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AnEnemyCalledAverage©2013byJohnMason

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken fromTheHolyBible, New International Version, © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,Inc.™. Some NIV Scriptures were taken from the Holy Bible, NewInternationalVersion®.NIV®.Copyright©1973,1978,1984byInternationalBibleSociety.UsedbypermissionofZondervan.Allrightsreserved.

Scripture quotations marked “NKJV” are taken from the New King JamesVersion.Copyright©1982byThomasNelson,Inc.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.

Scripture quotationsmarked “KJV” are taken from theKing JamesVersionoftheBible.

Scripture quotations marked “TLB” are taken from The Living Bible © 1971ownedby assignmentby IllinoisRegionalBankN.A. (as trustee).UsedbypermissionofTyndaleHousePublishers,Inc.,Wheaton,IL60189.Allrightsreserved.

Scripturequotationmarked“NLV”istakenfromtheNewLifeVersion(GleasonH.andKathrynLedyard;1969).

Originallypublishedin1990byInsightInternational,Inc.40thprinting

Over600,000inprint

ISBN:978-1-890900-87-8E-bookISBN:978-1-890900-91-5

PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

ReadwhatleadersaresayingaboutJohnMasonandhisbook:

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JoyceMeyer,MinisterandBest-sellingAuthorFenton,MO

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“Your book,An Enemy Called Average, is a challenging and encouragingstimulustobelieverstoleavebehindthemediocreChristianlifeandto‘launchout’forChrist.”

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“John, you have really hit the target with your excellent book An EnemyCalledAverage.Mediocritycontinuestoplaguebusiness,ministry,andpersonalperformance.Yourbook,withitsbite-sizednuggets,helpsbreakthiscycleandhelps provide positive direction and insight to any organization or individual.Congratulationsonareallyoutstandingbook!”

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“NexttotheBible,AnEnemyCalledAverageismyfavoritebookofalltime!I keep it inmybriefcase to refer to it. I’ve read it at least 15 times and learnsomethingnewandmotivatingeachtime.JohnMasonoutdidhimselfwiththisone! It is dabomb! If you read this book, takeheed, and if it doesn’tmake asignificant difference in your life...then something is wrong! I’ve told anyonewhowouldlistenaboutit.Peace&happyreading...Rockon!”

EricJ.ChambersPublisher/JazzspelJournalMagazineLosAngeles,CA

“AnEnemyCalledAverage,anexcellenttitle.”

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RobertWalker,FounderChristianLifeMissionsLakeMary,FL

DedicationI am proud to dedicate this book to my beautiful wife, Linda, our four

wonderful children—Michelle, Greg, Mike, and Dave—and my two sweetdaughters-in-law,BrittanyandKelley.

ToLinda,foryoursteadfastnessandlove.

ToMichelle,foryoursmartsandabilitytoorganizeamesslikeme.

ToGreg,foryourfaithandpatientperseverance.

ToMike,foryourresourcefulnessandfearlessapproachtolife.

ToDave,forthatcontagioussmileandhowwelovetowatchsportstogether.

ToBrittanyandKelley,foryourloveformysonsandyourlovefortheLord.

Yoursupport,help,encouragement,senseofhumor,andprayerssustainandblessmeeveryday.

ThankYouAverybigthankyoutothesespecialfriendswhohelpedmakethisupdated

andexpandedversionavailabletopeopleeverywhere.

RogerandRoseBruhnChrisandLindaBusch

RogerandCarlaChasteenRickandShelleyFenimoreBobandKarenFouchHaroldandBevHerring

DannyandCarrieKittingerMikeandChrisLoomisKentandBevMattox

BrianandJudyMcConnellSteveandGinaMerrittBillandCarrieMulderRickandKarenPearsonTimandSandyRedmondLeeandSharonRettedal

BobbyandLindaRobinsonNasirandAnitaSiddiki

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

PartI:LookingInward

Nugget#1YourLeastFavoriteColorShouldBeBeige

Nugget#2GrowthComesfromBuildingonTalents,Gifts,andStrengths—NotbySolvingProblems

Nugget#3TheNoseoftheBulldogIsSlantedBackwardsSoHeCanContinuetoBreatheWithoutLettingGo

Nugget#4WeCanGrowbyOurQuestionsasWellasbyOurAnswers

Nugget#5Don’tAskTimeWhereIt’sGone;TellItWheretoGo

Nugget#6ObeytheNinthCommandment

Nugget#7AManwithOneWatchKnowsWhatTimeItIs;aManwithTwoIsNeverQuiteSure

Nugget#8Don’tConsumeYourTomorrowsbyFeedingonYourYesterdays

Nugget#9TheBestTimeofDayIsNow

Nugget#10FearandWorryAreInterestPaidinAdvanceonSomethingYouMayNeverOwn

Nugget#11OurWordsAreSeedsPlantedinOtherPeople’sLives

Nugget#12Versus

Nugget#13KeepYourFeetontheRockWhenYouReachtheEndofYourRope

Nugget#14AGoalIsaDreamwithaDeadline

Nugget#15Smile—ItAddstoYourFaceValue

Nugget#16AnAlibiIsJustaLie

Nugget#17Don’tQuitAfteraVictory

Nugget#18TheBestHelpingHandYouWillEverFindIsattheEndofYourOwnArm

Nugget#19WhenYouGetKnockedDown,GetBackUp

Nugget#20ThoseWhoDon’tTakeChancesDon’tMakeAdvances

Nugget#21TheFaithtoMoveMountainsAlwaysCarriesaPick

PartII:LookingOutward

Nugget#22ServingWon’tMakeYouFamous—JustRich

Nugget#23YourBestFriendsAreThoseWhoBringOuttheBestinYou

Nugget#24StandOut;Don’tBlendIn

Nugget#25DecideTodaytoGoThroughWhatYou’veBeenGoingThrough

Nugget#26SayNotoManyGoodIdeas

Nugget#27ThereIsAlwaysFreeFoodonaFishhook

Nugget#28WhenYouRefusetoChange,YouEndUpinChains

Nugget#29EverythingBigStartswithSomethingLittle

Nugget#30AChipontheShoulderWeighsaTon

Nugget#31NeverSurrenderYourDreamtoNoisyNegatives

Nugget#32YourProblemIsYourPromotion

Nugget#33IfinDoubt,Don’t

Nugget#34AnArmyofSheepLedbyaLionWouldDefeatanArmyofLionsLedbyaSheep

Nugget#35MakingOthersBetterIsaBoomerang

Nugget#36PeopleAreBornOriginalsbutMostDieCopies

Nugget#37TenTruismsThatAren’tTrue

PartIII:LookingUpward

Nugget#38StopEveryDayandLookattheSizeofGod

Nugget#39IdeasGoAway,butDirectionStays

Nugget#40

RetreattoAdvance

Nugget#41It’sasImportanttoKnowWhatGodCan’tDoasItIstoKnowWhatHeCanDo

Nugget#42HaveaReadyWillandWalk,NotIdleTimeandTalk

Nugget#43TheBibleIsaBookofDirections,NotSuggestions

Nugget#44God’sCallIsHeard,NotSeen

Nugget#45ItIsMoreValuabletoSeekGod’sPresencethantoSeekHisPresents

Nugget#46WhenWisdomReigns,ItPours

Nugget#47StandTallbyFallingtoYourKnees

Nugget#48HearingTellsYoutheMusicIsPlaying;ListeningTellsYouWhattheSongIsSaying

Nugget#49GodIsNotYourProblem;He’sYourAnswer

Nugget#50LearntheAlphabetforSuccess

Nugget#51TheMeasureofaManIsNotinWhatHeDoesonSunday,butinWhoHeIsMondaythroughSaturday

Nugget#52GodWillUseYouRightWhereYouAreToday

AFinalWord

AcknowledgmentsIt is impossible to write a book like this one without the help of

“foundational-level”people.Specialthanksto:

MikeLoomis,whoalwaysoffersatimelywordofencouragement.

TimRedmond,whoseinsightandadvicehavebeeninvaluable.

PastorDavidBlunt,myfaithfulfriendandspiritualconnection.

IntroductionMediocrity is a regionboundon thenorthby compromise, on the southby

indecision,ontheeastbypastthinking,andonthewestbyalackofvision.

I went to bed one night knowing I had a speech to give early the nextmorning.When I awoke, the first thoughtonmymindwasnot “What time isit?”or“WhatwillIwear?”Instead,itwasthephrase“anenemycalledaverage.”Inthatmomentbeforemyfeethitthefloor,IknewthatGodhadgivenmethetitle for the book that had been stirringwithinme for so long a time. I evencalledthatmorning’sspeech,“AnEnemyCalledAverage”!

This book iswritten for peoplewhowhat to quit…so theywon’t.And forpeoplewhowanttogotoanotherlevel…sotheycan!

Eachofushasbeengivenacertainmixtureofabilitiesandopportunitiesthatmakeusunique.Nomixtureisinsignificant.ThosematchlessqualitiesthatGodhas placed within all of us cause us to yearn to be above average andextraordinary.

Godledmetowritethisbookinanuggetstyle inorder todeliverasmuchmeat as possible in an enjoyable, easy-to-read format.Because there are fifty-two nuggets, this book can be used as an excellent weekly devotional or forpersonaldevelopment.

In Genesis 3:9, God asks Adam, “Where are you?” He is still asking thatquestionofeachofustoday.WhereareweinregardtoGod’splanforourlives?WhereareweconcerningthegiftsandtalentsHehasgivenus?

It ismyprayerthatasyoureadthisbook,youwillallowtheHolySpirit torevealGod’splanforyouandtoinform,exhort,andcorrectyousothatyouwillboundpasteveryareaofmediocrityandfindtotalfulfillmentinyourlife.

Exciting, innovative, transforming, productive…words that will never beassociated with beige. Rather, beige implies lukewarmness, indifference,neutrality…attitudesnoonewantstobearound.

Here’sagreatopportunity:choosetobeapersonwhoisontheoffensive,notthe defensive.Never try to defend your present position and situation. Peoplewholivedefensivelyneverriseaboveaverage.Decidetobeontheoffensive,totake the initiative.Lukewarm, indecisivepeoplearenever secure regardlessoftheirwealth,education,orposition.

Neverletyourquestfor“balance”inlifebecomeanexcuseforrefusingtheunique, productive, invading move God directs you to take. Many times theattempt to maintain balance is really just an excuse for remaining lukewarm.ThreetimestheLordsaidtoJoshua,“Bestrongandcourageous”(Josh.1:6,7,9).IbelieveHeissayingthattoeachoneofustoday.

Whenyouchoose to liveon theoffensive, theatmosphereofyour lifewillbegin to change. If you don’t like the tone of your life, choose to take theoffensive position and watch what happens. “Taking the offensive” starts bymakinganinwarddecisionthatinspiresanoutwardaction.

Whenyouchoosetoactontheoffensive,keepallyourconflictsimpersonal.Fight the issue, not theperson.Speak aboutwhatGodwithinyou cando, notaboutwhat others are incapable of doing.Youwill find thatwhen all of yourreasonsaredefensive,yourcausewillalmostneversucceed.Abasketballteam

thatnevertakesashotneverwinsagame.

Thinkingon theoffensive and taking the initiative are themaster keys thatopendoorsofopportunityinyourlife.Createahabitoftakingtheinitiativeandneverstartyourdayinneutral.Everymorningwhenyourfeethitthefloor,thinkontheoffensive,moveforward,andtakecontrolofyourdayandofyourlife.

Pulling back and thinking defensively usually enhances a problem.Intimidation alwaysprecedesdefeat. If you aren’t surewhichway to go, prayandmovetowardthesituationinfaith.

Be like the two fishermen trapped in a storm in themiddle of a lake.Oneturned to the other and asked, “Shouldwe pray or shouldwe row?”Hiswisecompanionresponded,“Let’sdoboth!”

That’stakingtheoffensive!

I’dliketoaskyouanimportantquestion:IsGodfinishedwithyou?

ItmayfeellikeHe’sgivenuponyouorthatHecouldneveruseyoulikeyouoncethoughtHecould.Butthere’ssomethingdeepinsideofyouthatsays,“Godhasputmetogetheracertainway,onpurposeforapurpose.”

Forgotten or neglected inmany people’s lives are the giftsGod has placedwithin them. It’s amazinghowpeoplecandevote their entire lives to fieldsofendeavoror toprofessions thathavenothing todowith their inborn talents. Infact,manyspendtheirlifetimestryingtochangewhoGodhasmadethem.Theyignore their God-given composition while constantly seeking to change theirnaturalmakeup. Instead, each of us should recognize our innate gifts, talents,andstrengthsanddoeverythinginourpowertobuildonthem.

One of the most important facts you can discover about God’s gifts andcallinginyourlifeisthattheyarepermanentandenduring.Romans11tellsusthat “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (v. 29 KJV). TheGreekword translated“repentance” in thisverse literallymeans“irrevocable.”Reallygrabaholdofthis.Letitfullysinkin.

Incredibly,GoddoesnottakeawaythegiftsandcallingHe’sgivenyou.Evenif you’veneverdone anythingwith them, even if you’ve failed time and time

again,God’sgifts and calling are still residentwithinyou.They are there thisveryday.Simplychoosetodosomethingwiththem,beginningrightnow.

Gifts and talentsare reallyGod’sdeposits inourpersonalaccounts,butwedeterminetheinterestonthem.Thegreatertheamountofinterestandattentionwegivetothem,thegreatertheirvaluebecomes.God’sgiftsarenotloans;theyare always deposits.As such, they are never used up or depleted. In fact, themoretheyareused,thegreater,stronger,andmorevaluabletheybecome.Whenthey are put to good use, they provide information, insight, and results thatcannotbeaccomplished inanyotherwayor fromanyothersource.TheBibletells us this encouraging news, “God has given each of us the ability to docertainthingswell”(Rom.12:6TLB).

Each of us should make full use of all the gifts and talents that God hasbestowed upon us so that we do not abound in one area while becomingbankruptinanother.Thereisasaying,“Iftheonlytoolyouhaveisahammer,youtendtotreateverythinglikeanail.”Don’tmakethatmistake;useallofthegiftsGodhasgivenyou.

