Is it the ‘I’ in me that ‘I’ have not dealt with today? 

‘I’ have another question that ‘I’ must tackle today before I leave.  When will ‘I’ learn that s’I’n keeps me away from God?  How can ‘I’ worry and stress over things out of my control even when God speaks to me as ‘I’ see my son/daughter as he/she innocently put their trust in my hands (their earthly father) to fix the toy that has just been handed to me? 

Have ‘I’ truly learned?  Yet ‘I’ have believed a l’I’e when ‘I’ allow myself to doubt what my elders (and others who have encouraged me along this journey of life) have told me to uplift me when others hated me?  If ‘I’ truly claim that ‘I’ believe the Bible and what it says about me then how can ‘I’ not believe that ‘I’ am too old (mature) to not impact my generation before I expire? 

Today ‘I’ purposely decide that ‘I’ will talk to God about me before ‘I’ go any further. ‘I” must live above any low standard that society has delivered to me. Oh the L’I’e’s that I have believed.  ‘I” will not sing “What a Friend ‘I’ have in Jesus” when ‘I’ only talk to HIM when ‘I’ want something, but never express my gratitude.  ‘I’ do not want glory today, ‘I’ only desire others to experience HIS glory in every area of my life.  Oh yes!  I remind myself of this about my new life.   

”I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  

Author: (In my time alone with HIM.  He spoke to me and I was strengthen.—Travious 2021) 

It Really Doesn’t Matter With Me Now….

Here is a key finding from the study by Dianne Tice and Roy Baumeister is this:  

“The present evidence suggests that procrastinators enjoy themselves rather than working at assigned tasks, until the rising pressure of imminent deadlines forces them to get to work.  In this view, procrastination may derive from a lack of self-regulation and hence a dependency on externally imposed forces to motivate work.”  Self-regulation, self-control, willpower, are all things that we overestimate. We think: “Yeah sure, I will write that assigned paper in 3 weeks.” 
In our minds, we are all geniuses and mentally strong. But when the work comes, we choke quickly.   If you are a procrastinator, you cannot help but delay work. And that is true for the small and the big tasks.  Sure, everybody fears to step outside of their comfort zone — that is why we call them comfort zones. It takes courage to make a bold move. 
But it sure does not take any courage to complete small tasks like paying bills, printing out something for your boss, or doing taxes, etc. 
The truth is: Procrastination has nothing to do with what you are trying to do — whether small or big, it can wait until later. It can always wait, right? 
For many, completing tasks, went like this:  

There comes a moment between the start and end of a task— I choose to call it “the slope of procrastination”—when you give into one distraction. And that is exactly the moment you give up being productive.  You start working on an assigned task, you are excited at first, you’re focused, but then, after some time, you think: Let’s read the news for a second, or log onto Facebook.  

It always starts with just one thing. Then, you think, I might as well watch that movie I recorded last week. Then, a video on YouTube—and then another one. Then, a little bit of FB browsing on the Internet. And so forth.  It always ends with a bang: “This is the last time I am wasting my time!” Yeah, right!  

Willpower Does not Work. Plans Do.  

What you really need is a system, a plan for doing your studies. A lot of people shy away from routines, systems, and frameworks because they want to have “freedom.”  I am sorry to disappoint you: Freedom is your enemy. The fact is that, if you want to get things done, you need ground rules and discipline.  

What are some things that research proved to be effective?  

• • • • Self-imposed deadlines.  
      • Accountability systems (commitment with friends, or a coach).  
• Working/studying in intervals.  
• Exercising 30 minutes a day.  
• A healthy diet.  
• Eliminating distractions.  
• And most importantly: Internal motivation. If you combine the right productivity tactics, you have a productivity system.  

The deadlines create urgency, and accountability will create responsibility, working in intervals improves your focus, exercising will give you more energy, so does a healthy diet, and eliminating distractions will take away the temptations.  But there is no system that can help you if you DON’T have an inner DISCIPLINE, OR drive. People overcomplicate that concept, but it is rather simple: Why is that you do what you do?  Before we go any further you must answer the question but If you do not know. Make something up.  

If you know why you are doing something, even the most annoying tasks become bearable. It will become a part of the bigger picture. 
So, instead of diving into work, take a step back, think about why you do what you do, and then rely on a system or plan that supports that. Not rocket science. Just science.  

