We often talk about having success in life. Everyone seems to have their own idea of exactly what success means. Certainly there are several different aspects and areas of life that need to be considered. An incomplete list of those areas is: spiritual, family, health, vocation, friends/relationships, and financial.
How successful are you? One problem most of have is we settle for being successful (as we define success) in one or two areas and willingly accept failure or at least something less than success in the other areas. To be successful in life, according to God's Word, we must be in an intimate relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Anything short of that will result in false success in every area of our life.
So how do you rate your walk with God? How intimate would you say you are?
Your spiritual life is nothing more than empty religion without a personal relationship with Jesus. Your family life, marriage included, will never flourish without this close intimacy with God. Your health, physical and spiritual, is weak and useless without a close walk with God. Your vocation can only be discovered and fully realized when you hear from God concerning your call and when you remain in constant fellowship with Him. Your friendships and other relationships are mere window dressing if you and your experience with those people is not founded upon God's desire for you and your life. And all the financial benefits in the world are bankrupt if you are not experiencing success in life with God.
You take a look at the various areas of your life. Are you really successful? If the answer is anything but a resounding YES, then take the time to allow God to speak to you concerning any adjustment that needs to be made. When you hear from God, do what He says!
Enjoying Success in Life!
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Friday, September 17, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Are You Doing It?
I have a simple question for you. Are you doing whatever it is that you know you should be doing?
It is a good thing to have the knowledge of what you should, but that knowledge without action is useless. Put into practice what you know you should do in every area of your life.
Love like you know you should love.
Forgive like you know you should forgive.
Encourage like you know you should encourage.
Listen like you know you should listen.
Life is not that hard; simply do what you know you should do in the power of Almighty God.
It is a good thing to have the knowledge of what you should, but that knowledge without action is useless. Put into practice what you know you should do in every area of your life.
Love like you know you should love.
Forgive like you know you should forgive.
Encourage like you know you should encourage.
Listen like you know you should listen.
Life is not that hard; simply do what you know you should do in the power of Almighty God.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Why Not Today?
Have you ever wondered why people often say something along the lines of, “I’ll do it one day, but not today” concerning important issues that need addressing? There are many reasons an individual may make that statement; it may be because of fear, lack of motivation, improper priorities, financial concerns, or a myriad of other possibilities. My purpose is not to address all of the possible reasons why you may put off until tomorrow what you should do today, my purpose is to inspire you to go ahead and do it today regardless of what reasons or excuses you have.
For most people, putting something off until tomorrow is just another way of saying “I am not going to do this.” There are some things in life that are inconsequential such as “should I purchase a new bedspread or should I keep the one I have?” You can probably put off that decision for a long time without facing any severe consequences. There are; however, other decisions that will forever affect our lives and the lives of those around us.
Are you being led to begin a new business? Are you being led to write a book? Are you being led to write a movie script? Are you being led to offer an apology? Are you being led to forgive someone? Are you being led to encourage someone? Are you being led to invent something? Are you being led to spend more time alone with God? Are you being led to participate on a mission trip? Are you being led to give a special offering to support a great ministry? Are you being led to spend more time with your spouse? Are you being led to spend more time with your children? Are you being led to write a letter to God?
These types of decisions are life altering – for you and those around you. Some may seem small compared to others, but each one can indeed impact us for years to come, if not for eternity. Why not do it today? As Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Step out of your comfort zone and do it today.
Wayne Gretzky, the incredible hockey player, said, “You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Get up! Stop procrastinating! Stop allowing fear to control you! Don’t worry about the things you can’t control, and don’t worry about the things you don’t have a clear direction on. But when it comes to something you know you should do, do it today!
For most people, putting something off until tomorrow is just another way of saying “I am not going to do this.” There are some things in life that are inconsequential such as “should I purchase a new bedspread or should I keep the one I have?” You can probably put off that decision for a long time without facing any severe consequences. There are; however, other decisions that will forever affect our lives and the lives of those around us.