Neverunderestimatethepurposeofthegiftswithinyou.Giftsandtalentsaregiventousnotonlysothatwecanfulfilltothefullestthecallinourownlives,butalsosothatwecanaffectthesoulswhoareattachedtothosegifts.Therearepeoplewhose lives arewaiting to be affected bywhatGod has placedwithinyou. So evaluate yourself.Define and refine your gifts, talents, and strengths.Choose today to lookforopportunities toexerciseyourunique,God-endowed,God-ordainedgiftsandcalling.

Persistentpeoplebegintheirsuccesswheremostothersquit.Here’sasimplekeytosuccessinanyareaofyourlife:beknownasapersonofpersistenceandendurance. One person with commitment, persistence, and endurance willaccomplishmore thana thousandpeoplewith interestalone.“Therefore, sincewearesurroundedbysuchagreatcloudofwitnesses,letusthrowoffeverythingthathindersandthesinthatsoeasilyentangles.Andletusrunwithperseverancetheracemarkedoutforus”(Heb.12:1).Themorediligentlywework,theharderitistoquit.Persistenceisahabit—soisquitting.

Neverworry about howmuchmoney, ability, or equipment you startwith;justbeginwithamillion-dollars’worthofdetermination.Rememberthis:it’snotwhat you have, it’s what you do with what you have that makes all thedifference.Manypeopleeagerlybegin“thegoodfightoffaith,”buttheyforgetto add patience, persistence, and endurance to their enthusiasm. Josh Billingssaid,“Considerthepostagestamp.Itsusefulnessconsistsoftheabilitytosticktosomethinguntilitgetsthere.”Wecanlearnalotfromthatlittleolestamp.

In1CorinthianstheapostlePaulwrote,“Therefore,mybelovedbrethren,besteadfast, immovable,alwaysaboundingintheworkoftheLord,knowingthat

yourlaborisnotinvainintheLord”(15:58NKJV).Petertellsus,“Therefore,beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him inpeace, without spot and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14NKJV). Andwise Solomonpoints out, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand beforekings”(Prov.22:29KJV).

FarEasternersplantatreecalledtheChineseBamboo.Duringthefirstfouryears,theywaterandfertilizetheplantwithseeminglylittleornoresults.Thenthefifthyear,theyagainapplywaterandfertilizer—andinfiveweeks’timethetreegrowsninetyfeetinheight!Thisbegsthequestion,didtheChineseBambootreegrowninetyfeetinfiveweeksorfiveyears?Theansweris,itgrewninetyfeetinfiveyears.Ifatanytimeduringthosefiveyearsthepeoplehadstoppedwateringandfertilizingthetree,itwouldhavedied.

Manytimesourdreamsandplansappeartobefaltering.Wearetemptedtogiveupandquittrying.Instead,let’scontinuetowaterandfertilizethosedreamsandplans,nurturingtheseedsofthevisionGodhasplacedwithinus.Weknowthat ifwedonotquit, ifwedisplayperseveranceandendurance,wewill alsoreapaharvest(Gal.6:9).CharlesHaddonSpurgeonsaid,“Byperseverancethesnailreachedtheark.”Let’sbelikethatsnail.

Herearesomeimportantquestionsweshouldaskourselves:

1.WhatonedecisionwouldImakeifIknewitwouldnotfail?

2.WhatonethingshouldIeliminatefrommylifebecauseitholdsmebackfromreachingmyfullpotential?

3.AmIonthepathofsomethingabsolutelymarvelous,orsomethingabsolutelymediocre?

4.IfeveryoneintheUnitedStatesofAmericawereonmylevelofspirituality,wouldtherebearevivalintheland?

5.IfI’mungratefulforwhatIhave,howcanIbehappierwithmore?

6.DoesthedevilknowwhoIam?

7.Hasfailuregonetomyhead?

8.AmIrunningfromsomething,ortosomething?

9.WhatcanIdotomakebetteruseofmytime?

10.WouldIrecognizeJesusifImetHimonthestreet?

11.WhodoIneedtoforgive?

12.WhatismyfavoriteScriptureformyfamily,mycareer,andformyself?

13.WhatimpossiblethingamIbelievingandplanningfor?

14.Whatismymostprevailingthought?

15.WhatgoodthinghaveIcommittedtodothatIhavequitdoing?

16.HowhavethepeopleIrespectearnedthatrespect?

17.AmIknownforthepromisesIdon’tkeep?

18.Whatwouldatrulycreativepersondoinmysituation?

19.Whatoutsideinfluencesarecausingmetobebetterorworse?

20.Howoldismyattitude?

21.Doesmyreachexceedmygrasp?

22.AmIbecomingordinary?

23.InwhatareasdoIneedpersonaldevelopment?

24.Whatgifts,talents,orstrengthsdoIhave?

25.WhatisonethingIcandoforsomeonewhohasnoopportunitytorepayme?

Allgreatachieversunderstandthevalueofcontrollingtheirtime.Theyknowthatwehumanbeingshavebeencreatedequalinthisrespect:everyoneofusisprivilegedwithtwenty-fourhoursaday.Whatwedowitheachdaymatters.

Give your best time to yourmost challenging situation. It’s not howmuchyoudothatmatters;it’showmuchyoufinish.Here’sakey:Sayno.Sayingyeswhenyoushouldsaynoisoneofthebiggestreasonsforwastingtime.Oneofthemostvaluablesayingsevercoinedwas,“Don’tspendadollar’sworthoftimeforten-cents’worthofresults.”

Make sure to take care of the twomost vulnerable times in your day—thefirst thing in themorning and the last thing at night. It’s amazing howmuchthese two times influence thewhole day.Be sure to fill themwith productivewordsandactions.

If you are saying, “I could be doing big things if Iweren’t so busy doingsmall things,” then you need to take control of your time.The greater controlyou exercise over your time, the greater freedom youwill experience.Mosesprayed, “So teach us to number our days, that wemay apply our hearts untowisdom”(Ps.90:12KJV).TheBibleteachesusthatthedevilcomestosteal,tokill,andtodestroy(John10:10),andthisverseappliestotimeaswellastootherareasofourlives.Theenemydesirestooverflowuswithideas,worries,people,pleasures,andmisdirectionsthat“kill,steal,anddestroy”valuabletime.

Ioftenhearpeoplesay,“I’dgiveanythingtobeableto…”Ifyouhavesaidthis,youshouldadoptthe“6x1=6”leadershipprinciple.Ifyouwanttowriteabook, learn to play a musical instrument, become a better tennis player, oranythingelsethat’simportanttoyou,thendevotetoitonehouraday,sixdaysaweek. Sooner than you think, your desire will become reality. You canaccomplishmanythingsin312hoursayear!Justacommitmentofonehouraday,sixdaysaweekisallittakes.

We all have the same amount of time each day. The difference betweenpeopleisdeterminedbywhattheydowiththeamountoftimeattheirdisposal.Don’tbeliketheairlinepilotflyingoverthePacificOceanwhoreportedtohispassengers,“We’relost,butwe’remakinggreattime!”Rememberthatthefuturearrivesanhouratatime.Gaincontrolofyourtime,andyouwillgaincontrolofyourlife.

TheNinthCommandment canbe summarized inone statement: “Youmustnotlie”(Ex.20:16TLB).EachChristianshouldbeapersonofunquestionableintegrity.Grayisneverright.

Hopebuilt on a lie is always thebeginningof loss.Never attempt tobuildanythingonafoundationofliesandhalf-truths.Itwillnotstand.NeverexpectGodtoblessalie.

Ithasbeensaidthatitshouldbeeasytomakeanhonestlivingbecausethereis so little competition. Only a person with honesty and integrity can beaccuratelymotivated or directed. Lyingwill always distort your ability to seeGod’sguidanceinyourlife.Itwillcauseyoutotakestepsthatarenotrightforyou.Lyingwillcostyoumoreinthelongtermthanitwillsaveyouintheshortterm.

Lyingeasilybecomesahabit.Apersonwholiesoncewilllieagainwithlesseffort.Lyingisatrap.Noonehasagood-enoughmemorytobeasuccessfulliar.T.L.Osbornsaid,“Alwaystellthetruth,andyouneverhavetorememberwhatyousaid.”

InProverbswe read, “Lying lips areanabomination to theLord,but thosewhodealtruthfullyarehisdelight”(12:22NKJV)and“Afalsewitnesswillnotgounpunished,andhewhospeaksliesshallperish”(19:9NKJV).

InColossianstheapostlePauladmonishesus:

Donotlietooneanother,sinceyouhaveputofftheoldmanwithhisdeeds, and have put on the newmanwho is renewed in knowledgeaccordingtotheimageofHimwhocreatedhim.(3:9-10NKJV)

TheBiblementionssevenresultsoflying.Ifyoulie:

1. Youwillattractliarsintoyourlife(Prov.17:4).

2. Youwilllackunderstanding(Ps.119:104).

3. Youwillneverenjoypermanentresults(Prov.12:19;21:28).

4. Youwillendupinbondage(Gal.2:4).

5. Youwillbepunished(Prov.19:5).

6. Youwillbecomeafool(Prov.10:18).

7. Yourlieswillcomebackuponyou(Ps.7:14-16).

Little white lies grow to be big black lies. Determine to be free from thebondage of breaking the Ninth Commandment; determine to always tell thetruth.

Indecision isdeadly.Someof themostmiserablepeopleare thosewhocannevermakeadecision.Whenthemindisindoubt,itiseasilyswayedbyslightimpulses, opening the door to many wrong decisions.Many times indecisioncauses things togo frombad toworse.Themiddleof the road is adangerousplacetobe.

Webelieversshouldbethemostdecisiveofallpeople.Leadersshouldhavewills,notwishes.TheBiblesays,“Adoublemindedmanisunstable inallhisways” (James 1:8KJV). An indecisive person allows instability to creep intoeveryareaof life. Ifwedon’tdecidewhat is important tous,wewilldoonlywhat is important to others. A greater degree of wishful thinking leads to agreater degree of mediocrity. Being decisive, being focused, and committingourselves to the fulfillment of a dream greatly increases our probability ofsuccesswhileclosingthedoortowrongoptions.

Our challenge? To be decisive dreamers. Harry Truman once said, “Somequestionscannotbeanswered,buttheycanbedecided.”Evenwhenwedonothave all the facts available, we usually have all the facts needed to make adecision.TheBiblesays to let thepeaceofGodrule inourhearts (Col.3:15).TheAmplifiedversiontellsustoletthepeacethatcomesfromChristactasan

umpire in our hearts.God’s peace can say “safe” to an idea or say “out” to arelationship.

If you are neutral on spiritual matters, eventually you’ll find yourselfoperatingagainstheaven.ThankGodweserveadecisiveLord.HehasgivenusHispeaceandHisWordsothatwecanmakewisedecisions.WeshouldnotbethekindofpeoplewhoclaimthatGodhastoldusonethingthisweekandtheveryoppositenextweek.Goddoesnotchangeinsuchquickdegrees,nordoesHe ever direct anyone to act contrary to the good sense and sound judgmentshowninHisWord.

Godwantsustobedecisive.AsHischildren,weshouldbelikeourheavenlyFather,withwhomthereis“novariableness,neithershadowofturning”(James1:17KJV).We should be people of deep conviction. If the devil controls ourwill,hecontrolsourdestiny.ButifGodcontrolsourwill,thenHecontrolsourdestiny.

The choice is ours. Let’s be decisive. Don’t be a person who says, “Mydecisionismaybe,andthat’sfinal.”

Getridofany“loser’slimp”you’restillwalkingaroundwith!AsfollowersofJesusChrist,youandIneedtobreakthepowerofthepastwhichdominatesourpresentandinfluencesourfuture.

Jesussaid,“Noone,havingputhishandtotheplow,andlookingback,isfitforthekingdomofGod”(Luke9:62NKJV).Ifwearenotcareful,wewillallowthe past to hold us. Themorewe look backward, the lesswe are able to seeforward.ThepastdoesnotdeterminewhatGodcandoforustodayortomorrow.

That is thebeautyof theChristian life.Evenwhenwe fail,wecanask forforgiveness and be totally cleansed of and released from our past actions.Whateverthepastholdsagainstyoucanbebroken.ItisneverGodwhoholdsusback.Weholdourselvesbackbyallowingthepasttokeepusfromlivingtothefullest in thepresentand future.Failure iswaitingaround thecorner for thosewholiveoffofyesterday’ssuccessesandfailures.Choosetobeforwardfocused,notpastpossessed.Learntoprofitfromthepastwhileinvestinginthefuture.

TheapostlePaulwrote:

Brethren,Icountnotmyselftohaveapprehended:butthisonethingIdo, forgetting those thingswhicharebehind,andreachingforthuntothosethingswhicharebefore,

I press toward themark for the prize of the high calling of God inChristJesus.(Phil.3:13-14KJV)

Thekeyhereis“forgettingthosethingswhicharebehind”inordertoreachfor“thehighcallingofGodinChristJesus.”TofulfillyourcallinginChrist,youmust first forget past failures andmistakes. Today is the day to shake off theshacklesofthepastandtomoveforward.

Thepastispast.

Procrastinationisakiller.

When you kill time, you begin to kill ideas and directionsGod has placedwithinyou.TheLivingBible’sversionofEcclesiastes11:4says,“Ifyouwaitforperfectconditions,youwillnevergetanythingdone.”

Thefirststeptoovercomingprocrastinationistoeliminateallexcusesfornottakingimmediateaction.

Thesecondstepistobelessbusy!Everyoneisalwaysonthemove.Peoplearemovingforward,backward,andsometimesnowhereatallasthoughtheyareonatreadmill.Themistakemostpeoplemakeisthinkingthatthemaingoaloflifeistostaybusy.Suchthinkingisatrap.Whatisimportantisnotwhetheryouarebusy,butwhetheryouareprogressing.Thequestionisoneofactivityversusaccomplishment.

A gentleman named John Henry Fabre conducted an experiment withprocessionary caterpillars, so named for their habit of blindly following eachother.Inhisexperiment,Fabreplacedthesetinycreaturesinacircle.Fortwenty-fourhoursthecaterpillarsdutifullyfollowedoneanotheraroundandaroundandaround.Then,Fabreplacedthecaterpillarsaroundasaucerfullofpineneedles(their favorite food). For six days, the mindless creatures moved around andaroundthesaucer,finallydyingfromstarvationandexhaustioneventhoughanabundanceofchoicefoodwaslocatedlessthantwoinchesaway.

