Finishing Strong!

The Game ISN'T OVER yet!

Yes, you just scored a Monster Dunk this week on the job, in your relationship or even in your home! Congratulations…but, during the game, a Monster Dunk is but a single goal, the game is still in play. Now is not the time to celebrate but to return to play defense because you can believe that your opponent is already headed in the other direction attempting to score on you!

You see, life is just like that; there are times that you will score or advance with little or no opposition, but there are also times where those who oppose you will rise against you in opposition because they don’t like the idea of you getting ahead, advancing, winning or even to gain the smallest amount of confidence.  The Bible is clear as it says the your enemy the devil has come to Kill, Steal and Destroy…your salvation, your hope, your dreams, your ambition, your faith, your belief, your self-esteem, and your very family!  Yes, there will be times that we score and there are times when you need to defend.

The only defense against such an opponent is to plead the Blood of Jesus Christ over all that concerns you. If you really want to Finish Strong Today, Pray…Trust…Believe!!

King David prayed this prayer when he needed delivered from his enemies:

"Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me." (Psalms 59:1)

May this prayer be on you lips and in your heart as you go about your day.

Have a great holiday weekend. I'm heading back to Beaver Falls and I'm ALL SET TO HAVE A BLAST!!

Genuine Faith!

It doesn't take Faith to say what is. It takes Faith to say what shall be. #makeithappen

GROW Through It!

All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work. Sometimes in an effort to grow we encounter setbacks, difficult situations and difficult people. Know today that these situations are there to test your growth and the passing or the failing will be determined by how you react.

If physical strength and stamina are your goals, your success will be your determination to continue to push through the initial muscle aches and pains to reach your goal. If promotion on the job is your goal, you'll work the extra hours and make the extra effort to the product that you are producing. If family unity is the required outcome you'll make that apology regardless if it is yours to make or not, although doing so may seem frivolous, the desired outcome again is unity.

In all that we do, regardless of the struggles, PERSEVERE and learn to GROW THROUGH IT instead of just going through it!!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Would YOU Know?

If God were to lift His Spirit/His Presence from the earth, would you know? Will there be those who will still be speaking in tongues and church services continuing as normal? Are we so much in our flesh that we wouldn't even realize that the Spirit has departed?

Then she called, "Sampson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he DID NOT KNOW THAT THE LORD HAD LEFT HIM. (Judges 16:20 NIV)

Tell Them!

People are influenced most by those who make them feel the best about themselves.

Everyone needs to feel valued. Take time to express your love and appreciation for the people close to you. Tell them how much they mean to you. Write them notes telling how much you care. Give them a pat on the back and, when appropriate, a hug. Don’t ever assume that people know how you feel about them. Tell them. Nobody can be told too often that he or she is loved.

"How To Influence People: Make A Difference In Your World" - John C. Maxwell, Jim Dornan 

Integrity Is NOT Based On Credentials

Character comes from who we are. But some people would like to be judged not by who they are but by the titles they have earned or the position they hold, regardless of the nature of their character. Their desire is to influence others by the weight of their credentials rather than the strength of their character. But credentials can never accomplish what character can. - "How to Influence People: Making A Difference In Your World" - John C. Maxwell, Jim Doran

Still Praying and Still Waiting

"Actively Trusting in God", a Post I made a day or two ago, remains my posture early this morning:

God will bring about what He wants in our lives. He will unfold His plan in His time and His way. And it will be like nothing we could dream up ourselves!

Trust in Him, the blessing is closer today than it was on yesterday.

Praise Him with me...not for what He can do but for who He is!!! Hallelujah!!! Glory!!! Amen!

Our ONLY Example is JESUS!

It's alright to be different. It's alright if you don't do things like everyone else. There is no set way to do things for God, we are just to believe and trust in Him for His guidance.

Jesus doesn’t cram us into preset molds; He molds us for God-birthed purposes. Are you ready? Let's go!

Actively Trusting in The Lord

I've decided to trust in The Lord when I received Christ as Lord and Savior. I'm not always 100% as there are times that I try to do things on my own and then I'm quickly reminded of my need for Jesus. I guess that I can confess by saying that I'm "Actively Trusting in The Lord", which means that I have to be "Active" daily in my complete trust in Him and Him alone.

Trusting is never passive. When we trust, we don't just sit back and chill. The invitation of God is to keep doing the very best at whatever God has put in front of us. When our view of God expands so we can see Him as He truly is - as a BIG and EXTRAORDINARY GOD - we have less need to have all of the answers.  The fact is, we've seen God act before and we need to trust Him for how He going to act both now and in our future.

So, let us not stress out over what we can and can't do. We know we're loved by Him and called by Him and chosen by Him and created by Him. And if all those things are true, then God is going to lead us into His best purposes and plans.

Have a great weekend Trusting in The Lord!