Three Things That Define Your Future...

thankyou michael i really long to see you letter, its got very profound meaning and impact . you are doin a wonderful job. thankyou

You nailed it Michael. My friend and mentor Kevin and I were just talking about this very thing last night. His business seems to have withstood the hardship times and trials of change where most others have fallen apart; simply because of his persistence and his steadfast commitment of sincerely pouring his life and energy into helping others to achieve their goals for a solid decade. No surprise to me, he continues to prosper while many, even those seemingly greater than he at one time in our realm of business, have sadly and literally become memories. Too true are these words. Thank you for what you do.

One last thought I'd like to share about this is something that came up in my questioning him, on how this could have happened to these other men and women; how their very large organizations can quickly become memories, comes from a direct quote from a warning that Mr. Knebl gave one of these very men a long time ago. I know him well and I believe he meant it as a friend to him when he said to this man, \"You Know,... It's hard to outrun your character.\" That says it all. To know a person like Kevin or anyone for that matter is to see them, not just in a business setting, but also outside of business; with strangers as well as family. Not just good times, but bad. No, the true character and the peace in a person, the true man is shown when the stuff hits the fan. When the unexpected stands right in your face; and he is the same. You still don't mind your kids being around him or her. This is the sign of a truely God centered person who will come thru the storms of busniess as well as life. Someone who doesn't just know scripture, but lives it. Proverbs 18:24 speaks of this very thing. I pray all of those that read this have at least one friend like this to go thru life with.

Absolutely wonderful post, I needed the reasurance and insight today after having fellow Christians tell me I was wrong with \"thinking positive\". And the basis of all action should be because of love. God's word does not lie and I truly appreciate you insight on it from a business perspective. Thank you so very much and God bless. Keep up the good work as the Spirit leads, it is much needed.

Michael, This is what it's about...transformation. As Dennis said very well above in so many words, transformation into the image of Christ. We've all wanted our circumstances to change. But as has been said, God usually changes us first and then our circumstances change. Really, until our beliefs change, our speech will not change and our actions will not change. So even there, as the verses you quoted, \"I believe, therefore I spoke\" indicate a progression. First belief, then speech. And when we see the truth, we can't help but act different. I think of Peter, who denied Christ. Yet, after his beliefs changed, after he changed, he said, \"we can't help but speaking about what we see.\" Even so far as to rejoice to be beaten for Christ and to continue preaching. Once in a home group, praying for a very beautiful young girl, I believe the Lord showed me that she struggled with self-hatred. It was like the enemy would come and whisper to her, \"I hate myself.\" She would then believe it and repeat it to herself. The enemy had sown that lie into her and once she began to repeat it, he didn't need to be there. I say that only to say, there is power in what we tell ourselves. I have a secular psychology degree, and self-fulfilling prophecies, as they are called, are very real. A big HOWEVER: when we line up our self-talk, what we tell ourselves, with the Word of God and what HE says, we live in a realm of truth, power and freedom that is glorious. I'm not there yet, but I'm heading there with you Michael and the rest on this blog! Blessings, Dennis

Paraphrasing something I heard from Dr Gregory Dickow, I agree that our THOUGHTS are at the root of what our lives produce. Thoughts become decisions ... decisions become actions ... actions become habits ... habits shape our character .,.. and character shpaes \"destiny\". He recommends putting God's word at the \"reception desk\" of our minds and when a thought that doesn't line up eith God's word attempts to move in and become a decision (and so forth), that is the time to cast it out. Great advice ... but goes against my nature so it takes lots of practice. Hope it helps somebody. God bless you all.

It was nice to read this post this a.m. after my yesterday. Monday is my \"fasting day,\" (thanks Elmer and David) for seeking HIS will for my life, HIS direction for me and where HE would have me to be. At this time it is scary for me. Last evening after returning from an overnight camping trip, being a bit hungry, not wanting to indulge, and seeking HIM, I decided to again pick up Pastor Adeljaja's book, \"Church Shift\" which I had just started reading on the drive to the campground. I was tired, not wanting to think, but asked the FATHER to show me something as I started on Chapter 3, \"Finding Your Promised Land.\" Sitting next to me was the Bible Study I wrote years ago, \"Why Me?\" I had written after an inmate we had ministered to had confessed to molesting my daughter (9yrs old at the time). I had lost the version in the computer and recently started typing it back in, changing some things I see a bit differently now. I had just re-typed the first chapter before going camping and sent it to a friend for editing. I was reading and thinking, \"Father, I have been a missionary in the public schools for 20+ years now.\" During the summer I make no money at this and am unwilling to quit as no one else is willing to step up to the \"plate.\" Then I turned to page 32 in \"Church Shift\" and this is the example Adelaja uses, \"Often people come up to me and share their burden or passion for an area of need....for example, I did not know that sexual molestation was a problem...\" Okay, so I could be serving a GOD of coincidence? NOT! So, back to tediously typing this into my computer I go. I am listening FATHER, continue to speak. Thanks again for all you guys (ladies too) do at SAW. Blessings and peace be with you! KLH, or KarYAH to HIM!