I sat in front of my mentor one day and he said to me…I heard that you can play basketball pretty well.  Your very good at what you do at work and your highly gifted. BUT…You are lazy, and you are overweight.  Those words hit like a brick in the face, the man was right.

How did he see all of this about me when I thought no one else knew.  It was at that time that I was reminded to go back and study what the word PROCRASTINATION was and if I was practicing this sin in my life.  How? Where did it come from? When did it get here?  Why had I become comfortable with it? And would I become bitter or better and run away and cry like a big 30+ year old baby…..??

Let’s give some definitions for this word before I begin so you will know what I am talking about:

PROCRASTINATION Defined: noun: (1) Procrastination is a plague that quickly spreads through crowds of students. It is most commonly found in high schools, where teenagers make up the highest contamination rates. It is airborne and extremely dangerous; infection can occur even if there is no contact with an infected person.

(2) Procrastination is the action of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there will be negative consequences for doing so. The word has origin from the Latin procrastinatus, which itself evolved from the prefix pro-, meaning “forward,” and crastinus, meaning “of tomorrow.” It could be further stated as a habitual or intentional delay of starting or finishing a task despite knowing it might have negative consequences

the action of delaying or postponing something.  “Your first tip is to avoid procrastination

What does the Bible say about this to believers and doers of the Bible?  Because I would argue that I believe the book and regarded it highly!  Right?

Proverbs 14: 23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk (procrastination, laziness) leads only to poverty

Ephesians 5: 15 – 17.. So be careful how you live. Don’t live like ignorant lazy people, but like wise people. Make good use of every opportunity you have because these are criminal days. Don’t be fools (stupid), try to find out what the Lord wants you to do. AND GET MOVING!

Procrastination has been around since the start of modern civilization. Historical figures like Herodotus, Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Benjamin Franklin, Eleanor Roosevelt, and a multitude of others have all talked about how procrastination is the “enemy of results”

Some of my favorite quotes about procrastination is from Abraham Lincoln, and Mark Twain: Lincoln wrote “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today” and Twain penned these haunting words, “Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”

Here is a truth fact about procrastination – Is that we all know by experience that it doesn’t’ work. Notice how I used the word “work” which is at the very root of Procrastination. The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary!

Who likes to procrastinate? Just about everybody! Research shows exactly that: When you procrastinate, you might feel better in the short-term, but you always suffer in the long-term.

It does not really matter why you procrastinate, or the reasons you give yourself. Some people love the pressure of deadlines. Some are afraid to fail so they put off what needs to be done until the very last moment. But one thing that all procrastinators have in common is that procrastination has a price.

Research published in the American Psychological Society journal, by Dianne Tice and Roy Baumeister discusses the cost of procrastination. It is closely related to:

• Depression
• Irrational beliefs
• Low self-esteem
• Anxiety
• Stress

Procrastination is not innocent behavior. It is a sign of poor self-regulation, a lack of discipline.

Here are some comments people have made: 

• The years after I got out of college were also a struggle for me in terms of starting and finishing work, projects assigned at my employment.
• Every time I had an idea or a goal, I would start, but along the way, things would soon go wrong. I went from starting the race, to total chaos.
• Distractions Procrastination is a habit that just sneaks into your system.
• It is not something you can shake easily.
• Every time I had a business idea or I wanted to start something; it went like this:

other ideas, other opportunities, failure, negative self-talk, etc., would get in the way.  And the results are always the same: You never get anything done.  So, what was my action plan to be?  I asked the Holy Spirit (Yes! My helper. The same person who helped Jesus when he walked the earth as a man in the flesh) to give me an example and he gave me this account from the Bible:  Let me show you what he reminded me of:

The story in I Kings 13:11-34 about the liar who got a man killed..Now read fo’ youself!

11An old prophet was living in Bethel. His sons told him everything the man of God did in Bethel that day and the exact words he had spoken to the king. When they told their father, 12he said to them, “Which road did he take?” (His sons had seen which road the man of God from Judah had taken.) 13The old prophet told his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” After they had saddled the donkey for him, he got on it. 14He went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak tree. The old prophet asked him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” “Yes,” he answered. 15“Come home with me, and eat a meal,” the old prophet replied. 16The man of God said, “I’m not allowed to go back with you. I’m not allowed to eat or drink with you. 17When the LORD spoke to me, he told me not to eat or drink there or go back on the road I took to get there.” 18The old prophet said, “I’m also a prophet, like you. An angel spoke the word of the LORD to me. He said, ‘Bring him home with you so that he may have something to eat and drink.’ ” (But the old prophet was lying.) 19The man of God went back with him and ate and drank in his home.

