Month: June 2017

Napoleon Hill wrote, “The world is filled with unfortunate souls who didn’t hear opportunity’s knock at the door because they were down at the convenience store buying lottery tickets. They have never learned that, as Branch Rickey, general manger of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1942-50, once observed, ‘Luck is the residue of design.’ You will be surprised how much your luck will improve when you make sure you are prepared to take advantage of opportunities.”

Jesus told a story, (Matthew 25:1-13) about a group of young ladies who were invited to a wedding. No reason was given, but the wedding was delayed. Half of the women were prepared should there be a delay and the other half were not. When the wedding was ready to proceed the unprepared were off seeking what they lacked and were locked out by the time they returned. Opportunity had knocked and they missed out.

Revelation 3:20 speaks of another time when opportunity knocks at our door. Only on this occasion the opportunity is one you do not want to miss. In this instance it is a picture of Jesus coming to you seeking to not only initiate a relationship, but also expressing His desire to deepen that relationship, if we are willing to open the door and become fully committed and involved.

I did not write out the specific verses mentioned above, because as Napoleon Hill wrote, “Don’t wait for something to happen – make it happen.” Opportunity may knock, but you must be willing to take action if you want to benefit. Look up the verses and follow through on the lessons so you can receive the benefits for yourself.

How important to you is providing ongoing regular maintenance for the vehicle you drive? Despite the fact that there is a commitment of time and money and perhaps some inconvenience to your schedule, do you follow through and do it, or do you ignore the situation until something breaks down and you must deal with it?

Knowing the value of staying healthy, do you put into practice habits which help maintain good health? OR, do you give no consideration to the consequences of your actions and their impact on your health, hoping you can get away with ignoring your accountability to your body?

It would be good to remember ultimately, you will reap what you sow in life.

People from a variety of religious stripes and labels have spent centuries analysing, arguing defending, practising and deliberately ignoring the subject of Shabbat, the day of rest. In the Torah, the teachings known as the Ten Commandments, God provides instruction about the setting aside one day a week as holy and limiting work on that day. This instruction is repeated in Exodus 35:2.

Why is this important today? Since we live in a society and culture in North America which is not in compliance with God’s teaching on this subject, operating on a seven day a week work schedule, we need to be aware we are missing out on the benefits designed for our lives. The Shabbat was provided by God as a time for our bodies to restore and renew strength and vitality. It was an opportunity to de-stress from the demands of work.

Relationships are important to God and this day provided time to focus on our relationship with Him and also on the relationships which matter in our lives. The day of rest is also a reminder we are ultimately responsible for the results of our work. The results, the fruit of our labours, come as a result of doing that which enhances our relationship with God. It is called favour. James 1:17 reminds us, “Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.”

We live in challenging times in relation to a day of rest, but there are still options and choices we do have in how we will live our lives in reference to God’s teaching. We are not to be bound by legalistic rules and laws, but we have an obligation, to God, to our health, to our families and beyond to society in general, to engage in the day of rest. There are numerous reminders and warnings through the Bible of the consequences of ignoring the God’s teaching in this area. There are also benefits which come our way when we do follow His teaching.

Are you willing to say YES to the benefits of following through on the commitment of building and strengthening your relationship with Jesus? This is just as important and doing the things you need to do to maintain your vehicle’s reliability and performance.

Napoleon Hill wrote, “Movie producer Michael Todd once said, ‘Being broke is temporary; being poor is a state of mind.’” What we think, believe, say and intend matters, because it impacts our actions which determine the outcomes in our life.

When situations and circumstances come up in your life which are contrary to your expectations and dreams, if you allow your conscious mind to give in to negative subconscious lies about yourself, your life experiences, and God, you will end up being plagued by fear, doubt and failure. When these attacks show up in your life, take time to reflect and review, how God sees you and how you in fact have positively influenced and impacted the lives of so many others.

One of the reasons, year after year, people watch and re-watch the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is because the message of significance and value of our lives touches a responsive cord and brings hope to those who are struggling with the concept of their lives having any real value.

