Sermon Notes

Riddles about time:

This thing all things devours:

Birds, beasts, trees, flowers.

Gnaws iron, bites steel,

Grinds hard stones to meal.

Slays king, ruins town,

And beats high mountains down.

Answer: Time.

Poem about Time:

You can spend me, but you can’t save me.

You can measure me, but you can’t weigh me.

I have no hands, but I can push you forward.

I have no feet, but I can leave you behind.

I move without wings,

I fly without eyes.

I’ve been in darkness,

But I’ve also seen the skies.

Nehemiah 1 and 2: Nehemiah gets news of Jerusalem and develops a holy burden. He then enters a season of sadness.

By a miracle the King notices his sadness and cares for his cupbearer. He sends him with letters of authority, resources, and guards to go and repair Jerusalem.

Sanballat and Tobiah are against Nehemiah and the welfare of the Israelites.

They were disturbed by the news, then mocked them, then plotted ruin for them.

But the people were working with all their heart. When their strength began to give out, Nehemiah adjusted his strategy and began posting shifts of workers and guards. They prepared themselves to fight at any moment, but continued to build, build, build.

Here are five clever riddles about priorities:

I guide your choices, big or small,

When you have too many, I still sort them all.

Without me, you're scattered and lost in the day.

What is high and what is low is mine to say.

I determine where your effort goes,

To things that matter or to those you oppose.

What you choose reflects your heart,

What I am is what sets you apart

I’m invisible but always there,

I dictate the things that get your care.

I juggle the urgent, the important, the rest,

Choose me right, and you’ll do your best.

I’m shaped by what you hold dear,

I reveal your focus, loud and clear.

I show up in your time and plans,

What am I, held in your hands?

Answer: Your priorities.

Priorities this Quarter
1. What matters most in this season of life.
2. Write down the top 5-10 things that matter most January through the end of March. In order of importance. To help give yourself some what if statements. If my job works needs me to work overtime this week, will I prioritize the job over rest and recreation? Over family or relationship time? If my parents fly in for a weekend and want to get breakfast during your exercise time, will you prioritize time with them over health?
  1. Here are some ideas of categories for things that matter most.
    1. Personal Values and Beliefs
      - Examples: Faith, integrity, or personal growth.
      - Why It’s a Priority: These are the guiding principles that shape your decisions and give your life meaning. For example, if faith is important to you, spending time in prayer, worship, or spiritual growth could be a priority.
    2. Family and Relationships
      - Examples: Spouse, children, parents, or close friendships.
      - Why It’s a Priority: Relationships often bring the most fulfillment in life. Prioritizing time with loved ones fosters connection and strengthens bonds.
    3. Health and Well-being
      - Examples: Physical exercise, mental health, sleep, or healthy eating.
      - Why It’s a Priority: Without good health, it’s harder to manage other aspects of life. Taking care of your body and mind ensures you have the energy and resilience to handle your responsibilities.
    4. 4. Career or Work
      - Examples: Achieving professional goals, maintaining a steady income, or pursuing a calling.
      - Why It’s a Priority: Work often supports other priorities, like providing for your family or fulfilling your purpose. However, Christy reminds readers to ensure work aligns with your broader life goals.
    5. 5. Spiritual Growth
      - Examples: Prayer, meditation, attending church, or serving in ministry.
      - Why It’s a Priority: For those who value spirituality, dedicating time to grow closer to God or deepen your faith can be a significant part of living a balanced life.
    6. Rest and Recreation
      - Examples: Hobbies, vacations, or downtime.
      - Why It’s a Priority: Rest prevents burnout and helps you recharge. Recreation provides joy and creativity, which enhance overall well-being.
    7. Learning and Personal Development
      - Examples: Taking a course, reading, or learning a new skill.
      - Why It’s a Priority: Growth and learning enrich your life and may support other priorities, like career or hobbies.
    8. Serving Others
      - Examples: Volunteering, helping neighbors, or giving to charity.
      - Why It’s a Priority: Serving aligns with values like kindness, generosity, and community, creating a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
    9. Financial Health
      - Examples: Budgeting, saving, or eliminating debt.
      - Why It’s a Priority: Managing your finances can reduce stress and support other priorities, like family, health, and recreation.
    10. Community or Social Involvement
      - Examples: Being part of a small group, participating in local events, or contributing to a cause.
      - Why It’s a Priority: Building a sense of belonging and giving back enhances your connection to others and the world.

