Are You Ready For Some Football !!??

Football season is about to start and if you listen to different broadcasters or newsmen, along with some of your neighbors, you would believe this is something that is a must in everyone's life. Now, I understand, for the high school or college football player, this is really an exciting and special time of life. They get to participate and play in a sport that they enjoy and have fun doing. However, I have observed the majority of people who get super excited and can talk for hours, about their favorite team or players, are spectators.  They may have played the sport when they were younger; some may never have played.  Yet, when you watch them or hear them, their excitement is overwhelming.  When they are at games they shout loud, make funny noises, raise and clap their hands when a score is made or when someone on the team does something , they believe, is special, they go wild with enthusiasm. They even wear jerseys with team colors and numbers.  Some even dress funny and paint their bodies.

I have watched and listen to these people for years. A good many of them profess to be a christian.  Now there is nothing wrong with being a football fan. I even like the Bears and Colts.  However, when I observe these same people in church or listen to them talk on the street, to their friends or neighbors, there is absolutely no excitement in their voice or actions about Jesus, The One who died for us. The One who scored the biggest victory and gave us all the opportunity to share eternal life with God, our Father and Creator.  Instead of being a spectator, in these sporting events, they can be a participant in the Greatest adventure of their lives but they choose to be dead as door nail., less than a spectator.

One of the final things that Jesus said, before going back to heaven, was "go preach the gospel, tell people about Me, make disciples, get excited about God, lay hands on the sick,cast out demons, get people to live in victory over sin and death".

Sports are fun. Have fun with them. However, don't get more excited about sports and entertainment than you do about God and His amazing grace.

http://www.theinterimministry.com/

Things God cannot do.......

Not to shatter your theology or philisophical view, there are no less than seven things God cannot do... Oh yeah!, It's true.  There are just some things God cannot do:
God cannot lie....
God cannot leave you....
God cannot forsake you....
God cannot be tempted....
God cannot sin....
God cannot change....
God cannot stop people from hurting you, getting in your face or getting you upset....or in other words, He cannot prevent offenses to come your way.( Luke 17:1)    
(People are going to persecute you, discourage you, upset you, ridicule you, not like you and so on......)
http://www.theinterimministry.com/


 

Great Quotes.....

Your attitude is not determined by circumstances, but by how you respond to your circumstances. You can respond positively or negatively to any situation.

It's how you react to events, not the events themselves that determines your attitude. Any challenge facing you is not as important as your attitude towards it, for that will determine your success or failure.

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.

It's not your position but your disposition that counts.

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”

                                                                                      -Albert Einstein

The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.              Henry Kissinger

A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually marks the best way to get there….            H. Stanley Judd

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.                Alan Lakein

If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.

Thomas A. Edison

Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities.  Seize common occasions and make them great . . . weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.

                                    Orison Swett Marden

You will suddenly realize that the reason you never changed before was because you didn’t want to.                                           Robert H. Schuller

We make our habits, and then our habits make us.    John Dryden

(Personal)  God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas, but for scars.

Elbert Hubbard

(Personal) Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things. 

Henry Ward Beecher

The most important thing about goals is having one.  Geoffry F. Abert

True greatness consists in being great in little things.   Charles Simmons

Doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well.  John W. Gardner

The greatest power that a person possesses is the power to choose.   J. Martin Kohe

Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.             Aldous Huxley

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. 

John Wooden 

1. Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. – John Wooden

FREE EXCHANGE(trade-in) .... FREE RE-FILLS

So, imagine this if you can. You're driving your 1958 Chevy, rusted to the core, bumpers hanging off the frame, paint completly gone, engine pumping on one cylinder, holes coming through the floor, windshield half cracked and the tires are bald as a cue ball......Suddenly, you see a sign at a car dealership that says " Bring in your car, any car, JUST AS IT IS and we will give you a new car. !!!! Wow ! that sounds pretty good. Can I really trust this guy or is there some hidden trick or  come on.?
Well, you decide to do this. You practically have to push your car onto the lot because the engine can barely run and your gas gauge is on empty. Before you can get out of the car, what looks like a salesman runs up to your door, puts his hand out to shake your hand and says something like this. "MAN, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO COME IN WITH ALL THIS JUNK'.. . and because you trusted and believed our sign, I am going to give you a brand new 2011 Cadilac Escalade with a full tank of gas. In addition, whenever you need a refill of gas, oil any mechanical work or parts, you come to me and I'll make sure you get it all FREE.....  You would jump at that in a heart beat...!!!!

