We make resolutions for the New Year but many people also make them at Easter.

The New Year we see the most people deciding to change their lives.  The many things that they know they need to do like lose weight, eat healthier, treat others kinder, save money, and so on are all on the table.

So many times we see these commitments fall by the wayside, the question is why? Was the commitment just emotional? What keeps some people from following through?

 Please give me some feedback here…..

Easter is another time many people are making commitments.  people will often go to church and here a message. Many of these people only attend every once in a while and the message moves them to want to make changes they know they should make.  Just like New Years we see at Easter people seeing a need to change and making commitments.

We see the same problems happening from New Years and Easter commitments, too many people only last a very short time on the commitment.

Is it a lack of character?

Is the commitment something they make to feel better about themselves for a while?

Is it just emotional and when the feeling fade they have not made the true level of commitment? What is the reason?

I have some ideas but would love to hear yours.  We need to understand why people commit to things only to not follow through within a short time.

I will say that there are those also who actually seem to follow through, but we see these people are the minority.  It is like 90 percent do not and 10 percent do, is that close?

So why is it some have a real change take place and many do not?

What is the underline difference between the two of these?

This is an important discussion in our society so let us get as many people talking about it as possible if you would, thank you.

 

 

Easter is a time of rebirth.  The power of the resurrection is beyond what anyone could truly comprehend.  Today I want to talk about the power it affords us in our lives to be created new.

 

Imagine that we can start over and change the entire course of our lives.  We can do a complete turnaround.

 

If you could become the person you truly felt you were meant to be, would you, do it?

 

Imagine that the dream seeds planted inside of you.  The things that make you jump inside and truly give you purpose could come to pass?

 

How is it possible that we can become new and completely change our future and live?

 

We are created as Spirit, body, and soul.  The body is dying every day as we grow older.  When we are born we are the newest we can be, then our bodies as they grow start to age.  These are documented facts in our lives.  The Spirit and soul however according to scripture, speaks to them as eternal.  The Spirit and Soul are what is created new and being transformed. 

 

The body will be changed when we die.  We receive an eternal one but the Spirit and soul good or bad will live forever.  The fact that these both are alive and able to change by the power of God. Allows us to see how we can turn our lives around.  It is not our own power that does it but our surrender to allow God to make these changes in our lives.

 

I understand this is a very deep subject and there are many scriptures that back it up.  There is a lot of science even to back up what I am saying.  Okay so let’s stop a moment start from this foundation.

 

When we surrender our lives to God and allow Jesus to create in us a clean heart, we are born again.  Salvation is us surrendering to the work of the cross and the resurrection.  When we make this commitment to surrender our lives to God, to accept the gift of salvation we then can begin to grow in grace.  Instead of us getting older we are getting wiser, changing, growing up spiritually.

 

The purpose God created us to accomplish can come alive within us and the Holy Spirit will empower us to allow that purpose to come forth.  We, of course, have our part to do but we must understand that God is with us and we will accomplish what we are created for if we continue to do our part.

 

God created us in His image, so we should not be shocked.  God is all-powerful, the creator, a Spirit, we are like Him, but of course not Him.  We have some of the same characteristics God created us to have but of course, we are not god’s.  We are special, created to do great things, nothing in the world is created like us.  God made us to be the rulers of the world and to be the example of Christ-like behavior.

 

When we just start to understand these facts, we should never doubt God’s plans for our individual lives.  What stops us is our own doubts, fears, and our own limiting beliefs.

 

If we but grasp a true glimpse of the power of the resurrection we will be changed forever. The cross, Jesus, God, or the bible is not meant to be all received without a level of faith.  Logic is there but cannot complete the picture it is faith that is the final ingredient to change lives.

 

I would love to have you post scriptures to back up. I can do it but it is nice to hear others and the scriptures they will choose.  So post some please.

I am reminded today I was created in God’s image created for a purpose. God knew me in my mother’s womb and called me for a unique purpose. I am priceless. Worth more than any treasure this earth has to offer. I have been given the gift of salvation through the work of the cross, Jesus paid a price I could not pay.

I am truly blessed with more than I can ever comprehend. We have incredible children, friends, mentors, and people in our lives. Today I am reminded as I grow another year older to celebrate Gods goodness and love.