Foralltheiractivity,thecaterpillarsaccomplishednothing.

ChristiansneedtobeknownasthosewhoaccomplishgreatthingsforGod—

not as thosewho simply talk about it. Procrastinators are good at talking, notdoing.MarkTwainsaid,“Noiseproducesnothing.Oftenahenwhohasmerelylaidaneggcacklesasthoughshehaslaidanasteroid.”

Let’sbe like theapostles.Still today, theyarenotknown for theirpolicies,procedures, theories, or excuses, but for theiracts.Many people say they arewaitingforGod,butinmostcasesGodiswaitingforthem.Thecostofgrowthis always less than the cost of stagnation.As EdmundBurke said, “The onlythingnecessaryforthetriumphofevilisforgoodmentodonothing.”

Occasionallyyoumaynoticesomeonewhodoesn’tdoanything,yetseemstohave somesuccess in life.Don’tbedeceived; thingsarenever as theyappear.Remember the old saying, “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.” AsChristianswearecalledtomakeprogress—notexcuses.

Procrastination is a tool of the devil to hold us back and tomake usmissGod’s timing inour lives.“Thedesireof the lazymankillshim,forhishandsrefuse to labor” (Prov. 21:25 NKJV). The longer we take to act on God’sdirection,themoreunclearitbecomes.Sotakeaction…now.

Fear is a poor chisel for carving out tomorrow. If you’re worried abouttomorrow, I have good news for you:Worry isn’t reality!Worry is really thetriumphoffearoverfaith.

There is a story about a woman who cried profusely while standing on astreetcorner.Amancameuptoherandaskedwhyshewasweeping.Theladyshookherheadandreplied,“IwasjustthinkingthatmaybesomedayIwouldgetmarried.Wewouldlaterhaveabeautifulbabygirl.ThenonedaythischildandIwouldgoforawalkalong thisstreet,andmydarlingdaughterwouldrun intothestreet,gethitbyacar,anddie.”

It sounds like a pretty ridiculous situation—weeping because of somethingthatwillprobablyneverhappen.Yetweactthiswaywhenweworry.Weblowasituationoutofproportionthatmightnevercometopass.

An old Swedish proverb says: “Worry gives a small thing a big shadow.”Worry is simply themisuseof thecreative imaginationGodhasplacedwithinus. The word “worry” is derived from an Anglo-Saxon term meaning “tostrangle”or“tochokeoff.”There isnoquestionthatworryandfearchokeoffthepositivecreativityGodgivesus.

Whenfearrisesinourminds,weshouldexpecttheoppositeinourlives.We

shouldexpectfaithtoriseinourheartstoshieldusagainstworrisomethoughts.

Things are seldom as they seem. “Skimmilkmasquerades as cream,” saidW.S.Gilbert.Aswedwellonmattersbeyondourcontrol,anegativeeffectsetsin.Toomuchanalysisalwaysleadstoparalysis.

TheBiblesays,“CastyourburdenontheLord,andHeshallsustainyou;Heshallneverpermittherighteoustobemoved”(Ps.55:22NKJV).Neverrespondoutoffear,andneverfeartorespond.Actionattacksfear;inactionreinforcesit.

Don’tworry and don’t fear. Instead, take your fear andworry to theLord,“casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NKJV).Worryisaroutethatleadsfromsomewheretonowhere.Neverletitdirectyourlife.

Whatwesayisimportant.TheBiblesaysthat“outoftheabundanceoftheheart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34 NKJV). We need to change ourvocabulary;weneedtospeakwordsoflifeandlight.OurtalkshouldalwayslineupwiththeWordofGod.

We Christians should be known as those who speak positively; those whospeaktheWordofGodintosituations;thosewhospeakforthwordsoflife.

Weshouldn’tbelikethemanwhojoinedamonasterywherethemonkswereallowedtospeakonlytwowordseverysevenyears.Afterthefirstsevenyearshadpassed, themanmetwith theabbot,whoaskedhim,“Well,whatareyourtwowords?”

“Food’sbad,”repliedtheman.

Sevenyearslatertheclergymanasked,“Whatareyourtwowordsnow?”

“Bed’shard,”themanresponded.

Sevenyearslater—twenty-oneyearsafterheenteredthemonastery—themanmetwiththeabbotfor thethirdandfinal time.“Andwhatareyourtwowordsthistime?”theabbotasked.

“Iquit.”

“Well,I’mnotsurprised,”theclericanswereddisgustedly.“Allyou’vedonesinceyougothereiscomplain!”

Don’t be like thatman; don’t be known as a personwhose onlywords arenegative.

Ifyouareamemberofthe“murmuringgrapevine,”youneedtoresign.OurLord instructedHis disciples, “Do notmurmur among yourselves” (John 6:43NKJV).TheapostlePaulexhortedthebelieversofhisday:

Doallthingswithoutcomplaininganddisputing,thatyoumaybecomeblamelessandharmless,childrenofGodwithoutfaultinthemidstofacrookedandperversegeneration,amongwhomyoushineaslightsintheworld.(Phil.2:14-15NKJV)

Contrary towhat youmay have heard, talk is not cheap.Talk is powerful!Whatwesayaffectswhatwegetfromothersandwhatothersgetfromus.Whenwespeakwrongly,wediminishourabilitytoseeandhearthewillofGod.

Wemakedecisionseveryday.Wearedailyconfrontedwithoptionswherewemustchooseoneortheother;wecannothaveboth.Theseoptionsmayinclude:

Growingbetterversusbitter

Decisivenessversusindifference

Enthusiasmversuslukewarmness

Saying“howIcan”versus“ifIcan”

Saying“getup”versus“giveup”

God-ledriskversusman-madesecurity

Overcomingevilversustoleratingevil

Standingoutversusblendingin

HowmuchIgetdoneversushowmuchIattempttodo

Developmentversusstagnation

Obtainingversuscomplaining

Peaceversusstrife

Choiceversuschance

Determinationversusdiscouragement

Growthversusdeath

Demandingmoreofourselvesversusexcusingourselves

Doingforothersversusdoingforourselves

Opposingdarknessversuscoexistingwithdarkness

Progressingversusdrifting

Prioritiesversusaimlessness

Committingversustrying

Accountabilityversusirresponsibility

Actionversusactivity

Solutionsversusproblems

MoreofGodversusmoreofeverythingelse

SelectedtobeinWho’sWhoversusasking,“Whyme?”

I believe when God sees someone who doesn’t quit, He says, “There’ssomeoneIcanuse.”Sodon’tgiveup!

InGalatians6:9wearetold,“Letusnotbecomewearyindoinggood,foratthepropertimewewillreapaharvestifwedonotgiveup.”

Goddoes not quit. It’s impossible forHim to do so. InPhilippians 1:6 theapostle Paul wrote about “being confident of this, that he who began a goodworkinyouwillcarryitontocompletionuntilthedayofChristJesus.”Thereareseveralimportantpointsinthisverse.Themostcrucial isthefactthatGoddoesn’tquit.Therefore,wecanhavegreatconfidencethatHewillcompletethegoodworkHehasbeguninus.Hewillseeusthrougheverystepuntilwereachourultimatedestination.

OneofthebestscripturalexamplesofapersonwhodidnotquitisJoseph.Hehadmanyreasonstojustifygivingup.Whenhewastrappedinthepitwherehisjealousbrothershadthrownhim,I’msurehesaidtohimself,“Thisisn’tthewayIdreamedmylifewouldworkout!”Later,hehadanenormousopportunity tobecome discouraged and quitwhen hewas thrown into prison for a crime hedidn’tcommit.Againhecouldhavesaidtohimself,“Thisisnotright!I’mnotsupposedtobehere.”AlthoughJosephdidnotunderstandthestepstheLordledhimthrough,heremainedtruetohisGod.Despitethetrialshefaced,hedidnotquit.Eventually thedreamthatGodhadgivenhimbecamereality.Josephwas

elevatedfromaprisonertoaprimeministerinoneday!

Itisn’talwayseasy,butthere’snogreaterlifethanthatoffollowingtheWordand thewill of God.Most people quit when they’re on the verge of success,often when fulfillment is at their fingertips. There is only one degree ofdifferencebetweenhotwaterandsteam.Onlyyoucandecidenottolose.

Luke18recordsthestoryJesustoldaboutthepersistentwidow.Verse1says,“Jesustoldhisdisciplesaparabletoshowthemtheyshouldalwaysprayandnotgiveup.”ThepsalmistDavidtellsus,“CommityourwaytotheLord,trustalsoinHim,andHeshallbringittopass”(Ps.37:5NKJV).

Theonlywaywecanloseistoquit.QuittingisadecisionwemakethatcankeepusfromreachingGod’sgoalsinourlives.

InHabakkuktheLordtells theprophet,“Writethevisionandmakeitplainontablets,thathemayrunwhoreadsit”(2:2NKJV).ThisScripturerevealsthekeytosuccessfulgoalsetting.

The visionmust bewritten.When you keep a vision in yourmind, it isn’treally a goal; it is nothingmore than a dream. There is power in putting thatdream on paper. When you commit something to writing, commitment toachievementnaturallyfollows.

GodwroteHisvisionforusintheformoftheBible.Hedoesn’trelyonlyontheHolySpirittoguideus;HeputHisdirectionsinwriting.Whenthevisioniswrittendownclearly,“hemayrunwhoreadsit.”

Thekeywordis“run.”Goddesiresthatwerunwiththevisionforourlives.Aslongaswe’rerunningwiththevision,wewon’tturnaround.Whenwewalkwith a vision, it’s easy to change directions and go thewrongway.We can’tstrolltoagoal.

InProverbs24weread:“Anyenterpriseisbuiltbywiseplanning,becomesstrongthroughcommonsense,andprofitswonderfullybykeepingabreastofthefacts” (vv. 3-4 TLB). Simply stated, effective goal setting provides anopportunity to bring the future to the present. That way, you can run with ittoday. You will find that achievement is easy when your outer goals becomeinnercommitments.

EventhoughwehavetheHolySpirit,westillneedtoprepare;Hejustmakes

usbetterequippedtodoso.Goddoesn’tdesireforustobedisorderlyortowastefunds.That’swhyproperplanningissoimportant.Planforpotential.BelieveforGod’s biggest dream.When you plan, look to the future, not to the past.Youcan’teffectivelydriveforwardwhenyou’relookingouttherearwindow.

Always involveyourselfwith somethingbigger thanyouarebecause that’swhereGodis.Atitsbeginning,everygreatsuccessseemedimpossible.

We all have opportunity for success. Having a bad life requires as muchenergy as having a good life, yetmost people livemeaningless lives becausethey never decide to write down their vision and then follow through. If youcannotseethemark,youcannotpresstowardit.

“Ponder the path of your feet, and let all yourways be established” (Prov.4:26 NKJV). You will find that what you learn on the path to your goals isactually more valuable than achieving the goal itself. Columbus discoveredAmerica while searching for a route to India. Be on the lookout for the“Americas” inyourpath.PutGod’svision foryour lifeonpaperandbegin torunwithHisplan.

Christiansshouldbethehappiest,mostenthusiasticpeopleonearth.Infact,the word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek word entheous, which means“Godwithin”or“fullofGod.”

Smiling—proofthatyouarehappyandenthusiastic—isalwaysachoice,nota result. It is a decision youmust consciouslymake. Enthusiasm and joy andhappinesswillimproveyourpersonalityandpeople’sopinionofyou.Itwillhelpyoukeepaproperperspectiveonlife.HelenKellersaid,“Keepyourfacetothesunshine,andyoucannotseetheshadow.”

The bigger the challenge you’re facing, the more enthusiasm you need.Philippians2:5says,“YourattitudeshouldbethesameasthatofChristJesus.”Ibelieve thatJesuswasamanwhohadasmileonHisfaceandaspring inHisstep.

Ourattitudealwaystellsotherswhatweexpectinreturn.

Asmile isapowerfulweapon. Itcanbreak the ice in toughsituations.Youwill find that being enthusiastic is like having a head cold; both are verycontagious. A laugh a day will keep negative people away. As enthusiasmincreases,stressandfeardecrease.TheBiblesaysthatthejoyoftheLordisourstrength(Neh.8:10).

Manypeople say, “Well, nowonder thosepeople arehappy, confident, andpositive; if I had their job and assets, I would be happy too!” Such thinkingfalsely assumes that successful people are positive because they have a good

income and lots of possessions.But the reverse is true. Such people probablyhave a good income and lots of possessions as a result of being positive,confident,andhappy.

Enthusiasmalways inspires action.No significant accomplishmenthas everbeenmadewithout enthusiasm. In John15:10-11wehave apromise from theLordthatsays,“Ifyoukeepmycommands,youwillremaininmylove,justasIhavekeptmyFather’scommandsandremaininhislove.Ihavetoldyouthissothatmyjoymaybeinyouandthatyourjoymaybecomplete.”

TheLord’sjoyandloveareyours—sosmile!

Quitting, giving up, failing, and even judging—all of these begin with anexcuse.Neverallowanobstacleinyourlifetobecomeanalibi.“You,therefore,havenoexcuse,youwhopassjudgmentonsomeoneelse,foratwhateverpointyou judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who passjudgmentdothesamethings”(Rom.2:1).WeChristiansshouldbepeoplewhomakeprogress,notexcuses.

TherehavealwaysbeenpeoplewhohavemadeupexcusestotheLord.Someknewtheiralibisweren’ttrue,whileothersactuallybelievedtheirownexcuses.

Jesus told a parable of the great end-time banquet and themenwhowereinvitedtotheLord’sTable:

But theyallalikebegan tomakeexcuses.Thefirstsaid,“Ihave justboughtafield,andImustgoandseeit.Pleaseexcuseme.”

Another said, “Ihave justbought fiveyokeofoxen, and I’monmywaytotrythemout.Pleaseexcuseme.”

Stillanothersaid,“I justgotmarried,soIcan’tcome.”(Luke14:18-20)

Thesemenmadeexcusesandmissedoutonsalvation.AllofthemmadethemistakeofbelievingtheiralibisratherthanGod.

MosesandGideonmadeexcusesto theLord,yet theyrecognizedthat theirexcuseswerenotthetruth.WhentheLordsentMosestoPharaoh,Mosessaid:

OLord,Ihaveneverbeeneloquent,neitherinthepastnorsinceyou

havespokentoyourservant.Iamslowofspeechandtongue.

