Have you ever had a moment where, because something you read or heard about on the news made you sad, upset, or even angry? Perhaps, a shock post on Facebook startled you. Various studies have shown that the images we look at on the news or on social media can affect our moods and even our mental health  (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/social-media-linked-rise-mental-health-disorders-teens-survey-finds-n982526). The shows we watch, the songs we listen to, and the movies we entertain ourselves with all serve to affect us in some way.

This morning I was listening to a local radio show called "Love 'em or List 'em." On the show, a lady called in to discuss her friend, who she labeled as "clingy." She was talking how the person was invading her personal space, inviting herself with the caller's family on vacation, and wanting to see the caller nearly every day. She was looking for justification and an answer from other callers about if she should remove the person from her life. Consequently, I started thinking about my own "falling out" situation I personally had with a best friend. He was a friend that I deeply cared for that I no longer see due to his influence on my life and how he made me feel when in his presence. Because of this radio show, I began rehashing many of the conversations we shared, disagreements that occurred, and reliving all those painful moments. Then kicked in the need to want to fix something, but I had to remember, I separated myself for a reason and it was a good one. I had already fixed this problem.

After giving myself a moment to feel, I had to remind myself that thinking on it is not productive. Just like when watching the news and I find myself reading the extra gory details of a local crime. Beyond hearing about the incident, do I really need to bother myself with reading about every move the killer made, what weapon he used, and how it affected the victim's family, just so I can begin obsessing about the safety of my own family? Absolutely not.

The problem is that the media and news carries with it "energy." When something causes you to start thinking negatively about your own life such as second guessing your friends, wondering if it is time to move, if you should begin preparing for a perceived disaster when it isn't really justified, or if you should start homeschooling your kids because a teacher in Texas assaulted a student along with other irrational thoughts, we should ask ourselves, is the energy or messages we are receiving from the media a good and positive influence on our lives? Is it bringing with it love, positive energy, and hope or is it bringing hate, divisiveness, and anger? Don't get me wrong, however. It is important to keep up on local issues, but it is when we begin internalizing that negative energy and making it one with our own that a problem is created. 

This problem is the negative mindset we may slip into about our surrounding world and environment from the constant barrage of negativity coming from these external sources.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

This is our shield and we must keep it on at all times. By reading scripture, meditating in prayer, reading books that bring us hope, pondering good things, staying away from the details of negative news, and working on a goal program, we can fend off the energies that seek to remind us of a darker world in which we have the ability to  create ourselves, depending on what we focus on. We also have the ability to create a world of excitement, joy, and beauty also, if that is what we want, because it is our thoughts that shape our world.

If you are interested in improving your life through setting goals, learning ancient wisdom, and taking control over your life now, take a moment to check out my life-improvement programs at www.searchlightorganization.com/transformation

Author: Jason Cook
​Searchlight Organization
Copyright, 2019

According to research, the average person uses social media more than 2 hours per day (globalwebindex, 2018). This might include perusing Facebook, displaying photos on Snapchat, or shouting out on Twitter. Let's take a look at how this might fit in with our other daily responsibilities and see what kind of impact something as frivolous as social media may have on your productivity:

Facebook: 2 hrs
Sleep: 8
Work: 8
Commuting: 1 hr
Eating and Cooking: 2 hrs
Chores and Maintenance: 1 hr
Business Priorities: 1 hr
Favorite Television Show: 1 hr

Total hrs: 24
Time left to achieve goals? 0

After reviewing a typical working person's schedule, notice there is no time left over for any personal achievement? If this person wanted to begin filling out resumes, volunteering, or work on mental health, that could take up several hours per day, there would be no other option than to cut back on something.

Here are a few tricks you could use to become the "Pro" of productivity and get achieving more in your life:

• Limit social media time to when you are on lunch, commuting, or give yourself 15 minutes in the morning, but make sure to leave your evening social media free to prevent hours of use. This will add nearly 2 hours to your regular productive day.
• Limit entertainment. We've all binge watched. Leave this for the weekends! I, personally, have a policy at home that says that I cannot watch television or use the computer for entertainment on any week night. This basically freed up my entire schedule.
• During the week, make sure cooking times are kept to a minimum by making easier meals or preparing during the weekend.
• Put a time-limit on chores, even if it doesn't get done. Your time is a precious commodity.
• Reduce commute time. Are you taking the bus and could potentially drive or car-pool? Perhaps you have the option to work from home.
• How much do you sleep? Of anything, if you need more than 8 hours of sleep a night or take frequent naps, this could really cut into your ability to be productive. If you are dragging after a full night of sleep, you may want to question if you have a sleep disorder: (https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-disorders-warning-signs#diagnosis)
• Lastly, use the small moments. Do you have a job that has downtime throughout the day or maybe you have a 1 hour lunch break? Use this time to read educational articles or making phone calls that are vital to achieving your goal.

With a little discipline, you would be surprised at how much more you'll accomplish and how great you'll feel! If you would like to start conquering your goals and begin living a life of achievement, feel free to check out my goal achievement programs at: www.searchlightorganization.com/transformation.

