From Misfits to Apostles

Over the past few decades there has been a recovery of the idea of mentors and coaches.  Centuries ago, however, a mentoring relationship was the primary method of learning.  It was this interaction dependence on a trusted counselor that molded character, gave guidance, imparted wisdom and trained in a skill.

Even Solomon, who was renown for his wisdom, had counselors.   He tells us that, “Where there is no wise guidance, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov 11:14).  Good advisors make us accountable, help us make wise decisions and set us on the path to success.  When we heed prudent counseling, our vision is sharpened, our plans are realized, our relationships are balanced, and life’s discipline is enhanced.

Solomon’s counsel to us is, “Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life” (Prov 19:20).  And for those who balk at the idea of listening to those more experienced, he tells them, “It is a fool who thinks they need no advice” (Prov 12:15), and “their lack of discipline leads to poverty and shame” (Prov 13:18).

There is one mentor I would like to encourage you to consider developing a relationship with.  His moniker is “Wonderful Counselor” and His reputation is unparalleled.  He mentored a team of 12 misfits and turned them into world changers.  He makes his serves available to you with the offer that, if you need wisdom just ask.  He promises to share it generously.  He ready to impart a wisdom for the whole of your life.  His name is Jesus Christ and He’s standing by, waiting on your call.

Self-Preservation or Self-Sacrifice

Jesus and Peter.  Their journey took them, together, to the beautiful Garden of Gethsemane, but from there Jesus and Peter took very separate roads.  Jesus took the road of “self-sacrifice.”  Peter took the road of “self-preservation.”

Peter’s road avoided immediate danger and had immediate benefits.  Jesus’ road had some severe potholes.  Jesus felt the tug to take Peter’s route, but His choice to ‘stay on the path’ yielded greater benefits and, let’s face it, changed the world.

As you make difficult choices and decisions this week, choose the path of self-sacrifice over the path of self-preservation.  It is not as attractive and does not yield immediate benefits.  It generally proves hard; but staying on it will strengthen your character, reap lasting rewards and change your world for the better!

Excel

All of us say we want to excel.  We want to succeed, to be promoted, to win, to prosper, to lead the field.

What does it take to excel?  Well, “excel” is at the root of the word excellence, so to excel, our performance on every level must be excellent!

The notion of being excellent is to “rise above.”  Before you apply that to you ‘rising above’ everyone else, let me ask, “Does your work rise above others?  Do you exceed expectations in what you do?  Do you give the best of yourself in your relationships?”

One sure way of excelling is to heed the counsel of the Apostle Paul, “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Col 3:23)  When you hold yourself to a spiritual standard, everything you do is guaranteed to be excellent.

The First Step to Freedom From Debt

Debt is an all too familiar albatross around the neck of too many in our post modern society, but debt is not new.  Before bankruptcies, there was debtors’ prison.  Can you imagine having to work for someone for years to pay off debts?  Oh, I guess we can.  That’s the reason a lot of us are chained to our 9 to 5’s. 

The wise King Solomon said that “The borrower is the servant to the lender.”  Yes, God is concerned about your debt, because when our lives are overwhelmed with it, we lack the freedom and abundance God wishes us to walk in.  His concern with out debt and its devastating effect on our lives and our future is the reason He instituted the Year of Jubilee.  This was a year when all debts were cancelled and people were given the opportunity to come out from under its oppression and start fresh.

If debt is overwhelming you personally or professionally, because Success is Spiritual, I believe God has a Jubilee for you.  I believe that if you are faithful in handling whatever debt you may have, God will give you a debt reduction plan.  He did it for a widow whose sons were on their way to debtor’s prison, in the Second book of Kings, chapter four.  He can do it for you.  Ask Him for wisdom in overcoming your debt and remain in consistent obedience to whatever He tells you to do.

Note: This is a wonderful site for financial wisdom: www.josephsangl.com/

You Can!!

Usually, when someone says, “You can’t do that,” they are really making a declaration about themselves.  They can’t 

That’s the way it was for David, just before he took out that giant, Goliath.  His brothers, yes, his own brothers, told him that he couldn’t do it.  They ridiculed his desire, and demeaned his effort.  After all, he was the ‘baby,’ which in itself implies a certain inferiority.  The truth of the matter was they couldn’t do it!  So they tried to saddle David with their limitations.

Do not let anyone who has never slain their own giant tell you that you cannot slay yours.  Do not let anyone make you live by their limitations, their fears or their lack of dreams and desires.  If you do, your life will be just as meager as theirs.

YOU CAN!!!