Well, that's just like my God when He says "bring that busted and disgusted, shattered and battered, sin-
filled  and broken hearted, lack of direction life of yours, JUST AS IT IS, and I will give you a BRAND NEW , ABUNDANT LIFE.  In addition to that, whenever, your need anything to help you live the life I have planned for you, come to Me and I will give you FREE RE-FILLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT to help you overcome anything that comes your way...........

visit http://www.theinterimministry.com/      we would love to pray with you.....

Five ( 5) Things God Has Never Seen

There are at least five things I am confident, according to the bible, that God has never seen.  They are as follows:

. God has never seen a person He did not love.

.. God has never seen a person He would not save.

... God has never seen a sickness He could not heal.

.... God has never seen a circumstance He could not change.

..... God has never seen a substitute for His Son, Jesus Christ.

Seven (7) Basic Needs of a Child

Every child needs at least, but not limited to the following:

Every child needs to be loved.
Every child needs to be disciplined..
Every child needs to be accepted...
Every child needs to be secure....
Every child needs to be recognized.....
Every child needs to be praised......
Every child needs to be taught about God.......

You are a Leader !!

Most people will take on leadership roles sometime during their life.  I am not just talking about the role of a CEO, pastor or president of an organization.  I'm saying, if you are a father or husband, you have a leadership role.  If you are parents or a single parent, you have a leadership role.  If you run a small business or even a sole proprietor, you have a leadership role.  Like it or not, you are  or soon will be a leader. !!

Leadership is everything to the success of your home, business or church.  A family, business or church can rise only to the level of the leader's effectiveness.  The bottom line is as a leader, you are 100% responsible for the good, bad and ugly of your enterprise. Period.!!!

The task of a leader is to get people from where they are to where they have never been. (Henry Kissinger)

As I said before, a leader is a dealer in hope.  How would you define leadership?  Based on your definition, can you improve your leadership effectiveness?

A leader creates clarity and the right conditions to succeed.  Clarity makes your life easier and reduces confusion, wasted time and energy.  Clarity also minimizes interruptions and allows everyone to make better informed decisions.

King Solomon, who is one of my mentors, says in the book of Proverbs "that without vision, you will perish.".  What is meant by perish, is you will flounder.  However, you alone won't flounder but everyone you are responsible to and for will flounder.....Wow!!!   That means if I am a husband and father and I do not have some sought of vision for my wife and family, we all will flounder.!   Tossed to and fro.....

"Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive the vision to completion."  (Jack Welch)

Take some time and ask yourself what you need to do to be more effective at creating a vision for yourself, your family or your business.  If your group would like to sponsor a leadership workshop, I would be happy to put it on at no-charge.  Just let me know...

Lead with vision but always remember that vision without implementation is hallucination.!

DECISION vs: COMMITMENT

So, here I am again talking about decisions. I really want to focus on deciding for Jesus.  Over the years, I have watched people who said they have decided to follow Jesus. Truly, they did make that decision.  However, sometimes in a matter of weeks or years, they are back in the same position they were when they made that decision.  So, my question is why?  They were sincere in their decision.  They even confessed it. They said they believed in their heart and confessed with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.  But here they are, back in the clubs.  Drinking, smoking dope, lying ,cheating, messing around on their spouses. etc.

What is going on?  They made a decision.!

Yes, they made a decision. But a decision is not the same as doing.  You can look at my previous blog about decisions regarding the frogs.  You see, a decision is made with the mind; a commitment is made with the heart.  Unless a person is truly committed to following Jesus, they won't do it.  That means, unless a person is willing to do whatever it takes to follow Jesus, they won't.  And if they try to do it on their own efforts, they not only won't , they can't......They need the Helper Jesus said He would send.  That helper is The Holy Spirit.........