20When they were sitting at the table, the LORD spoke his word to the old prophet who had brought back the man of God. 21The LORD also called to the man of God. He said, “This is what the LORD says: You rebelled against the words from the LORD’s mouth and didn’t obey the command that the LORD your God gave you. 22You came back, ate, and drank at this place about which he told you, ‘Don’t eat or drink there.’ That is why your dead body will not be allowed to be placed in the tomb of your ancestors.” 23After the old prophet had something to eat and drink, he saddled the donkey for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24The man of God left. A lion found him [as he traveled] on the road and killed him. His dead body was thrown on the road. The donkey and the lion were standing by the body. 25People who passed by saw the body lying on the road and the lion standing by the body. They talked about it in the city where the old prophet was living.

26When the old prophet who had brought the man of God back from the road heard about it, he said, “It’s the man of God who rebelled against the words from the LORD’s mouth! The LORD gave him to the lion. It tore him to pieces and killed him as the word of the LORD had told him.” 27Then the old prophet told his sons to saddle his donkey for him. So they did. 28He found the body of the man thrown on the road. He also found the donkey and the lion standing beside it. The lion had not eaten the body, nor had it torn the donkey to pieces. 29The old prophet picked up the body of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. He came to his own city to mourn for him and to bury him. 30He laid the body of the man of God in his own tomb and mourned over the man, saying, “Oh no, my brother, my brother!” 31After he had buried the man of God, he said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in the tomb where the man of God was buried. Lay my bones beside his bones. 32The things that he announced by a command of the LORD against the altar in Bethel and all the illegal worship sites in the cities of Samaria will happen.”

33Even after this, Jeroboam didn’t change his evil ways, but he once again made some men priests for the illegal worship sites. He took all who were willing and appointed them to be priests at the worship sites. 34Appointing illegal priests became the sin of Jeroboam’s family so that it had to be destroyed and wiped off the face of the earth.

We will continue with Part 2….

• PEP RALLY SESSIONS – We are here to build biblical Fathers and mentors. We are not here to attack, embarrass, or put down men. To much of that has taken place, however we are here to train and equip men to be men of honor or double honor.  Why do we kill our fallen men?
• BLAME – We are not here to blame women or anyone. Our purpose is to build, mentor, train and come alongside those who have a desire to grow and become biblical Fathers and mentors in the life of others
• RELEVANCE – We are here to show that Jesus was not a punk with long hair smiling, pick up children and being a victim. We are here to address topics that will mature and not be left unspoken because of political correctness or fear
• “A REAL MAN” – This site deals with teaching and training men to see that they were made to lead in their environment, train others, loving guide, protect and lead their families and learn how to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to make an impact in their generation that lives beyond them
• THE ANSWER TO WHY MORE MEN ARE NOT BIBLICAL FATHERS AND MENTORS – The reasons for this are many.  This site and our workshops are design to explain, exam and address ignorance.  When men are impacted by one another it makes a life changing difference.  We know the behavior (sin) now we are to address what repentance, restoration and training in right living looks like to a world that calls right wrong and wrong right

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.  Then we are frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough and we’ll be more content when they are.

After that we’re frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.  We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now.  If not now … when?  Your life will always be filled with challenges. It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza …

“For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.

But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.”

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.  So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time … and remember that time waits for no one …  So stop waiting until you finish school … until you go back to school … until you lose ten pounds … until you gain ten pounds … until you have kids … until your kids leave the house … until you start work … until you retire … until you get married … until you get divorced … until Friday night … until Sunday morning … until you get a new car or home … until your car or home is paid off … until spring, until summer … until fall … until winter … until you are off welfare … until the first or fifteenth … until your song comes on … until you’ve had a drink … until you’ve sobered up … until you die … until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy …  Happiness is a journey … not a destination!!

 Thought for the day:

Tell me how are you gonna fall when you ain’t even tired to fly yet?  Do you realize that ACTION has no season?

“Money and power don’t change you, they just further expose your true self.” – Jay Z

Money + Power shouldn’t equal a different you. The truth can come out in a person that realizes both. Never change who you are and stay humble. 