We all have the opportunity to know Christ, to know God. We are born priceless and worth more than anything this world can offer. Born for eternity, yes we will live forever, created for a purpose.

I am reminded today of that purpose God has for my life. I pray you never forget your purpose and the God how not only created you but lives you for eternity.

May all who read this be blessed and know Gods love, forgiveness, and the power of the Cross. Blessings my friends

Breakthrough Principle: Forgiveness

 

What is forgiveness?

 

Are we required to forgive?

 

Why should we forgive others?

 

Forgiveness is one of those words and issues that impact everyone in the world.  No one is left without the impact of forgiveness or unforgiveness.

 

What happens when someone does us wrong? 

 

How do we react when others have wronged us, or we have hurt others?

 

Most people want to forgiveness when they make mistakes. A friend I knew that when they did something wrong they would ask and expect to have mercy.  They would complain when others did not forgive them right away. When people hurt them, they would hold a grudge for a while and stay mad.  Everyone knew they had a temper and that they did not like to forgive others.

 

Studies show that unforgiveness, bitterness, and anger can lead to health issues.  There are those who even link bitterness to cancer and other illnesses.  We all realize that too many of us harbor unforgiveness. 

 

When we go through horrible things should we forgive?

 

There was a woman who was permanently disabled and hurt by some young boys throwing pumpkins off an overpass.  The boys who threw the pumpkins caused so much pain, damage, and suffering to the woman.  The woman forgave them and asked to speak with them.  She believed in forgiveness. 

 

Studies show if we do not forgive we are hurt the most.  Some people have wronged others not even realizing it.  They go about life not ever knowing they offended anyone. The Peron who was hurt allows it to fester and grow affecting their whole life. It seems that too many times we are trying to judge people instead of forgiving them.

 

There is power in forgiving others. It is like a release of pressure when we let go of the bitterness and unforgiveness.  People can allow the pressure to build until exploding.  The other option is we can release it with true forgiveness.

 

Forgiveness is not shallow. It requires more than just saying forgive me.  It needs a change in our actions.  We must stop those actions that are wrong when we ask others to forgive us. 

When we forgive we must cast offenses as far as the east is from the west.  If we see that person and cannot help but bring it up or see it in our minds, we are not at forgiveness yet.  The process can take a while, but it is a process. 

 

Whatever we decide we need to forgive and become once again a nation and world who learns to forgive genuinely.  Joy reigns in forgiveness and death reign in unforgiveness. 

 

The article is short on the topic of forgiveness, but I hope it starts the conversation in our hearts.

Breakthrough Principle: Listening 

 

Attentive

We must learn to give our full attention.  The better we listen and communicate our desire that we care about what others say. the more powerful the connection.  We must develop the ability to focus. When our attention wanders we must redirect our attention back to the person.  The skill of attentive behavior is a master key to success.

Ask yourself how well this is working for you now. 

 

Do you interrupt people when talking?

 

Do you think about your response while they are still talking?

 

If we answer yes then there is work to do.  I know I still have work to do.

Eye contact

It is very easy to not look into a person’s eyes.  In our society today, people have a hard time with this one.  We must learn to consider the eyes of the person we are talking to.  The connection we make by considering their eyes and paying close attention to what they say will speak volumes.

 

When speaking to someone do you look past them?

 

Do you look down or away often?  

Vulnerability

Connect with people by allowing them to see you do not have all the answers.  Allow yourself to be real and transparent.  People want to know others who are knowledgeable but also who are real.  Always speak to others on their level and connect in common ways.  This is a skill set that must be learned in many cases.

 

Do you always answer a question or do you ask them?

 

Do you look for the input of others without adding your own to further make the point?

 

Do you make people feel like smarter after being around you?

 

The truth is we may be more knowledgeable about issues than them.  Always make them feel important and their answers must be valuable.  If we always must elaborate past their answer than we lose the power of connection. 

We become self-absorbed not others absorbed. Never lie or bend the truth.  If something is wrong with their answers questions are great steering wheels to truth. They are still contributing the answers and they leave lifted, they build enthusiasm.

