Got PLANS?

What have you placed on the back burner? What were you so passionate about at one point in your life that has now collected dust? It's time to pick it up once again, except this time, commit to finishing it! Maybe you want to complete your degree, start that new business, or simply finish that puzzle you had to buy. Whatever it is, now is the time to check it off your list of things to do.

Life has a way of causing us to change course and get sidetracked. But we can combat this by taking the time to make plans to accomplish our goals. Planning doesn't have to be a laborious chore and it is never time wasted. When you take time to plan, you save time that would otherwise be wasted by repeated failure, missteps, and procrastination. Always remember this acrostic when planning: Prepare, Learn, Apply, Negotiate, and Surrender your plans to God, and He'll make sure you succeed.

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

~Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Thank You!

With the holidays approaching, most of us are scrambling to find ways to accommodate the many loved ones in our lives. Gifts must be purchased, travel arrangements must be made, and meals must be prepared. And even though this should to be a joyous time of year, it is too often the most depressing. A lot of us feel a great amount of pressure to live up to the expectations of those around us. I want to relieve you of those feelings by expressing my gratitude...for you!

This season, I want each of you to give yourselves a pat on the back for the many accomplishments you have made this year. You may not be where you want to be, but you are certainly not where you used to be. And we do not hear the words "well done" enough. This Thanksgiving, my prayers are for all of you. I thank God for you, do the same by thanking God for your own achievements. Instead of worrying about what you have not done and the things you cannot control, thank Him for your growth and fellowship in Him.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or depressed, take some time to celebrate your successes. Look at the areas in which you have grown and allow those to propel you toward future goals. Enjoy the holidays, spend time with those you love, and eat some turkey for me!

"Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing."

~2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NLT)

Reward!

Have you ever seen those signs posted on telephone poles that offer a reward for a lost cat or puppy? No doubt, the owner of those pets are worried that their beloved animals are hungry, scared, and lonely without them. In an effort to located little fluffy, a faithful owner will do anything to be reunited with their furry friend, including offering a reward for their return.

In many ways, God is the same when it comes to finding His lost children. Not only does He reward those in ministry who give of themselves to usher His sheep back into the fold, but He also rewards the sheep! Despite what you may believe, God loves you and truly wants you to prosper in everything you do. Yet, He is often disappointed because we sometimes stray away from him much like the lost pet mentioned earlier. We tend to get dissatisfied with what is offered to us in the house, that we leave the comforts of home and many times end up hungry, scared and lonely.

But God wants you back so bad that He vows to reward those look for Him. In other words, when we line up our actions with God's Word and seek Him for continued direction in everything we do, He promises that whatever we touch will prosper! Stop relying on what the world has to offer, and come back home to the pampered lifestyle that God wants to provide. If you do not have one already, find a good church that you can call home. If you already belong to one, find your way back in the house...your reward is waiting.

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him"

~Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Ready... Aim... Fire!

What are you shooting for in life? A big family, a great career, a new house? Many of us are striving to attain great goals in life, but few of us have actually taken the time to chart a path that will lead us to these goals. According to statistics, the US personal savings rate is a negative one percent of our disposable income. Many people have no idea how they will fund their education, retirement, or home ownership...even emergencies! So what does this mean? It means that we have skipped the main factors that will ensure we succeed at accomplishing what we set out to fulfill. In essence, we're just firing in the wind!

Many of us are living our lives in a way that is similar to a drive-by shooting. I hate to be graphic, but our lives end up resembling that of a crime scene because we have hit everything...except for what we were trying to hit. This is due to the lack of 'ready-ing' yourself and taking aim with your life. Instead of the big house that we dreamed of having, we're living in a one-bedroom apartment in the rough side of town. And that career that we so passionately longed for, has been traded in for a part-time job at the local department store. What about the Prince-Charming or the Sleeping Beauty that you knew you would marry?

But, just because we may not have some of the things we thought we would have by now, doesn't mean we have to give up on our dreams. Instead, we need to take a step back and ready ourselves. In other words, PREPARE for what you want your future to hold. Then take aim at your dreams. This means we must list out our goals and develop a plan to accomplish them. Then...FIRE! Take action toward obtaining your goals. Anything we set our mind and heart on can be accomplished. So get Ready... Aim... and Fire!

"Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them"

~Joshua 1:2 (NIV)