Pressing On!

For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. James 1:11-14 NIV

Running from problems never solves them, but staying put--in the middle of whatever life brings--determined to get through it with your head held high--is what perseverance entails.  A press--with fierce conviction--that victory is indeed at hand will keep you going.

We cannot allow the trials that come upon us to deter us when we know that God only wants what is best for us. His plans--are always designed for us to receive His best and when we don't , we must be able to look at what we do and determine how to change it so we will receive from Him.

Making a mistakes as a child of the Most High is not a problem for God--not learning from the mistakes and to keep repeating them becomes a problem for us. He expects us to make mistakes, but He also expects us to learn from them--and to keep moving forward.

The reason many people never get ahead is because they get stuck in a rut--doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result because they were not interested in doing a little self reflection or to seek God for wisdom in knowing how to live life victoriously. Picture this--going around in circles--encountering the same challenges and enduring the same defeats. A student who never studies for tests in school and keeps failing the tests--should figure out that they are not going to pass a class with failing test grades. And this is the reason many students end up dropping out of school because they did not learn earlier in life that there are certain protocols that must be acknowledged in order to be successful in school or any other venue.

Preparation time is never wasted time. If we don't adequately prepare to do anything, we'll never know greater success in doing anything. It's like the Boys Scout Creed--always being prepared for anything that comes your way.

I'm looking forward to a debate that my students are having and I'll know by how they present themselves who prepared for it and who didn't. It's not enough to have an opinion about things without having sufficient support to document why you think what you think. Even though my class debate could hardly measure up to the political debates that are coming up, if we are attentive--listening to each candidate during each debate--we'll know who spent time preparing for it and who didn't. Again, opinions without support mean nothing when there are no facts to back them up.

No matter who does better in my class, they will be encouraged to press on--thinking about what they did and how they would change it to make it better and then they're going to write an essay about the experience. One would hope--that after the first political debate--a similar exercise will take place--reflection and introspection--about what did or did not work and changes made for the next round. Rather than hear a lot personal attacks, I pray we'll all hear substantive responses regarding the issues with viable solutions rather than nonsensical rhetoric.

After the final curtain has dropped on the political arena with the debates, we must all consider what was said and press on--determined to see victory in our lives--knowing that God has the final word in all things.

When The Vision is Revealed!

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." Habakkuk 2:1-3 NIV

Be encouraged! When God gives us a vision--even when we don't understand how it will all play out in our lives, we simply need to write it down--keeping it before us--until it comes to pass.

What is the vision given to you?

Some have been given visions of traveling to faraway places to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Write it down and plan the journey even when the resources are not known--keep it in front of you and remain stedfast in faith that God will bring it to pass. He is faithful to complete everything He starts in us.

Some have been given visions to start non-profit organizations to help those who have been unfortunate in life--to keep them from giving up hope and to promote their well-being--providing them the means to be self-sufficient in life.

Some have been given visions to start for-profit businesses that will be valuable in the kingdom as the Gospel is promoted within and without these businesses.

Some have been given visions to serve in government positions to keep those in leadership mindful of their purposes--according to God's plans.

Some have been given visions to teach--educate others both in secular environments and within The Body of Christ--so growth, character, and integrity remain a vital part of our society.

Some have been given visions to write--all that Holy Spirit inspires them to write and publish so all will access to what God is speaking to the hearts of all who are willing to listen.

Whatever God has shown us--through visions--we should write it down and prepare to receive all that He has planned for us--and when the plans are complete--we wait for Him to implement each step of the way so we'll get His results and not our own.

As a result of seeing the vision He has for me--I'm in the process of developing another site designed to discuss my books and those I review for others. I'm excited and receptive to hearing what others think as I begin this new phase and would appreciate whatever insight and feedback others are willing to give. Here's the link http://www.mhrlifewriter.com/

May God continue to give you vision and desire to see it through until the end. Write the vision, prepare to see it, and then wait for it!

Preparation Matters!

"When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am" (John 14:3 NLT).

In the verse preceding this one, Jesus tells His disciples that there is more than enough room in His Father's house for everyone and He is going to prepare a place for us. Then, He says, He'll come back for us when everything is ready so we can be with Him, forever.

