The Key to Completion
Dreamers get anxious.
We want to see our desires fulfilled.
We want to see our destiny realized.
We want to see our dreams completed.
We want our vision of our preferred future to come to pass…now.
And when we are not seeing the progress we would like to see, we start to wonder…
Am I wasting my time?
Am I not working hard enough?
Am I pursuing the wrong dreams?
Have you ever asked yourself these questions?
Will what I’m dreaming ever become a reality?
Will I ever impact as many people as I dream of impacting?
Will my dreams ever cross their finish line?
These are tough tensions to manage.
But the following “Key to Completion” gives me hope:
The idea He planted in you…He will help you make it grow.
The work He placed before you…He will help you see it through.
The dream He picked you to fulfill…He will help you see to completion.
When we do what only we can do, God does what only He can do.
Now please, rest in that truth.
** 63/365 **
How To Finance Your Dream
Are you in need of financial resources to fund your dream?
If so, here’s the truth you must embrace:
What is God’s will, is God’s bill.
Need basic supplies?
Need faster technology?
Need additional education?
What is God’s will, is God’s bill.
Desire more staff?
Desire bigger buildings?
Desire improved equipment?
What is God’s will, is God’s bill.
Wanting better marketing?
Wanting stronger branding?
Wanting greater advertising?
What is God’s will, is God’s bill.
This is good news and this is bad news.
The good news is, if it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill.
The bad news is, if it’s not God’s will, it’s not God’s bill!
So what does this mean to you and me?
We must be patient.
Be patient because God is in control.
Be patient because if we really needed it, God would provide it.
Be patient because God wants His dreams for us to come true even more than we do!
And if He wants our dreams to come true even more than we do,
we must believe without a doubt that when the time is right…
The bills will be paid.
The education will be financed.
The resources will be provided.
What is God’s will, is God’s bill.
When the time is right and the need is truly there - God will pay.
Believe it.
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I’d Like to Know…
How have you seen God come through with financing for your dream?
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** 62/365 **
The Greatest Failure Ever
You were created to be a teacher,
but instead you are a “successful” salesperson.
What a shame.
You were created to be a business owner,
but instead you are a “successful” writer.
What a tragedy.
You were created to fly planes, but instead you “successfully” drive trucks.
You were created to make music, but instead you “successfully” make movies.
You were created to serve people, but instead you “successfully” promote yourself.
What a failure.
“I was created to do ___________, but instead I do ___________.”
This is a spreading epidemic and it wrecks me.
This is a worldwide problem and it saddens me.
This is an all too common story and it breaks my heart.
Why?
Dr. Myles Munroe puts it this way:
The greatest failure in life is being successful in the wrong assignment.
If you didn’t get that the first time, be sure you read it again.
God forbid you achieve success in a job that He didn’t create you to do.
God forbid you taste satisfaction in a work that He didn’t design you to take part in.
God forbid you experience significance in a pursuit that He didn’t intend you to pursue.
God forbid you miss out on the fulfillment that comes from accomplishing the specific assignment you were placed on this earth to complete.
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I’d Like to Know…
What do you believe your assignment to be?
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** 60/365 **
[Future posts will detail how you can determine your specific assignment!
Click link above to subscribe!]
Book #2 - The Cause Within You
Two months down. Ten months to go!
This being my last post of February, I am well on my way to completing my goal of writing one inspirational blog post each day of this year. The progress is exhilarating!
But in addition to my writing goal, I also have a reading goal.
One book per month.
In an effort to hold myself accountable to completing my reading goal, I will take my last post of each month to reflect upon a specific quote from the book that was particularly encouraging.
This month’s book was The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett and in the chapter entitled, “The Right Time to Quit” he writes,
One of the most important insights to remember about perseverance is that the pressure to quit often happens just before a major breakthrough occurs.
This was refreshing.
Though I have written on the subject of perseverance before, the idea of a “major breakthrough” following the pressure to quit was encouraging. It put the pressure to quit in perspective.
Though money may be low.
Though resources may be waning.
