in the last days — yeah, heh

Life in the last days — everything prophesied

Life in the last days — yeah, heh

[ Apologetix – “The Boys Aren’t Backin’ Down” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDdcSY_VgvE

*****************************

“Babel, Babel”

(Parody of “Rebel Rebel” performed and written by David Bowie)

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

We got some others in the world

They’re not sure if they should boil us in oil

They hate – the Israelites

They say, let’s go and unite

It’s like reading the Second Psalm

It’s like glancin’ at the Book divine

The Lord laughs at their pagan hordes

The world roars at His warning voice

They put me down – and they all scoff

Attacking things that put them off

Babel, Babel – their former address

Babel, Babel – that place was a mess

Babel, Babel – how could they know

God’s plans – they just move slow

Told ya

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

We got the mother of all wars

We’re just – not sure when but we’re sure of the source

He hates — the Israelites

He hates men sold out to Christ

He likes peace and he likes it false

He loves tramplin? on the Book divine

He’s got plans and he plays his part

He wants war and he comes with force

He hooked the crowd – but they are wrong

Their crafty kiiing – he put them on

Rebel nations – their forward address

Revelation – 16:16 says – it’s

Armageddon – how could they know

God’s plans – they just move slow

Told ya

Uhh!

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

Babel, Babel – the Torah says

Babel, Babel – a snake’s in the grass

Babel, Babel – why don’t they know

God’s plans – they just move slow

Told ya

Their former address – was facin’ a mess

In chapter 11 of old Genesis

They got the — translation of the languages

Now and — news live and their cameras and crews

Who wanna — be there when the battle ensues

‘Cause they love distress

But the dude won’t have success

Because he’s facin’ the best

But how could they know

I said, how could they know

So what you ought to know

The Revelation described

In chapter 19 long ago

Their man is doomed to lose and Christ defeats their troops

Because his forward address

Is a lake of regrets

Ooh – their faith is amiss

Ooh ooh — so how could they know

Heh heh — how could they know

Heh

[ ApologetiX – “I Know You Are but What Am I?” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mMADfBIs2w

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“Resist Him”

(Parody of “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac)

The enemy likes to dwell in the night

And work on you undercover

Takes a disguise but his words are lies and

Through them evil hovers

All your life you’ve never seen

Someone waitin’ in the wings

But when Satan comes he’s too clever

So you never will

Resist while you can with your heart

Against the prince of darkness

He rules the sky but the Lord’s our light and

Wins the fight regardless

All your life you’ve fled the scene

C’mon, take it like a man

What did James preach on in 4:7?

When the devil grins

Will you let him win?

Resist him

He brings lives to hell with delight

And he’s settin’ you up to suffer

He was alive when the earth arrived and

Fooled old Eve, your mother

All your life you’ve never seen

The One takin’ on your sins

God the Savior promised you Heaven

Will you let Him in?

Kill the devil’s sin

Resist him

Satan’s lies

Take you by surprise

Satan’s lies

Take you by surprise

Satan’s lies

Take you by surprise

Jesus Christ

Crushes Satan’s lies

Jesus Christ

Crushes Satan’s lies

James 4:7

[ ApologetiX – “Music Is as Music Does” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbnkxjGIM8c

*****************************

“Sin Can Be Resistible”

(Parody of “Simply Irrestible” by Robert Palmer)

We cannot be invincible — but God provides the principle

For Baptist or Episcopal — that any sin’s resistible

Sin’s pervasive — can’t ignore it — it’s a powerful force

But He’ll provide a way out when there’s no other door

And you can stay put or leave — but now I’ve found that

Sin can be resistible — sin can be resistible

Our lusts can be so powerful — hoo— that sin seems unavoidable

But James says if we resist the devil — he’ll run away so miserable

It’s a natural law that no temptation befalls ya

‘Cept the kind that is common to the rest of us all

It used to look good to me, but now I find that

Sin can be resistible — sin can be resistible — sin can be resistible

(Please hold tight — there’s no tellin’ when he’ll run away)

Sin can be resistable

(Jesus Christ tells the devil where to go)

Sin’s unavoidable but that don’t mean we’ll fall

Read First Corinthians verse 10:13 because

God made a promise, baby, Satan ain’t allowed

To tempt us more than we can bear I’ve found that

Sin can be resistible

(Please hold tight — there’s no tellin’ when he’ll run away)