Are you being led to begin a new business? Are you being led to write a book? Are you being led to write a movie script? Are you being led to offer an apology? Are you being led to forgive someone? Are you being led to encourage someone? Are you being led to invent something? Are you being led to spend more time alone with God? Are you being led to participate on a mission trip? Are you being led to give a special offering to support a great ministry? Are you being led to spend more time with your spouse? Are you being led to spend more time with your children? Are you being led to write a letter to God?
These types of decisions are life altering – for you and those around you. Some may seem small compared to others, but each one can indeed impact us for years to come, if not for eternity. Why not do it today? As Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Step out of your comfort zone and do it today.
Wayne Gretzky, the incredible hockey player, said, “You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Get up! Stop procrastinating! Stop allowing fear to control you! Don’t worry about the things you can’t control, and don’t worry about the things you don’t have a clear direction on. But when it comes to something you know you should do, do it today!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Everyday Should Be Valentine’s Day
Once a year we celebrate Valentine’s Day. It is a day set aside to remember those we love with special tokens of our affection. Many people have been discouraged to see the complete commercialization of the day where even children are expected to send cards and gifts, often candy of some kind, to their friends and classmates. In office settings there is often a concern over who should receive a Valentine’s gift or if anyone should at all.
Here is a question to consider. Why can’t we let everyday be Valentine’s Day? I don’t mean a day where we have to send everyone we know a special gift out of a sense of obligation. I am speaking of using each day as an opportunity to demonstrate our affection and appreciation for those we love.
Start today! Let each day be your personal Valentine’s Day. Take the time to express your love to your spouse, your children, your parents, your siblings, your close friends, and if you are not married but have a special person in your life include them as well. You don’t have purchase a premade card, if you made a card yourself it would probably be appreciated more. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money. For most people it is not the amount you spend on the gift that is as important as the fact that you cared enough to think of them and express your love. Remember, the most valuable things in life cannot be purchased with money.
While you’re at it, why not spend time expressing your love to God as well. God loves you far more than you could ever imagine, and you should use each day you are given as an opportunity to let Him know how much you love Him. As you make the homemade cards for those you love, actually make a card or write a letter to God expressing to Him how much you love Him as well.
Don’t wait until Valentine’s Day, and don’t stop after Valentine’s Day. Let everyday be the day you share your love with those who mean the most to you.
Here is a question to consider. Why can’t we let everyday be Valentine’s Day? I don’t mean a day where we have to send everyone we know a special gift out of a sense of obligation. I am speaking of using each day as an opportunity to demonstrate our affection and appreciation for those we love.
Start today! Let each day be your personal Valentine’s Day. Take the time to express your love to your spouse, your children, your parents, your siblings, your close friends, and if you are not married but have a special person in your life include them as well. You don’t have purchase a premade card, if you made a card yourself it would probably be appreciated more. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money. For most people it is not the amount you spend on the gift that is as important as the fact that you cared enough to think of them and express your love. Remember, the most valuable things in life cannot be purchased with money.
While you’re at it, why not spend time expressing your love to God as well. God loves you far more than you could ever imagine, and you should use each day you are given as an opportunity to let Him know how much you love Him. As you make the homemade cards for those you love, actually make a card or write a letter to God expressing to Him how much you love Him as well.
Don’t wait until Valentine’s Day, and don’t stop after Valentine’s Day. Let everyday be the day you share your love with those who mean the most to you.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Today Is Your Day!
You have been given an incredible gift today. This gift is something that you and only you can take responsibility for. The gift you received today is broken down into 86,400 separate units. What you have been given is worth far more than silver or gold. There is no amount of money that can compare to its worth. What will you do with your gift?
Many people will attempt to persuade you to use your gift the way they think you should use it. You must be strong; however, and use what you have been given in the manner you believe is best. The Giver of the gift will help guide you concerning how you should use it if you will simply listen to Him.
Refuse to be like so many who simply throw away their gift, or use it for something that is so frivolous they don’t even remember what it was used for when the day is gone. What is this incredible gift you have been given? It is the gift of today. 86,400 separate seconds make up today and you are responsible for choosing what you will do with each of them.
Use some of your day with your Creator, worshiping Him and listening to Him. Spend some of your time with family; do not fail to pour yourself into your spouse and children. With the other time you have today, spend some of it dreaming. Spend some of it setting goals. Spend some time taking action steps toward your goals. Spend some time helping someone else reach their goals. Do something for someone today who does not have the ability to do anything in return for you.