Faking it

     There are many studies out there that believe it’s okay to fake your way through things.  I know we need to do this at times but one things we should never fake is our pure intentions.  People will feel our energy quickly so we must be genuine and not fake with our intentions.  

Be sure the reason we are doing something is not selfish.  If we only talk to someone for our own needs we are being self-centered.

 

Do you only have conversations about what you want to talk about?

 

Do you always bring a conversation back to your accomplishments, what is happening in your life? Do you ask them about their lives and remember past details?

 

These are skills that will empower us to grow our relationships and move us in the right direction.  We serve others and in the process, help ourselves by focusing on them.

Run the race to win.

What is the commitment and effort in your life toward the goals you have currently?

Do you have a defined race to run?

Are you only scattered with the purpose of your life?

It is an interesting set of questions we must consider.  I would like to hear some feedback to those who are willing.

What are steps we can take to define our race?

What are the steps we take to not burn out during our race, to have endurance?

What role does our race play in our faith?

Would anyone like to share their race they are running?

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

The principles of affect and effect

.The principle of affect and effect is prevalent in our society.  There is no escaping its impact.  The question is will you use the power of this principle in a positive or negative way. We see examples in the bible, social culture, homes, businesses, and throughout the world.  Its power never stops, its power God has given us as a gift.

What is the Principle of affect and effect?

How are you using this power today?

Who are you affecting and effecting in a positive way?

Who are you affecting and effecting in a negative way?

Every person throughout history has had this power working in their lives.  Some have used this power for evil.  Hitler is an example of a man who used this principle to impact millions of lives even long after his death.  Jesus used this principle to impact people throughout history we see examples of the impact on lives.  Today billions of people all over the world have been impacted in ways we cannot even measure.  The principle is so powerful that once we fully begin to grasp its power we should never feel insignificant again.

There are those who feel like their lives do not matter.  Some feel they have not had the impact they wanted.  I have felt in times past these emotions.  The truth is what we must see.  The power of affect and effect has been working and having an impact upon lives.  We may not see it now but it is there.

The principle of affect and effect is simple but profound. It is complex yet uncomplicated. It can impact people around the world and ourselves all at the same time.  The principle is universal and Transcends all limits of time.  History is full of measurable ways this Principle of affect and effect has worked.

Parts of the principle of affect and effect:

1. Influence

2. Habit

3. Emotions

4. Impact

5. Life and death

6. Changed behavior

7. Critical parts of life itself

8. The most overlooked power we have

9. The most underestimated power people use to the good

10. It is always working

     Leadership is influence. We who have studied leadership understand this principle.  Influence is something we all affect and effect people will daily either negatively or positively.  We impact our own lives in powerful ways by this principle. The life we are living today is having a powerful impact. If I asked that question to an audience of 5000 average blue-collar workers we would here many say I have very little impact.

What if the change everyone is looking for is at our fingertips?

People say we have racial divide in our country?

People say we need changes to gun control, new safety measures for everything. New ratings systems on video games, tv, and so on.  Many people are having a conversation that our world is growing evil and people lack a of value life.

Why do we kill, hurt, destroy, commit suicide, cheat, steal, lie, and the list just keeps on going?  Why do we do what we do?

We have the Principle of affect and effect working all throughout the world and in our lives.  The reasons are simple yet complex.  Influence plays a role far greater than we can imagine.  Science has proven that children have their greatest impacts upon who they are in the first 5 years or so of their lives.  They develop many of their traits they carry through life then.

What kind of influence happens to children by age 5?

What kind of influence happens to children by age 13?

What kind of influence happens to children by age 19?

I am asking these questions so we think.  No matter what we do in life.  If we own a business or work a job the principles of affect and effect are at work. In life there is a reaction for every action we take.  We might call it cause and effect.  I child who has no human contact will die. A child who has no mom or dad growing up has issues that impact his or her life.  The reason God gave us a road map to follow for family structure and values was to help us have proper affect and effect in our lives.  When people push against any of these principles laid out about values or family structure for instance we see a powerful affect and effect. The Affect and effect not only happens in their lives but also the lives of others.