Sin can be resistable

(Jesus Christ tells the devil where to go – oh whoa oh)

Our weapons aren’t shootable — huh — but truth is irrefutable

Ooh woo ooh ooh ooh woo-ooh-ooh — our struggle isn’t physical

So fight him with the biblical — yeah, yeah

Jesus faced him in the desert — he’s a powerful tempter

Even Christ could have fallen — but you know He knew better

Well, He used the Good Book you see — that’s how we find out

Sin can be resistible

(Please hold tight — there’s no tellin’ when he’ll run away)

Sin can be resistible

(Jesus Christ tells the devil where to go)

Sin can be resistible

(Please hold tight — there’s no tellin’ when he’ll run away)

Sin can be resistible

(Jesus Christ tells the devil where to go) Huh

Sin can be resistible

[ ApologetiX – “Spoofernatural” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePN_YE7dmQs

*****************************

“Bad Dude Rising”

(Parody of“Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival)

I see a bad dude arisin’

I see the devil on the way

I see a perfect disguise and I see the world led astray

Don’t fall for the lies

‘Cause he’s just a fake, not Christ

There’s a bad dude on the rise

I read in Second Thessalonians

I know the man is comin’ soon

He’ll set himself upon the throne

And he’ll get the world to play his tune

Well, don’t get all surprised

‘Cause he comes before the Christ

First the bad dude must arise

He’ll bring the nations all together

They’ll see his miracles and signs

They’ll think this world is gettin’ better

They’ll find he’s really anti-Christ

Well, don’t get all surprised

‘Cause he comes before the Christ

First the bad dude must arise

Well, don’t fall for the lies

‘Cause he’s just a fake, not Christ

There’s a bad dude on the rise

[ ApologetiX – “Radical History Tour” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw7c_-6OBxg

*****************************

“Cunning Is the Devil”

(Parody of “Runnin’ with the Devil” by Van Halen)

I lived my life like there’s no good morals

Didn’t follow God — I laughed at Sheol

He’s not extinct — no stegosaurus

Yes, God is livin’ and old Satan’s real

Oooh yeah — hey-uh-uhh

Cunning is the Devil

Uh huh yeah-eah

Woo hoo woo

Cunning is the Devil

He’ll tell you all to doubt it

I found the sinful life ain’t so simple

Ain’t no snowplows — on that road

It got so rough — too rough to “four-wheel”

It’s like my body — Satan controlled

Ah yeah-eh-eh!

Cunning is the Devil

God said it, baby — you know He ain’t lyin’ to you

He’s only gonna tell you what’s right — uhhh yeah

Cunning is the Devil

Guess I’m scammed — Yeah!

You know I — I found the sinful life weren’t so simple, no

And I slumped down from that load

I got so low — so low I could kneel

I talked to God and — gave Him control

Uhhh yeah

Come and leave the Devil

Oh, God — Oh, God, I’m coming! Ahhhhh, yeah

Come and leave the Devil

Uh! Uh! I don’t want more time

Heyyyyy yeah!

Come and leave the Devil

Uh yuh Uh yuhhhh yeah!

Come and leave the Devil

Wwoo! Wwwoo!

Come and leave the Devil

Uh huh, yeah! Uh huh, yeah! Uh-uh huh, yeah!

Come and leave the Devil

Ooo!

[ ApologetiX – “Only a Glorified Cover Band” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm-5ATC-pek

*****************************

“The Real Sin Savior”

(Parody of “The Real Slim Shady” originally performed by Eminem)

May I have your repentance please?

Will you tell Him “Save me” and please stand up?

I repeat … will you tell Him “Save me” and please stand up?

We’re gonna have to prophet here

Y’all act like you never seen a nice person before

You oughta hope in the Lord

Your panting tongue is just thirstin’ for more

You started lookin’ around searchin’ cause you’re

Uncertain you’re sure you know where you’re goin’ eternally

If you return to God … ah, wait, no, wait, we’re sinning

We couldn’t get saved with the things we did, can we?

And Dr. J. says — nothing you did is such a grave sin

It costs you salvation

Ha Ha — Heavenly livin’s above every man

“Chick-a-chick-a-chick-a he’s crazy!

