A QUALITY WORTH HAVING
We always have good intentions but struggle to follow through.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate… I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.—Romans 7:15, 18-19 NLT
If you’re tired of having good intentions and consistently falling short, then today is for you…The Power of Consistency
Series Summary:
The quality of our decisions determines the direction of our lives.
When faced with ……….. (this situation); I have pre-decided ………… (to take this action).
Predeciding on the values for which you will stand.
Becasue of Jesus I am…:
Ready. Consistent. Devoted. Generous. Faithful. Finisher.
THE PREDISPOSITION BEHIND OUR DETERMINATION:
With God’s help—I am Consistent.
Successful people do consistently what other people do occasionally.
We are what we repeatedly do. It is not what we do occasionally that makes a difference; it’s what we do consistently.
CONSISTENCY MATTERS
THE STORY OF DANIEL
Daniel was a determined young man because he was a “pre-decider”.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.—Daniel 1:8 NIV
When Daniel was about 18 years old, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem.
The Babylonian government took the best and the brightest young men for a Babylonian Intern program to indoctrinate their strong, healthy, bright young men in the Babylonian way and turn them into future leaders…
King Darius of Babylon, out of all the captives in his program, noticed Daniel because he showed unusual consistency. The King planned to promote Daniel, even over his best leaders.
Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.—Daniel 1:19-20 NIV
After Daniel helps the King interpret a dream:
Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.—Daniel 2:48 NLT
Those leaders were jealous of the attention of this new young leader. They did everything to undermine Daniel.
…But they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.—Daniel 6:4 NLT
So they create a crazy plan based on Daniel being consistent…
Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”—Daniel 6:5 NLT
Here was their plan:
All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.—Daniel 6:7 NLT
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.—Daniel 6:10 NLT
…And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.—Daniel 6:23 NLT
Daniel didn’t learn to trust God in the lion’s den—he learned it in his prayer closet!
Most of us pray occasionally – but Daniel prayed consistently!
It’s not what we do occasionally that makes a difference—but what we do consistently!
HOW DO WE GROW IN CONSISTENCY?
1. Start with the “why.”
2. Plan to fail.
3. Fall in love with the process.
1. Start with the “why.”
Why did Daniel pray consistently?
It was never an outward show. It was born from an inward devotion! He predecided to love God above all else…
Our resolve fails, and willpower tires because we make decisions based on desire, not values. That’s not devotion.
We want to change but slide back from our commitments and devotion because we fail to establish a compelling why.
Do the small things consistently for more significant outcomes. The small thing in front of us needs consistency. That’s called obedience.
The decision to…is because of…
I will grow consistently closer to God because a sick devil is trying to distract me, and I refuse to serve him…
I will consistently attend to my marriage and honor my vows because I want to build a family legacy that will outlive me.
I will pay attention to my finances to be debt-free and generous.
I will take each day as it comes and quit my bad habit because my kids and those I love do not need to live in the aftermath of my habits.
This is not about will-power. It’s about WHY-POWER!
When you know your WHY, you will find a WAY.
The devil doesn’t take a day off! We have to have the power of the consistency of attack.
Define your WHY (Decisions are much easier when your values are clear.)
- Start with “why.”
2. Plan to fail.
Why are so many inconsistent?
Because we suffer from an all-or-nothing mindset!
Being consistent isn’t the same as being perfect!
Jesus sees your efforts in context. Your last cuss word did not hinder your salvation; it hindered your witness and impact.
Don’t let the illusion of perfection keep you from getting started. (Indecision)
3. Fall in love with the process.
Daniel wasn’t trying to get promoted! He was just consistently doing what mattered to him – God!
We think we won’t succeed until we hit our goal!
Fall in love with the process.
If I’m consistent—I will make progress!
Success is not just when you achieve a future goal! You are successful when you honor God today!
Good decisions aren’t based on what feels good in the moment
Good decisions are based on consistently thinking like Jesus.
When your values are clear your decisions are easier.
Start with your why—Plan to fail—Fall in love with the process.
Not successful when you achieve your future goal!
Successful when you honor God today!
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