TheLord said to him, ‘Who gaveman hismouth?Whomakes himdeaformute?Whogiveshimsightormakeshimblind?IsitnotI,theLord?Nowgo;Iwillhelpyouspeakandwillteachyouwhattosay.’(Ex.4:10-12)

When the Lord asked Gideon to save Israel from her invaders, Gideonargued:

ButLord…howcanIsaveIsrael?MyclanistheweakestinManasseh,andIamtheleastinmyfamily.

TheLordanswered,‘Iwillbewithyou,andyouwillstrikedownalltheMidianitestogether.’(Judg.6:15-16)

Donothidebehindanexcuse.Jesussaid,“IfIhadnotcomeandspokentothem, theywouldnotbeguiltyofsin.Now,however, theyhavenoexcuse fortheir sin” (John 15:22). An alibi will always keep you from completing theassignmentGodhasforyou.

Recognizeanexcuseforwhatitis—alie.

Thetwomostcommontimespeoplequitisafteradefeatandafteravictory.Ifyourecognizethisfact,youwillstoplessandgofarther.

Robert Schuller says, “Don’t cash in; cast into deeperwater.”Do not stopafter a success; keep the forward momentum. Don’t stop after a failure; dustyourselfoff,learnthelesson,andstartupagain.

Oneofthegreatprizesofvictoryistheopportunitytodomore.Thetroubleisthat small doses of success have often inoculated us from catching the bigvictory.

Picturealargeboulderatthetopofahill.Thisboulderrepresentsourlives.Ifwerocktheboulderbackandforthandgetitmoving,itsmomentumwillmakeitalmostunstoppable.Thesameistrueforus.

TheBiblepromisesusGod’sdivineunstoppablemomentum.Italwaysresultsingrowth.

Fivewaystokeepdivinemomentuminyourlifeare:

Befruitful(2Cor.9:10)

Speakthetruth(Eph.4:15)

Bespirituallymature(Heb.6:1)

CravetheWordofGod(1Peter2:2)

GrowinthegraceandknowledgeofJesus(2Peter3:18)

God’sdefinitionofspiritualmomentumisfoundinthisverse:

Forthisveryreason,makeeveryefforttoaddtoyourfaithgoodness;and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and toself-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and togodliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.For ifyoupossessthesequalities in increasingmeasure, theywillkeepyoufrom being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of ourLordJesusChrist.(2Peter1:5-8)

Here’s an easyway to remember this truth…let goofwhatevermakesyoustop.

Oneofthebiggestlieswebelieveisthatwearenotresponsibleforourownactions.Weblameourmothers,ouremployers,ourneighbors,thegovernment,orsociety.ButtheBibleclearlyindicateswhoisresponsibleandaccountableforourdeeds:“SotheneveryoneofusshallgiveaccountofhimselftoGod”(Rom.14:12KJV).

Wemay attempt to shift the blame to others, but there is no escaping thetruth:everytimewepointafingeratsomeoneelse, threefingerspointbackatus.

Throughoutmy career as a consultant, Imetmany businessmenwhowerelookingforanswers. Iwasamazed toseehowmanywereanxiouslysearchingfor help fromother peoplewhen they had everything they needed to succeed.Theywerewilling to giveup control of their vision to others in exchange formoneyorsimplybecausetheydidn’twant tobealone.It isn’talwayseasyforleaders tobeby themselves.Theirmistakewas in looking toothers insteadoflooking to God. The false sense of security they found in others led them tounbalancedrelationships;relationshipsthateventuallyresultedindestructionoftheirdreams.

God sends people across our paths to bless and help us, butwe should bedirectedbyGodandverycautiouswhenenteringintoanypartnership.Wemustbesurethatthereasonfortherelationshipisright,andsurethatwearen’tmerely

lookingforashortcut.

For every successful partnership, there are hundreds of disasters. Exercisegreatcautionwhenyouaffiliatewithsomeoneelse.InExodus,GodgaveMosessomegoodadvicethatisapplicabletoChristianstoday.Hesaid,“Becarefulnottomakea treatywith thosewho live in the landwhereyouaregoing,or theywillbeasnareamongyou”(Ex.34:12).

IbelievethatGodwantsustolearnmostthingsforourselvesbecausewhatwe learn forourselvesstayswithusdeeperand longer thananythingwe learnfrom others.Mark Twain wrote, “Aman who carries a cat by the tail learnssomethinghecanlearnnootherway.”

Faithislikeatoothbrush:Everyoneshouldhaveitanduseiteveryday,butwe shouldn’t use someone else’s. Decide for yourself. Learn for yourself.Answerforyourself.

How do you respond to failure? Failure doesn’t mean nothing has beenaccomplished; there is always the opportunity to learn something. AlwaysrememberthatGodisn’tsurprisedbyyourstumbles.Hislove,grace,mercy,andforgivenessarebiggerthananymessyoumake.

We all experience failure and make mistakes. In fact, successful peoplealways have more failure in their lives than average people do. Great peoplethroughouthistoryhaveallfailedatsomepointintheirlives.

Thosewhodon’t expect anythingare theoneswhoareneverdisappointed.Thosewhonevertry,neverfail.Anyonewhoiscurrentlyachievinganythinginlifeissimultaneouslyriskingfailure.

Itisalwaysbettertofailindoingsomethingthantoexcelatdoingnothing.Aflawed diamond is more valuable than a perfect brick. People who have nofailuresalsohavefewvictories.

You will get knocked down; it is how fast you get up that makes all thedifference. There is a positive correlation between spiritualmaturity and howquickly a person responds to failures and mistakes. Individuals who arespirituallymaturehaveagreaterabilitytogetupandgoonthanpeoplewhoarespirituallyimmature.Thelessmaturetheperson,thelongertheyholdontopastfailures.

Godneverseesanyofusasfailures;Heonlyseesusaslearners.Wefailonlywhenwedon’t learn from each experience.The decision is up to us—we can

choosetoturnafailureintoahitchingpostorintoaguidepostinourlives.

Here is the key to getting free from the stranglehold of past failures andmistakes: learn the lessonandforget thedetails.Gainfromtheexperience,butdo not roll theminute details of it over and over in yourmind. Build on theexperience,andmoveforwardinyourlife.

Rememberthatthecallishigherthanthefall.

Peoplewhosefaithrunsaheadoftheirmindsmakeallthegreatdiscoveries.Significantachievementshavebeenobtainedbytakinglargerisksonimportantissues,andnottheotherwayaround.Neverwastetimeplanning,analyzing,andrisking on small ideas. It’s smarter to spend more time on decisions that areirreversibleandtospendlesstimeonthosethatarereversible.

LearntostretchandreachouttowhereGodis.Aimhighandtakerisks.Theworld’sapproachistolooktonextyearbasedonlastyear.WeChristiansneedtoreachforthepotential,notbaseoursuccessonthepast.Thosewhomakegreatstridesarethosewhotakechancesandplantowardthechallengesoflife.

Don’t become so caught up in the small matters that you cannot takeadvantageofimportantopportunities.Mostpeoplespendtheirentireliveslettingdownbucketsintoemptywellsandthenwastetheirdaystryingtopullthemupagainandagain.

Choose to dream big, to strive to reach the full potential of your calling.Choosetomajorontheimportantissuesoflife,notontheunimportant.H.Sternsaid,“Ifyou’rehuntingrabbitsintigercountry,youmustkeepyoureyepeeledfortigers,butwhenyouarehuntingtigers,youcanignoretherabbits.”Thereareplenty of tigers to go around, so don’t be distracted by the rabbits of life. Setyoursightsonbiggergame.

Securityandopportunityaretotalstrangers.Ifanundertakingdoesn’tinclude

faith,itisn’tworthyofbeingcalledGod’sdirection.Directionandfaithgohandinhand.

Afamousoldsayinggoeslikethis:“Evenaturtledoesn’tgetaheadunlesshestickshisneckout.”DreambigbecauseyouserveabigGod.

Rising above mediocrity never just happens; it’s always a result of faithcombinedwithworks.

Faithwithoutworksis likegoldwithintheearth.It isofnovalueuntil it ismined.Apersonwhohasfaithbutnoactionsislikeabirdthathaswingsbutnofeet.TheBiblesays,“Faithbyitself,ifitdoesnothaveworks,isdead”(James2:17NKJV).

Biblicalprinciplesmultipliedbynothingequalnothing.

Let’sbepeoplewhoputourfaith intoaction.Oneindividualwithfaithandaction constitutes amajority.Don’twait foryour ship to come in; swim to it!ThomasEdisonsaiditbest:“Opportunityismissedbymostpeoplebecauseitisdressedinoverallsandlookslikework.”Truefaithhashandsandfeet;ittakesaction.Itisn’tenoughtoknowthatyouknow. It’smore important toshow thatyouknow.

Theword“work”appears564timesintheBible.Itisn’tanobscurebiblicalconcept.Whenfaithandworksoperatetogether,theresultisamasterpiece.Weshouldchoosetokeepourfaithworkingallthetime.GeorgeBernardShawsaid,“When I was young, I observed that nine out of every ten things I did werefailures.SoIdidtentimesmorework.”

When the founder of Holiday Inn, Kemmons Wilson, was asked how hebecamesuccessful,hereplied,“Ireallydon’tknowwhyI’mhere.Inevergotadegree,andI’veonlyworkedhalfdaysmyentirelife.Iguessmyadviceistodothesame,workhalfdayseveryday.Anditdoesn’tmatterwhichhalf.Thefirsttwelvehoursorthesecondtwelvehours.”

Tapintothepowerthatisproducedwhenfaithismixedwithaction,andthenwatchwhatGoddoesinyourlife.

SometimeagowhenIansweredthephone,thevoiceontheotherendsaid,“Bang!You’redead!” Ipaused. Ididn’tknowwhat to think!ThenIheard thefamiliarvoiceofJamesCampbell,aclientofmine,saying,“John,justcallingtoremindyou thatweneed todie toourselveseveryday.”Wow,whatawakeupcalltostarttheday!

Thisistrue:thereisalwaysroomatthetopforanyonewhoiswillingtosay,“I’llserve,”andmeansit.

Several years ago Iwas listening toZigZiglar. Inhis presentationhe said,“You’llalwayshaveeverythinginlifethatyouwantifyou’llhelpenoughotherpeoplegetwhattheywant.”WhenIheardthatstatement,somethingwentoffontheinsideofme.Imadeaconsciousdecisiontoincorporatethatconceptintomylifeeveryday.Ithasmadeatremendousdifference.

Selfishnessalwaysendsinself-destruction.JohnRuskinsaid,“Whenamaniswrappedupinhimself,hemakesaprettysmallpackage.”

Servingothersisn’talwaysthemostnaturalthingtodo.We’reallconditionedtothinkofourselvesfirst.That iswhy97percentofallpeoplewillwrite theirown nameswhen offered a newpen to try.Despite our tendency toward self-promotion,itisalwaystruethatmoreisaccomplishedwhennobodycareswhogetsthecredit.

Trueleadershipalwaysbeginswithservanthood.Bewillingtoservewithouttrying to reap thebenefits.Before looking for away toget, look for away to

give.

Nooneistrulyasuccessinlifeuntilheorshehaslearnedhowtoserve.Theold saying is true: “The way to the throne room is through the servants’quarters.”Oneofthemostpowerfuldecisionsyoucanmakeinyourlifeistodosomethingforsomeonewhodoesnothavethepowerorresourcestoreturnthefavor. Our Lord says, “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant”(Matt.23:11NKJV).AndagainHedeclares:“Whosoeverwillbegreatamongyou,lethimbeyourminister;andwhosoeverwillbechiefamongyou,lethimbeyourservant”(Matt.20:26-27KJV).

Whenyougiveofyourselftohelpothers,youcannothelpbutbeabundantlyrewarded. The rewards and blessings of service always extend far beyond thescopeofthislife’srewards.That’struewealth!

AnumberofyearsagoIfoundmyselfatastagnationpointinmylife.Iwasunproductiveandunable to seeGod’sdirectionclearly.Oneday Inoticed thatalmostallofmyfriendswereinthesamesituation.Whenwegottogether,ourproblemswereallwetalkedabout.AsIprayedaboutthismatter,GodshowedmethatIneeded“foundational-level”peopleinmylife.Suchpeoplebringoutthebestinusandinfluenceustobecomebetterpeople.Theycauseustohavegreater faith and confidence and to see things from God’s perspective. Afterbeingwiththem,ourspiritsandoursightsareraised.

Weneedtobecarefulofthekindofinsulationweuseinourlives.Weneedto insulate ourselves from negative people and ideas, but we should neverinsulateourselvesfromgodlycounselandwisdom.

Miserywantsyourcompany.InProverbsweread,“Amirrorreflectsaman’sface, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses”(27:19TLB).Proverbsalsotellsus,“Hewhowalkswithwisemenwillbewise;but thecompanionof foolswillbedestroyed”(13:20NKJV).Webecomelikethosewithwhomweassociate.

I’vefoundthat it isbetter tobealone than in thewrongcompany.Asingleconversationwiththerightpersoncanbemorevaluablethanyearsofstudy.

The Lord showedme that I needed to changemy closest associations andmeetwithsomeotherpeopleonaregularbasis.Theseweremenandwomenof

greatfaith,peoplewhomademeabetterpersonwhenIwasaroundthem.Theywere theoneswhosawthegifts inmeandcouldcorrectmeinaconstructive,lovingway.Mychoicetochangemyclosestassociationswasaturningpointinmylife.

Whenyousurroundyourselfwiththerightkindofpeople,youenterintotheGod-ordainedpowerofagreement:

Twocanaccomplishmore than twiceasmuchasone, for the resultscanbemuchbetter. Ifonefalls, theotherpullshimup;but ifamanfallswhenheisalone,he’sintrouble.Andonestandingalonecanbeattacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer;three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.(Eccl.4:9-10,12TLB)

Stay far away from negative-thinking “experts.”Remember: in the eyes ofaveragepeople,averageisalwaysconsideredoutstanding.Lookcarefullyattheclosestassociationsinyourlife;theyindicatethedirectionyou’reheading.

Themajority,manytimes,isagroupofhighlymotivatedsnails.Ifathousandpeople say something foolish, it is still foolish.Truth isneverdependentuponconsensusofopinion.