Respond with me about these questions above and let’s discuss the power of affect and effect.  Who will take up the discussion with me. This is not exhaustive by any means. Affect the verb and effect the noun of this principle.

 

Trapped behind bars

Do you ever feel trapped behind bars?

Like you are locked away or chained not able to break free?

Does the past haunt you or are you stuck?

There was a man who walking with his family who had just lost his job.  They were headed to the store for the first time he had asked for help not being able to meet the bills.  They paid with food with the government assistance he had gotten for his family.  He felt so bad his spirit had been crushed.  Here he was 50 years old told he was out of date at his current job.  They suggested going back to school but he could not imagine that at his age.

Then all a suddenly he was taken by two men and put into the back of a van. His family screamed for help but no one could help them.  Off the van raced out of sight. He was taken and blind folded to a room with three cells in it. He had no idea why he was there the only thing told him was this:

You are nothing, no one wants you, people like you are failures to everyone around them.  For three days they slipped a plate of food under the small opening in the bars and told him the same things.  They spoke to him every hour the same messages of discouragement.

Then on the 4^th day they added things like your wife is better off without you.  The kids are happier you are not there complaining anymore.  Now they can do what they want.  You are worthless, you should have never been born, you should just die and do everyone a favor.

The three of them were told the same things for now 1 month.  They begged to be let out but were told they would never see the outside again. It was a cold and dark place with very little light they could not see each other.  The woman in the cell to the left soon stopped eating.  They all began to lose their will to live.  Soon the food had no taste to him he began to repeat over and over the guard’s words in his head.  Hope had gone from him.  The guard came in he had lost all track of time now weak and tired they took the body of the woman away.

The man next to him cried I am dying just kill me get it over with.  He just in silence laid on the floor weak.  He knew his death was coming close. Some days passed and the man beside him was carried away.  He was almost gone he had not drank in days as his food and water just laid in front of the cell wasting away.  Then late the next evening he took his last breath.

The guards came in and checked him.  He is dead, time to find some more.  They laughed and joked it is so funny they never check the door.  We just tell them there is not hope, no way out, they will never leave.  No one ever tries to open the cell.  The guards left the doors unlocked and if any would come out to escape they earned their freedom but no one ever did.

Do you feel trapped in a cell of pain, hurt, frustration, are you just allowing life to happen to you?

It is time to open the door, it is time to step out of our comfort zone of pain and live again. Someone needs to here this today.  Break free from the complacent, break free from fear, break free from the pain of the past, it is time to open the prison doors and live again. Time to reflect in we are allowing ourselves to be help captive from past attitude or events. Food for thought.

I pray we search out hearts to know if we are enslaved by something that is holding us back from who we are meant to be.  I am always here to be there for you if needed.

Isaiah 61:1

Verse Concepts

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

Colossians 1:13-14

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Romans 8:1-2

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:23 New International Version (NIV)

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a]Christ Jesus our Lord.

Breakthrough week 5: Why?

What is your life’s purpose?

What is the why for what you do?

What are the details to get you there?

What will it look like?

Do you envision what it will be like one day?

Here is an exert from my new book The American Entrepreneur talking about details in our vision.

      Being an entrepreneur is exciting, scary, fun, and can become even stressful.  These emotions can even happen all in the same day.  There is a question to be asking ourselves.  What are we doing on a daily bias to change our habits to allow our reactions to become what they must be?

       God revealed in the bible a picture to John on an island of what the New Jerusalem would look like. “21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. ² And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

³ I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.^[a] 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

⁵ And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” ⁶ And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. ⁷ All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

⁸ “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

⁹ Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

¹⁰ So he took me in the Spirit^[b] to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. ¹¹ It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. ¹² The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. ¹³ There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. ¹⁴ The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. ¹⁶ When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.^[c] 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick^[d] (according to the human standard used by the angel).

¹⁸ The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. ¹⁹ The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones:^[e] the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

²¹ The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.

²² I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. ²⁴ The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. ²⁵ Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. ²⁶ And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. ²⁷ Nothing evil^[f] will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelations 21:1-26 NIV

     Understand some principles in the description of this picture with me.  The descriptions her are very detailed for many items mentioned.  Twelve gates are all made from a single pearl.  There are twelve layers of the foundation of the city. The gold there is described as pure it is like clear glass.  There are so many detailed things here but there are also some very uniform and structured themes.  The twelve tribes, twelve gates, twelve foundation layers, and it continues.

