Change Principle and Priority

Practical Steps to Change 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Importance of Principle Ruth 1:1-5 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. House of Bread God is King Jeremiah 48:1 (TLB) This is the message of the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, against Moab: "Woe to the city of Nebo, for it shall lie in ruins…its forts are overwhelmed and captured.

The Consequences Ruth 1:3-5 (NIV) 3 Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

What could have been… Psalm 33:18-19 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. Psalm 37:18-19 The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

Principle based decisions Do not make reactionary decisions! Do not make decisions based on convenience ! Do not make decisions based only on your logic ! Do remember what the Word of God says about the situation! Do remember the promises of God in your life! Do make decisions and take steps based on faith on the Word of God!

Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Principle, not consequence! 2 Kings 6:4-7 They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!" The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. "Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. The Problem Panic from consequence Identify the root of the problem! Miracle happens!

Keep growing! Develop Creativity: God makes us creative: Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness… Ephes. 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Keep growing! E Develop Creativity: E Learn to be a better listener E Not to be fortified with good ideas is to be victimized by bad ones – Carl Henry E Read from other industries E Change your routine E When I look at the same old things, I think the same old thoughts, but when the furniture is changed, my thinking changed…routine is the enemy of creative thinking Stanley Marcus E Change your old assumptions

Importance of Priority EGod is a God of Order EThe whole creation is in order EThere is a sequence in creation EProverbs 28:2 …..a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

Jesus exemplifies the importance of prioritizing: In commitment: Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.

Jesus exemplifies the importance of prioritizing: In relationships: Matthew 12:46-50 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Jesus exemplifies the importance of prioritizing: In material things: Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus exemplifies the importance of prioritizing: In lifestyle: Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Importance of Priority Haggai 1:3-6 (NKJV) 3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? 5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways! 6 "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."

Importance of Priority 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why ?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops.

Importance of Priority Understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishment Efficient is doing things right Effective is doing the right things (Peter Drucker) Efficiency is the foundation of survival Effectiveness is the foundation of success (Maxwell) To increase effectiveness, we need to learn how to prioritize

Learning to Prioritize LeadersFollowers InitiateReact Lead; p/u phone, make contact Listen; wait for phone to ring Spend time planning Spend time living day-to-day Anticipate problems React to problems Invest time with people Spend time with people Fill calendar w/ priorities Fill calendar by requests

Learning to Prioritize E The 3 R principle: (Maxwell) E 1. Whats required of me? EA leader can give up anything except final responsibility EAsk: What do I have to do that no one but me can do? EPut these high on your priority E 2. What gives me the highest return? EAsk: Am I doing what I do best and receiving a good return for the organization?

Learning to Prioritize E3 common problems in organizations: EAbuse: too few employees are doing too much EDisuse: too many employees are doing too little EMisuse: too many employees are doing the wrong things E 3. What is most rewarding? EOur best work takes place when we enjoy it. EFind something you like to do so much that youre willing to do it for nothing; then do it so well that people will be happy to pay you for it. E Success is greatly increased if the 3 Rs are similar!

Learning to Prioritize E Organizing Priorities EHigh Importance/High Urgency: ETackle these projects first EHigh Importance/Low Urgency: ESet deadlines for completion and get these projects worked into your daily routine ELow Importance/High Urgency: EFind quick, efficient ways to get these done with minimal personal involvement. ELow Importance/Low Urgency: EThis is busy or repetitious task like filing. Stack it up and do it in half hour segments every week. Get somebody else to do it, or dont do it at all.

Priority Pitfalls E Staying put too long: EPriority continually shifts and demand attention EAnything excellent stands moment by moment on the cutting edge and must be continually fought for (Ross Perot) EEvaluate: every month review the 3 R EEliminate: anything that doesnt pass the 3 R test EEstimate: what are my top projects this month and how long will they take?

Priority Pitfalls E Settling for the good instead of the best: EGo back to the 3 R and ask again: EWhat is most aligned with the organizations purpose? EWhat benefits the people you serve the most? EWhat is the preference of your leader?

Priority Pitfalls E Trying to have it all: E95% of achieving anything is knowing what you want EToo many priorities paralyze us: (lion tamers technique) EFailure to prioritize and eliminate small priorities will create big problems E No deadlines, no crisis: EIf you have one letter to write, itll take you all day to do it. If you have twenty letters to write, youll get them done in a day (Parkinson)

Prioritizing E The importance of prioritizing: EGod is a God of order EJesus exemplifies prioritizing E Learning to prioritize E3 R principle: EWhats required of me? EWhat gives me the highest return? EWhat is most rewarding? EPriority pitfalls: EStaying put too long EGood vs. best ETrying to have it all ENo deadlines