Though help may be nowhere in sight.
Continue.
Though you can’t imagine going another day.
Though you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Though you can’t fathom how it is going to all work out in the end.
Continue.
Your breakthrough is closer than you think.
———————————————
I’d Like to Know…
What books have you read this year that have inspired you?
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** 59/365 **
Why You Won’t Change the World
You have yet to be moved.
By a particular pain.
By a specific suffering.
By a distinct dysfunction.
You have yet to be wrecked.
By a social injustice.
By a prevailing disservice.
By an unresolved inequality.
You have yet to be burdened.
By a need that needs filling.
By an issue that needs healing.
By a hardship that needs resolving.
Ultimately, you will not change the world because…
You have yet to have your heart broken by that which breaks the heart of God.
Your wants have been your focus.
Your needs have been your priority.
Your desires have been your motivation.
This is why you won’t change the world.
BUT…
The moment you allow yourself to be deeply moved, wrecked, burdened and broken by a specific problem that exists in our world today…
You will change the world in ways you never thought were possible.
Believe it.
** 58/365 **
Get It Done
The first draft.
The opening scene.
The initial application.
Get it done.
The unwritten lyrics.
The unfinished project.
The uncomfortable move.
Get it done.
The much needed transfer.
The highly anticipated goal.
The long overdue conversation.
Get it done.
Stop playing.
Stop pretending.
Stop procrastinating.
Get it done.
Stop waiting.
Stop justifying.
Stop making excuses.
Get it done.
The next thing you need to do will not be revealed until the last thing you know to do has been accomplished.
Get it done.
Your next assignment awaits.
** 57/365 **
Your Most Important Day
In regards to your work
In regards to your dreams
In regards to your business
In regards to your marriage
In regards to your education
In regards to your friendships….
Your most important day is not the first day.
Your most important day is not the middle day.
Your most important day is not even today.
Your most important day is the last day.
The last day of your career is what matters most.
The last day of your studies is what matters most.
The last day of your business is what matters most.
The last day of your marriage is what matters most.
The last day of your friendships is what matters most.
How you finish is more important than how you begin.
It’s OK if today your goals are unmet.
It’s OK if today your dreams are unrealized.
It’s OK if today your purposes are unfulfilled.
Do not worry. Instead, be encouraged.
Today is not the last day.
But an important decision must be made.
Will you re-commit? Will you persist? Will you finish well?
If so, I am convinced,
Your last day very well could be…your best day.
** 56/365 **
My Top 3 Long-Term Goals
In this particular post, I would like to share with you my top 3 long-term goals that, by the grace of God, I am going to see to fruition before my time on this earth is done.
Goal #1 : To play an integral role in launching and sustaining a community of faith that is leading millions of people around the world into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Why?
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world.
- My time and talents will see their greatest return when invested into helping people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
- Pursuing this goal will allow me to express my passion for teaching and leadership.
Goal #2 : To write a book that sells at least one million copies.
Why?
- Writing a book allows you to have a positive influence on the world long after you die.
- I am convinced that I have ideas and experiences that can encourage people to live the life that God intended them to live.
- Pursuing this goal will allow me to express my passion for writing.
Why?
- Consistent goal-setting is critical to fulfilling your life’s purpose.
- If I don’t democratize the goal-setting process, who else will?
- Pursuing this goal will allow me to express my passion for teaching and leadership.
Confession : Though I hope that by sharing these goals I have inspired you to pursue your grandest long-term dreams and goals, I wrote this post primarily to provide me some clarity in regards to the direction my life is headed!
Thanks for allowing me to share!
Question to Consider : What are your 3 primary long-term goals?
** 55/365 **
Stop Running
From the goal you once wrote down.
From the dream you once envisioned.
From the assignment you once accepted.
Stop Running.
From the calling that is on your life.
From the purpose for which you were created.
From the destiny that you were uniquely designed to fulfill.
Stop Running.
Your family needs your courage.
Your friends need your example.
Your community needs your contribution.
Stop Running.