Les Brown has for many years, has expressed a person’s importance and value with the words, “You have greatness within you.” God demonstrated that fact when He chose to send His Son into this world to not only provide reconciliation being Himself and us, but He was willing to place His Spirit within us. The result, we are not alone. We have One who is dwells within us and provides counsel and comfort (John 14:16-17). In fact the Greek word Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit’s work in us means, according to “Strong’s Greek & Hebrew Dictionary,” “intercessor, consoler :- advocate, comforter”

Have there ever been times when you could have benefited from someone like that being involved in your life? Jesus said, this is what the Holy Spirit does for us, if we are willing to be open to His leadership in our life.

Are your thoughts, beliefs, words and intentions moving your life forward or holding you back? Be willing to be “at cause” for what happens in your life, rather than “at effect”. In saying YES to the relationship with Jesus, you are giving the Holy Spirit permission to apply truth into every aspect of your life and to work all things for good, even when in the present moment we have no idea how.

Two blind men approached Jesus and He asked them a very important question. He said, “Do you believe I can do this” (Matthew 9:28)? They responded with the answer, “Yes.” At that point Jesus put them on the spot as to their true faith in Him and in His ability to restore their sight. He responded with the words, ‘Let it be done according to your faith.” In that moment the pressure was not on Jesus, but back on the two blind men. It was their faith which was the catalyst to the restoration of their sight.

What transpired in that moment was a indication of the commitment these men were willing to put into the relationship with Jesus. Did they really believe their faith, when placed in Him, was adequate to enable them to see?

This is a question which each person must address every day. Our answer is very much tied to the question, how well do we know Jesus and how much do we trust Him? This is really a relationship issue.

Matthew 7:7-8 records the words of Jesus, “Persist in asking and it will be given you. Persist in searching and you will find. Persist in knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who search finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

It would be good to consider how we really respond to the question of faith in our life. Are we quick to think or say, “I knew it wouldn’t happen.” This is doubt speaking and devouring your faith and stealing your true answer.

Do you automatically respond to someone’s suggestion, ” I already tried that, and it didn’t work?” Have you considered the impact of fear upon both your request and the answer. What about the response, “What if I don’t get what I ask for,” or even, “What if I do get my answer?”

Maybe it would be better to think beyond what it is we are requesting and focus more on the relationship around which the request is being made. When we consider this aspect and understand Jesus is all about the result of freedom, we can rest confidently with the assurance our best interests are being taken care of. It is from this foundation faith finds its strength to believe.

Just something for you to consider along your daily journey.

I want to give credit to Alan Gilman for an idea he inspired in his book, “Torah Light.” The first number of verses in the second chapter of the Book of Proverbs reference the benefits of wisdom. Individuals who want to grow and develop in their life will be life-long learners. They desire to know the results which come from the actions stimulated by their thoughts, beliefs, words and intentions. So it would be good to gain some clarification on the value wisdom as to offer, wouldn’t it?

Did you realize the word, “wisdom” includes the idea of being “skilled” at what you do? In fact in Hebrew the word translated wisdom has this concept as part of its root meaning. Wisdom is seeking the skill to living your life successfully so you may become the best version of you possible. It is something we all must desire. It involves our active pursuit in order to receive it. Notice the action words from Proverbs 2: “accept, store up, listen closely, direct your heart, call out, lift your voice, seek, search.” Only when you have participated with an intensity of intention will you “understand” and “discover” that which you desire.

What is interesting, in the world in which we live, it is thought the course of action we must follow to gain the skills we are looking for comes as a result of the educational process we pursue. Skills are taught resulting in skills being learned. But true wisdom, the skills of life, which bring results are a gift according to God’s Word. “For Yahweh gives wisdom; and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).

Who do you listen to when it comes to the process of truly learning? Whose advice will influence you in the matters of the heart to impact change in your life? Wisdom (“skills”) come through the process of relationship with the One who created you. I chose deliberately to use the name of the One with whom you would be wise to develop relationship with. “The word “LORD” in the English language often fails to generate the concept of personhood and relationship, but when a name is used it does.

We find in James 1:5 those who are lacking in wisdom should ask God for it and He will give it. Wisdom, the skill of living successfully, is a gift bestowed by God in response to our desire and passion to receive it. It comes through a relationship which you willingly participate in.

I encourage you to not only say YES to the relationship with Jesus, but live your life fully committed to making that relationship a priority in your life. You will discover God’s love and generosity when you do.