I’m sick of them ’born agains’

Walkin’ around askin’ if you know God — speakin’ of You Know Who

Yeah, but there’s no proof though”

Yeah, probably got a couple of you who think I lack proof

But no worse than what’s goin’ on in America’s classrooms

Sometimes I wanna get on TV and just spread the truth

But can’t — but the school can tell me we come from evolution

“My mama was a fish — my mama was a fish”

“And if we’re monkeys you might as well forget original sin!”

And that’s the message that we deliver to little kids

And expect them not to question on their own if God exists

Of course they’re gonna wonder if the Lord’s fake

By the time they hit fourth grade

They got the Easter Bunny and Santa don’t they?

We ain’t shinin’ examples

Well some of the scandals are caused by people posin’ as evangelists

But if Jesus loved His enemies and Pharisees

Then there’s no reason that you can’t get another chance and believe

But if you feel a slight chill — I got the anti-freeze

This is not a fantasy — it’s important and it’s free

I’ve sinned greatly, but Christ’s for real, baby

It’s a wonder He saved me and just didn’t hate me

So won’t you tell Him “Save me”

Please stand up, please stand up, please stand up

Yes, I’ve been crazy, yes, I’ve been real shady

Always wanted Him to save me, but just didn’t say it

So won’t you tell Him “Save me”

Please stand up, please stand up, please stand up

Will Smith don’t gotta discuss the Christian path to salvation

Well, I do — it affects him and affects you too

You think I give a care if he likes my parodies

Half of you kiddies won’t even look at me, let alone stare at me

But J., what if we pray? Wouldn’t we be weird?

Why? Would you guys reject Christ just to fit with your peers

So you can live in fear for the next 60 years

This ain’t imaginary better get prepared

The price of sin yes it costs us dearly with death first

And when that part is over if you ain’t saved it gets even worse

Little chance they’ll put me now on MTV

Yeah, it’s true, but I think he’d scare all the kids — ree ree!

I said now’s when they oughta know and John 3:3

It shows the whole world how they need born again to be free

I’m singin’ you little girls and boys spoofs

All you do is ignore me

Though I have been sent here to inform you

And there’s a million of us just like me you judge like me

Were just like triple fudge ice cream; we’re just quite sweet

You watch Saul in Acts 9:3

You just might see you’re just like him — You’re not fightin’ me

I’ve sinned greatly, but Christ He still saved me

From a hundred temptations and death, sin and Hades

So won’t you tell Him “Save me”

Please stand up, please stand up, please stand up

Yes, my sinned shamed me, yet I’ve been healed lately

God the Father forgave me from messin’ with Satan

So won’t you tell Him “Save me”

Please stand up, please stand up, please stand up

I’m like a breath mint you listen to but I’m only givin’ you

Things you thought about in your head with my religious group

The only difference is I got the call to say it in front of y’all

And I don’t gotta be Paul — the Book I quote has it all

I just get out a Bible and read it and whether you like it you need it

As sure as I can see that better than 90 percent of you happen to doubt me

Then you wonder how can kids give up their values I tell you it’s funny

Cause at the place I’m goin’ when I’m buried

I’ll see the only person in the world I know who’s worthy

He’s the first and last and I’m J. Jackson I’m the worst

And I’m a jerk and Jesus knows that but my braggin’ wasn’t workin’

And every single person needs a sin savior urgently

You could be working on a burglary or sittin’ in a nunnery

Or keepin’ part of the law perfectly screamin’ “I don’t sin that much”

Puttin’ Christians down sayin’ “It’s just a crutch”

So if you’re still waiting please stand up

Cause this wonderful singer’s time is eaten up

And it’s time to get off your behind and out of the row

Come on down — now is your chance — how do I know?

I’ve sinned greatly, but Christ’s for real, baby

It’s a wonder He saved me and just didn’t hate me

So won’t you tell Him “Save me”

Please stand up, please stand up, please stand up

Yes, I’ve been crazy, yes, I’ve been real shady

Always wanted Him to save me, but just didn’t say it

So won’t you tell Him “Save me”

Please stand up, please stand up, please stand up

Ha ha ha — I guess there’s a sin Savior for all of us — Let’s all stand up!

