Twenty Building Blocks Of Vision

1.     A vision begins as a concern.
As a pastor, you probably have a vision of great revival for your city. But it began as a concern for souls, then it grew into a burden for souls. It grew till it consumed your thoughts. This is the birthplace of vision. God has placed that vision there.

2.     A vision does not necessarily require immediate action.
When God speaks to you, he may not be giving you a vision for the immediate.  God’s timing is not our timing. When David was anointed king, he did not take the throne for many years.  He went through many hardships before he finally became king.

3.     Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers.
The Bible says that the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord. Begin to pray for the right people and opportunities to be brought into your life...God will order your steps.

Turn Failures Into Achievements

Is it even possible?  Can you really turn failure into achievement?  What is it that makes the difference? Why are there some who seem to accomplish so much with their lives? Is it...

Family Background - Having a good family growing up is something to be grateful for, but it's not the reliable indicator of accomplishment. High percentages of great men have come from broken homes.

Wealth - Some of the greatest men of accomplishment have come from households of average to below-average means. Wealth is not an accurate indicator of high achievement, and poverty is no guarantee of low achievement.

Opportunity - Opportunity is a very peculiar thing. Two people with the similar gifts, talents, and resources can look at a situation, and one person will see tremendous opportunity while the other sees nothing. Opportunity is in the eye of the beholder.

Christian Philosophy

Every person views their life through a filter. For example, optimists see opportunity in every situation they face, while pessimists can only see defeat and failure. Both could be facing the same circumstances, but their filter determines how they respond. That filter could also be called their philosophy.

A philosophy is simply a way of thinking. And whether you know it or not, the direction that your life is going has been influenced and controlled by your personal philosophy or your dominant way of thinking. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”If that is true—and it is—then it makes sense to be sure that you are viewing your life through the right filter.

Colossians 2:8 says, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

In this scripture, Paul was giving the believers in Colosse a warning. The word “beware” is being used in the sense of a sentry on guard duty. It’s a military term talking about being on guard, being on the lookout. And the word “spoil” is not talking about food; it’s talking about the spoils of war that go to the victor—the gold and silver and land.

Impossible is a Dirty Word!

by Barbie Breathitt

We need to remove 'impossible' and 'can’t' from our vocabulary. With God, through prayer, supplications and proper planning all things are possible! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Christ instructs us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Dynamic people make plans and follow their dreams. Imaginative thinking promotes resourceful planning, which leads to great acts and success. The Bible calls it ‘the greater works.’ We were created to do the impossible, to be spectacular, not average or mediocre. 

When God gives us an idea or a powerful dream there is a way to do it. Anything is possible! We can facilitate it if we believe. Faith and belief enables us to look past limitations into the realm of creative possibilities. Confidently putting our dreams into action helps us grow. Positive discussions, brainstorming and measures cause dreams to come alive. But, procrastination causes fear and doubt to grow. When doors of opportunity present themselves, knock on them; if they open take the first step and walk into the new. Always move forward towards the future. Once we begin to advance its easy to continue, just accelerate the momentum.

Shift Your Perspective

Written by Leonard Buhler

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2

Do you feel pressured to do more for God? Many of us do. Deep-down we know that our lives should be about serving God – that they should matter in an eternally significant way. But our days are so full. Work, school, family, sports, errands, gardening – we look at everything we have going on and even though it seems impossible to fit more in, we feel like we should. We should be doing more for God. We should be volunteering at a soup kitchen, or helping out with the Alpha Course at church, or leading a mens’ group.

I need to shift my perspective more than I need to shift my schedule. “Set your hearts on things above… Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Paul is encouraging the believers in Colosse to see the world in a new way, to look at everything from the vantage point of heaven. Yes, I could try to cram more into my insanely busy life. Or, I could take Paul’s advice and shift my perspective.

New Dreams for a New Year

Amy Carroll

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Adulthood often seems like the place where dreams go to die. As a little girl my heart brimmed over with dreams. My parents' and teachers' encouragement convinced me anything was possible, so my prospects increased by the day.

