THOSE WHO FAIL TO PLAN....

You have heard it said that those who fail to plan, plan to fail.  Even the Bible says, "Let us make plans counting on God to direct us."  Many people fail to see the importance of planning.  They come to believe that since they achieve some degree of success it is ok.  However, some of the things they fail to realize are the following:
1.  A failure to maximize results.  They don't achieve the best return on their investment of
     time and  resources.  The results achieved are far less that what they could have been if
     they had just planned.
2.  They actually waste time and resources because they didn't count the cost ahead of
     time.
3.  Others around them are frustrated because of not knowing what to do and when to do it.
4.  Good people are hard to recruit because they aren't attracted to disorganization.
5.  They are expending energy in putting out fires rather than maximizing results.
6.  They fail to personally achieve their overall potential.
7.  They really can't have confidence in the outcome but can only hope for the best.

One could say that failure is achieving far less than what one is capable of doing.  One doesn't consider that in the equation when ignoring the need to plan.  Let me say this, even though you may not like taking the time to plan, just do it.  God wants your best.  Your best is achieved by planning.  When you plan, you have counted the cost, you have planned for a desired outcome and can expect it within reason, you have reduced frustration for yourself and others, you have added value to your project, and you can know you did your best.  So add planning to your project and calendar.  Make it part of your work ethic. Learn to do it even though you may not like it. Then....  the next time you can say, "I planned to succeed because I did not fail to plan."

MY GUT FEELING

Did you ever do something that when you were doing it, it just didn't feel right?  Have you ever had an uneasy feeling about someone and didn't know why?  Have you ever felt that something inside of you was saying don't, but you convinced yourself that it was OK anyway?  Well......., did you learn something?  I have.  Always trust your God given instincts.  That feeling in your gut that gives you an advance "heads up" that this may not be the best thing to do, if a gift from God.   I believe God has given each of us this gift and those who pay attention to it has a higher level of the gift because they they listen and obey God.  God wants us to be aware of the things around us.  He wants to help us make better decisions.  He wants to warn us of potential danger.  I have discovered that using this gift saves us a lot of grief while at the same time others may not understand our reasoning.  God wants to protect us spiritually, relationally, financially, and emotionally.  When we listen to this feeling in our inner being, our gut, we will never have to say, "I had a bad feeling about this," or,  "I should have listened to my gut," or, "I knew this might happen."  You have gut feelings for a reason.  So......  listen to them.  Act accordingly.  Even if nothing happens, you don't know what could of happened in the future.  Obey what God is making you feel and that will be the best thing you can ever do.   My gut is telling me I have said enough.    

IT'S PASSION MAN, PASSION

When I review the stats in churches today, I am saddened.  Last year 47% of churches did not have one person receive salvation.  However, isn't that their main function and purpose?  "Go and make disciples" and then "teach them how to become a fully devoted follower of Christ".  Are these churches and pastors saying there is not one lost person within the reach of the church?

Does the church have to take some responsibility for this?  I think so.  Have they lost sight of the mission of the church?  Do they think more of themselves and their preferences than of those they should be trying to reach?  How can they sit by and do nothing?  Aren't they called as well to bring the lost to Christ?  Have they bought into the distorted belief that it's the pastor's responsibility?  It's time for the church to look at itself and face the brutal facts.  Really, what is the purpose for the existence of the church if not to win the lost and teach them to remain in the faith.  The church must ask itself, "What is our business?"  Then, "How is business?"  What are we passionate about?  It had better be what Jesus was passionate about.
 
Where do the pastors fit into all of this?  Could it be that some have "lost their first love?"  Could others have lost sight of their calling?  Could some have fallen into the trap that they have a job and not a calling?  Could others be waiting for retirement?  Could others just be tired and have given up?  Have we lost sight that we will one day give an account to God?  Does anyone fear that anymore? Are we OK with giving the impression "Just die and go to hell because we just don't care?"  Was Jesus kidding when he said "go out into the city and streets and bring them in so that my house will be full?"  

So what is the problem?  Here is one thought I will suggest to put at the top of the list.  It's called passion.  When people are really passionate about something, they pour themselves into it.  It gets them up in the morning.  Its the last thing on their mind before they go to sleep.  It affects their work schedule,  their work ethic, organizes their priorities, the way they converse or preach, how they lead, and their focus.  Passion drives a person.  Passion is contagious!  Passion is caught by others.  Passion removes the option of failure.  Passion brings one to life.

So what must a church and a pastor do?  Ask God for forgiveness. Pray that God will either renew their passion or place a passion for the lost deep within their souls.  The church must focus on its mission.  The pastor has to lead with passion.  They must become driven.  They have to set the example of leading others to Christ.  If a pastor's calling doesn't excite them, then they should find something somewhere to become passionate about and let a passionate pastor take their place.   Wasn't it passion that drove Christ to the cross?  IT'S PASSION MAN, PASSION!

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

If you don't think the way you think affects the way you think, think again.  Ever heard garbage in garbage out?  What makes one an optimist and another a pessimist?  What makes one positive and one negative? Why does one see white and another black?  Job says in the Bible, "that which I have feared has come upon me".  Even when everything was going well for him, he kept telling himself, this is too good to be true.  Something will happen to take it all away.  This won't last long.  He kept having negative thoughts until Satan saw that this was a way he could destroy him.  I want to encourage you to do as the scripture says, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind".  You can change the way you think.  You have to renew your mind on how to think differently.  You have to remind it until it becomes a habit.  The sad thing that I have noticed in most people is they perform way below their potential.  Why?  They don't believe in themselves or their ability and they are paralyzed by their thought process.  They won't take a risk.  They will never be totally happy in their job.  They will look back with regrets.  Don't let this happen to you.  Begin today to see the glass half full and not half empty.  Begin to see solutions instead of problems.  Begin to see hope instead of despair.  Begin to think positive instead of negative.  YOU CAN DO IT.  CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK!!!