[ ApologetiX – “Keep The Change” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCWUHZxdpcw

*****************************

“Hold On, Christ’s Comin’”

(Parody of “Hold On, I’m Comin’” by Sam & Dave)

Don’t you fret and be sad

Please don’t weep when times are bad

If you stay calm and you don’t doubt

In the midst of trouble

He will bail you out

Just hold on, Christ’s comin’

Hold on, Christ’s comin’

Christ’s on His way if you’re sufferin.

If you just hold fast, Christ will keep His covenant (Hallelujah) Don’t have to worry (No worries)

In blind fear (No fear)

Don’t need His number, baby (‘cause God’s in the Book)

He’s right here (Hey yeahhhhhh!)

Just hold on, Christ’s comin’

Hold on, Christ’s comin’

Lookee here!

Keep out of reach

Those bad distractions, yeah

Lookee here, baby! Here’s all you got to do

Call Christ’s name, yeah – and quit reactin’

Yeah, yeah, yeah – yeahhh!

LEAD

Now don’t you fret and be sad

People are mean, and their crimes are bad

When the day comes and He comes down, baby

He’ll deliver His loved ones

Way up off the ground

Just hold on, Christ’s comin’

Hold on, Christ’s comin’

Just hold on (Don’t you worry)

Christ’s comin’ (Here He comes)

Hold on (Wait on God to save you)

Christ’s comin’ (Yeah!)

Hold on (Don’t you worry)

Christ’s comin’ (Here Christ comes)

Hold on (Our God will save us)

[ ApologetiX – “Transformed Soul” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz8AH49hKVI

*****************************

“One Thing Leads to the Father”

(Parody of “One Thing Leads to Another” by The Fixx)

The deception’s worldwide

to what are you trying to pray?

You’ve got a bland faith — your guru says

Communicate with any god you please

You see I mentioned this to

make a case for black or white

But when one little cross leaves you shocked, it’s unique

You won’t discover though you seek

I know the — Truth and the Way

Read John 14:6, baby, one thing leads to the Father

You tell me that I’m wrong

I’ve been a Christian too long, my friend

One way leads to the Father yeah, yeah, yeah

[ ApologetiX – “Wise Up and Rock” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3FLPEysR5w&t=317s

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

DEEP THOUGHTS

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

‘PROCRASTINATION’ QUOTES

“The one thing fools all have in common is that they are always getting ready to live. But they never do it.”

[ Seneca ]

“The first step: Don’t be anxious…The second step: Concentrate on what you have to do. Fix your eyes on it. Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being…Then do it, without hesitation.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“Concentrate every minute like a Roman—like a man—on doing what’s in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice. And on freeing yourself from all other distractions. Yes, you can—if you do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“Stop letting yourself be pulled in all directions. But make sure you guard against the other kind of confusion. People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time—even when hard at work.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“Not to live as if you had endless years ahead of you. Death overshadows you. While you’re alive and able—be good.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“Don’t let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole… Stick with the situation at hand, and ask, “Why is this so unbearable? Why can’t I endure it?” You’ll be embarrassed to answer.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.”

[ Seneca ]

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested… So it is: we are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it… Life is long if you know how to use it.” — Seneca, On The Shortness Of Life

“How long will you wait before you demand the best of yourself? … If you remain careless and lazy, making excuse after excuse, fixing one day after another when you will finally take yourself in hand, your lack of progress will go unnoticed, and in the end you will have lived and died unenlightened. Finally decide that you are an adult who is going to devote the rest of your life to making progress.”

[ Epictetus ]

“It is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it is easier to maintain control.”

[ Epictetus ]

“Make it your goal never to fail in your desires or experience things you would rather avoid; try never to err in impulse and repulsion; aim to be perfect also in the practice of attention and withholding judgement.”

[ Epictetus ]

“We don’t abandon our pursuits because we despair of ever perfecting them.”

[ Epictetus ]

“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: It snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today…The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live immediately.”

[ Seneca ]

“Don’t let your imagination be crushed by life as a whole. Don’t try to picture everything bad that could possibly happen… Stick with the situation at hand, and ask, “Why is this so unbearable? Why can’t I endure it?” You’ll be embarrassed to answer.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running… therefore, if you want to do something, make a habit of it.”

