Possibilities

Luke 24: ⁹ When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹ But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. ¹² Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

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“I’ll never have a car” I said to myself disappointedly. I was not making enough money to buy another car and my old one was sold to me from a relative. Now the car was totaled and I had no means of getting around. “Here is one for sale that maybe you can afford” a friend said to me. I did not believe them.

• When I got low, I lost faith.
• When I got low, I lost hope.
• When I got low, I lost the desire to try.

The disciples did not believe the news of JESUS being raised from the dead. All was lost to them and even some great news would not pull them up into the realm of belief. They may have argued with the women who brought the great news in an attempt to douse their fire because misery loves company. BUT GOD had other plans.

• GOD says to me “Do not lose hope.”
• GOD says to me “Keep seeking ME and you will find MY kingdom.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the way the truth and the life.”

When things go wrong, it seems like GOD doesn’t care. I mean why did that loved one have to be hurt or even die? BUT GOD wants me to think differently. HE wants me to grow up and understand things happen in life but my relationship with HIM should not be based solely on good days.

GOD wants me to keep my faith in stormy days and know HE always keeps HIS promise. Unlike the others, Peter ran to the tomb to see if what the women said was possible. It was true and he now had a lot to think about. I am grateful GOD is loving me and giving me possibilities.

• Are you feeling low?
• Do you think all possibilities are gone?
• Will you stop thinking GOD is small and know HE can do the impossible, just as HE said?

Drive and Determination

Mark 16: Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. ² Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. ³ And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” ⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. ⁵ And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

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Ignoring all the rules, I noticed one person rise to the top. He pushed at people and ignored what they did and who they were. “Maybe I should be pushy so I can get ahead” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I wanted to be the one who pushed people around.
• There were times when I wanted to be on top.
• There were times when I wanted to “do what it takes” to be perceived as strong.

When everyone who followed JESUS was in hiding, two Mary’s were still plotting how to serve HIM one last time. They had no tomb to give HIM so they wanted to do something special for HIM even though HE was dead.

On Saturday the two Mary’s began their plan by buying the best spices they could. On Sunday, at the crack of dawn, they put their plan into action, but they ran into a snag. “Who will roll away the stone?” They did not know it was already taken care of for them.

• JESUS wants me to have drive to follow HIM especially when it seems like HE is silent.
• JESUS wants me to have determination to serve HIM even when it feels hopeless.
• JESUS wants me to have fortitude to continue especially when life puts huge stones in front of me.

Gentleness instead of pushiness is a great way to demonstrate determination. The two Mary’s, while determined, did not plot to hurt people in the process of serving GOD, Their plan took drive that only came from GOD and they would not stop until they did what they sought out to do. I appreciate their gentle example.

• Are you willing to give up when GOD wants you to continue?
• Do you think drive and determination looks like pushiness?
• Can you change your perspective of drive and determination to add faith and fortitude to continue in the plan GOD has for you?

Responding Quick Enough

2 Chronicles 34: ²⁷ Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. 

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“Toughen up” was the phrase given to me as I was told to fire a person. This was a test to see if I could cut it in management. Everyone around me seemed to be scared of this person but I sat him down with my letter to him and simply said, “Your services are no longer needed here.”

“What was everyone scared about?” I thought to myself. Years later and several fired people later, I ran into a person who I had to “let go” who seemed different. He was no longer a thing that could be fired; rather he was a human with a family. When I “let him go” something bothered me.  I wonder what that was.

• Sometimes my drive keeps me from hearing things.
• Sometimes my determination keeps me from listening.
• Sometimes my position keeps me from having a soft heart.

Now I know why some of the elderly are so nice. After “letting people go” in a cold calloused way, I now see I had to harden my heart in order to be “tough enough” to make it in the position. I don’t mean I would not fire a rebellious or slothful employee, I mean I have to have a different courage.

• I have to have courage enough to listen to GOD rather than letting my ambition deafen me.
• I have to have courage enough to listen to GOD rather than plodding down a destructive course.
• I have to have courage enough to listen to GOD rather than thinking everything will be fine if I don’t repent.

GOD wants me to have a humbled heart. I have to appreciate rather than alienate. HE tells me to live the way HE designed and only HE can determine my course. My action is to have a responsive heart which takes spiritual ears and a humbled soul.