Just to say, do not give up! I made some investing decisions that have lately cost me dearly, but I believe that as I love those who have ripped me off, believe that Jesus can teach me more godly wisdom through it, and pray believing for HIs answers, everything will work out for good. I think my Lord is using this stuff to alter my minsets and bring me into a level of supernatural faith. The strongest deterrent to our success and freedom is in our own minds. Praise God the word tells us we can have the mind of Christ. Let's take that on board. Bless y'all.

Hey all... Thanks for the feedback. You might be surprised to know how much it helps me to know that this labor of love with the blog actually ministers life to others. Kara, your story grabbed me and helped me to know your sacrifice as you reach out to others. Chrissie... I've made a few bad investments myself and your attitude is an inspiration! Dennis, I've already quoted your friend about it being hard to outrun your character. That was a great nugget! Glad to have you all in this forum, whether you are reading this like rajesh from India or Chrissie from New Zealand or from the many parts of these United States. As Dennis said, while we all want our circumstances to change, God tends to use them to change us. Blessings on you all!

Michael et al, Yesterday I read in Dallas Willard's \"The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives\" a chapter entitled, \"Is Poverty Spiritual?\" I've had the book for several years, and in all honesty, I've avoided that chapter because of what I thought he might say in it. Boy, was I wrong! I'm sharing this because Willard is not even close to being in the extreme prosperity camp - in fact, he's an ordained Southern Baptist. And, as I understand it, he's a world-class philospher. A couple of key points which struck me: 1. Phil 4:13 is often taken as a verse about how to get through hard times. No doubt, it is. However, Willard says if we read the verse carefully, we also see that Christ strengthening us to do all things also applies to abounding in all, to have much. He further states that a crying need in the church is to teach people how to prosper under the Lordship of Christ and how to be able to handle wealth well. 2. We in a sense have a personal kingdom over which we extend our rule. We make decisions about what is ours, from our bodies, to money, possessions, etc. Stewardship, as he says (and Michael, too!). To the extent that we are line with God and His kingdom, His kingdom reigns through us. God rules through us. According to Genesis, we rule the earth and subdue it under God's rule. What better place for the world's good and services to be, to be used for the good of mankind, then under the rule of God's people? 3. To say that being poor is spiritual, quoting Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount, or the parable of the rich young ruler, is to miss the point of Jesus' teaching. The Beatitudes, according to Willard, are some descriptions of people to whom the kingdom of God is available. They are not laws Jesus is laying down that we must meet in order to enter the kingdom. He's saying to the poor, the kingdom of heaven is available to you. There is no group or class of people, rich or poor, to whom the kingdom is excluded. (see also his book, The Divine Conspiracy, for an awesome exposition of the Beatitudes. It will set you free.) I could go on and on, but I won't. I highly recommend getting a copy of this book, either at a discount via a bookseller on Amazon or at a bookstore. Especially the chapter on poverty. Poverty is not spiritual! It is not a blessed state! That is not to denigrate those who are in poverty. It's just not that God would have them stay there. As Dave Ramsey says, poverty is not a destination, it's a temporary state. Unless of course you make it a destination. One last point: how can we be generous and share with those in need unless we have more than we need? If we are faithful with little in terms of our stewardship, does not God promise to give us more? Isn't that what the parable of the talents (not skills or ability, but money), teaches? Blessings on you all! Dennis

I am reading Sunday Adelaja's book and you are right Dennis. I think those of us (me included) who embraced a \"poverty attitude\" did so in response to the Baker's, Crouch's and many I still hear preaching selfish greedy attitudes. I liked what I heard from someone (maybe Michael) about being unable to share while living in your van, poor. I think self indulgent teachings have left many of us \"gun shy!\" As we continue to seek may we stay tuned to HIS voice in all we see and do! HIS Word is our \"plumb line\" to guide us through this life. Blessings to you all, KLH