[ Epictetus ]

“Life without a design is erratic… As soon as one is in place, principles become necessary. I think you’ll concede that nothing is more shameful than uncertain and wavering conduct, and beating a cowardly retreat. This will happen in all our affairs unless we remove the faults that seize and detain our spirits, preventing them from pushing forward and making an all-out effort.”

[ Seneca ]

“It is essential for you to remember that the attention you give to any action should be in due proportion to its worth, for then you won’t tire and give up, if you aren’t busying yourself with lesser things beyond what should be allowed.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“There are more things…likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more often in imagination than in reality…Accordingly, some things torment us more than they ought; some torment us before they ought; and some torment us when they ought not to torment us at all.”

[ Seneca ]

“Stop letting yourself be distracted. That is not allowed. Instead, as if you were dying right now…Stop allowing your mind to be a slave, to be jerked about by selfish impulses, to kick against fate and the present, and to mistrust the future.”

[ Marcus Aurelius Aurelius ]

“Above all, keep a close watch on this — that you are never so tied to your former acquaintances and friends that you are pulled down to their level. If you don’t, you’ll be ruined. … You must choose whether to be loved by these friends and remain the same person, or to become a better person at the cost of those friends … if you try to have it both ways you will neither make progress nor keep what you once had.”

[ Epictetus ]

“Yes, you can—if you do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you, stop being hypocritical, self-centered, irritable.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“In many circumstances, we do not deal with our affairs in accordance with correct assumptions, but rather we follow thoughtless habit.”

[ Musonius Rufus ]

“No one has anything finished, because we have kept putting off into the future all our undertakings.”

[ Seneca ]

“Do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”

[ Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield ]

“Think of all the years passed by in which you said to yourself “I’ll do it tomorrow,” and how the gods have again and again granted you periods of grace of which you have not availed yourself. It is time to realize that you are a member of the Universe, that you are born of Nature itself, and to know that a limit has been set to your time. Use every moment wisely, to perceive your inner refulgence, or ’twill be gone and nevermore within your reach.”

[ Marcus Aurelius ]

“Perfectionism and procrastination have such a fine line. You say, ‘Well, I want it to be good. I want it to be perfect.’ But what you’re really doing is not doing your work. You’re putting off showing up and being visible because then you’re going to be judged, and it might suck.”

[ Jen Sincero ]

“Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.”

[ Napoleon Hill ]

“Procrastination is the thief of time.”

[ Charles Dickens ]

“The maxim ‘Nothing avails but perfection’ may be spelt shorter: ‘Paralysis.’”

[ Winston Churchill ]

“Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.”

[ Christopher Parker ]

“Procrastination is the thief of time.”

[ Edward Young ]

“Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin.”

[ Victor Kiam ]

“The essence of procrastination lies in not doing what you think you should be doing, a mental contortion that surely accounts for the great psychic toll the habit takes on people. This is the perplexing thing about procrastination: although it seems to involve avoiding unpleasant tasks, indulging in it generally doesn’t make people happy.”

[ James Surowiecki ]

“I swing between procrastination and being really thorough so either way things aren’t getting done quickly.”

[ Freema Agyeman ]

“Prudence is not hesitation, procrastination, or moderation. It is not driving in the middle of the road. It is not the way of ambivalence, indecision, or safety.”

[ John Ortberg ]

“The thing about live TV is that it simply has to be done, there’s no space for procrastination.”

[ Lawrence O’Donnell ]

“Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: Too Late.”

[ Martin Luther King, Jr. ]

“We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.”

[ The Common Book of Prayer ]

“Do or do not do. There is no try.”

[ Master Yoda (Star Wars) ]

“We don’t tell ourselves, ‘I’m never going to write my symphony.’ Instead we say, ‘I am going to write my symphony; I’m just going to start tomorrow.’”

[ Steven Pressfield ]

“Procrastination is an emotion regulation problem, not a time management problem.”

[ Dr. Tim Pychyl ]

“Don’t think about winning the SEC Championship. Don’t think about the national championship. Think about what you needed to do in this drill, on this play, in this moment. That’s the process: Let’s think about what we can do today, the task at hand.”

[ Nick Saban ]

“Just put one foot in front of the other and don’t worry about the length of the path. Once you get on the path, and the longer you stay on it, there eventually will come a time when you will not turn back.”