Author: Jason Cook
Searchlight Organization
Copyright, 2019

Often when Moses and Aaron approached God in the Tent of Meeting at the Tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, the Bible explains that they fell down on their faces or fell "facedown." It was during these times the Lord showed his greatest acts of mercy and compassion toward the Israelites; when they were willing to submit and humble themselves to Him. Many of us pray standing up, sitting, while lying in bed, or just hanging out on the front porch, but when was the last time you prayed face down? There is an important message to be received in this action. First, it helps remind us that God is our ruler and we must humble ourselves at his feet. It helps us to understand that his greatness and power surrounds us and shroud us in his protection. Will you do God, the Father, the honor of praying face down on your knees with gratitude, honor, and praise today? May a blessing be poured out on you today, friends, as you create a moment of intimacy with your Creator.

In the marriage ceremony, after the vows are said, the minister solemnly and reverently remarks, “What God hath joined together let no man put asunder.” Is not God the third part in a marriage? Should He not be taken into account in the marriage, and in the home that emerges from that marriage? If God joins the couple together at the outset, should not His presence be recognized in the home continually? Many homes are on the rocks today because God has been left out of the domestic picture.
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With the clash of personalities in a domestic pattern, there must be an integrating force, and the living God is that Force! Many couples think that if they have a better home, get a better job, or live in a different neighborhood, their domestic life will be happier. No! The secret of domestic happiness is to let God, the party of the third part in the marriage contract, have His rightful place in the home. Make peace with Him, and then you can be a real peacemaker in the home.

These are the direct words of God in the book of Genesis. This is direct truth from the creator of the universe! If you are not cognizant of your action, sin is always there waiting and willing to claim you as a victim. Some of the effects of sin taking hold of your life are alienation from others, separation from God, earning enemies, and dependency on fruitless activity. As God says, "but you must rule over it." Whatever thought or idea that is tempting you, that is wrong or evil, must be dismissed immediately, because sin will always follow. Whenever you are tempted, aim to remove it from your thinking and distract yourself with whatever is good, whatever is pure, and holy.

After the Israelites escaped out of Egypt and the tabernacle was built, God gave Moses specific instructions, written above, regarding how the priests were to bless the Israelites. He wanted each and every one of them to know that God was there for them and would bless them. This wasn't something just relevant to the Israelites. This phrase still rings true and is still said by priests all over the world when blessing their congregations. We ought to remember this when we focus on prayer that God, indeed, does hear our earnest desires and seeks to bless us, keep us, and give us peace.

On the mornings when the Israelites would move from one location to another, Moses would wake up in the morning and say this aloud. I can't help but notice the exclamation point when Moses says, "Rise up, Lord!" We all know what an exclamation point means, but in this context, Moses states this phrase with exuberance, motivation, anticipation, and maybe even a bit joyfully? He knows God is with him, because God visits with him face to face, but he is taking on an air of authority and expectation with God. This gives us hope in our own challenges, that when we rise up in the morning, we should make our intentions known to God expectantly that he will do the same for us and he will! Let them be known excitedly, joyfully, and abundantly!

Prayer
Dear Lord, Rise up! Go before me and remove all challenges that separate me from executing your will! Lay to waste and ruin all plans Satan has for me and fill me up with your Holy Spirit.

After the crucifixion the beleaguered disciples despaired and said, “We had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21, RSV). There was anguish, despair, and tragedy in their midst. Life had lost its meaning and purpose. But when the resurrection became apparent, life took on a new meaning. It had purpose and reason.
David Livingstone once addressed a group of students at Glasgow University. When he rose to speak, he bore on his body the marks of his African struggles. Several illnesses on nearly 30 occasions had left him gaunt and haggard. His left arm, crushed by a lion, hung limp by his side. After describing his trials and tribulations, he said, “Would you like to have me tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.”

It can be so easy to pray without much passion or even thought. It is so imperative that we remain mindful and faithful as we send our requests to the Lord. Consider these words from our incredible teacher and master, Jesus from Matthew 21:21-22:

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer.” ​

​One of the great bonuses of being a Christian is the great hope that extends beyond the grave into the glory of God’s tomorrow. A little girl was running toward a cemetery as the darkness of evening began to fall. She passed a friend who asked her if she was not afraid to go through the graveyard at night. “Oh, no,” she said, “I’m not afraid. My home is just on the other side!” We Christians are not afraid of the night of death because our heavenly home is “just on the other side.” The resurrection of Christ changed the midnight of bereavement into a sunrise of reunion; it changed the midnight of disappointment into a sunrise of joy; it changed the midnight of fear to a sunrise of peace. Today faith and confidence in the resurrected Christ can change your fear to hope and your disappointment to joy.

​One of the best ways to get rid of discouragement is to remember that Christ is coming again. The most thrilling, glorious truth in all the world is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When we look around and see pessimism on every side, we should remember the Bible is the only Book in the world that predicts the future. The Bible is more modern than tomorrow morning’s newspaper. The Bible accurately foretells the future, and it says that the consummation of all things shall be the coming again of Jesus Christ to this earth. If your life is dismal, depressed, and gloomy today, Christ can turn those dark clouds inside out. The sunlight of His love can still shine into the darkest part of your life.