The Bible says of us Christians, “You are a chosen generation, a royalpriesthood, a holy nation,His own special people, that youmay proclaim thepraisesofHimwhocalledyououtofdarknessintoHismarvelouslight”(1Peter2:9NKJV).“Don’tcopythebehaviorandcustomsofthisworld,butbeanewanddifferentpersonwithafreshnewnessinallyoudoandthink.Thenyouwilllearn fromyourown experience howHiswayswill really satisfy you” (Rom.12:2TLB,italicsmine).

Oneofthegreatestcomplimentsanyonecansaytoyouis,“You’redifferent.”Christiansliveinthisworld,butwearealiens.We’redestinedforanotherplace;thisearthisnotourfinaldestination.Weshouldtalkdifferently,actdifferently,andperformdifferently.Weshouldstandout.

Thereshouldbesomethingdifferentaboutyou.Ifyoudonotstandoutinagroup, if thereisnotsomethinguniqueordifferent inyourlife,youshouldre-evaluateyourself.Takeacloselookatyourthoughts,conversations,andactions.

One way to stand head-and-shoulders above the crowd is to choose to doregular, ordinary things in an extraordinary and supernatural way—with greatenthusiasm.GoddoessomeofHisverybestworkthroughpeoplerightwhenthecircumstances appear to be stacked against them. In fact, God sided with theunderdogineverybattledescribedintheBible—theminority.

Majorityruleisn’talwaysright.Itisusuallythosewithoutdreamsorvisionsof their ownwhowant to take avoteoneverything.People ingroups tend toagreeoncoursesofactionthattheyasindividualsknowaren’tright.

Don’t be persuaded or dissuaded by group opinion. It doesn’t make anydifferencewhatanyoneelsebelieves;youmustbelieve.

Never take direction for your personal life from a crowd.Never choose toquitjustbecausesomebodydisagreeswithyou.Infact,thetwoworstthingsyoucansaytoyourselfwhenyougetanideaare:“That’sneverbeentriedbefore,soI can’t do it” and “That’s been tried before, so I can’t do it either!” Someoneelse’sfailureinacertainareadoesnotguaranteeyourfailure.

Beapioneerandstandout!Don’tbeafraidtogethitwithafewarrows!Bewhoyouareanddowhatyouknowyoushoulddo.

Stop constantly talking about the situationyou’re going through.Decide togetthroughit!Donotacceptyourcurrenttemporarysituationasyourpermanentcondition.Makeupyourmindtogetonwithyourlifeandtofulfillyourdivinepurposedespiteyourcurrentcircumstances.

Godwants each of us to come all theway throughwhatever situationsweface.Wearenottobemovedbywhatwesee,butbywhatwedonotsee.ThisiswhattheapostlePaulmeantwhenhewrotethatwewalkbyfaith,notbysight(2Cor.5:7).Todayisthedaytobegintowalkbyfaith—rightoutofyourpresentcircumstances.

Ifyou’vebeensaying,“I’mgoingthroughthissituation”foryears,youneedtochangeyourstory.Begintodeclare,“I’vehadenough!Nowis thetimeI’mgoingtogetthroughthismess!”

The Bible contains many promises that can deliver you today. If you willbelieveandappropriatethesepromises,youwillseeyourcircumstanceslineupwiththeWordandwillofGod—eventually,ifnotimmediately.

The devil tells us that we will never be victorious, that we will never getthroughwhatwearegoingthrough.ButtheBibletellsus:

No temptation has seized you exceptwhat is common toman.AndGod is faithful;hewillnot letyoube temptedbeyondwhatyoucan

bear.Butwhenyouaretempted,hewillalsoprovideawayoutsothatyoucanstandupunderit.(1Cor.10:13)

Youshouldtakeholdofthisverseanduseitasscripturalgroundstostandon.Godisfaithful.Hewillprovideawayoutforyou.Youcantakeyourstandoffaith and boldly proclaim, “I’m going to get through what I’ve been goingthrough!”Naturalcircumstancesmaystillremainunchanged,butbetweenGod’seffortsandyours,youcanknowthatyouaregoingthroughthatsituation!

Somepeoplestayinthesamehopelessplacetheirwholelives,nevermakinga firm decision to seek God and His power in order to get through thecircumstancestheyface.JustbecauseafruitoftheSpiritislongsufferingdoesn’tmeanwearerequiredtostayinamiserablesituationonesecondlongerthanisabsolutelynecessary.

Here’showwepositionourselvestobreakthrough:“Donotbeconformedtothisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind,thatyoumayprovewhat is that good and acceptable and perfectwill ofGod” (Rom. 12:2NKJV,italicsmine).

BetransformedbyrenewingyourmindwiththeWordofGod.ThenyouwillknowwhatisthegoodandperfectwilloftheLord,andyouwillbeabletogetthrough—onceandforall—whatyou’vebeengoingthroughforsolong.

Oneofthedevil’stricksisgettingustosayyestotoomanygoodthings.Weendupbeingspreadsothinthatwearemediocreineverythingandexcellentinnothing. The old saying is very true, “There is one guaranteed formula forfailure,andthatistotrytopleaseeveryone.”

Something that’s good and something that’s right aren’t always the samething. The challenge is to discern the difference. It may be good to be amissionary in Iraq, but it may not be right for you. Our responsibility asChristiansisalwaystodotherightthing.Thatmustcomefirst.Withexcellence,weshoulddothethingswe’recalledtodo—thethingsthatareright—beforeweconsideranythingelse.

Therecomesatimeineveryoneofourliveswhenwemustlearntosaynotomanygoodideas.Infact,themorewegrow,themoreopportunitieswewillhavetosayno.Onekeytoresultsisbecomingfocused.Nothingbringsfocuslikethewordno!Perhapsnootherkey togrowthand success is asoverlookedas thisone.Thetemptationisalwaystodoalittlebitofeverything.

Remember, saying no to a good idea doesn’t mean saying never.No maymeannotrightnow.

Thewordnohaspower.No isananointedword thatcanbreak theyokeofovercommitmentandweakness.Nocanbeusedtoturnasituationfrombadtogood,fromwrongtoright.Sayingnocanfreeyoufromburdensyoudon’treallyneedtocarryrightnow.NocanalsoallowyoutodevotethecorrectamountofattentionandefforttoGod’sprioritiesinyourlife.

Whenyoureadthetitleofthisnugget,pastexperiencesandpresentsituationsprobablycame tomind.Youprobably recalledmanysituations inwhichnoornotrightnowwouldhavebeentherightanswer.Don’tputyourselfthroughthatkindofstressinthefuture.Learnthepowerofno.

Yesandno are the twomost importantwordsyouwill ever say.These twowords determine your destiny. How and when you say them will affect yourentirefuture.

Sayingnotolesserthingsmeanssayingyestoprioritiesinyourlife.

DoyouknowthatthebestshortcutyoucanevertakeistodowhatGodsaysinHistiming?ShortcutsoutsidethewillofGodinvitecompromise,andcreatestrifeandconfusion.

We need to understand that we’re long-distance runners, not sprinters. Asmarathoners, we don’t need to look for shortcuts that open the door tocompromise.

Thisoldsayingisabsolutelytrue:“Ifyoukeepyourattentiononlearningthetricks of the trade, youwill never learn the trade.”Watch out for fads—evenspiritualones—becausethelettersin“fad”standfor“foraday.”

Thereisastoryaboutabeautifulbirdthatwasknownforitsgreatsinging.Itwouldsitatthetopofatreeandmakelovelymelodies.Oneday,amanwalkingthrough the woods passed by the tree and heard the beautiful bird. The birdnoticedthemanandthathewasholdingabox.

“Whatdoyouhaveinthebox?”thebirdaskedtheman.

Themanreplied thathehad large, juicyearthworms in thebox.“Iwillsellyouawormforoneofyourbeautifulfeathers,”heoffered.

Thebirdpulledout a feather andexchanged it for aworm.He reflected tohimself,“WhyshouldIworkhardtogetwormswhenitissoeasytogetthemthisway?”

Thebirdandthemanrepeatedthisprocessoverthecourseofmanydays,and

soon the bird no longer had any beautiful feathers to pay for worms.Furthermore, he could no longer fly, nor was he pretty. He didn’t feel likesingingbeautifulsongs,andhewasveryunhappy.

Likethisfoolishbird,wearesometimestemptedtolookforshortcuts,waysoutsideofGod’swill togetaheadandobtain the resultswedesire.Butas thefoolishbirdlearned,thereisapricefortakingshortcuts.

Eventuallywe learn that there is no shortcut to success.Oneof the hiddentruthsoflifeisthatthepathtotheprizeisalwaysmorevaluablethantheprizeitself.Shortcutsrobusofvaluablelessonsweneedtolearnalongtheway.

Whenyou’representedwithashortcut—away that isnotofGod—sayno.BepersistentandsticktothepathwheretheLordhasplacedyou.

Youarecustombuiltforchange.

Aninanimateobjectlikeanarticleofclothingdoesn’thavetheabilitytotrulychange;itgrowsoutofstyleandbecomesunusable.Butanyoneofusisabletochangeatanypointintime,atanyage.Changingdoesn’talwaysmeandoingtheopposite.Infact,mostofthetime,itmeansaddingtoorslightlyadjustingwhatalreadyexists.

WhentheLordcallsustochange,perhapswemaycontinuetoreachtowardthesamegoal,butinaslightlydifferentway.Whenwerefusetocooperatewiththe change God requires of us, we make chains of delay that constrain andrestrictus.

Herearethreethingsweknowaboutthefuture:First,itisn’tgoingtobelikethepast.Second, it isn’tgoingtobeexactlythewaywethinkit’sgoingtobe.Third, the rate of changewill take place faster than we anticipate. The Bibleindicatesthatintheendtimes—inwhichwearenowliving,Ibelieve—changeswilloccurmorequicklythaneverbeforeinhistory.

In 1803 the British created a civil service position that required a man tostand on the Cliffs of Dover with a spyglass. His duty was to be a lookoutagainst invasion.Hewas toringabell ifhesawNapoleonBonaparte’sarmiesapproaching.Thisjobwasappropriateatthetime,butitwasn’teliminateduntil1945!Howmany“spyglassesontheCliffsofDover”arewestillholdingontoinourlives?Weshouldn’tletthewayweareaccustomedtodoingthingsinterfere

withtheopportunitiesGodisprovidingforustoday.

Nothingremainsasconstantaschange.Eventhemostpreciousofallgemsneeds to be chiseled and faceted to achieve its best luster. Don’t end up likeconcrete—allmixedtogetherandpermanentlyset.

In Isaiah theLorddeclares: “Behold, the former thingshave come topass,and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them” (42:9NKJV).TheBibleisabookthattellsushowtorespondtochangeaheadoftime.You see, I believe we can decide in advance how we will respond to mostsituations.

WhenIwascoachingbasketballmanyyearsago,Itoldmyplayersthattheycouldprepare formanysituationsaheadof time.Weused topracticeasmanygamesituationsaswecouldsotheywouldalreadyknowhowtorespondwhenthey found themselves in theactual situations.Thisone idea reallyhelpedourteamtobeverysuccessful.

One of themain reasons theBiblewaswrittenwas to prepare us ahead oftime;toteachushowtorespondinadvancetomanyofthesituationswewouldencounterinlife.

ChoosetoflowwithGod’splan.BesensitivetothenewthingsHeisdoing.StayflexibletotheHolySpiritandknowthatourGoddirects,adjusts,moves,andcorrectsus.Heisalwaysworkingtobringusintoperfection.

EverysuccessfulpersonIknowisverygoodatdoingthesmallthingswell.When Jesus told the parable of the talents, He referred to a servant who hadmultipliedhismaster’smoney.Themasterrespondedtotheservant,“Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant;youhavebeenfaithfuloverafewthings,Iwillmakeyourulerovermanythings.Enterintothejoyofyourlord”(Matt.25:23NKJV).Onanotheroccasion,Godaskedtheprophet,“Forwhohasdespisedthedayofsmallthings?”(Zech.4:10NKJV).Thereispowerintakingsmallsteps.

Many people aren’tmovingwithGod today simply because theywere notwilling to take the small stepsHe placed before them.You should leap at theopportunity—nomatterhowsmall—tomoveinthedirectiontheLordcallsyou.Ifyou’recalledtobeayouthpastorandaremerelysittingathomewaitingforaninvitationfromalargechurch,itwillnevercome.Youneedtofindthefirstyoungpersonyoucan,putyourarmaroundhimorher,andbegintominister.

Don’t be afraid to take small steps. The Bible promises us that if we arefaithfulinsmallmatters,onedaywewillberulersovermanylargerthings.

Manytimestheimpossibleissimplytheun-acteduponsmallopportunity

IrememberatimeinmylifewhenIwasfrozenwithfearoverwhatGodhadcalledmetodo. Itseemedsohugea task that Iwasunable tobringmyself tofaceit.Afriendcametomeandspoketwowordsthatbrokethatparalysisinmylife. He said, “Do something!” andwalked out ofmy house. That day I “didsomething.”MyfirstsmallstepstartedmomentuminmylifeandIbegantorun

towardthevisionGodhadforme.Thosetwowordswereaturningpointinmylife.

Ifyou’reatapointofparalysisinyourlifebecauseofwhatGodwantsyoutodo,mywordforyoutodayis,“Dosomething!”Don’tworryaboutthegoal;justtakethestepsthattakeyoupastthestartingpoint.Soonyou’llgettoapointofnoreturn.Asyouclimbhigher,you’llbeabletoseemuchfarther.

Weshouldalllearntogrowwhereverwe’replanted.

Asyoubegin,don’tbeafraid.EricHoffersaid,“Fearofbecomingahas-beenkeeps some people from becoming anything.” Every great idea is impossiblefrom where you are starting today. But little steps add up, and they add uprapidly.Mostpeopledon’tsucceedbecausetheyaretooafraidtoeventry.Theydon’tbeginduetothefearoffailure.

Manytimesthefinalgoalseemssounreachablethatwedon’tevenmakeaneffort. But once you’vemade your decision and boldly taken a step forward,you’remorethanhalfwaythere.Godwillbeginwithyoutoday—nomatterwhatyourcircumstances.