If you are going to experience the wonderful day you desire and accomplish something meaningful with the 86,400 seconds you have been given, you will have to eliminate insignificant items from your day. Make the choice to eliminate things that will add no real value to you or others and focus on those things that will make a difference. Today is your day, it is a gift from God and because of that it is called the present. Accept this gift, this present, and live every second of it to the fullest.
Many people will attempt to persuade you to use your gift the way they think you should use it. You must be strong; however, and use what you have been given in the manner you believe is best. The Giver of the gift will help guide you concerning how you should use it if you will simply listen to Him.
Refuse to be like so many who simply throw away their gift, or use it for something that is so frivolous they don’t even remember what it was used for when the day is gone. What is this incredible gift you have been given? It is the gift of today. 86,400 separate seconds make up today and you are responsible for choosing what you will do with each of them.
Use some of your day with your Creator, worshiping Him and listening to Him. Spend some of your time with family; do not fail to pour yourself into your spouse and children. With the other time you have today, spend some of it dreaming. Spend some of it setting goals. Spend some time taking action steps toward your goals. Spend some time helping someone else reach their goals. Do something for someone today who does not have the ability to do anything in return for you.
If you are going to experience the wonderful day you desire and accomplish something meaningful with the 86,400 seconds you have been given, you will have to eliminate insignificant items from your day. Make the choice to eliminate things that will add no real value to you or others and focus on those things that will make a difference. Today is your day, it is a gift from God and because of that it is called the present. Accept this gift, this present, and live every second of it to the fullest.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
It's Mirror Time
This is the perfect time to take the time to evaluate where you are in life and begin to make any needed adjustments. This is mirror time. Look in the mirror and see where you are physically. Look in the mirror and see where you are spiritually. Look in the mirror and see where you are with your family. Look in the mirror and see where you are vocationally.
The first thing we need to do is to resist the temptation to refuse to look into the mirror. Sometimes we pretend that if we don’t see it, it isn’t real. Be mature enough to look into the mirror in every aspect of your life. As you begin looking into the mirror resist the additional temptation to simply notice a need for adjustment and then remain satisfied with the status quo. One thing is for certain, if you continue doing what you have been doing you will continue getting the same results you have been getting.
Small adjustments in life can bring gigantic positive results. Spending a little more time each day exercising can have phenomenal positive benefits on your body. Spending a little more time in prayer and Bible study with God each day will greatly change your life. Spending an extra few uninterrupted minutes with your spouse and children each day can dramatically strengthen your family. Spending a few more minutes each day seeking God concerning your vocational call and focusing on how to better fulfill that call can prove extremely beneficial both today and for the future.
What adjustments do you sense God is leading you to make in the different areas of your life. Write a few down. God, I believe You want me to make the following adjustments in my life:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Look in the mirror and begin to experience the exciting life God has planned for you!
The first thing we need to do is to resist the temptation to refuse to look into the mirror. Sometimes we pretend that if we don’t see it, it isn’t real. Be mature enough to look into the mirror in every aspect of your life. As you begin looking into the mirror resist the additional temptation to simply notice a need for adjustment and then remain satisfied with the status quo. One thing is for certain, if you continue doing what you have been doing you will continue getting the same results you have been getting.
Small adjustments in life can bring gigantic positive results. Spending a little more time each day exercising can have phenomenal positive benefits on your body. Spending a little more time in prayer and Bible study with God each day will greatly change your life. Spending an extra few uninterrupted minutes with your spouse and children each day can dramatically strengthen your family. Spending a few more minutes each day seeking God concerning your vocational call and focusing on how to better fulfill that call can prove extremely beneficial both today and for the future.
What adjustments do you sense God is leading you to make in the different areas of your life. Write a few down. God, I believe You want me to make the following adjustments in my life:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Look in the mirror and begin to experience the exciting life God has planned for you!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Why Not You?
Someone will be used in a great way today!
Someone will change the life of another today!
Someone will encourage others to reach new heights today!
Someone will sacrifice for the benefit of others today!
