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?!..........
.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
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..............
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..............
Monday, January 17, 2011
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.........................................
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.........................................
Thursday, January 13, 2011
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
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
Monday, January 10, 2011
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)
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)
Friday, January 7, 2011
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)
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)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
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....!!!
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....!!!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
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)
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".
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".
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Luck?
Your opportunities are limited to your imagination. When preparation meets opportunity, success usually follows. (some call this luck)
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