Whenfacedwiththeneedtoforgiveandforget,nevermaketheexcuse,“Butnooneknowswhatthatpersondidtome!”Thatmaybetrue,butdoyouknowwhatunforgivenesswilldotoyou?

Whatreallymattersiswhathappensinus,nottous.Forgivenessisessentialforgoodhumanrelationships.Wecan’tgiveahugwithourarmsfolded.

Our forgivenessofothersassuresusofGod’s forgivenessofus. Jesussaid,“If you forgive other peoplewhen they sin against you, your heavenly Fatherwillalsoforgiveyou.Butifyoudonotforgiveotherstheirsins,yourFatherwillnot forgive your sins” (Matt. 6:14-15). The weight of unforgiveness greatlydragsusdown.It’satremendousloadtocarryintheracewe’recalledtorun.

Unforgiveness leads to bitterness, which is a deadly misuse of energy.Pondering a negative situation and plotting how to get even divert a greatamount of brain power away from productive thinking. If we keep burningbridges we’ll become isolated and alone, and we’ll deal with strangers andenemiestherestofourlives.Let’sbuildbridges,notburnthem.

Vengeanceisapoortravelingcompanion.EveryChristianiscalledtoalifeof reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18). Trying to get even wastes time and results inunhappiness.

Workingwith churches throughoutAmerica, I have foundunforgiveness ineverystagnatingsituation.Andconversely,Ihavefoundthatgrowingchurchestalkaboutfutureprogress,notpastproblems.

Never underestimate the power of forgiveness to free you to fulfill yourcalling.Forgiveness is theonepoweryouhaveover apersonwho slandersorcriticizesyou.Thefartheryouwalkinforgiveness,thegreaterthedistanceyouputbetweenyourselfandthenegativesituation.

Forgivenessgivesyouaspring inyourspiritualwalkandasecondwind intheraceoflife.

Nobodycanevermakeyoufeelaveragewithoutyourpermission.Ingratitudeandcriticismaregoingtocomeaspartof thepriceyou’llpayfor leapingpastmediocrity.

Afterhealingthetenlepers,evenJesusHimselfwasthankedbyonlyoneofthem,andHewasperfect!Don’tbesurprisedbyingratitude.

IfyoumovewithGod,youwillbecriticized.Theonlywaytoavoidcriticismis to donothing andbenothing.Thosewhoget thingsdone inevitably stir upcriticism.

The Bible offers this great promise concerning criticism: The truth alwaysoutlives a lie. This fact is backed by Proverbs. “The truthful lip shall beestablishedforever,butalyingtongueisbutforamoment”(12:19NKJV).Wemayboldlysay,“TheLordismyhelper,andIwillnotfearwhatmanshalldountome”(Heb.13:6KJV)!

Never judgepeople bywhat their enemies say about them.KennethTynanprovidesthebestdescriptionofacriticI’veeverheard:“Acriticisamanwhoknowsthewaybutcan’tdrivethecar.”Wearenotcalledtorespondtocriticism;wearecalled to respond toGod.Oftencriticismwillpresent thebestplatformfromwhichtoproclaimthetruth.

Most of the time, critical people are either jealous or uninformed and saythingsthathavenoimpactwhatsoeverupontruth.Afamousanonymoussayingdescribesthissituationperfectly:“Itisuselessforthesheeptopassresolutions

infavorofvegetarianismwhilethewolfremainsofadifferentopinion.”

Ifwhat you say and do is ofGod, it doesn’tmake any difference if everyother personon the face of the earth criticizes you.Likewise, ifwhat you aredoingisnotofGod,nothingotherpeoplesaywillmakeitright.

Paynoattentiontonegativecriticism.“TrustintheLord,anddogood”(Ps.37:3NKJV),knowingthatintheendwhatyoudointheLordwillberewarded.

Everyobstacleintroducesapersontohimself.

AgreatexampleofanobstacleintheBibleisthegiantGoliath.Hebrazenlyconfronted and intimidated the armies of Israel, including the brothers of ayoungshepherdnamedDavid.WeknowfromhistoryDavid’sbrotherschosenotto do anything about the obstacle before them, but David did. Why? Thebrotherslookedattheobstacleandfigureditwastoobigtohit,butDavidlookedattheobstacleandfigureditwastoobigtomiss.

No obstacle leaves you the way it finds you; it changes you for better orworse. It’s theway you look at it thatmakes all the difference.Let each newobstacletakeyoutothenextlevelinGod.

Everyobstaclehasalimitedlifespan.Weworriedaboutthingslastyearthatwecan’t even remember today.Don’tbelieve thedevilwhenhe tellsyou thatthingswillnotchange,thattheywillnotpass.Everyproblemhasasoftspot.

Obstacles subduemediocre people, but great leaders rise above them.YouandIneedtobelikethegreatmanwho,whenaskedwhathelpedhimovercometheobstaclesoflife,responded,“Theotherobstacles.”Weshouldbelikeakitethatrisesagainstthewind.

Manypeoplethinkmostoftheirobstaclesaremoney-related,butthecorrectperspectiveistoknowthataproblemthatcanbesolvedwithacheckbookisnotreallyanobstacle;it’sanexpense.

Someonesaidthatobstaclesarewhatweseewhenwetakeoureyesoffthegoal.Keepyoureyesonthegoalandrememberthatyouarenotaloneinyourstruggle,for“weknowthatinall thingsGodworksforthegoodofthosewholovehim,whohavebeencalledaccordingtohispurpose”(Rom.8:28).

In timesofadversity,youdon’thaveanobstacle;youhaveachoice. In themidstofunbelievablecircumstances,believe.

One day a hunter came across a bear in the woods. The bear said to thehunter,“Iwantafullstomach.”

Thehunterresponded,“Iwantafurcoat.”

“Let’scompromise,”suggestedthebear,andthenheatetheman.Asaresult,theybothgotwhat theywanted.Thebearwentawaywitha full stomach,andthemanwentawaywrappedinfur.

Thathunter learned the lessonofcompromise.Whendeciding the lesseroftwoevils,chooseneither.

In Deuteronomy 30:19 the Lord said to His people, “This day I call theheavensandearth aswitnesses againstyou that I have setbeforeyou life anddeath,blessingsandcurses.Nowchooselife,sothatyouandyourchildrenmaylive.” You and I have a choice. Every day wemust choose between life anddeath.Weshouldneversettleforanything;weshouldalwaysseekthebest.Itisrarely the strong man who urges compromise. A compromise is often moreexpensivethaneitherofthealternatives.

ThecallofGodisacalltoexcellence,nottomediocrity.Ifanythingisworthdoing, it isworth doingwell. If you can’t do itwith excellence, don’t bother.Someoneasked,“Ifyoudon’thavetimetodoitright,whenwillyouhavetimetodoitover?”

When people allow compromise in one area, it always leaks and begins toaffectotherareas.Italsoallowslies,deceit,anderrortocreepinandtakeover.IknowpeoplewhohaveturnedfromtheLordcompletely.Theirtroublesstarted

with compromises. They began to give in to little things,which soon becamebiggerthings.Itwasn’tlongbeforecompromisebegantoinfiltratetheirpersonallives.Eventuallyitovertookandoverwhelmedthem.

InProverbs4thewriterwarnsus:“Ponderthepathofyourfeet,andletallyourwaysbeestablished.Donotturntotherightortotheleft;removeyourfootfromevil”(vv.26-27NKJV).

Don’t allow compromise to creep in anddestroy.You can’t say, “Well, I’llcompromise in thisonearea, andeverythingelsewill beokay.”Once it has afoothold,compromisegrowsandspreads.Whatyoucompromise,youlose.

Be a person of integrity.Guard your reputation and the reputation of JesusChristandHisChurch.Iftheonlywayotherscantellthatyou’reaChristianisfrom the fish symbolonyourbusinesscard,dousall a favorand leave itoff.Takeastandtodayagainstcompromise.

What are the actions and attributes of leaders?What is it thatmakes themdifferentfromothers?

1.Leadersarealwaysfullofpraise.

2.Leaderslearntosay“thankyou”and“please”onthewaytothetop.

3.Leadersarealwaysgrowing.

4.Leadersarepossessedwithdreams.

5.Leaderslaunchforthbeforesuccessiscertain.

6.Leadersareunafraidofconfrontation.

7.Leaderstalkabouttheirownmistakesbeforetheytalkaboutsomeoneelse’s.

8.Leadersarepeopleofhonestyandintegrity.

9.Leadershavegoodreputations.

10.Leadersmakeothersbetter.

11. Leaders are quick to praise and encourage the smallest amount ofimprovement.

12.Leadersaregenuinelyinterestedinothers.

13.Leaderslookforandpraisesomeonedoingsomethingright.

14.Leaderstakeothersupwiththem.

15.Leadersrespondtotheirownfailuresbeforeothershavetorevealthem.

16.Leadersneverallowmurmuringfromthemselvesorothers.

17.Leadersarespecificaboutwhatisexpected.

18.Leadersholdothersaccountable.

19.Leadersdowhatisrightratherthanwhatispopular.

20.Leadersareservants.

Aleaderisalion,notasheep.

Afamousoldpoemgoeslikethis:

Whendaysarehotandfliesarethick,usehorsesense—cooperate.

Thisisatruthallhorsesknow;theylearneditmanycenturiesago.

Onetailondutyattherearcanreachthatflybehindtheear.

Buttwotailswhenarrangedwithpropercraftcandothejobbothforeandaft.

Weshouldlookforopportunitiestohelpeachother.

WilliamDanforthsaid,“Ourmostvaluablepossessionsarethosewhichcanbe shared without lessening; those which when shared multiply. Our leastvaluablepossessionsarethosewhichwhendividedarediminished.”

Somebody saw something in you and reached out to help you. That act ofkindness determined where you are today. The person may have been yourpastor, a parent, a friend, a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, or just someonewhogaveyouextramoney,prayers,goodadvice,ortherightequipmentandsupplies.Thatindividualhadtheforesightandtheresourcestoinvestinyouandtotakeariskonyourfuture.

Ihaveachallengeforyou.Takeafewminutesthisweekandsendanotetopeople who have greatly affected your life. Also, take a fewminutes to helpsomeone else get ahead. You will find this to be one of the most satisfyingexperiencesyou’vehadinalongtime.

Averse inProverbs isoneofmyfavoriteverses. It says,“Donotwithholdgoodfromthosetowhomitisdue,whenitisinthepowerofyourhandtodoso” (3:27 NKJV). You have something in your possession that can blesssomeone.Maybeit’satimelyword,amuch-neededpieceofadvice,amonetarygifttomeetaneed,orasimplethankyouforajobwelldone.

ChoosingGod’swillinourownlivesmakesthosearoundusbetter.Investinsomebodytoday.Believeinthatperson.Offersupportandencouragement.Helpthatpersonrisetoanotherlevel.

Tryit;you’lllikeit!You’llalsobenefitfromit!Andthatgoodthingyou’vegiventoothersmightjustcomeflyingbacktoyoutoo.

Thecallonyourlifeisnotacopy.Itisuniquetoyouandyoualone.

In thisdayofpeerpressure, trends, and fads,weneed to realize that everypersonhasbeencustommadebyGodtheCreator.Eachofushasadistinctivecall.It’stobeourselves.

BecauseIdoalotofworkwithchurchesandbusinesses,Icomeintocontactwithmanydifferent types of people.One time I talkedover the phonewith apastorwhomIhadnevermetandwhodidnotknowmepersonally.Weagreedthat I would visit his church as a consultant. As we were closing ourconversationandweresettinga time tomeetat the localairport,heaskedme,“HowwillIknowyouwhenyougetofftheplane?”

“Oh, don’t worry, Pastor, I’ll know you,” I responded jokingly. “All youpastorslookalike.”

The point of this humorous story is that youmust be the person God hasmadeyoutobe.

Our standard isGod’s unique plan and design for our lives.How theLordchooses to deal with others has nothing to do with His call for each of usindividually. Average people compare themselves with others, but we shouldalwayscompareourselveswithwhatGodhascalledustobeandwhatHisWordsays.

YouandIcanalwaysfindsomeonericherthanweare,poorerthanweare,ormoreor lessable thanweare.Buthowotherpeopleare,what theyhave, and

what happens in their lives have no effect upon our call. InGalatianswe areadmonished,“Leteveryonebesurethatheisdoinghisverybest,forthenhewillhave the personal satisfaction ofworkwell done, andwon’t need to comparehimselfwithsomeoneelse”(6:4TLB).

Godmadeyouacertainway.Youareunique.Youareoneofakind.TocopyothersistocheatyourselfoutofthefullnessofwhatGodhascalledyoutobeandtodo.

SochoosetoacceptandbecomethepersonGodhasmadeyoutobe.TapintotheoriginalityandcreativegeniusofGodinyourlife.

1.Thewaytoguaranteesuccessistoworksmarter,notharder.

This is a losing idea.Youwill find that effective leaders do both. Theyworksmarter,andtheyworkharder.

2.Activityequalsaccomplishment.

Activity is not accomplishment. Hard work is not results.We should not askourselveswhetherornotwe’rebusy,butwhatwe’rebusyabout.WeserveaGodwhoisinterestedinresults.

3.Takecareofthings,andtheywilltakecareofyou.

We should not take care;we should take control. If you don’t take control ofyourownlife,somebodyelsewill.

4.Neversaynever.

It’sbettertosay,“Seldomsayneverandonlywhenyoureallymeanit.”

5.Don’twaste(kill)time.

Although this truism expresses a good thought, it isn’t completely accurate.Whenyouwasteyourtime,youwasteyourlife.

6.Ifit’snotbroke,don’tfixit.

Evenwhenthingsareworking,theystillcanbeimproved.

7.Whatyouseeiswhatyouget.

We Christians are commanded to be moved, not by what we see, but by the

WordofGod.Wearetoseetheunseenineverysituation.

8.Heisaself-mademan.

There is no such thing.A person can succeed onlywith the help ofGod andothers.

9.Talkischeap.

Talk is very expensive.Whatpeople say is ultimatelywhat theyget andwhattheypayfor.

10.Practicemakesperfect.

No,perfectpracticemakesperfect.Wrongpracticeleadstowronghabits.Perfectpractice leads to perfect action.Make sure thatwhatever you do on a regularbasisisright.

WhoisGod?WhatisHispersonality?WhatareHischaractertraits?