The longer you run, the longer your work goes undone.
Stop Running.
Your work will bless everyone it touches.
Why would you run from it for another day?
** 53/365 **
How Bad Do You Want It?
Your deepest hope?
Your wildest dream?
Your clearest vision?
Your grandest ambition?
How bad do you want it?
Your perfect job?
Your ideal career?
Your desired lifestyle?
Your preferred future?
How bad do you want it?
Will you fight for it?
Will you persist for it?
Will you endure for it?
Will you develop for it?
How bad do you want it?
Do you want it more than your comfort?
Do you want it more than your security?
Do you want it more than your approval?
How bad do you want it?
Because the truth is, if you don’t want it bad enough…
You’re not gonna’ get it.
** 52/365 **
A Monday Mindset
This week I will…
love others.
serve people.
give generously.
This week I will…
be responsible.
handle business.
put first things first.
This week I will…
take risks.
display courage.
walk by faith.
This week I will…
pursue my dreams.
take on my assignments.
move one step closer to fulfilling the purposes for which I was created.
And in doing these things,
This week I will…
LIVE.
** 51/365 **
Thermometers vs. Thermostats
Which one are you?
Thermometers measure the temperature.
Thermometers react.
Thermometers respond.
Thermometers follow.
A thermometer’s highest value comes from its’ ability to calculate.
Thermostats set the temperature.
Thermostats act first.
Thermostats initiate.
Thermostats lead.
A thermostat’s highest value comes from its’ ability to create.
A thermometer or a thermostat.
Which one are you?
** 50/365 **
There’s More
More to your life than just work.
More to your life than just paying the bills.
More to your life than just waiting for the weekends.
There’s more.
More to your existence than just pursuing your desires.
More to your existence than just getting by.
More to your existence than just existing.
There’s more.
More joy.
More impact.
More influence.
More creativity.
More fulfillment.
More opportunities.
There’s more.
More dreams to discover.
More purposes to pursue.
More experiences to enjoy.
For you…there’s more.
I believe it.
Do you?
** 49/365 **
How To Fulfill Your Life’s Purpose
Though the process of fulfilling every purpose for which you were created is a long and challenging endeavor, getting started is actually quite simple.
Only two steps are required.
Step 1 : IDENTIFY what you are uniquely gifted to do.
* What skill, talent or ability comes easily to you?
* What skill, talent or ability do you enjoy using the most?
* What skill, talent or ability have others identified as your strongest?
Step 2 : SERVE people using the unique gifts you possess.
* Serve your family.
* Serve your friends.
* Serve your co-workers.
* Serve your classmates.
* Serve your community.
* Serve your social network.
Two steps.
Identify. Serve.
Don’t worry about making elaborate plans.
Don’t worry about what people are going to say.
Don’t worry about whether or not it will work.
Identify. Serve.
Regardless of your age.
Regardless of your doubts.
Regardless of your limitations.
Identify. Serve.
I know you’re not ready.
I know you’re not sure.
I know you’re not convinced.
But what I’ve learned is this…
The specifics of your life’s purpose are revealed when the generalities of your life’s purpose are acted upon.
Put yourself in motion. Act. Do something.
Two steps is all it takes.
Identify. Serve.
Your destiny awaits.
** 48/365 **
Celebrate Your Firsts
There was a day when…
Michael Jackson wrote his first song.
Mozart composed his first symphony.
Michelangelo created his first work of art.
Michael Jordan scored his first two points.
Mother Teresa went on her first missions trip.
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his first speech.
These were great days.
Greatness was put into motion.
And though we do not recognize these “greats” for their firsts,
the truth is, before they produced their best, they had to produce their first.
Celebrate your firsts.
The first risks you take.
The first rules you break.
The first moves you make.
Celebrate your firsts.
The first people you impact.
The first projects you complete.
The first programs you implement.
Celebrate your firsts.
The first victories you attain.
The first compliments you receive.
The first breakthroughs you experience.
Celebrate your firsts.
They’re where your greatness begins.
** 47/365 **
