Intentional Living seems to be the new buzz phrase right now. I have a tendency to dismiss stuff such as this because I don't really like "church speak". Church speak could be a whole other post. But suffice it to say that I was not raised in church and there has certainly been a learning curve when it comes to figuring out what some people are actually saying. I am lucky to go to a church that doesn't use it too much and really caters to the "un-churched." But I digress.

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Back to Intentional Living. I have really been thinking about this a lot lately, mainly because it keeps popping up. But also because once you get past the church speak, there are some basic truths there. In thinking about my life, I began to wonder if I have been living intentionally. What does living intentionally look like? Is there biblical backing to this?

Intentional living starts with a destination. You have to know where you want to go to be able to get there. There are many different areas of your life to apply this concept to. Faith, finances, relationships, health, and career are areas to be intentional in. All of these areas are connected, so when one is going well, it helps the rest of them. The same goes conversely though. Therefore, you need to be intentional in all areas.

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<strong>Faith: Be intentional every day by spending time with your bible. Take 15 minutes and just sit down, read and pray.</strong>

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
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<strong>Finances: Figure out a budget and stick to it. I know, it's easier said than done.</strong>

“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ Luke 19:17 (NIV)

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<strong> Family/relationships: Strive to make and keep a christian environment inside your home and with other people. Don't just hope it rubs off on the kids, make a concerted effort to teach them.</strong>

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.   Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

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<strong>Health: Eat well and exercise. (Sigh) I know how hard this one is...really.</strong>

If you find honey, eat just enough -- too much of it, and you will vomit.  Proverbs 25:16 (NIV)

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<strong>Career: Be trustworthy and diligent in this area of life, but don't blow it out of proportion. Strive to be the best in whatever it is that you are doing.</strong>

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4 (NIV)&nbsp;

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So, you see, there is absolutely biblical basis for living the intentional life.  Here are a couple more scriptures that I think add to this idea.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 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.   2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

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So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.  Philippians 3:15-16  (The Message)

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<strong>What are your ideas of intentional living?  What does this look like for you?  Did I miss any great verses that need to be added?  </strong>

I will be looking deeper into each area and try to flesh out what intentional living looks like.  Be sure to check those out and let me know what you think.

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