Every time I read scripture, I see more--gain greater insight into the words and enhance my comprehension--for the practical aspect of what is said.

"When everything is ready" means it is not already prepared for us and since we are still here; our mansions (rooms, homes) are still not ready. Why?

Preparation time is never wasted time. When we love people and invite them into our homes, we want them to be comfortable. Well, at least most of us do. On a practical level, we want to make sure that we have sufficient room, food, and an environment that will entice them to stay and know they are welcomed. That's for the visitors. How much preparation is made to bring home the new-born baby?

Now, we must consider much more in preparing to bring the baby home (again, most of us). Babies needs are much greater and now we must consider how to best care for the baby, so positioning of everything is important--where the crib goes, the changing table, convenience of formula, diapers, clothes, everything! It is important to know where everything is going to be before we need it!

How much time have we spent preparing for--anything in life? For school, for careers, for marriages, for living a Godly life? The lack of preparation for anything is a guarantee for failure in everything. Success does not come by osmosis--it requires planning--goal-setting, strategy-making plans for every level or step we take. Within the planning--we organize our thoughts and our steps and then implement. Sometimes, we may have to make adjustments along the way, but this is easily accomplished when we keep our eyes on the goal. When we are not organized--no order exists--and chaos reigns.

It's not too late to rethink where we are, where we're going and make the necessary preparations to get there so when we do get there, we can sit back and enjoy! That's for practical living. For the things of God--Prepare hearts to receive the Good News, Trust in the Lord, Stay in The Word, Obey His Word, and Accept the invitation to His Home.

Don't let the delay in His return concern you--He's still getting things ready for us! And when they are ready, He's coming back to get escort us home!

Thinking--Beyond Now!

"In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2,3 NKJV).

Preparation time is never wasted time, but it is time that few people ever use appropriately because they lack initiative to think beyond the moment.

Look at what Jesus said to His disciples--"I go to prepare a place for you..." How long ago was that? Whether we count the time as two thousand years or two days, we have to see the plan--for us whenever we leave.

Lack of preparation and planning are the main reasons why many people never taste success at anything. We cannot succeed if we do not plan and prepare. Preparing for eventualities means we have to consider all the possible outcomes and plan for them.

Taking a trip requires preparation--determining the cost, the method of conveyance, appropriate clothing, checking weather conditions, having sufficient income to cover emergencies.

With Jesus' preparations He determined the cost was His life; He's conveying us to heaven by supernatural means; we'll be clothed with white robes, the weather will be glorious every day, and there are no emergencies to consider (no more sickness, no more dying, no hunger). Hallelujah! Praising Him for His preparations!

What are we doing? Have we considered our behavior and how it impacts the lives of others beyond this moment?

Retirement--(I've recently learned the hard way) takes consideration of all possible events and saving as much income as one possibly save--in order to make sure one can live (and not just exist) when they retire.

Death insurance--(commonly called life insurance)--is needed so there won't be a burden on those left behind to put us into the ground. There are enormous costs associated with dying and many people don't prepare for that eventuality. Unless Jesus returns before we die, we will die--and remain asleep until He comes.

Obesity--(a pet peeve)--causes a number of problems for people other than the one who has overeaten. Has any consideration been made for the possibility of someone else having to lift or carry them? Have they considered the possibility of their being harmed if they cannot move fast enough to get out of a burning house or car? Have they considered the negative impact that obesity usually has on their body? No one enjoys food more than I do, but I must also consider what would happen if I fell or needed assistance and no one being available to help me because of my weight. We need to think beyond the moment that food is in front of us and prepare for the future.

Care--for children and elderly--if parents are no longer able to care for children or elderly no longer able to care for themselves--who is going to do it? What preparations have been made for that possibility? Someone needs to prepare--in writing--if necessary plans for this possibility.

No one succeeds at anything without preparation--not athletes, not actors, not musicians, or singers, lawyers, doctors, teachers, parents, students--no one. If we really need a lesson in preparation--we can look to The Word and look around us at the squirrels and other animals that prepare for the winter and other seasons.  We can "watch the ants" and learn from them.

Learn to think beyond the moment and prepare for all those moments beyond the here and now!