DECISIONS

     There were three frogs sitting on a log, in the middle of the lake.  One of the frogs decided to jump into the water.  How many frogs were left on the log ?  So you don't dwell on this too long, I'll give you the answer.  There were still three frogs on the log.  You see, the statement said one frog decided to jump into the water.  It did not say he jumped into the water.
     I have often told my clients that deciding is not the same as doing.  Many people decide to do something but they never do it !  Decision making is important.  However, acting on that decision is equally important.
Fear may enter into the  process of acting . Afraid it may be a bad decision.  Afraid you may make a mistake.
     The bible tells us that God did not give us the spirit of fear, but He did give us the spirit of love, power and a sound mind.  Don't be afraid of making a decision or acting on a decision.  If the decision to be made requires serious thought, the bible tells us to seek out many counselors you trust.  Weigh their opinions, then make and act on a decision.
     I'll never forget the conversation I had with my dad after I had made, what I considered, a bad decision or mistake.   I don't  remember what the decision or mistake was but I do remember what my dad told me.
He said "that's O.K., you are going to make all kind of decisions during your life. Some good, some bad but always try to make more good decisions than bad decisions." !!

Authority Over The Power

    
When circumstances or situations arise in your life that are either relavant or irrelevant, important or not important, never engage in conversation or debate with the enemy.  The enemy, Satan and his bunch, does not have your best interest in mind.
     The bible tells us he comes to rob, steal and destroy. JOHN 10:10..."The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
     Instead, do as Jesus did when Satan wanted to engage Him in conversation.  Jesus spoke the word and the enemy had to go   LUKE 4:1-13     Face every challenge, every overwhelming circumstance or situation with the Word of God.  Never talk about the problem but speak directly to the problem, with the authority and power given to every born-again believer by Jesus Christ.
     You know, Satan does have power to do stuff in your life that can and will hurt you now and for eternity.  However, the Word of God says we have authority over the power of Satan.
     I can not stress how important it is to:
     "Read the Word,
     Learn the Word,
     Know the Word,
     Believe the Word, and 
     Work the Word."  
    
 

Passion for Jesus

     As Lorraine and I were having our devotions this week, the topic of passion came up.  I was explaining to her that in business, the driving force behind profit is passion.  When you see a successful business or company, if you look behind the scenes, you will see or find passion of the owners or employees for the product or service they have to offer.
     Now, passion is defined as an intense emotional excitement such as enthusiasm or the object of any strong desire.  Passionate is defined as having or showing strong or intense  feelings towards something or someone.
     So, as we were discussing this and talking about the things of God, the Holy Spirit gently spoke to me and said " your passion for Jesus is not what it once was "...... Understand, He did not say your passion for the lost is not what it once was nor did He say your passion for serving God is not what it once was.  He said "your passion for Jesus is not what it once was." 
     Wow !!  Our discussion shifted to another realm.  How did my passion for Jesus slip away?!   I did not need any more prompting nor did I try to explain it away. I just simply agreed with the Holy Spirit, asked for forgiveness then  Lorraine and I  prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to re-fill, renew and refresh my passion for Jesus.
     You know what?  He re-filled ,renewed and refreshed my passion for Jesus.......
     How's your passion for Jesus?!..........

     .

HABITS

     Do you know that destiny has a lot to do with habits?  The easier the habit is to do , the harder it is to change.  In order for something to change in your life, you must change. Usually, the change is in behavior or habits.
     Now, I'm not an expert in habits. There are more than likely people who have degrees in habits. You know, something like a B.A. , M.A. or even a PhD. in habits.  However, the little research I have done in habits tell me that they are:

A form of exercise..

Something we repeatedly do..

A pattern in motion, that tends to stay in motion..

Either the best of servants or
the worst of masters..

     One thing for sure,  a habit you have, is performed by you, not someone else.   Hence, good, bad or ugly
you are responsible for that habit. PERIOD...... Good habits will affect your destiny in a good way. Bad habits will affect your destiny in a bad way.

     You can change the part of your destiny that is caused by habits. You do this by changing the habit..............

The Acid Test

     The following are questions I've asked most of my financial planning or coaching clients if it seems as though they are struggling with making a decision regarding a goal.  It's called  The Acid Test  because by pouring these questions onto the decision making process, they will help determine whether what a person wants is a goal or a dream. Now, there's nothing wrong with a dream but no one can help accomplish a dream until it is turned into a goal.......  
     FIRST:   Do you want it?  That's pretty easy.  Most people want something !

     SECOND:  Do you need it?  Now that's a little harder to answer because you may want a car. But do you need a new car?  You may even want and need a new car but to you need a Cadilac or can you get by with a Chevy now?