Someone will demonstrate faithful and unending love today!
Someone will be sold out for God today!
Why not let that someone be you today!
Someone will change the life of another today!
Someone will encourage others to reach new heights today!
Someone will sacrifice for the benefit of others today!
Someone will demonstrate faithful and unending love today!
Someone will be sold out for God today!
Why not let that someone be you today!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Are You Ready For Thanksgiving?
People often ask the question, "Are you ready for Christmas?" We don't often hear the question, "Are you ready for Thanksgiving?" So, I'll ask you "Are you ready for Thanksgiving?"
To help you prepare for this wonderful holiday, take a few minutes and make yourself a simple little list. Make a list of ten things for which you are thankful. After you finish your list take the time to thank the person responsible for what you are grateful. For example, if you are thankful for the beautiful park in town, thank the men and women who work to keep the park looking good. If you are thankful for your loving spous, take the time to let them know how much you thank them - maybe even write them a love letter.
OK, now is the time to write your list.
1.______________________________________________
2.______________________________________________
3.______________________________________________
4.______________________________________________
5.______________________________________________
6.______________________________________________
7.______________________________________________
8.______________________________________________
9.______________________________________________
10._____________________________________________
Now the real fun, go thank those who are responsible. If you want to thank God just write Him a letter or say a nice, personal prayer to Him.
Happy Thanksgiving!
To help you prepare for this wonderful holiday, take a few minutes and make yourself a simple little list. Make a list of ten things for which you are thankful. After you finish your list take the time to thank the person responsible for what you are grateful. For example, if you are thankful for the beautiful park in town, thank the men and women who work to keep the park looking good. If you are thankful for your loving spous, take the time to let them know how much you thank them - maybe even write them a love letter.
OK, now is the time to write your list.
1.______________________________________________
2.______________________________________________
3.______________________________________________
4.______________________________________________
5.______________________________________________
6.______________________________________________
7.______________________________________________
8.______________________________________________
9.______________________________________________
10._____________________________________________
Now the real fun, go thank those who are responsible. If you want to thank God just write Him a letter or say a nice, personal prayer to Him.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Take Time For Life
A strange thing happened today. I woke up and realized that sometimes 2 + 2 simply cannot = 4. In my mind I'm still a young guy, maybe even a kid. No I don't have the Peter Pan Syndrome or anything like that. I simply love life and consider myself a kid at heart.
So, if I am still just a kid, how is it that when I woke up today I awoke to the reality that my oldest son is now twenty - truly a young man. Wow! I can remember the exact moment he was born (which is weird because I can't remember much about yesterday as I am still dealing with the affects of having a concussion during a car accident). I remember when the doctor said - "He's a boy!" I remember when the nurse placed him in my arms.
I remember teaching him how to ride a bike. I remember our walks in the yard and in the small town we lived in when he was born. I remember praying with him and hearing him pray out loud for the first time. I remember how excited he was when he found out he was going to be a big brother for the first time. And the second. And the third. And the fourth. And the fifth. And . . . well as far as we know that is the last time.
I remember him holding his mother's hand so he could protect her as he proudly walked beside her at church or at the store, or just out in the yard. I remember our family trips all over Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Washington D.C., Maryland, Washington, Idaho, North Carolina, and Arizona to mention a few. I remember watching him stand before a crowd and sing with an incredible voice and being so proud of him. I remember being with him on mission trips and watching him grow and mature as a young teenager, then a young man and more specifically as a man of God.
As I said, a strange thing happened today; I woke up and realized how thankful I am that my wife and I have taken time for life with each other and our children. If I could offer any advice to you it would simply be, take time for life. Everyday!
So, if I am still just a kid, how is it that when I woke up today I awoke to the reality that my oldest son is now twenty - truly a young man. Wow! I can remember the exact moment he was born (which is weird because I can't remember much about yesterday as I am still dealing with the affects of having a concussion during a car accident). I remember when the doctor said - "He's a boy!" I remember when the nurse placed him in my arms.
