Message Notes
From Burnout to Balance
Focusing Your Life
February 1, 2004
The space between my load and my limits is called
MARGIN.
The Purpose of Margin: Not to live a life of
selfishness, but to live a life of SIGNIFIGANCE
Ephesians 5:15 Be very
careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord’s will is.
1.
I must determine what will be the CENTER of my life.
Psalm 62:10 though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
Luke
12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of
greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
2
Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live
for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Ask
yourself? Am I going to live a life that is self-centered or CHRIST-centered?
Romans
6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
Father,
I don’t want to foolishly waste my life.
I don’t want to get to the end and look back with regrets. And I don’t want to overload my life with
things just because other people are doing them. From this day forward, I want to center my life around You,
Jesus. I want to be Christ-centered not
self-centered. I want You to guide me
in setting priorities. I know that you want to forgive me, so I turn to you and
ask you to forgive me for all of the things I’ve done wrong against you. Please
come into my life and be the leader of my life. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
2. I must
determine what will be the CHARACTER of my life.
Romans 8:28-29a And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also
predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…
“For from the very beginning
God decided that those who came to Him should become like His Son.” Rom. 8:29 (LB)
2 Peter 1:5-8 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to
self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to
godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in
increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive
in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself? Which matters to me the most, my COMFORT or my CHARACTER?
3. I must determine what will be the CONTRIBUTION of
my life.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Ministry: Using my SHAPE to help others.
4. I must determine what will be the MESSAGE of my
life.
Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel
of Christ.
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish
the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of
testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.