Follow mw I'm right behind you

 

So many people have the potential to be leaders but are afraid they will not make the grade. They’re afraid of failure and are content to follow and stay behind. There are so many who fear they will not live up to expectations, or are afraid they will make mistakes. They never reach the heights they were destined for and they end their lives with the inevitable last words, “If only…” If only I had stood up. If only I had answered. If only I had not held back.

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Rev.1:5-6)

 

10 Mindsets of Successful Christians

1. Are focused. Like Paul we must keep our eyes on our end goal.

Prov. 4:25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

2. Keep learning. Only a fool believes he knows everything.

Prov. 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

3. Don’t complain. Complaining doesn’t solve problems. Concentrate on finding solutions.

Phil. 2: 14-15 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

The Bickering Church

 

Jesus’ disciples were a varied group about which we know not much. Among them was a tax collector, a zealot, fishermen, and a thief. They all had different backgrounds, upbringing, temperaments, and status in the community.

The majority of the disciples were quiet and unassuming but Peter was the opposite, belligerent and demanding. John was loved and demonstrated his love. Matthew was wealthy. Thomas was a skeptic looking for proof. Simon was the fundamentalist zealot. And Judas, not Iscariot, unknown except for the one question he asked. I can imagine him asking it while sitting among his companions and listening to their arguments and questions.

‘Why us Lord?’ John 14:22(KJV) Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Traitors in the Church

 The characters in this drama:

Judas Iscariot, self-important goes with the flow for his own profit

Peter whose loud mouth hid a weak heart and uncertainty

Caiaphas the legalistic senior pastor who refuses to have his traditions challenged

Pontius Pilate the politician who avoids difficult decisions trying to please everyone

The crowd like all crowds follows and does as others do because they can't all be wrong, can they?

Me an example of all of the above.

Overcoming Fear

 

Christians have a mortal enemy when it comes to stepping into the providence of God. It is called, FEAR. We have been so conditioned to live a life of servitude for a monthly ‘wage’ that it becomes a crutch of dependence our whole working lives. We are so dependant upon it that we look forward to that monthly payday and are overjoyed and have parties when we receive our stipend. We forget that our pay represents only a small portion of the money we have made for our employer. We sell our labour and knowledge for a pittance. It is time for Christians to step out in faith and live in the freedom of God. When Abram allowed fear to rule he found himself in Egypt and in trouble.

Let the Corn Grow - Compound Interest

 

Mar.4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

One of the best ways to accumulate wealth is through the effect of compound interest i.e. interest paid on interest or other people’s(bank) money making you money.

Mat.25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming, I should have received mine own with usury.

If you imagine the soil is your bank or investment portfolio and you plant one kernel of corn in it, you will see results, first a leaf, then the formation of the ear and finally the ear full of kernels.

What prosperity meant for JohnWesley.

 

In my office I have piles of donated clothes to be distributed to those in need. Most of these clothes are brand new designer labels with price tags still attached. So much wasted on stuff never used. Looking at those heaps of clothes reminded me of a sermon by John Wesley I read some time ago. In it, he called on his listeners to use their money wisely and with care. It became known as his trilateral sermon because it stood on the three points of his summation, “Gain all, save all, spend all”.

And Wesley was a man who practised what he preached. He believed that when it came to making money, there was no need for the Christian to take a back seat to the world. His philosophy was that Christians should be diligent in earning as much as possible and there was no reason for them to be ashamed of it. Wesley was a hard worker who spent little time at home, always on the move, spreading the Word, sleeping on hard floors, and even reading and studying on horseback while travelling between towns and villages.

The Secret of Caleb's Success

 

The story of Caleb is well known. One of the original twelve that were sent to spy out the land of Canaan and, with Joshua, made up less than 17% of those who voted to trust the Lord. Unfortunately, although the majority saw, tasted and touched the good of the land, they failed to believe in God for the possible. He must have been deeply disappointed. But he decided to wait, believing his time would come.

I want to be like Simon Peter

The conversation at a church group meeting turned to characters of the Bible and the question was asked, “Which one is your favorite?” A surprising number immediately responded, “Peter!” I had expected to hear names such as John the Baptist, Paul, Esther, Joshua, Caleb, Elijah, Mary or Joseph, but the name 'Peter' rang the bell of popularity. He is obviously a favourite amongst believers and with reason; the most common reason for choosing him was, “I can identify with him.”