     THIRD:  Can you afford it?  Now, affordability is more than just money.  Although money is one of the components.  When I ask if you can afford it? I'm asking if you can afford it with:

     Money:  Can you afford whatever it is financially?  Do you have the money?

     Time:    Do you have and are you willing to devote the time necessary to achieve what it is you want?

     Personal Sacrifice:  Are you willing and able to give up whatever may be required to accomplish what you want to achieve?  I mean, if you're looking to get a college degree, are you willing to give up playing basketball with the boys to study instead?  If you want to start a business are you willing to give up time with your spouse or the kids to devote to building the business?  Is your spouse willing to give up that time?

     If you can not answer Yes to Anyone of those questions, what you are trying to accomplish or achieve is a dream not a goal at this time.  It may become a goal sometime in the future;  but right now, it is a dream.

     Keeping it simple:  you want to turn a dream into a goal, turn the goal into a vision, then turn the vision into reality......................................... 


       

It's a Good Thing....

     Let's talk about a topic or subject most people love to receive but have a hard time giving. Let's talk about praise.  Over the years I have witnessed what praise to an individual can accomplish.  I have also witnessed what the lack of praise can do.
     We all have an inward desire to be praised.  I'm not saying praised in the same catagory of praising or glorifying God.  I'm saying praised as the expression of approval or admiration.
     It's a good thing to praise someone. It's a good thing to praise your children, your spouse, your friends, your co-workers.  It's a good thing to express approval  of good service by a waiter or waitress. It's a good thing to express admiration for our heros, our pastors, our policemen, firemen ,our soldiers, our teachers, our nurses.
    When you begin to praise or express appreciation and approval of others, your situation and life will change.
    Let me share with you a few statements and quotes from people who know and understand the importance and value of praise.    
    
     "As water is to flowers, so is praise to the heart of man. We thrive on being appreciated, loved and needed. When we make others feel important,and show them respect and praise, they do their best. Nothing stimulates growth so much as praise. Whatever we praise, we increase.".....Wynn Davis

     "The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated". ..William James

     "If you treat an individual..as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what  he ought to be and could be.".....Johann Von Goethe

      I challenge you to look for and act on opportunities to express approval and appreciation  towards someone today.  Give out a little praise today.   But above all:..............PRAISE HIM

             

EMPOWERED BY YOUR WORDS !

     The most important walk in this life is the walk of faith.  Your faith will determine what you think.  What you think will determine what you say.  Everyday can be filled with difficulties or possibilities.  It is not what happens to you that will cause your destiny.  It will be how you react to the problems or opportunities.
     The word of God is a living word and the problems or opportunities we face daily have a divine solution to them.  Faith-filled words are the only acceptable response to the Lord.  Your faith is the only thing that moves God; and your faith is empowered by your words.  God is not moved by tears, but by faith.
     Words are the only primary way faith is released. !!
     YOUR WORDS DETERMINE YOUR DECISIONS AND YOUR DECISIONS DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY....
     Your tongue sets in motion your direction in life and determines where you are going.  YOUR LIFE TODAY IS A SUM TOTAL OF YOUR CONFESSIONS.
     Words can change your destiny.
     When you talk God's word, the angels come on the scene to see what comes to pass. Because they know the power of words.
     God loves to be reminded of His word.  But that's not all:
     MOST OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CREATE IN YOUR LIFE OR THE ONE'S MOST DEAR TO YOU ARE CREATED BY THE WORDS YOU SPEAK..........

You can say   You're Stupid  or  You can say You got so much going for you.
You can say  You're ugly  or You can say You're beautiful.
You can say I'm nobody or You can say I'm a child of God.
You can say I can't do it or You can say I can do all things through Christ.
You can say it can't be done  or You can say all things are possible with God.
 You can say  no one cares or You can say God thinks about me all the time.
 You can say don't touch me or You can say Give me  hug.
 You can say I hate you or You can say I love you.
You can say I'm a failure or You can say I'm a blessed man or woman.
You can say I'm sick  or You can say  I'm healed by His stripes.