According to the Bible, He is everlasting, just, caring, holy, divine,omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and sovereign. He is light, perfection,abundance, salvation, wisdom, and love. He is our creator, savior, deliverer,redeemer,provider,healer, advocate, and friend.Never forgetwho lives insideyou:“TheLordisthegreatGod,thegreatKingaboveallgods”(Ps.95:3).

I often travel by air and one of the benefits is the glimpse I get of God’sperspective.Ilikelookingatmychallengesfrom37,000feetabovetheearth.IcanseethatnoproblemistoolargeforGod’sintervention,andmarvelthatnopersonistoosmallforGod’sattention.

God is always able. If youdon’t needmiracles, youdon’tneedGod.DaveBordon, a friend ofmine, said it best: “I don’t understand the situation, but IunderstandGod.”

God likens our life in Him to seedtime and harvest. Do you realize howmiraculousthatis?Letmegiveyouaconservativeexample:Supposeonekernelofcornproducesonestalkwithtwoears,eachearhavingtwohundredkernels.Fromthosefourhundredkernelscomefourhundredstalkswith160,000kernels.Thishugeharvestisaresultofonekernelplantedonlyoneseasonearlier.

ThemiraculousrealmofGodinvolvesmultiplication,notaddition.

OurconfessiontotheLordshouldbeJeremiah32:17:“Ah,SovereignLord,

youhavemadetheheavensandtheearthbyyourgreatpowerandoutstretchedarm.Nothingistoohardforyou.”

Godisbiggerthan_____________________.(Fillintheblankforyourownlife.)

HowdoyouknowthedifferencebetweenideasthatcometoyourmindanddirectionfromGod?

Thereisapersistencytodirection.TheBiblesays,“Manyaretheplansinaperson’sheart,butitistheLord’spurposethatprevails”(Prov.19:21).InPsalm32theLordpromises,“Iwillinstructyouandteachyouinthewayyoushouldgo;IwillguideyouwithMyeye”(v.8NKJV).

Direction isastreamwithbanks. Itkeepsusfromwanderingaimlesslyandspilling intoareaswedon’tneed tobe involved in.WhenweknowwhatGodwantsustodo,thenwecanhavetotalconfidencethatwhatweareattemptingisrightandthatGodisonourside.

Direction is amatter of fact; ideas are amatter of opinion.Direction fromGodisimpossibletofollowwithoutHisinvolvement.

Directionisthemotherofdivinediscomfort.DivinediscomfortisasensethatGodwantstodirectus,astirringsothatwearenevertotallysatisfiedwithwhereweareinGodorwhatwe’redoingforHim.Ifyouthinkyou’ve“arrived”withGod,beware.Thereisalwaysroomforgrowth.

Weshouldbeknownasapeoplewithamission,notasapeoplejustfishin’.Evangelist R.W. Schambach put it this way: “Be called and sent, not up andwent.”Weareapeoplewithapurpose,notaproblem.

InColossians theapostlePaulwrote,“Giving thanks to theFatherwhohasqualifiedus tobepartakersof the inheritanceof thesaints in the light.Hehas

deliveredus fromthepowerofdarknessandconveyedus into thekingdomoftheSonofHislove”(1:12-13NKJV).

Be aware of areas out of which God is calling you and into which He iscallingyou.ThereisadifferencebetweenGod’swillinourlivesandGod’swillforour lives.God’swill forour lives includes those things thatHe intendsforeveryperson—salvation,strength,health,peace,joy,etc.ButGod’swillinourlivesisuniquetoeachindividual.Onepersonmaybecalledtoliveinoneplaceforlifewhileanotheriscalledtomovesixtimeswithintenyears.

NeverbeafraidofthelightofGod’sdirection.MauriceFreehillasked,“Whois more foolish, a child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?”Wherever God guides, He provides. And whom God calls, He appoints andanointstodothework.

LayholdofthosepersistentdirectionsinyourlifeandtapintothepowerofGod’swillforyou.

Sometimes themost important thingwe can do is get away to a peaceful,God-filledspot.

This isoneof themostpowerfulconcepts Ihave incorporated intomylife.RightnowI’mwritingthisbookinacabinonahilloverlookingabeautifullake,milesawayfromthenearestcity.

Whereisthatspotforyou?Itmaybeacertainroominyourhome,aspotona lake nearby, or maybe at the back of the sanctuary of your church. It’ssomewhereyoudon’tnormallyspendmuchtime.

When we draw away for a time, we can see and hear much more clearlyabout how to go ahead. Jesus did this many times during His earthly life,especially just before and aftermajor decisions.TheBible says, “In quietnessand confidence shall be your strength” (Isa. 30:15NKJV). There’s somethinginvigoratingandrenewingaboutretreatingtoaquietplaceofrestandpeace.

Silenceisanenvironmentinwhichgreatideasarebirthed.

Therearetimeswhenweshouldnotseepeople;timeswhenweshoulddirectourwholeattentiontowardGod.Ibelievethatweshouldhaveaplaceofrefuge,a place out of the normal scope of living, a place where we can retreat toadvanceandfocusontheLord.

It’s important to intentlyassociatewithyour loftiestdreamsasoftenasyoucan.Find aplacewhereyou cando that in privacy and comfort. In Isaiahweread, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shallmount upwithwings like eagles, they shall run and not beweary, they shall

walkandnotfaint”(40:31NKJV).LearntowaitupontheLord.

Make a regular appointment with yourself; it will be one of the mostimportant appointments you keep during the course of a week or a month.Choosetoretreattoadvance.SeehowmuchfartheryoumoveforwardwithGodasaresult.

1.Godcannotlie.

2.Godcannotchange.

3.Godcannotrecalloursinsafterwe’veaskedforforgiveness.

4.Godcannotbetheauthorofconfusion.

5.Godcannotleaveusorforsakeus.

6.GodcannotgobackonHispromises.

7.GodcannotrevokeHisgifts.

8.Godcannotbepleasedwithoutfaith.

9.Godcannotbedefeated.

10.Godcannotbetoobigforourproblems.

11.Godcannotbetoolittleforourproblems.

12.Godcannotpreferonepersonoveranother.

13.GodcannotbreakHiscovenant.

14.GodcannotrevokeHiscalling.

15.Godcannotbeunjust.

16.GodcannotdoanythingcontrarytoScripture.

17.Godcannotblessalie.

18.Godcannotlovesin.

19.Godcannotgiveanythingtoadouble-mindedman.

20.Godcannotbeforcedintoanimpossiblesituation.

21.GodcannotignorethepraisesofHispeople.

22.Godcannotbeourproblem.

23.Godcannotbeovercomebytheworld.

24.Godcannotbelate.

25.Godcannotbeneutral.

26.Godcannotbeweak.

27.Godcannotblessdoubt.

28.Godcannotwithholdwisdomfromthosewhoaskinfaith.

ActingonGod’swillislikeridingabicycle;ifyoudon’tgoon,yougooff!

OnceweknowGod’swillandtiming,weshouldinstantlyobey,takingactionwithoutdelay.WhenGodistellingustodosomethingnow,delayissin.Ihavefoundthistobetrue:thelongerwetaketoactonwhateverGodwantsustodo,themoreunclearHisdirectivesbecome.Weneedtomakesurewe’reonGod’sinterstatehighwayandnotinacul-de-sac.

Ours is aGodof velocity.Velocity is all about timing anddirection.Sincethese twoalwaysgo together, it’sneverwise toactupononlyonewithout theother.Jumpingat thefirstopportunityseldomleadstoahappylanding.In thisproverb,Solomontellsus,“Donotgooutinahurrytoargue.Orwhatwillyoudointheend,whenyourneighborputsyoutoshame?”(Prov.25:8NLV).Eventherightdirectiontakenatthewrongtimeisabaddecision.

Afamoussayingholdsthatpeoplecanbedividedintothreegroups:1)thosewhomakethingshappen,2)thosewhowatchthingshappen,and3)thosewhowonder what’s happening. Most people miss out on God’s best in their livesbecause they aren’t prepared.TheBible advisesus tobeprepared continually.TheapostlePaulexhortsusto“bereadyinseasonandoutofseason”(2Tim.4:2NKJV).

So,sayyestoGod,now.Seekhistiming…anddirection.Whenyoufindbothandactaccordingly,you’llfindyourselfrightwhereyouwanttobe.

Beready!Hewantstodirectyourpathattherighttimeinthebestdirection.

TheBibledoesnotoffersuggestions.Instead,ittellsus:

1.Tobeinrightrelationshipwithourfriends(Matt.5:24)

2.Tofollowtheruleofpeace(Col.3:15)

3.Nottogeteven(1Thess.5:15)

4.Tobeanexampletoothers(1Tim.4:12)

5.Tobeabounding,steadfast,andimmovable(1Cor.15:58)

6.Torenewourminds(Rom.12:2)

7.Toseparateourselvesfromuncleanthings(2Cor.6:17)

8.Tobecontentwithwhatwehave(Heb.13:5)

9.TobefilledwiththeSpirit(Eph.5:18)

10.Tohavenofearofwhatmancandotous(Luke12:4)

11.Nottobeliketheworld(Rom.12:2)

12.Toavoidgreedandenvy(Heb.13:5)

13.Tobepatientwithallpeople(1Thess.5:14)

14.Nottoquit(2Thess.3:13)

15.Tobepeopleofquality(Heb.6:12)

16.Tobewareoffalseprophets(Matt.7:15)

17.Toavoidwrongconversation(1Tim.6:20)

18.NottoquenchtheSpirit(1Thess.5:19)

19.Toabstainfromalllustoftheflesh(1Pet.2:11)

20.ToteachourchildrenabouttheLord(Eph.6:4)

21.TocastallourcaresupontheLord(1Pet.5:7)

22.Toavoidmurmuringanddisputing(Phil.2:14)

23.Togivethanksineverything(1Thess.5:18)

24.Togivenoplacetothedevil(Eph.4:27)

25.NottogrievetheHolySpirit(Eph.4:30)

26.Tohonorourparents(Eph.6:2,Matt.19:19)

27.TosubmitourselvestoGod(James4:7)

28.Toletmenseeourgoodworks(Matt.5:16)

29.Toresistthedevil(James4:7)

30.ToputonthewholearmorofGod(Eph.6:11)

31.Tohumbleourselves(James4:10)

32.TowalkintheSpirit(Gal.5:25)

33.Tocastdownvainimaginations(2Cor.10:5)

34.TocomeboldlytoGod(Heb.4:16)

35.ToseekGod’skingdomandrighteousness(Matt.6:33)

36.Nottoforsaketheassemblingofourselves(Heb.10:25)

37.TolooktoJesus(Heb.12:2)

38.Tobeinagreement(Matt.18:19)

39.Nottocauseotherstostumble(Rom.14:13)

40.Toblessthosewhopersecuteus(Matt.5:44)

41.Toredeemthetime(Eph.5:16)

42.NottobeashamedofthegospelofJesus(Rom.1:16)

43.TohaveconfidenceinGod(Heb.10:35)

44.Toworshipdecentlyandinorder(1Cor.14:40)

45.TodoalltoGod’sglory(1Cor.10:31)

Everygoodopportunitythatpresentsitselfisn’tnecessarilyGod’swillforus.Many times circumstances line up, and everything looks good; yet, it doesn’tseem right. In such cases, we need to hear from God. That’s why I say thatdivinedirectionisreallyheardandnotseen.Weshouldbemoreinterestedintheunseenthanintheseen.

Theonlysafewaytodecidewhichdirectiontogoistodistinguishbetweenthevoiceswehear:God’s,ourown,andthedevil’s.

Learntodistinguishbetweenthesethreetoeliminatefoggyareasinlifethatblindyou.Thisskillisakeytobeingabletoseeandthinkclearly.Likenaturalfog, spiritual fog is very dangerous to drive through. Stay in the clear byknowingwhatGod’sWord says. It perfectly reflectsHis voice and helps youdiscernwhetherwordsfromothersourcesaretrue.

Weshouldbuildonwhatwehearon the inside,notonwhatweseeon theoutside.There’sabigdifferencebetweenhavinganabilitytodosomethingandbeingcalledandanointedtodoit.Youmayhaveseensomeoneinchurchwhohasanabilitytosing,butthattalentisn’tnecessarilyevidencethatthepersonhasbeencalledbyGodtothelifeofasinger.Agiftisnotacall.

IamnotsuggestingthatGodisn’tdirectingustouseourabilities.Butabilityshouldn’tbetheonlycriterionfordecidingwhetherornotwemakeaparticularchoice. Not only does the Lord give us a road map, but He also providesdirectionsignals,informationsigns,avehicle,fuel,anddivinedirection.

Weneedtobesensitivetowhatliesintheunseen.Notrealizingwhatlayjustbeneaththeirfeet,manypeoplehavewalkedrightoverrichpoolsofoilorveinsofgold.Theirvisionwastoolimited.Theysawonlytheground,notthetreasurehiddeninit.

Lookbeyondwhatyouseewithyournaturaleyes.Listenwithyourspiritualears.KeepyourantennaupforGod’sperfectdirectioninyourlife.

Yes, God wants to bless you, but He also wants you to experience Hispresence.SomethingwonderfulhappenseverytimeyouexperiencethepresenceofGod.HerearethreeofthebenefitstheBiblegivesfromseekingHispresence.

Thefirstbenefitisjoy.InPsalm16:11DavidsaidoftheLord,“Youwillfillmewith joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”Wecan’thelpbutexperiencegreatjoyinourliveswhenwe’reinthepresenceoftheLord.

AsecondbenefitofseekingGod’spresenceis thegreat light itprovides.InPsalm89:15,weread,“Blessedarethosewhohavelearnedtoacclaimyou,whowalk in the light of your presence, Lord.” Wherever God is, there is greatillumination.Ifthereisadarkareainyourlife,anareainwhichyouarehavingdifficultyseeingclearly,invitethepresenceoftheLordintothatarea.Ifyou’rehaving problems with your work, invite God to your job. If you’re havingdifficultyathome, inviteGod intoyourhome.ThemerepresenceofGodwillbringilluminationandcausealldarknesstoleave.Itwillshedgreatlightonyourpath.

