#13 - YOUR WRITTEN GOALS FOR LIFE ARE

"Write down the vision; write it clearly on clay tablets so whoever reads it can run to tell the others. It is not yet time for the message to come true, but that time is coming soon; the message will come true. It my seem like a long time, but be patient and wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not be delayed." Habakuk 2:2-3

THE COMMITMENT
you make to yourself to succeed.

THE TOOL
that you must use to build the life that you desire.

THE CLARITY
that you absolutely need to get started.

THE REASONS
why you get up in the morning.

THE BLUEPRINT
for your "dream life"

THE BRIDGE
that connects the gap of where you are
to where you want to be. 

THE MAGNET
that pulls you through the obstacles
that will stand in your way.

THE INSPIRATION
for you to never quit.

THE VISION
you have of your future.

THE PREVIEW
of your life's coming attractions.

THE DESTINATION
in which you are headed.

THE SUM TOTAL
of what you believe is possible for you!

#12 - THE POWER OF REFLECTION

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on those things." Philippians 4:8

A lost art. An unlearned skill. A last priority ability.

So what?!? With so many things going on, who has the time? With so much on my mind already, what good is it to think about the past? I lack so many other skills, why is this one important? What is reflection anyways?

Well, I'm glad you asked. 

Reflection is your ability to gather up your past experiences, analyze and examine the lessons learned, and invest those experiences into the future. To reflect is to...THINK!

Choose not to be a victim of television, the internet, and video games. Choose not let the wonders of technology disable your ability to think! 

Day after day, week after week, and month after month our lives are being filled with invaluable experiences that we can use to learn, grow, and benefit from...if we will allow them to.

The negative surrounds us daily. From day one we have hear more "No's" than "Yes's!" The number of people telling you, "You Can't," far outweighs the number of people telling you, "You CAN!" 

We must become our biggest cheerleader. Our ability to reflect upon our accomplishments and victories must become our greatest asset. The power of reflection has within it the ability to raise our self-esteem, self-confidence, and pride...if we will invest the time to do it!

What did I do well today? Who did I serve? How did I use my gifts? What obstacles did I overcome? What lessons did I learn? What goals did I achieve?

Ask yourself these questions and write down the answers to them daily so that you can gain the strength, energy, vitality, and courage that you will need for your days to come!  

#11 - I CHOOSE TO HAVE FAITH!

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen;it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1

I am tired! There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. I feel like I am constantly running around. My "things to do" list never seems to be completely checked off. I've got work tasks, business meetings, family issues, errands to run, and exercise?!? And when it's time to go to bed, I'm up for hours thinking about tomorrow and all the things that I must get done. Will I ever get some rest?

I CHOOSE TO HAVE FAITH!

Faith in Jesus Christ who promises: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-30

I want more! I want a better life for myself and my wife. I want to provide for others those things that they cannot provide for themselves. I want to inspire individuals to achieve their full potential in every area of their life. I want to be financially independent. I know there is so much more for my life. Is God sensitive to my heart's true desires? 

I CHOOSE TO HAVE FAITH!  

Faith in the Psalm of David which reads: "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:4-5

I'm incomplete! I haven't become the person I know I could be. I haven't accomplished all that God has put on my heart to accomplish. I keep making the same mistakes. People don't see me how I want them to see me. The picture of who I could be is so clear, but it just doesn't match up with who I am today. Will I ever become the person that God originally intended for me to become?

I CHOOSE TO HAVE FAITH!

Faith in the very same words of encouragement that Paul spoke to the church in Philippi: "I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3 

I'm worried! The numbers just aren't adding up. The expenses exceed the income. The late fees are accumulating. I'm having to avoid calls from the creditors. At this point, I just want to be sure that my wife and I will have warm meals, gas for the cars, and a roof over our heads because "on paper" I don't see it getting better any time soon. Will my needs continue to be met? 

I CHOOSE TO HAVE FAITH!

Faith in my Savior who declares: "So don't worry about these things saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:31

I don't see any results! I'm putting in the work. I'm taking the classes. I'm reading the books. I'm serving others. I'm giving of myself. I'm giving my gifts. I'm giving my tithes and offerings! Will I ever see the "harvest?"

I CHOOSE TO HAVE FAITH!

Faith in the Kingdom Principle of sowing and reaping: "Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others - ignoring God! - harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to how for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit." Galatians 6:7-9

MY DAILY STATEMENT OF FAITH

Today I choose to live by faith.
I have faith in the promises of God.
I have faith in the truths of His Word.
I have faith in the principles of His Kingdom.
One day lived with faith far exceeds
the security of 10,000 days lived by sight. 

TODAY I CHOOSE TO LIVE BY FAITH!

#10 - THE 4TH QUARTER (2007)

"So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it." 2 Corinthians 8:10-11

We have arrived. October 1st. With 9 months behind us, the final quarter of the year is here!

It all has gone by so fast! Our New Year's Resolutions have long been thrown out the window. Our "spring cleaning" has turn into "fall piles of mess." And our summer vacation was anything but!

But, with the close of every season comes...OPPORTUNITY!

You have the choice. You can "coast" until the new year. Or, you can decide to make the next 3 months, the best 3 months of your life! You have the choice. You can start the new year at a standstill, or, you can decide to enter the upcoming year with MOMENTUM!

Today begins a brand new day! Today begins a brand new week! Today begins a brand new month! Today begins the 4th Quarter!

The 4th Quarter is when the biggest plays are made! The 4th Quarter is when individuals either rise to the occasion or reveal to the world their lack of preparation! The 4th Quarter gives opportunity to redeem yourself for previous poor performance! Regardless of the score, you can make a comeback in the 4th Quarter! The 4th Quarter provides a stage for you to show to the world, once and for all, what you are capable of!

I encourage you to finish strong! I encourage you to write out your goals in the major areas of your life, and design the next 3 months exactly how you would like them to play out. Have a purpose. Set a goal. Write out a plan. And take action daily to make it happen. It really can be that simple.

But the choice is ultimately yours. You have the tools. You have the support. You have the ability. Only one question remains, "Will you decide to give it your very best in the 4th Quarter?"