I remember teaching him how to ride a bike. I remember our walks in the yard and in the small town we lived in when he was born. I remember praying with him and hearing him pray out loud for the first time. I remember how excited he was when he found out he was going to be a big brother for the first time. And the second. And the third. And the fourth. And the fifth. And . . . well as far as we know that is the last time.
I remember him holding his mother's hand so he could protect her as he proudly walked beside her at church or at the store, or just out in the yard. I remember our family trips all over Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Washington D.C., Maryland, Washington, Idaho, North Carolina, and Arizona to mention a few. I remember watching him stand before a crowd and sing with an incredible voice and being so proud of him. I remember being with him on mission trips and watching him grow and mature as a young teenager, then a young man and more specifically as a man of God.
As I said, a strange thing happened today; I woke up and realized how thankful I am that my wife and I have taken time for life with each other and our children. If I could offer any advice to you it would simply be, take time for life. Everyday!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Shut Up and Do It!
Far too many people love to simply talk about what they want to do, or plan to do, or hope to do. Many are trapped by their own limitations by saying things such as "I would do that, if I only had the time, or money, or skill, or whatever that someone else has." You have what you have, and unless YOU do something different you may never have anything more than you have right now. The person you see fulfilling those great achievements may very well have had a whole lot less than you have of a lot of things. The one thing they have more of is focus. Passion and vision are desperately needed to achieve something great in life, but without focus it will simply be an idea you talk about and dream about.
Stop waiting.
Stop talking.
Do what you have been called to do.
Do not accept "no" for an answer except from God Himself.
Set your goal, develop your action steps, get off your butt, and do it.
Today is the best time to shut up and do it!
Stop waiting.
Stop talking.
Do what you have been called to do.
Do not accept "no" for an answer except from God Himself.
Set your goal, develop your action steps, get off your butt, and do it.
Today is the best time to shut up and do it!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Don't Blame God
Many people feel as if God is against them and they are doomed to fail. Without going into specifics concerning people I have coached, because of confidentiality, I want to share some insights I have been able to share with others concerning how they can live productive lives by focusing forward rather than by living in the past and blaming God for everything bad that happens to them.
First, be careful about blaming God for the bad things that happen in your life. Sometimes we put ourselves in bad situations and we simply reap what we sow. If you go to places whose central focus is on alcohol and other drugs, and if you associate with people who are involved in illegal activities or activities that are less than admirable, you are much more likely to encounter trials.
Second, sometimes when you don't get the answer you wanted from a prayer to God you need to realize He may very well be protecting you from a big mistake or a dangerous situation, even if you can't see it at the time. God is able to see the entire road, not just the few feet you are able to see right now. Trust Him and look for the doors He is opening for you to enter.
Third, God is not against you and you are not doomed to failure. God has a great plan for your life - but you will only realize His plan when you begin to spend time with Him each day and follow through with what He tells you to do. Take a good look at yourself and what you are doing that helps put you in the situations you are in. Take a good look at yourself and what you are not doing that helps put you in the situations you are in. I have never known a person who took the time to truly seek God, look honestly at themselves, and make the needed adjustments who did not experience incredible blessings.
Don't blame God - thank Him, listen to Hm, obey Him and start moving forward!
First, be careful about blaming God for the bad things that happen in your life. Sometimes we put ourselves in bad situations and we simply reap what we sow. If you go to places whose central focus is on alcohol and other drugs, and if you associate with people who are involved in illegal activities or activities that are less than admirable, you are much more likely to encounter trials.
Second, sometimes when you don't get the answer you wanted from a prayer to God you need to realize He may very well be protecting you from a big mistake or a dangerous situation, even if you can't see it at the time. God is able to see the entire road, not just the few feet you are able to see right now. Trust Him and look for the doors He is opening for you to enter.
Third, God is not against you and you are not doomed to failure. God has a great plan for your life - but you will only realize His plan when you begin to spend time with Him each day and follow through with what He tells you to do. Take a good look at yourself and what you are doing that helps put you in the situations you are in. Take a good look at yourself and what you are not doing that helps put you in the situations you are in. I have never known a person who took the time to truly seek God, look honestly at themselves, and make the needed adjustments who did not experience incredible blessings.
Don't blame God - thank Him, listen to Hm, obey Him and start moving forward!
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