I pictured myself traveling the countryside curing animals like James Herriott in All Creatures Great and Small. I envisioned myself as nanny-extraordinaire like Mary Poppins or an exquisite singer like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music.
The advent of middle school challenged my girlish dreams. Not-so-encouraging peers, realizations of my limitations, and a few failures and hard knocks made me more cautious about my future. Although some dreams remained, others died along the way.

Disappointment - A disguise for blessing

Disappointment is delayed appointment. Disappointment will strengthen but will never destroy. When disappointment travels towards you, you must be determined to meet it with courage. Never give in to disappointment, hopelessness or despair. 

When you overcome disappointment, you acquire the strength to change your disappointment and turn it into an appointment. 

Finding Joy in Difficulties?

Gail Rodgers
Are you confused and not sure what to do or where to turn?

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I have always been a bit uneasy with James 1:2 where Jesus followers are encouraged to “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds”. When I find things in God’s word that are hard to understand I “camp” on them for a time and ask God to reveal His wisdom.

Recently I taught four sessions at a weekend women’s retreat. One of the sessions included the wise counsel of 2 Corinthians 12: 9 & 10 where Paul tells us the words the Lord spoke to him when he asked about something that was deeply challenging him in his life. The Lord’s reply was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul goes on to say that because of God’s promise to be his strength right in the midst of his weakness, he can “delight in difficulties”!

Choosing Change

 Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

      

Recommended Reading Ruth 1:16-17

Do you like change? Some people dread the very word. Change can be as life-altering as a job relocation. Or it can be as simple as someone sitting in "your" seat at church or your grocery store rearranging its aisles. But even creatures of habit must admit that some changes are beneficial and, in fact, life changing.

One of the most unassuming characters in Scripture is a heroine who radically changed the course of her life, impacting the Davidic messianic line. Widowed at a young age, Ruth could have returned to the protection of her mother's family. But Ruth didn't pick the easy way. Facing enormous obstacles, this brave Gentile woman committed to a big change: "Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God" (Ruth 1:16). By embracing change, Ruth was blessed far beyond what her finite mind could have imagined. Her son would be part of the messianic lineage.

Holding Onto Anger

They say to forgive someone is to set yourself free.


Unfortunately, Rodd had to learn that the hard way. When Rodd and his family moved to another city they it looked like the perfect opportunity. But when the deal fell through Rodd struggled with bitterness and anger. He had a choice: to forgive or continue being bitter. 


What would you have chosen? Do you need to let go of your anger and bitterness? We can show you how.

Video provided by: TruthMedia films

http://powertochange.com/discover/stories/holding-onto-anger/

Related:Do You Want True Forgiveness?

http://powertochange.com/discover/stories/holding-onto-anger/

How to Enjoy Life Despite Your Circumstances

by Joyce Meyer

Which of these phrases do you utter to yourself most mornings? Do you greet each day with an expectant, positive attitude about what the day holds, or do you feel like pulling the blankets over your head, dreading what awaits you outside your front door? 

We must combat the dread that tempts us to stay in bed by keeping a positive attitude and mindset. Our attitude is so important to how we feel each day. The kind of day we have is, to a great degree, determined by our thoughts and actions. If we dwell on negative thoughts, expecting the worst, our actions will reflect those thoughts. 

It’s impossible to reach your God-given destiny if you allow negative thoughts to fill your mind. Dread is a close relative of fear, and allowing it to remain in your mind, sets you up for misery and robs you of joy. 

Employment Opportunities

Do You Have the Next Million-Dollar Idea?

Are you a mom or everyday Joe who has the next million-dollar idea, an outrageous invention or product? Have you created a product that you know would take off if it had the right exposure? Maybe it's a simple concept that has made life easier for you or your friends. If you think you have the next big idea, please let us know!

Know someone who'd be perfect for this? Pass it on.

Read more: http://www.andersoncooper.com/be-on-the-show/642#ixzz1nAgmtxhd