How to Identify Your Priorities

What brings me the most joy and fulfillment?
What is my heart deeply burdened by?
What would I regret not doing in this season of life?
What aligns with my values and long-term goals?

Key Reminder

Your priorities might shift depending on your season of life. For instance:
In a season of parenting young children, family might take precedence.
In a season of career growth, professional development could move to the forefront.
Determine which of your priorities need to wait until next quarter.

In Chapter 6 Sanballat tries to distract Nehemiah to meet with him. When that doesn’t work he sends a false prophet to him, to intimidate him into not working but hiding.

Identifying the Distractions you expect.

Here are the 30 most typical distractions for Americans today that can prevent them from focusing on what truly matters:

1. Social Media and Screen Time

- Why It's Distracting: Endless scrolling through apps like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook consumes hours without adding meaningful value. Notifications constantly pull attention away from priorities.

- Impact: Reduces productivity, creates comparison traps, and eats into family or personal time.

2. Streaming Services and Entertainment

- Why It's Distracting: Binge-watching TV shows or movies on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube can lead to excessive downtime.

- Impact: Leaves less time for intentional activities, such as personal development or relationships.

3. Work Overload and Hustle Culture

- Why It's Distracting: Being "always on" and overcommitted to work tasks can blur the line between professional and personal life.

- Impact: Leads to burnout and neglect of family, faith, health, or personal interests.

4. Smartphones and Notifications

- Why It's Distracting: Constant pings, alerts, and messages from apps, texts, or calls interrupt focus throughout the day.

- Impact: Hinders deep work, meaningful conversations, and moments of rest.

5. Overcommitment and Busyness

- Why It's Distracting: Saying “yes” to too many obligations, whether social events, volunteer roles, or errands, can leave little room for reflection or intentional living.

- Impact: Spreads time and energy too thin, making it hard to focus on personal goals and relationships.

6. Worry and Overthinking

- Why It's Distracting: Dwelling on the past or anxiously anticipating the future takes mental energy away from being present.

- Impact: Prevents joy and productivity in the current moment.

7. Online Shopping and Consumerism

- Why It's Distracting: Browsing e-commerce sites or shopping apps can become a time-consuming habit.

- Impact: Takes away from financial and time priorities, often without delivering long-term satisfaction.

8. Comparison and People-Pleasing

- Why It's Distracting: Focusing on others’ expectations or appearances (online or in real life) can shift attention away from personal values.

- Impact: Leads to feeling unfulfilled and misaligned with what truly matters.

9. Household Chores and Errands

- Why It's Distracting: Endless to-do lists of small tasks can consume entire days if not managed intentionally.

- Impact: Can overshadow deeper priorities, like spending time with loved ones or pursuing personal passions.

10. News and Information Overload

- Why It's Distracting: Constantly checking news headlines, debates, or current events can create a cycle of distraction and emotional exhaustion.

- Impact: Adds stress and shifts focus from personal growth or family connections.

11. Email and Constant Communication

- Why It's Distracting: Checking and responding to emails throughout the day interrupts focus and creates a reactive mindset.

- Impact: Makes it hard to prioritize deep work or meaningful interactions.

12. Gaming and Virtual Worlds

- Why It's Distracting: Video games and immersive virtual experiences can consume hours of leisure time.

- Impact: Limits time for real-world relationships, hobbies, or physical activity.

13. Perfectionism

- Why It's Distracting: Obsessing over small details or striving for flawlessness can delay progress and waste time.

- Impact: Prevents completion of tasks and creates unnecessary stress.

14. Gossip and Idle Conversation

- Why It's Distracting: Spending time engaging in unproductive talk about others can derail focus and foster negativity.

- Impact: Drains energy and shifts focus away from personal growth or meaningful activities.

15. Unhealthy Eating Habits

- Why It's Distracting: Frequent snacking, eating out, or indulging in unhealthy food can lead to lethargy and lack of focus.

- Impact: Impacts physical and mental energy, making it harder to pursue priorities.

16. Traffic and Commuting

- Why It's Distracting: Time spent sitting in traffic or commuting can feel like wasted hours without intentional use.

- Impact: Reduces productivity and personal time unless paired with activities like listening to audiobooks or podcasts.

17. Procrastination

- Why It's Distracting: Delaying important tasks by focusing on easier, less meaningful activities wastes valuable time.