Did you know that Jesus talked about money in the Bible?  Money and possessions are the second most referenced topic in the Bible – money is mentioned more than 800 times – and the message is clear: Nowhere in Scripture is debt viewed in a positive way.

The principles below are a great way to build and establish a spiritual foundation for your business, and life.  Intentionally learn how to be a biblical father or mentor in the area of finances. These principles will change your life IF you apply them.  The kingdom of heaven principles that Jesus talked about concerning are mentioned told in a story format in the book, The Legend of the monk and Merchant by Terry Felber.

1. Work Hard and God will prosper you

Antonio begins by teaching Julio about good old hard work and how good ideas can only be possible through the amount of time and effort put into them. Antonio emphasizes working hard despite the negative influences around you.

This is an important trait to pass down to the next generation. Learning to work hard with your mind and hands is important to becoming a skilled and productive worker. It is nearly impossible to do work without your hands. For years I worked in restaurants as a chef and worked hard with my hands every single day, chopping vegetables, rolling pizza dough, or whisking together hollandaise sauce. This experience taught me how to work hard and how to get things done quickly and efficiently. Today I type emails, draw advertising layouts and shake hands with clients to close deals, all require the use of my hands. Scripture tells us that God will bless ‘all that thou settest thine hand unto’ if we are faithful to Him. The hard work of our hands can be blessed, but it must be Holy. God will not bless the work of men’s hands if it is evil.

Biblical References:

“The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto, and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Deuteronomy 28:8 KJV http://bible.com/1/deu.28.8.kjv

“Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.” Deuteronomy 28:4 KJV http://bible.com/1/deu.28.4.kjv

“The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.” Deuteronomy 28:12 KJV http://bible.com/1/deu.28.12.kjv

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV http://bible.com/1/2th.3.10.kjv

2. Financial prosperity is often connected to soul prosperity

Antonio tells Julio the story about his second meeting with Allessio. In the story, Allessio and Antonio attend church together. In the sermon, the pastor talks about Jesus’ teaching about how ‘it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God’. Antonio is downtrodden afterwards because he has left a life of being totally submitted to God to pursue profit. Allessio explains to him what that scripture really means. In ancient days, the eye of the needle was actually a small door into the city gates. It was possible for a camel to get through the eye of a needle but for it to happen the camel had to be on its knees…just like men of wealth. We have to humble ourselves and get down on our knees before God.

Wealth is often looked down upon, and some people even feel guilty because they are wealthy. The common misconception is that wealth is evil and that those who are wealthy are evil. Some may even incorrectly quote the Bible and say, ‘the root of all evil is money’. Timothy 6:10 says ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil’. In the scripture that the pastor was quoting, Jesus was addressing the thing that was keeping the rich man from submitting himself to God. He had made money his idol. God speaks to each of us individually and we all have certain idols in our life that keep us from surrendering ourselves to God. These idols often keep us from prospering financially.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 1:2 KJV http://bible.com/1/3jn.1.2.kjv

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 KJV http://bible.com/1/jer.29.11.kjv

“And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:21-27 KJV http://bible.com/1/luk.18.21-27.kjv

“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:” Deuteronomy 28:1 KJV http://bible.com/1/deu.28.1.kjv

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV http://bible.com/1/mat.6.33.kjv

“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4 KJV http://bible.com/1/psa.37.4.kjv

3. A man must do whatever he can to provide for his family

I have heard many stories about families separating because the man in the household has given up on trying to provide for his family and has become a bump on a log on the couch at home. Those who are the primary breadwinner in the home must do whatever they can to provide for their family. If that means working 2-3 part-time jobs and working 70 hours a week that is what should be done. Alessio asks Antonio how everything else is going besides business. Antonio tells Allessio about his new girlfriend Maria. Allessio takes this opportunity to teach Antonio the importance of being a provider and how he must be able to do that before he marries her.

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8 KJV http://bible.com/1/1ti.5.8.kjv

4. Trials develop your character preparing you for increased blessings

In the story, Allessio’s glass factory burns to the ground leaving his business completely gone. He is left with nothing but a box with his glassmaking secrets. After meeting with Allessio, Antonio is convinced that he can rebuild and make his business better than ever. After rebuilding his factory and overcoming more problems, Antonio grows his business to be better than ever. The trial that Antonio faces develop his character and gives him the resilience needed for his business to flourish.