[ Martina Navratilova ]

“Procrastination is to voluntarily delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay.”

[ Leon Ho ]

“Successful resolvers were also found to report employing significantly more behavioral strategies and less self-blame and wishful thinking than unsuccessful resolvers.”

[ John C. Norcross ]

“Procrastination is a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision.”

[ Neil Fiore ]

“Procrastination is the thief of time.”

[ Charles Dickens ]

“Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.”

[ Stephen R. Covey ]

‘URGENCY’ QUOTES

“Urgency is unbelievably important when you’re talking about, not little changes, but big changes.”

[ John P. Kotter ]

“We have to live life with a sense of urgency so not a minute is wasted.”

[ Les Brown ]

“A sense of urgency is motivating.”

[ Jen Sincero ]

“I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.”

[ Dwight D. Eisenhower ]

“The things that are urgent are seldom important and the things that are important are seldom urgent..”

[ Dwight D. Eisenhower ]

“Important matters were seldom urgent and most urgent matters were seldom important.”

[ Dwight D. Eisenhower ]

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”

[ Leonardo da Vinci ]

“A higher rate of urgency does not imply ever-present panic, anxiety, or fear. It means a state in which complacency is virtually absent.”

[ John P. Kotter ]

“If necessity is the mother of invention, urgency is the uncle of change. Without it, progress slows and then stops and then reverses.”

[ Nell Scovell ]

“You must take action now that will move you towards your goals. Develop a sense of urgency in your life.”

[ H. Jackson Brown, Jr. ]

“I’ve always had this incredible sense of urgency. I’ve always had this desire not to let things fester and to really seize the moment, because it’s serendipity.”

[ Sergio Marchionne ]

“Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.”

[ Jim Rohn ]

“Urgency creates decision making.”

[ Kevin Brady ]

“The best advice I ever received is that there is a difference between urgency and importance: Urgent tasks seem important, but they’re not. Important things need to get done.”

[ Chieh Huang ]

“A weird side effect of being in close proximity to death is an urgency.”

[ Phil Elverum ]

“You feel a sense of urgency, especially at my advanced age, when you’re staring into the grave.”

[ Frank McCourt ]

“Patience for me is a big thing. Patience with others. Patience with the way the world is evolving. I have a sense of urgency because I want to help out so much.”

[ Sophie Gregoire Trudeau ]

“You don’t create urgency by setting goals. You create it by finding ways to have passion for your solution. Your conviction is based on the reality that your solution will absolutely eliminate major pain for the client.”

[ Wolfgang Koester ]

“We are trying to motivate Christians everywhere with the love of Christ for the lost and to help them sense the urgency we must have to reach unbelievers everywhere, before it is too late for them.”

[ Reinhard Bonnke ]

MISCELLANEOUS QUOTES

“There’s no time like the present, no better day than today, or no righter time than right now.”

[ Richard Branson ]

“If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.”

[ Lemony Snicket ]

“Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.”

[ Madeleine L’Engle ]

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

[ Sue Atchley Ebaugh ]

”You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

[ Zig Ziglar ]

“There’s no better time that the present to be better that we were yesterday.”

[ Gary Kelley ]

“My biggest concern is that America is drifting towards mediocrity and that people don’t recognize—and by people I’m meaning Washington—don’t recognize the sense of urgency and the fact that I don’t think this is a crisis anymore. I think it’s an emergency.”

[ Howard Schultz ]

RELATED SCRIPTURE VERSES:

URGENCY

Romans 13:11

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

John 9:4

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Revelation 3:11

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

Romans 9:28

For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.”

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Matthew 24:42-44

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Proverbs 1:32

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;

Revelation 1:3

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;

Acts 20:24

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Matthew 3:2

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Matthew 24:45-51

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, …

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

John 3:3

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 28:6-7

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

PROCRASTINATION

Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Ephesians 5:15-17

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.

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

Proverbs 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

James 4:17

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Luke 9:59-62

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Hebrews 12:11

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

John 9:4

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Luke 12:40

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Luke 12:35

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Ecclesiastes 11:4

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Proverbs 14:23

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Romans 7:20-21

Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Proverbs 10:4

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 18:9

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Proverbs 3:28

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

Psalm 119:60

I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.