Think before you speak.  Understand that you can:

     Build up          or           tear down
     Encourage       or          discourage
     Create             or          kill
     Magnify           or          de-fame
     Heal                or          hurt

     You can agree with the works of the enemy (John 10:10)  or You can  DESTROY   the works of the enemy ( 1John 3:8)




   
              
          

    
    

CONTAGIOUS

     Whether you are a man or woman, young or old, pastor or lay person, your faith is contagious.  Your lack of faith is also contagious.  The bible tells us faith comes by hearing and hearing the word.  The bible also tells us we are all given a measure of faith.( Rom.12:3)
     I am not given any more faith than you nor are you given any more than me. How we grow, nurture and use that measure of faith is up to us individually. Faith can also be observed. Which means, you can be mentored in faith or you can mentor someone in faith.
     Who is observing you?  If you are a pastor or leader, are you demonstrating faith?  Whether you like it or not, you are a mentor.
     Now I am not asking if you are intellectualizing faith or teaching about faith.  I am asking are you demonstrating faith?  Are you exercising the measure of faith that was given to you?  Are you nurturing and growing your faith daily?  Are you getting stronger each day, moving from faith to faith, glory to glory, achieving new levels of intimacy and relationship with the Lord?  Believing and trusting more and more that God is able to do the impossible?  Are you acting on your faith?
     You see God has placed you in a position of leadership, that is your responsiblity.  You do not have a choice!!  When I say leadership, I mean pastors, husbands,fathers, brothers, yes, sisters , mothers, bosses and employees, the list goes on.  If you are in a position where others depend on you, responsible to you or you are responsible for them, you must demonstrate faith in God.
(taken from Jim Wyrostek's book   :Please Give Me Success This Day, available at http://www.amazon.com/   or e-mail me and I'll send it to you free)

True Success Starts Where?

     Over 40 years in businees and close to 65 years of living, my conclusion, my opinion, and my belief is very simple. True success BEGINS with faith in the God of the bible. Please notice, I did not say faith in something. I said faith in the God of the bible.
     I personally know and have met many people who are, what the world considers, successful. They have lots of money and lots of things. Their situation looks as perfect as one would want. Their children are perfect and good looking. They never get into trouble. It appears as though they have a text book marriage. Everything looks beautiful.!!
     If you were to ask them if  they have faith, they do. They have faith in themselves, in their money, in the government, in the economy, in their stocks,bonds, and CD's. They have faith in their children. Oh, yes, they have faith in their CHURCH also.
     However, if you watch them closely, there is an emptiness. There is a lonliness. There are secret, hidden questions that they ask themselves. Most of the questions pertain to this one thing.  IS THIS ALL THERE IS?
     How do I know that?  Because they have asked me that very question.
     The bible tells us it is impossible to please God without faith. That means faith in Him (God).
     So, it really doesn't matter how much stuff, status or things you have. If you are not pleasing to your Creator, by having faith in Him, it is impossible to have true success that brings love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control.
     However, if you do have faith in Him, He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him....!!! 

There is a Price

     Everything has a price. Whatever we want in life,we must give up something to get it. The greater the value, the greater the sacrifice required. 
    There is a price to pay for success.  But we must realize that the rewards of true success are well worth the effort. The highway to success is a toll road...(Wynn Davis)

Success

     What is success? What is prosperity?  When the bible speaks of success it could be referring to prosperity. Or when the bible speaks of prosperity, it could be referring to success. I know one should not use Webster's definitions to find the true meanings of some words in the bible. However,to keep things simple and understandable, let us assume the translators of the bible have taken this into consideration when bringing the text to our level and our language.
     Webster defines success as " a favorable result."  Successful is defined as "turning out as hoped for." Prosperity is defined as "to succed; to thrive."  Prosperous is defined as "successful or favorable." Wealth and wealthy are also attributes of prosperity. I personally believe that wealth is a part of prosperity but prosperity is not necessarily wealth. I pretty much agree with most of the solid teaching, by preachers, of prosperity as it refers to wealth.
     Ask ten people what they would consider success in their lives and you more than likely will get ten different answers. Success is relative to what you want to accomplish in a specific situation or set time.
     Whatever your idea of success is at a given time, God is interested in helping you accomplish and achieve your desires.
     PSALM 35:27 says " the Lord has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant", and PSALM 37:4 says "He shall give you the desires if your heart".

Suddenly

Suddenly you will be at that place called THERE; then what ? !!

Luck?

Your opportunities are limited to your imagination. When preparation meets opportunity, success usually follows. (some call this luck)