I have heard it said " It doesn't matter if you start strong , it matters if you finish well.
I think this applies to every part of our lives."
For example, if you are trying to eat healthy, people don't remember how well you did in the beginning, they remember how you ended up looking at the end.
In a job, your boss may not remember how well you are doing at the beginning, he cares about how long you will be committed and if you will bring success at the company.
Jesus, knows your whole life-after all he planned it. He knows what struggles you will face, what joy's will come your way, what giants you will overcome. Beginning in the race requires energy, ending the race requires motivation to endure.
Phil 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I know that when we see Jesus, all of us will want Him to say-Well done good and faithful servant.
In order to hear those words, you have to finish well. Remember is doesn't matter if you start strong, it matters if you finish well.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Belief Determines Your Behavior
Often times, people try to change other people's behavior. We will often hear from others-"Stop drinking", "don't say that" quit watching that",...etc. But, the fact is that people don't change because you ask them to. They change when you change what they believe.
For example, I have a friend for the longest time lived in the stronghold of insecurity. She thought she was well, an elephant, when in fact she looked great-and I would TELL her how great she looked-but it didn't help. Nothing I SAID helped her get over this stronghold. Why? Because she BELIEVED she was ugly and undesirable, so she acted like she was. She would wear bigger clothes, not want to eat in public, avoid mirrors, and so on.
Luckily, God brought someone along to make her feel and believe that she was beautiful, no matter what size she was...her husband now. At first, she denied all the compliments, stating that he was wrong. Eventually, after hearing her boyfriend/fiance tell her how beautiful she was, she started to act different. Why? because she believed what her boyfriend said!
Even though God is the ONLY one who can truly satisfy us, God can bring you boosts along the way to HIM. My friend realized that she was made by GOD-and HE DOES NOT MAKE JUNK. Her belief about herself changed.
Friends-we are in a battle-of the mind. Everything starts with a thought. Proverbs 23:7-As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Whatever you believe, whether its true or not, becomes a reality.
So, if you are in a stronghold-HOW DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?
1. Rewire your brain-any time a negative thought comes into your mind-replace it with a positive one IMMEDIATELY!! Don't let your mind wander. Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
2. Remain on your knees! We have THE POWER SOURCE LIVING IN US TO GET THROUGH ANYTHING! I Corinthians 10:4 We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
3. Realize that God is always right! Read the Bible when you feel weak. Pray and ask him for help! He is always available and His line is never busy! God knows what he is doing and His Word is TRUE! Psalm 41:10 Be still and know that I am God.
For example, I have a friend for the longest time lived in the stronghold of insecurity. She thought she was well, an elephant, when in fact she looked great-and I would TELL her how great she looked-but it didn't help. Nothing I SAID helped her get over this stronghold. Why? Because she BELIEVED she was ugly and undesirable, so she acted like she was. She would wear bigger clothes, not want to eat in public, avoid mirrors, and so on.
Luckily, God brought someone along to make her feel and believe that she was beautiful, no matter what size she was...her husband now. At first, she denied all the compliments, stating that he was wrong. Eventually, after hearing her boyfriend/fiance tell her how beautiful she was, she started to act different. Why? because she believed what her boyfriend said!
Even though God is the ONLY one who can truly satisfy us, God can bring you boosts along the way to HIM. My friend realized that she was made by GOD-and HE DOES NOT MAKE JUNK. Her belief about herself changed.
Friends-we are in a battle-of the mind. Everything starts with a thought. Proverbs 23:7-As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Whatever you believe, whether its true or not, becomes a reality.
So, if you are in a stronghold-HOW DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?
1. Rewire your brain-any time a negative thought comes into your mind-replace it with a positive one IMMEDIATELY!! Don't let your mind wander. Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
2. Remain on your knees! We have THE POWER SOURCE LIVING IN US TO GET THROUGH ANYTHING! I Corinthians 10:4 We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
3. Realize that God is always right! Read the Bible when you feel weak. Pray and ask him for help! He is always available and His line is never busy! God knows what he is doing and His Word is TRUE! Psalm 41:10 Be still and know that I am God.
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