AthirdbenefitofseekingHispresenceisGod’sdivineprotection.“YoushallhidetheminthesecretplaceofYourpresencefromtheplotsofman;Youshallkeepthemsecretly inapavilionfromthestrifeof tongues”(Ps.31:20NKJV).ThankGodforHisdivineprotectionandshelterinourlives!Everyoneneedsa

hiding place, a place of safety and refuge. The presence of God provides ashelter to keep us from evil plans and words. When you’re troubled by theactionsandwordsofothers,inviteGod’spresenceintothosecircumstances.Hewillbeashelter,ahidingplace,foryou.

Jesussaid,“Mypeace Igive toyou” (John14:27NKJV).You’ll findgreatpeaceandrestinthepresenceofGod.Trouble,nervousness,anxiety,unrest—allthesefleeinthepresenceoftheLord.

InviteGod’spresenceeverywhereyouare.James4:8promises,“ComeneartoGodandhewillcomeneartoyou.”Hewillencamparoundyoueveryminuteandbewithyouineverysituationoflife.InHispresenceyouwillfindgreatjoyandlight,divineprotection,peace,andrest.

ExpectwisdomfromGod.

TheBiblesays,“Ifanyofyoulackswisdom,lethimaskofGod,whogivesto all liberally andwithout reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5NKJV).

Whenyou’veheardGod’svoice,you’veheardHiswisdom.ThankGodforHispowerfulwisdom;itforcesapassagethroughthestrongestbarriers.

WisdomisseeingeverythingfromGod’sperspective.Itisknowingwhenandhow touse theknowledge that comes from theLord.Anold adage says, “Hewhoknowsnothing,doubtsnothing.”Isay,hewhoknowsthetruthhasasolidbasisforhisbelief.

Wehaveavailable tous thewisdomof theCreatorof theuniverse.So fewdrinkatthefountainofHiswisdom;mostjustrinseouttheirmouths.ManytrytolivewithoutthewisdomoftheBreadofLife,buttheywilldieintheirefforts.

Theworlddoesn’tspendbillionsofdollarsforwisdom;itspendsbillionsinsearch ofwisdom.Yet,wisdom is readily available to everyonewho seeks itsdivinesource.

Herearetenwaystogaingodlywisdom:

1.FearGod(Ps.111:10).

2.PleaseGod(Eccl.2:26).

3.HearGod(Prov.2:6).

4.LooktoGod(Prov.3:13).

5.ChooseGod’sway(Prov.8:10-11).

6.BehumblebeforeGod(Prov.11:2).

7.TakeGod’sadvice(Prov.13:10).

8.ReceiveGod’scorrection(Prov.3:12).

9.PraytoGod(Eph.1:16-17).

10.KnowtheSonofGod(1Cor.1:30).

ThestrongestactionyoucantakeinanysituationistogotoyourkneesandaskGodforhelp.Whateverisworthworryingaboutiscertainlyworthprayingabout.PrayerunlocksGod’streasurechestofgreatideas.

Oneofmyfavoriteprayersisonlyoneword:Help!

“Help,help,help!”

Whenwepray,wemustsimultaneouslybewillingtotaketheactionthatGoddirectsinanswertoourprayer.

Fourkindsofprayerare:

Petition:“Father,Ineed.”

Intercession:“God,help.”

Praiseandthanksgiving:“Thanks,Lord!”

Conversation:“Goodmorning,Father.”

InPhilippians4:6-7 theapostlePaulcounselsus,“Donotbeanxiousaboutanything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends allunderstanding,willguardyourheartsandyourminds inChrist Jesus.”And inColossians 4:2 he says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful andthankful.”

Herearetwelvebenefitsofprayer:

1.Prayerdefeatsthedevil(Matt.18:18).

2.Prayersavestheunbeliever(Acts2:21).

3.Prayeredifiesthebeliever(Judev.20).

4.Prayersendslaborersintotheharvest(Matt.9:38).

5.Prayerhealsthesick(James5:13-15).

6.Prayerovercomestheimpossible(Matt.21:22).

7.Prayerchangesthenatural(James5:17-18).

8.Prayerbringstherightthingstopass(Matt.7:7-11).

9.Prayerimpartswisdom(James1:5).

10.Prayerbringspeace(Phil.4:5-7).

11.Prayerguardsagainsttemptation(Matt.26:41).

12.PrayerrevealsGod’sanswers(Luke11:9-10).

Hearing something is of little value;wemust listen in order to understand.Unfortunately,oneofourleastdevelopedskillsislistening.Therearereallytwodifferentkindsof listening.There ishuman listeningwhich is interactionwithotherpeople,andthereisspirituallisteningwhichisinteractionwithGod.

It has been said, “Men are bornwith two ears but only one tongue,whichindicates that theyweremeant to listen twiceasmuchas they talk.”Inhumancommunication,leadersshouldalwaysmonopolizethelistening.Whatwelearnaboutanotherpersonwillalwaysresultinagreaterrewardthanwhatwetellhimorheraboutourselves.

Weneed to learn to listen andobserve aggressively.Wemust try harder totrulylistenandtonotjusthear.

In regard to spiritual listening,Proverbs8:34-35quoteswisdom,who says,“Blessed is themanwho listens tome,watchingdailyatmydoors,waitingatmydoorway.ForwhoeverfindsmefindslifeandreceivesfavorfromtheLord.”

Valuablewisdomandsupernaturalfavoraretobegainedbylistening.

Proverbs15:31says,“Hewholistenstoalife-givingrebukewillbeathomeamong thewise.”Listening allowsus tomaintain a teachable spirit.Listeningincreasesour“teach-ability.”Thosewhogiveuslife-givingrebukescanbegreat

blessingstous.

TheBibleteachesthatwearetobequicktolistenandslowtospeak(James1:19).Wemustneverlistenpassively,especiallytoGod.Ifweresisthearing,ahardeningcan takeplace inour lives.Callousnesscandevelop. InLuke16:31Jesussaidofacertaingroupofpeople,“IftheydonotlistentoMosesandtheProphets,theywillnotbeconvincedevenifsomeonerisesfromthedead.”Themore we resist listening to the voice of God, the less fine-tuned our hearingbecomes.

Lookattheresultsofspiritualhearing,asweseeinLuke8:15.Thispassagerelatestotheparableofthesower:“Theseedongoodsoilstandsforthosewithanobleandgoodheart,whoheartheword,retainit,andbyperseveringproduceacrop.”Harvest is associated not onlywith persevering and good seed in goodsoil,butalsowiththosepeoplewhoheartheWordofGodandretainit.

Fine-tuneyournaturalandspiritualearstolistenandlearn.

SometimeagoIwaseatingataMexicanfast-foodrestaurant.AsIstoodinlineforservice,Inoticedinfrontofmeaverypoorelderlyladywholookedlikeastreetperson.Iconcludedthisbecauseshewascarryingagrocerybagfilledtothe topwithwhat looked likeallofherpossessions in theworld.Whenitwasherturntoorder,sheaskedforadrinkofwaterandonetaco.

I couldn’t help but observe her and be moved with compassion for her.ShortlyafterIbeganmymeal,IwalkedovertoherandaskedifIcouldbuyhersomemorefoodtoeat.Shelookedatmeandangrilysaid,“Whoareyou!”

“Justaguywhowantstohelp,”Iresponded.

Sheignoredme,soIsatbackdowninmybooth.Webothfinishedourmealsand got up to leave at about the same time.As she began towalk out of therestaurant, I followed her because I felt led to give her some money. In theparkinglot,Iapproachedherandofferedhersomecash.

Heronlyresponsewas,“Stopbotheringme!”Thenshestormedoff.

Immediately the Lord spoke this to my heart: “That’s the way my peoplerespondtome.”

Godup in heavenwants to pour out a blessing andwe respondby saying,“WhoareYou?WhatdoYouwantfromme?”TheLord,beingthegraciousGodthatHeis,continuestotrytoblessus.Yet,wereactbysaying,“Stopbotheringme!I’lldothismyself.”MissingoutontherichblessingsoftheLord,wewalkaway,justasthisladydid.

Itisn’ttheabsenceofproblemsthatgivesuspeace;it’sGodwhoiswithusintheproblems.

InRomans8:38-39theapostlePaulwrote,“ForIamconvincedthatneitherdeathnorlife,neitherangelsnordemons,neitherthepresentnorthefuture,noranypowers,neitherheightnordepth,noranythingelse inall creation,willbeable to separate us from the love ofGod that is inChrist Jesus ourLord.” Inverse31hedeclared,“What, then,shallwesay in response to these things?IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus?”Aparaphrasemightbe,“IfGodisforus,whocareswhoisagainstus?”

ThankGodthatwecan,withouthesitationandwithfullconfidence,leanonHiseternalfaithfulness.

AAction

BBelief

CCommitment

DDirection

EEnthusiasm

FFaith

GGoals

HHappiness

IInspiration

JJudgment

KKnowledge

LLove

MMotivation

NNonconformity

OObedience

PPersistence

QQuality

RRighteousness

SSteadfastness

TThankfulness

UUniqueness

VVision

WWisdom

X(E)xcellence

YYieldedness

ZZeal

Godwants you towalk everyday in the samecloseness, strength, joy, anddirection you experience with Him on Sunday. You don’t have to leave thatatmosphere.God iswith you…period. Every day. The devilwants to ambushyoubybringingtoyourmindthoughtsoffear,doubt,unbelief,anddestruction.

Let’sguardourmindsandhearts.Asspiritualcreatures,wewalkbyfaith,notby sight (2 Cor. 5:7).We are commanded to live in the Spirit, not in selfishhumandesires.

People whose eyes, ears, and minds are directed toward the world find itdifficulttohearGodspeakingtothem.TheLordwantstotalktoyouatwork,atlunch,atplay—everywhereyougo.SomeofmygreatestrevelationsfromGodhavecome,notinmyprayercloset,butinthemidstofmyeverydaylife,whiledoingnormal,everydaythings.

Ourinnermanisalwayswilling,butourhumanityresists.That’swhatJesusmeant when He said to His disciples, “Watch and pray, lest you enter intotemptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41NKJV).

TheadvantageofwalkingintheSpiritisthatitkeepsusontherightpath.InGalatians5:16-17theapostlePaulwrote,“SoIsay, livebytheSpirit,andyou

willnotgratifythedesiresofthesinfulnature.”

ThankGod thatour relationshipwithHimisnotasometimesaffair; it’sanall-the-timeunion!With thewordsof theoldhymn, I say, “He leadethme!Oblessedthought!”Godiswithyou!

Youdon’t need to do anything else forGod to begin to use you now.Youdon’t have to read another book, listen to another teaching,memorize anotherScripture, plant another seed gift, or repeat another creed or confession. Youdon’tevenneedtoattendanotherchurchservicebeforeGodcanbegintomakeuseofyou.

God uses willing vessels, not brimming vessels. Throughout the Bible, inordertofulfillHisplansfortheearth,Godusedmanypeoplefromallwalksoflife:

1.Matthew,agovernmentemployeewhobecameanapostle

2.Gideon,acommonlaborerwhobecameavaliantleaderofmen

3.Jacob,adeceiverwhosenamebecameIsrael

4.Deborah,ahousewifewhobecameajudge

5.Moses,astuttererwhobecameadeliverer

6.Jeremiah,achildwhofearlesslyspoketheWordoftheLord

7.Aaron,aservantwhobecameGod’sspokesman

8.Nicodemus,aPhariseewhobecameadefenderofthefaith

9.David,ashepherdboywhobecameaking

10.Hosea,amaritalfailurewhoprophesiedtosaveIsrael

11.Joseph,aprisonerwhobecameprimeminister

12.Esther,anorphanwhobecameaqueen

13.Elijah,ahomelymanwhobecameamightyprophet

14.Joshua,anassistantwhobecameaconqueror

15.JamesandJohn, fishermenwhobecameclosedisciplesofChristandwereknownas“sonsofthunder”

16.Abraham,anomadwhobecamethefatherofmanynations

17.Peter,abusinessmanwhobecameagreatevangelist

18.Jacob,arefugeewhobecamethefatherofthetwelvetribesofIsrael

19.JohntheBaptist,avagabondwhobecametheforerunnerofJesus

20.Mary,anunknownvirginwhogavebirthtotheSonofGod

21.Nehemiah,acupbearerwhobuiltthewallofJerusalem

22.Shadrach,Meshach,andAbednego,HebrewexileswhobecamegreatleadersofthenationofBabylon

23.Hezekiah,anidolatrousfather’sson,whobecameakingrenownedfordoingrightinthesightoftheLord

24.Isaiah,amanofuncleanlipswhoprophesiedthebirthofGod’sMessiah

25. Paul, a persecutor who became the greatestmissionary in history and theauthoroftwo-thirdsoftheNewTestament

AllGodneedsinordertouseyouisallofyou!

AFinalWordBe the whole personGod called you to be. Don’t settle for anything less.

Don’tlookback.LookforwardanddecidetodaytotakestepstowardHisplanforyourlife.

Andremember1Thessalonians5:24:“Theonewhocallsyouisfaithful,andhewilldoit.”

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NuggetsofSuccessCDseries

ThisseriesincludestenCDsofbest-sellingtitles:AnEnemyCalledAverage

You’reBornanOriginal—Don’tDieaCopyLetGoofWhateverMakesYouStopConqueringanEnemyCalledAverage

(Volumediscountsavailable.)

AbouttheAuthorJohn Mason is a national best-selling author, minister, executive author

coach,andnotedspeaker.He’sthefounderandpresidentofInsightInternationaland InsightPublishingGroup, organizationsdedicated tohelpingpeople reachtheirdreamsandfulfilltheirGod-givendestinies.

He has authored fifteen books includingAnEnemyCalledAverage,You’reBornanOriginal—Don’tDieaCopy,LetGoofWhateverMakesYouStop,andKnowYourLimits—ThenIgnoreThemwhichhavesoldover1.5millioncopiesandaretranslatedintothirty-fivelanguagesthroughouttheworld.Hisbooksarewidelyknownasasourceofgodlywisdom,scripturalmotivation,andpracticalprinciples. His writings have been published in Reader’s Digest, along withnumerousothernationalpublications,andfourofhisbookshavereachedthe#1spotonanAmazonbest-sellerlist.

Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is apopularspeakeracrosstheU.S.andaroundtheworld.

Johnandhiswife,Linda,have fourchildren:Michelle,Greg,Michael, andDavid.TheyresideinTulsa,Oklahoma.