• Are you at war with GOD?
• Do you think you will win the fight against GOD?
• Can you stop the battle and follow HIS leading?
• Will you humble yourself and listen to what HE has to say? 

A Life of Impact

2 Kings 20: ⁴ Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ⁵ “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 

⁶ I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”

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“What are you guys going to do today?” one of my fathers asked. My buddy and I said “I don’t know, probably go out and have some fun.” “Is that it?” he questioned. Then he said some “blah, blah” stuff.  Why is he asking me about my future? Doesn’t he know there is a new club that just opened and we wanted to check it out?

• Sometimes I act like I will live forever.
• Sometimes I don’t look into the future.
• Sometimes I waste precious moments doing nothing of value.

I have known people who have faced their mortality and when they recover they live life very differently.  Each day seemed to be a blessing and the worries they used to have seemed to disappear. As I observed these people they did have some common.

• They told me “Care about people.”
• They told me “Trust in the LORD.”
• They told me “Count your blessings.”

Life is too short to be worrying and complaining all the time. Being preoccupied on the trials takes away time I could have spent with GOD, doing what HE wants me to do. Someone else said this to me… “What if you KNEW you were going to die next week, how would you spend your time living your life?” Then live that life now.

This statement reached me. Now I see life as a marvelous adventure GOD has placed in front of me. Every day is a blessing that HE made and the more I realize HE made it, the less I complain or worry.

• Are you complaining about something?
• Are you overcome with worry, fear and doubt?
• What if you knew you were going to die soon, how should you live your life?
• Are you seeking GOD’s kingdom and preparing people for CHRIST’s return?

Time to “Break Out!”

Genesis 38: ²⁷ When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. ²⁸ As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.”²⁹ But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez.

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Sitting at my desk I broke out a book trying to teach myself the skill I was hired for.  Sneers of disappointment came from my supervisor as I fumbled my assignments. I spent hours teaching myself skills. Soon I learned more than my boss, in fact I learned more than most in the department. It took some time but it was finally my time to “break out!”

• It takes perseverance to get to the point of breaking out.
• It takes steadfast drive to get to the point of breaking out.
• It takes determination to get to the point of breaking out.

Perez literally means “Breaking out!” He was determined to be first and his determination gave him a will to succeed. What about obstacles in life? Won’t they cause me to stumble and possibly fail? Yes, but obstacles don’t mean I should give up, it means persevere with GOD.

• When I’m on the same side with GOD, I cannot fail.
• When I include GOD in my plans, I cannot fail.
• When I ask GOD “what do YOU want me to do” I cannot fail.

GOD is the only one who can make plans succeed.  HE gives me strength to keep my drive. He gives me faith to keep my determination. HE gives me protection to keep moving ahead.

• Are you facing obstacles?
• Have you written your obstacles down and asked GOD about them?
• Can you persevere to reach the point where you will break out?
• Won’t you let GOD continue to prepare you for the greatness HE has for you?

You are doing a great job!

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

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“When I become the boss I know just who I’m going to fire” I thought to myself, as I watched my peers and even some of the management team work. I loved tackling difficult tasks and felt there was no assignment too hard to accomplish but they thought differently.  They worked hard, but I worked harder. “Who needs them?” I thought to myself.

When budget time rolled around, my stretch goals were not funded because I had not included my peers. I guess I did need them.

• There are times when I label people wrong because I am looking at me.
• There are times I lack appreciation because my lofty goals get in the way of their actions.
• There are times that I have forgotten to say thank you because I am too focused on achieving the next thing.

There is nothing like hearing “Well done” when a person puts effort into an assignment. GOD wants me to take time to applaud efforts and recognize what people are doing.

• GOD wants me to acknowledge when others work hard even when they don’t work for me.
• GOD wants me to recognize the efforts of others instead of seeking accolades for my accomplishments.
• GOD wants me to praise others for the sole purpose of encouraging them and building them up.

“You are doing a wonderful job” is what I can say to really light the fire up under someone. My praise brings peace.

• Are you battling with people at work?
• Are you in the middle of some faction?
• Will you seek out a subordinate, peer or supervisor and let them know they are doing a great job?
• Can you praise someone today and point them to GOD?