1 Corinthians 14:40

But all things should be done decently and in order.

2 Corinthians 8:10-14

And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.

Proverbs 20:13

Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

Colossians 4:5

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Proverbs 5:23

He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Hosea 10:12

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Acts 24:25

And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

Ezekiel 12:28

Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”

Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Exodus 22:29

“You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me.

Proverbs 10:5

He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

Hebrews 3:7-19

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” …

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

2 Corinthians 6:2

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Proverbs 22:13

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”

Proverbs 21:17

Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

Proverbs 24:30-34

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Psalm 39:4-5

“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

Proverbs 15:19

The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

Matthew 25:2-13

Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ …

Proverbs 12:11

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Hebrews 3:15

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

James 4:13-15

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Haggai 1:4-6

“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Judges 18:9

They said, “Arise, and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And will you do nothing? Do not be slow to go, to enter in and possess the land.

Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 121:1-8

A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. …

Ezekiel 12:22

“Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’?

Luke 1:37

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

James 4:13-14

Psalm 132:3-5

“I will not enter my house or get into my bed, I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Job 7:13-14

When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint,’ then you scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions,

2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Ephesians 5:16

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

James 4:14

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

1 Corinthians 15:32

What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

Matthew 8:21

Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

Deuteronomy 23:21

“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Revelation 1:1

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Hebrews 3:12-13

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Luke 12:46-48

The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; …

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Luke 9:61

Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”

Proverbs 11:29

Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Luke 14:21

So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Luke 13:25

When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’

Matthew 5:25

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

Jeremiah 13:16

Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light he turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness.

Ecclesiastes 12:1

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Ecclesiastes 5:4

When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.

Psalm 95:7-8

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Deuteronomy 1:41

“Then you answered me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord. We ourselves will go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ And every one of you fastened on his weapons of war and thought it easy to go up into the hill country.

Amos 6:1-14

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! Pass over to Calneh, and see, and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory, O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence? “Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, …

Psalm 27:8

You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

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“A quick summary of the Christian “Gospel”:

JESUS’ PROPITIATION made our SINS FORGIVEN and IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS to us so that we have GOD’S ACCEPTANCE into His Heaven and receive ETERNAL LIFE.”

[ Mark Besh ]

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Hope you enjoyed some of these insights—share them with your friends and colleagues—so we can have a larger ’pool’ to receive from, and more to share with! Also, remember to include your name as the “source,” if some of this wisdom is of your doing—I would like to give credit where credit is due!

FOCUS VERSES:

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”

[ Isaiah 55:6 ]

[ Isaiah 61:1-2 ]

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

[ Psalm 90-12 ]

“Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your heart.”

[ Psalm 95:7c-8a ]

“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.”

[ Psalm 103:15-16 ]

“Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you.”

[ Proverbs 3:28 ]

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

[ Matthew 7:8 ]

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

[ Matthew 7:13-14 ]

[ Matthew 24:36-39 ]

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”

[ Matthew 24:42 ]

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect Him.”

[ Matthew 24:44 ]

“To all who receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

[ John 1:12 ]

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

[ John 3:16 ]

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

[ John 5:24 ]

“Now as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you’.”

[ Acts 24-25 ]

“There is no one righteous, not even one… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

[ Romans 3:10, 23 ]

[ Romans 10:9-10 ]

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

[ Romans 10:13 ]

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

[ Romans 13:11-12 ]

“‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ 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 5:14-17 ]

“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

[ 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 ]

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”

[ James 4:7b ]

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

[ James 4:13-14 ]

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

[ Hebrews 3:7 ]

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

[ Hebrews 9:27 ]

“How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”

[ Hebrews 10:29 ]

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.”

[ 2 Peter 3:10 ]

“Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

[ Jude 14-15 ]

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”

[ Revelation 1:3 ]

“…as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

[ Revelation 13:15c-17 ]

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If you have a ‘neat’ story or some thoughts about an issue or current event that you would like me to try to respond to, I would be glad to give it a try…so, send them to me at: mbesh@comcast.net

Disclaimer: All the above jokes & inspirations are obtained from various sources and copyright are used when known. Other than our name and headers, we do not own the copyright to any of the materials sent to this list. We just want to spread the ministry of God’s love and cheerfulness throughout the world.

Mark

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