- Impact: Creates stress and last-minute pressure, leading to subpar outcomes.

18. Unclear Goals or Lack of Direction

- Why It's Distracting: Without clear goals, it’s easy to spend time aimlessly or on less important tasks.

- Impact: Leaves you feeling unaccomplished and dissatisfied.

19. Relationship Drama

- Why It's Distracting: Conflicts, misunderstandings, or toxic relationships can consume emotional and mental energy.

- Impact: Diverts focus away from personal priorities or healthy relationships.

20. Clutter and Disorganization

- Why It's Distracting: A messy physical environment can create mental clutter, making it harder to focus or feel at peace.

- Impact: Wastes time searching for items and adds stress to daily routines.

21. Multitasking

- Why It's Distracting: Switching between tasks reduces focus and efficiency, leading to mistakes and longer completion times.

- Impact: Prevents deep work and meaningful engagement in any single task.

22. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

- Why It's Distracting: Constantly checking what others are doing or trying to participate in every opportunity can lead to overstimulation and exhaustion.

- Impact: Shifts focus away from personal goals and priorities.

23. Overplanning or Analysis Paralysis

- Why It's Distracting: Spending too much time planning or overthinking instead of taking action can waste time and delay progress.

- Impact: Prevents productivity and fosters indecision.

24. Toxic Work Culture

- Why It's Distracting: A demanding or unsupportive work environment can cause stress, interruptions, and a lack of focus on personal priorities.

- Impact: Affects mental health and reduces time for relationships and self-care.

25. Physical Exhaustion

- Why It's Distracting: When you’re consistently tired, it’s difficult to focus, plan, or engage in meaningful activities.

- Impact: Drains energy for both work and personal priorities.

26. Overuse of Productivity Tools

- Why It's Distracting: Spending excessive time organizing apps, planners, or systems can become counterproductive.

- Impact: Creates the illusion of productivity without meaningful results.

27. Negative Self-Talk

- Why It's Distracting: Internal doubts and criticism can consume mental energy and prevent you from focusing on what truly matters.

- Impact: Diminishes confidence and motivation to pursue priorities.

28. Unexpected Crises or Interruptions

- Why It's Distracting: Unplanned events, emergencies, or disruptions can derail even the best-laid plans.

- Impact: Forces a shift in focus and may lead to neglecting longer-term priorities.

29. Excessive Hobbies or Interests

- Why It's Distracting: While hobbies are valuable, having too many or dedicating disproportionate time to them can take away from other priorities.

- Impact: Leads to imbalance in life’s key areas.

30. Social Obligations Out of Guilt

- Why It's Distracting: Agreeing to events or tasks out of obligation rather than desire can fill your schedule unnecessarily.

- Impact: Leaves less room for personal and family priorities.

Write down the top 3 distractions you expect to face this quarter.

________________________________________
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Set Boundaries to Protect against the Distractions

Here are five engaging riddles about boundaries:

I separate yours from mine,

A marker drawn, a thin fine line.

Respect me, and harmony will flow,

What am I that helps relationships grow?

I protect your time and guard your space,

Without me, chaos takes my place.

I'm not a wall, but I keep things clear,

What am I, that reduces fear?

I have no voice but say a lot,

I’m not a thing you can see or spot.

When I’m crossed, emotions run wild,

What am I, that keeps you reconciled?

I let in the good and block out the bad,

Without me, life could make you sad.

I’m set by decisions you consciously make,

What am I, for your mental stake?

I’m built with care and spoken with might,

I guide your steps and set things right.

Respect me, and life becomes clear,

What am I, that holds others near?

Answer: boundaries.

Boundaries are rules you set in place to keep distractions from stealing your time.

Boundaries are like the fence around your house. They keep the good stuff in, and the bad stuff out, and there is a gate that represents the proper way to enter.

With your top 1 distraction, you are going to think of one rule you can make to help you not get distracted.

Finally, now that you have decided how to help keep the bad stuff out of your yard, you need a rule to help keep the good stuff in.

Nehemiah 6:15 They finished rebuilding the walls of the city in a miraculous 52 days.

Now there were a great many things that needed to be put in order, but Nehemiah focused on the 1 thing that needed his attention most and first, then when that was finished, he moved on to other things. The season had changed, and with it the priorities.

52 days to rebuild the walls of the city, and we want to issue our own 52 day challenge. 52 days of going to church services in 2025.

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