      I chose this picture to bring out some very important truths of the entrepreneur’s dream or vision.  We must have a defined picture of what we are achieving.  We must also have a clear foundational layer to our business.  The theme of our purpose or our message must run throughout everything we do.  The branding I was talking about earlier in the book is a key to longevity.

.

      These are the layers of the foundation of the business.  The dream, purpose, and plan are all working together to structure what the business will look like.  The moment a business is started with no real purpose, dream, or plan the foundation cracks.  The foundation is hard to fix and time consuming when it cracks in our homes.  The business foundation can be fixed from structural cracks but understand it will take a lot of work.

It does not matter if you own a business or if you are in ministry.  It does not matter if you are a single parent or family.  Whatever the purpose or why for your life these principles can be applied to make your purpose clear. The mind will work subconsciously to achieve the goals when it is clear.

Adding this article to the last 10 should start to give us a clear view to help develop a winning strategy in our lives toward goals and dreams God has put in our hearts.  Remember to write down goals daily and to have a vision board where we can see it and think upon it.  Dream again and have faith that whatever purpose God has for you will happen with your right actions.

What is does the details of our dream or purpose look like?

What steps are we taking to get there daily?

I believe you can do this.  With God all things are possible, so whatever you purpose is from Him you can accomplish.

Copywrite 2018

Westbow Press

Ron Bennett

Used to re-post or quote by permission

 

Builders of People

 

Those who are strong should build others up.  Each of us should be about building up our neighbors and people we meet.

 

Strong people are encouraging and builders of people.

 

Who are we encouraging daily?

 

When people meet us are they built up after they leave our presence?

 

Do we focus on us or them in our conversations?

 

 

The reason we are given all the wisdom and teachings of Jesus was about encouraging others and giving them hope.  Jesus wanted to build others up in all that they do and are in life.  Hope in life everlasting life, hope in the future, hope in their abilities to become great in their purpose in life.  Greatness is fulfilling our purpose in life not everyone’s expectations of us.

 

 

In business if we build others up we create wonderful relationships that will last for years to come.  I have customers (friends) who have been with me for over 25 years or more now.  Did I just sell them a product?  No, I met their needs and I built them up.  I really began to understand this more in my studying this week on leadership.  I took the time in my business to build up others as I met their needs and those people stayed with us.

 

 

Please also understand this is not about being able to do everything right all the time.  It is about a lifestyle we are learning to live.  Building others up no matter our profession or position in life will only add value to everyone and hope.

 

Hope is something in our world we need it is like the air we breathe without it we die.  We also die when we lose hope.  Many people slowly die when their hope to live is gone.  Some take their own lives and some just allow themselves to deteriorate.  When hope is gone people lose sight of dreaming again.

 

We can spread and share hope to everyone we meet not in an over baring way but in a natural way.  When we allow ourselves to just naturally be interested in others and point out their good traits. When others see they have our full attentions and what they are saying matters to us they feel value.  We at this point can speak and spread hope into their lives.

 

Who did you inspire hope into last week?

 

How many people inspired hope into your life this week?

 

What would the world look like if more of us were builders of people instead of tearing them down?

 

 

Where is your hope level today?

 

I want you to know that you are valuable, priceless in my opinion.  If you are reading this understand I believe you have a purpose to fulfill and your value to the world is incredible.

 

 Do you believe you have value to offer?

 

Do you have hope?

 

Hope can be built in our lives. It is not as if we are not valuable but we lose hope if we are not careful and we need our hope built up. People lose hope for many reasons in life circumstances gone through, bad relationships, depression, and many other things can steal away our hope.  We are not left powerless we can build hope in ourselves and others. I will leave you with a scripture to also see the hope I am talking about.

 

 

Let us compile a list together of how we can build others up I will start out with a couple myself.

 

1. Speak truthful positive things about people

2. Listen to what others say and value the conversation.

 

 

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 

2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Romans 15:1-13 look up and read the whole scripture if you like.