Rarely growth occurs in the comfort zone. If we continue to take the path of least resistance in life, we will never have the courage, character or strength to make it through the tough times. That is why we can transform each trial into a blessing by persevering through tough times and using every obstacle as a learning experience.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 KJV http://bible.com/1/rom.8.31.kjv

5. Take responsibility for problems that are the result of your own bad decisions. Don’t displace the blame.

Allessio points out to Antonio that his factory was too small to contain the furnaces necessary to process the materials to make glass. Antonio admits that he knew this and should have corrected it. Instead of blaming the devil for this, Allessio points out that it is simply the result of cause and effect. The enemy shouldn’t always get credit for bad things happening. The decisions we make often are the cause of our problems.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8 KJV http://bible.com/1/1pe.5.8.kjv

6. See challenges as stepping stones not as obstacles

Allessio reminds Antonio that he was planning on building a new factory anyway and that this fire just helped him speed up the process. He tells him that the factory burning down is not an obstacle but a stepping stone. If Antonio chooses to, he can take this opportunity to strengthen his business. Perception is the key to any problem. Having sound advisors around you, that can perceive different sides of issues is important. Some may fail to see the good side of things and others know that the greatest opportunities are often birthed out of the greatest devastation.

7. Be meek before God, but bold before men.

Fear is temporary. Regret is forever. Action gets rid of fear. –The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant, pg. 163 

It takes courage to stand up for what you believe is true. It also takes humility to submit to God. Being assertive and confidently expressing truth to those you interact with is often looked down upon. But these are good qualities to have in business.

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 KJV http://bible.com/1/mat.5.5.kjv

8. Live debt free and below your means

Like many other college graduates, I too have had significant student loan debt. After working hard for several years, I am very close to paying it all off and being completely debt free. Many believe that the key to building wealth is to get out of debt and stay out of debt. This is tough to do when you live above your means. People often sacrifice their internal peace to give an allusion of external peace and well-being. This leads to a person living pay check to pay check and only paying the bare minimums on their credit cards and loans. This is a trap that many get sucked into and have a hard time escaping. When the pain gets great enough, some people will decide to make a change in their spending habits. It takes laser focus and “gazelle like intensity”, as Dave Ramsey puts it, to work yourself out of debt.

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 KJV http://bible.com/1/rom.13.8.kjv

9. Always keep to your budget

Alessio teaches Antonio several principles about the smart handling of money. This principle is the key to getting out of debt and staying out of debt. Almost once a week my wife and I have a brief meeting to discuss our budget. We take a look at where we are financially and we agree on a budget. We are always looking for ways to save money so that we can lower our spending and stay within our budget.

10. Loaning money destroys relationships

Antonio tells Julio a story about how he refused to give a loan to his brother-in-law to help him with his restaurants. Antonio knew that loaning him the money could eventually cause a strain on their relationship. The brother-in-law was initially upset with Antonio but eventually he came back to Antonio for his advice, not his money.

Loaning money to others can be helpful to them but if they don’t pay you back it can create a strained relationship. The short-term help of a loan may also enable them to continue in their ways.

11. Set aside the first 10 percent to honor God

Antonio tells Julio, “Every month I have made it a habit to give to God the first 10 percent of my income.” He lets Julio know that it is critical that he understands that everything that he has are all gifts from God.
If you think about it, God gives us 90% of our income and he only takes 10%. It is not that God needs our money, but that it is a form of worship. Giving to Him allows us to handle our money and prevents our money from handling us. This control gives perspective and discipline. When we perish our money does not go with us. What we can do is invest in building the Kingdom of God and leaving a portion behind for those we love.

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:8-10 KJV http://bible.com/1/mal.3.8-10.kjv

12. Understand the power of partnership

During Alesio and Antonio’s last meeting, Alesio reveals that he has been providing funds to help rebuild St. Peter’s Bascillica. He tells him, “God has designed a special relationship between businessmen and leaders in the church. We, as businessmen, can provide the provision for the visions of the priests.” He tells Antonio that he has done a great job of building his empire to the glory of God but now, “it is time for you to reach up.” How?  By understanding that the purpose of your prosperity and position is to help others who may be oppressed and who want to do better.  Teach them how and require that they teach others and not be selfish.

Partnering with God and sowing into the Kingdom is what we were made to do. It is Gods will that Heaven would come down to earth (“on earth as it is in Heaven”). I count it a great privilege to partner with the Church to finance and build the kingdom of God.

