FINISHING THE RACE OF LIFE

            Ecclesiastes  Chapter 9 tells us there is a common destiny for all of us. Some of us like to believe that we are in a race against each other and other will believe they are in a race against time or themselves.  No matter which you believe , Eccelesiastes 9:11 tells us, "... The  race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all".  So what are the keys to finishing the race?  We finish the race by adhering to a few basic principles:

1.  GUARD your GUIDE  (Psalm 119:11)

2.  YOU must be a PERSON of PRAYER (1Peter 3:12)

3.  PROTECT your FAMILY

4. KEEP things SIMPLE (John 14:6)   

5.  SUCCESS is ATTITUDE

6.  What is YOUR view of FAILURE

  - it not what other people think it is, its how you see it

7.  YOU must decide to GROW

  - you will never reach your potential if you refuse to grow.  When we are growing,  we are happier

8.  BUILD your TEAM

  - have a "Farm System".  How many baseball teams do you know of that doesn't have a farm system?  Build a system (have people around) of relievers

9.  Make a COMMITMENT

  - what you put in will determine what you get out

10. Keep the DREAM ALIVE (1 Samuel 3:10)

  - What are you being asked to do

    - Keep the passion alive

      - God is speaking to us to take as many with us as we possibly can.

The race of life can be very difficult if all we are interested in is keeping up with the Joneses.  Sometime we fail to realize that we have enough of ourselves to keep us from worrying about keeping up with someone else.  If you think you are lacking anything, ask God, He is always willing and able to listen.

Christmas Changes

WOW! we have almost made it through another year.  I am hoping that this Christmas will change the outlook on life for us in the coming year,  Most people love Christmas.  Christians, especially have a great reason to celebrate it.  The things we do at Christmas become treasured traditions, until the time when they become  tresasured  memories.  The one thing that's sure to change about Christmas celebrations; they will eventually change

Reflecting on treasured memories make one grateful,  It is even better to realize what you have before it changes.  If you are privileged to be spending these Christmas holidays with loved one, take time to realize the blessings you currently have.  Be thankful for everything and loved one who grace your celebration and let them know how much they mean to you.  Let make this celebration a daily occurrence, not just one a year. 

Christians feel a sense of loss when loved ones do not have a relationship with the Christ of Christmas.  We must do everything in our power to point our unsaved loved ones to Jesus.  Do you think that celebrating this one day will make a difference in their understanding of Christ?  When the time comes that someone is no longer present in the family circle, the loss is easier when we know that loved one is in a place where we will eventually reunited. HOW HAS THE BIRTH OF JESUS IMPACTED YOU LIFE?

No matter what changes about Christmas, something won't ever change.  Jesus Christ, the true meaning of this wonderful day, will stay the same (Hebrews 13:8).  That means, regardless of the changes, Christmas will always be joyful. 

May He bring Christmas joy to yours and your family hearts this season. 

KNOW FEAR

"I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

There are so many things that we fear and it effects each of differently.  If we handle fear in a negative manner, we lose sight on what God has in store for us.  In this post I will list some of the dangers/anntidotes ato fear.

THE DAMAGE FEAR DOES

1. It paralyzes our POTENTIAL. (John 20:19)

- Miss opportunities.

- Restricts the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Self-imposed.

2. It ruins RELATIONSHIPS (Genesis 3:10).

- Forces us to put up barriers.

- Pretends to  be who we really aren't.

3. It hinders HAPPINESS (Proverbs 12:25).

- Can never get the enjoyment of being with others.

- Always looking or acting out the negative side of life.

4. It sabotages SUCCESS (Job 3:25-26).

-Not knowing  that having God in your life is the key to success

THE ANTIDOTE TO FEAR

1.  TRUTH - Enemy will challenge the truth.

"Jesus said, if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

FEAR = False    Evidence   Apprears  Real

2.  LOVE - The main ingredient to rid you of fear.

"There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not perfect in love." (1John 4:18)

3.  FAITH - Needed to face your fear.

"above all be sure to take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16)

David said, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God, whose word I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4).

Finding Wisdom - Proverbs 13

As the story goes, a Factory Manager's assembly line was down, so he called in a consultant to suggest a remedy.  After a careful inspection of a huge piece of machinery, the consultant produced a small hammer, reached between some gears, and gave it a small tap.  The assembly line worked again, and the factory manager got a bill for $10,000.  Aghast, the manager demanded an explanation and another bill itemizing the charges.  When the new bill came, it read:  Tapping with the hammer $5.00/knowing where to Tap:$9,995.00.

By now you understand that Wisdom is "knowing where to tap."  When we need some tapping done, we'll do it ourselves if we are wise enough; otherwise, we'll need someone who knows where to tap.  The Book of Proverbs has been and still is a good training ground for me.  It point me in both directions - by showing me "where to tap" in all areas of my life and by helping me to seek out those who understand what I cannot perceive.  Proverbs doesn't just show me wisdom, but they show me how to seek Wisdom.

What does a person do with the Wisdom that he/she acquire?  Since being being Wise is a by-product of Wisdom, this what should be done with it:  A WISE PERSON:

-- HEEDS TO THE FATHER'S INSTRUCTIONS.

-- ENJOYS THE GOOD THINGS.

-- GUARD HIS LIPS, THEREBY GUARDS HIS LIFE.

-- HATES WHAT IS FALSE.

-- RESPECTS A COMMAND.

--ACTS OUT OF KNOWLEDGEE

-- WINS THE FAVORS OF GOD.

-- WALK WITH THE WISE TO GROW WISER.

These are just a few examples of what it is to be wise.   Something for you to think about:  Who do you think about when you ponder "Wisdom"? Thank God for that person and what he or she has taught you as moved through life.

A New Perspective - Philippians 1:20-23

I am a Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).  Some years ago, the VFW sponsored a dinner to honor some war veterans.  At the dinner, a soldier was introduced as one of the speakers.  In making the introduction, the presiding officer referred that the man who was about to speak had lost a leg in WWII.  The veteran was greeted with a thunderous applaud. As the veteran acknowledged the applauses he began to disvow the presiding officer's introduction.  He said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the presiding officer made a mistake.  I did not lose anything in the war".  To further explain the meaning of his statement he said, " when we go off to war,  we resolve to give our country our all, even if it meant our lives. We really didn't know whether we would return at all.  In returning at all, everything we brought back was clear gain".  

This is how we should view our spititual journey with God.  When we offered Christ lordship of our lives, we gave Him everything we had, including our very lives.  Therefore, anything He allows us to keep is clear gain. 

What about you, are you willing to have a new perspective for your life?  When we accepted Christ's offer of salvation, we had to be ready/willing to give up everything to get something that cost nothing we could pay for.  What did you give up, Job; home; money; friends; or someone close to you because they didn't like the change they saw in you?

What about this, how far short do you fall from this new perspective?  Do you hold a "life owes me this" attitude?  Can you see all that God have left you with as Clear Gain?  This is a huge request, Would you be willing to adopt a mindset like the soldier?  How can you change any of the situations in your life that is keeping you from declaring everything you have as clear gain?

When I think about how selfish I am or is being in certain situations, I pray this prayer:  Lord, when I give something up, I am either bitter or self-righteous.  I confess my own possessiveness and control of my life.  I often demand "my rights".  Lord, help me to release them to you and give me a proper perspective.  Help me understand salvation is so simple we can overlook it; yet so profound, we can never comprehend it.  Father, let me realize that everything I have is pure gain in you.  Lord in your name I pray.  AMEN!!!