Source:

12 Godly Principles to Live By – dDaniel Advertising Brian Sorce

Is The Bible The Ultimate Financial Guide? (forbes.com)

23 Money Quotes by Rappers to Keep You Motivated (millionairemob.com)

Are you applying the wisdom PRINCIPLES from the book (The Bible) that cannot lie?

What is a PRINCIPLE?

Define: Spiritual principles are the path laid out for experiencing our lives free of unnecessary suffering, with strength and resilience to experience the pain and fear that must be walked through as a part of life.

When God speaks to you through His Word, he is talking to the real you, YOUR SPIRIT man.  This is who should dominate your flesh NOT the other way around.

The born again believer’s job is to make our heads (will, emotions, intellect and imaginations) conform to the complete will of God by renewing our minds daily with the Word of Truth that is able to heal the dark, unhealed places in us.  Only then can one recover himself from what the enemy has planned for them.  So jot down what you give most of your attention to. (e.g. internet, news, gossip, bible intake only and no time with unbelievers sharing your life like Jesus and his disciples did, or foolishness avoiding every kind of evil that teaches us to live contrary to the teachings of Christ)

Let’s learn some wisdom for today and life…

1. Work hard, and you will have a lot of food; waste time, and you will have a lot of trouble.  [Proverbs 28:11]

Diligence in life is the key to wealth.  It is not how much you make it is learning the purpose of prosperity that you have been entrusted with by God.  People who say that there is no God are fools.  The five different types of fools are the naïve, the stubborn, the sensual (selfish), the scorner (cynical), and the steadfast (downright mean.) We are all fools in one way or another. Thankfully, God gives counsel to each type of fool in the Bible.

2. Health

• Sayings on Health[1]
• The beginning of health is sleep. ~ Irish Proverbs
• Work is half of health. ~ Swedish Proverbs
• Good health and good sense are two great blessings. ~ Latin Proverbs
• An imaginary ailment is worse than a disease. ~ Yiddish Proverbs
• Just because you’re not sick doesn’t mean you’re healthy. ~ Traditional Proverb

3. Proverbs 4:1-27—Wisdom from Fathers and Mentors

Get wisdom

• Wisdom comes from listening, observation and many times keeping quiet.  The father continuously encourages his children to listen to his words. He mentions that his father taught him to retain his father’s teachings and to obey his commandments.
• Dad, are you listening? Remember, we teach by example. Our actions speak much louder than our words. Are you listening to your children? Do you take the time to listen to what they have to say?

Be careful who your friends are

The father or mentor warns his children about the destructive ways of those in the world. He tells his children to stay as far away from sin as possible.

Guard your heart

It is only by God’s Word that we can keep our hearts pure. It is only by God’s Word that we can keep from sin. Dads and mentors, teach your children to be students of the Bible by being a student of the Bible yourself.

Watch your words

Listen more than you speak.  What are you saying about yourself?  What have you been saying about others?  Examine if your words corresponding with your everyday actions.

Stay focused

Mentors teach us to stay focused. There are many distractions in our world today that want to take you off course.  Do not leave your commitment for a cute face and a small waist, a big butt and a smile, a woman with a big rack or get addicted or whupped by her pleasure, porn etc.

[1] https://chrisnoland.org/2014/05/28/lessons-from-a-wise-father-proverbs-41-27/
https://teachings.dwellcc.org/teaching/2707

Always remember: When you make the choice to heal, you are going to trigger a lot of unhealed people.  Keep going and don’t look back, God will see you through every step of the way.  When they counted me out, I smiled and secretly thought to myself, it’s not even the second half yet.  My mother told me that failure is an opportunity to begin again, this time with experience.

Today I see and realize if God showed me the whole journey, I would never take the first step.

So today I will live my life by the faith of the Word of God first, and not by what I can see, feel, hear, touch and taste.  Yes they may be facts, however I choose to live by the TRUTH of my God’s Word.  He promised me  as his son that if I add to my faith that I would never fail.  Did he lie??

2 Peter 1:5-11…

 ⁵ For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge; ⁶ to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness; ⁷ to your godliness add Christian affection; and to your Christian affection add love. ⁸ These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance, they will make you active and effective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But if you do not have them, you are so shortsighted that you cannot see and have forgotten that you have been purified from your past sins.

¹⁰ So then, my friends, try even harder to make God’s call and his choice of you a permanent experience; if you do so, you will never abandon your faith.¹¹ In this way you will be given the full right to enter the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.