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Moses spent 80 years preparing for a job that would last 40. That’s a two-to-one ratio of preparation to execution. The greater the goal, the greater the preparation! Much of your life can be spent getting ready for what seems like a brief season and assignment. But to be able to say at the end, ‘I have finished my course’ is to have lived successfully, and that’s the same whether you are called to run a marathon or a 100-yard sprint. Before passing the torch to Timothy, Paul says, ‘Work hard so you can…receive his approval.’ Who does God use? People who prepare well. Whether you’re called to business, education, politics, art, medicine or ministry, this principle remains; God uses prepared people. The price tag required for long-term success cannot be lowered. We all want what successful people have; we’re just not all willing to pay the price they paid to achieve it. You must be prepared when your opportunities come. Abraham Lincoln said, ‘I will prepare and some day my chance will c

Moses spent 80 years preparing for a job that would last 40. That’s a two-to-one ratio of preparation to execution. The greater the goal, the greater the preparation! Much of your life can be spent getting ready for what seems like a brief season and assignment. But to be able to say at the end, ‘I have finished my course’ is to have lived successfully, and that’s the same whether you are called to run a marathon or a 100-yard sprint. Before passing the torch to Timothy, Paul says, ‘Work hard so you can…receive his approval.’ Who does God use? People who prepare well. Whether you’re called to business, education, politics, art, medicine or ministry, this principle remains; God uses prepared people. The price tag required for long-term success cannot be lowered. We all want what successful people have; we’re just not all willing to pay the price they paid to achieve it. You must be prepared when your opportunities come. Abraham Lincoln said, ‘I will prepare and some day my chance will c

One of the most important questions you must ask yourself is, ‘What am I supposed to prepare for?’ You don’t want to be like the Miss America contestant who recently told a late-night TV talk show host, ‘My goal is to bring world peace – and get my own apartment.’ Ask God what you’re supposed to do and keep asking until you get clear instructions as to your next step (or for that matter, your first step!). There are timeless principles in the Bible that work, whether you’re walking with God or going your own way. So be careful that you are not using God, rather than allowing God to use you. ‘In all thy ways acknowledge [consult, listen and submit to] him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ What ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says. The humbling truth is, all achievements will eventually be surpassed, records will be broken, reputations will fade and tributes will be forgotten. In college Dr James Dobson’s goal was to become the school’s ten

One of the most important questions you must ask yourself is, ‘What am I supposed to prepare for?’ You don’t want to be like the Miss America contestant who recently told a late-night TV talk show host, ‘My goal is to bring world peace – and get my own apartment.’ Ask God what you’re supposed to do and keep asking until you get clear instructions as to your next step (or for that matter, your first step!). There are timeless principles in the Bible that work, whether you’re walking with God or going your own way. So be careful that you are not using God, rather than allowing God to use you. ‘In all thy ways acknowledge [consult, listen and submit to] him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ What ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says. The humbling truth is, all achievements will eventually be surpassed, records will be broken, reputations will fade and tributes will be forgotten. In college Dr James Dobson’s goal was to become the school’s ten

'HOLD ON TO INSTRUCTION…GUARD IT WELL, FOR IT IS YOUR LIFE.' PROVERBS 4:13 NIV It's not enough to get prepared, you must stay prepared. We're being told that knowledge is doubling every five years. So if you don't keep growing, you'll end up with coping skills that no longer match the challenge you face in the world you live in. It's estimated that many doctors are so busy taking care of patients, they are years behind the latest developments in their field. If you or a loved one gets ill, that could become a real concern for you. Preparation doesn't begin with what you do; it begins with what you believe. If you believe that success tomorrow depends on what you do today, you'll treat today differently. A wise sailor studies the weather before he goes to sea because he knows that avoiding a storm is easier than getting out of one. Howard Coonley of the American National Standards Institute stated, 'The leader of the future will be rated by his ab

'HOLD ON TO INSTRUCTION…GUARD IT WELL, FOR IT IS YOUR LIFE.' PROVERBS 4:13 NIV It's not enough to get prepared, you must stay prepared. We're being told that knowledge is doubling every five years. So if you don't keep growing, you'll end up with coping skills that no longer match the challenge you face in the world you live in. It's estimated that many doctors are so busy taking care of patients, they are years behind the latest developments in their field. If you or a loved one gets ill, that could become a real concern for you. Preparation doesn't begin with what you do; it begins with what you believe. If you believe that success tomorrow depends on what you do today, you'll treat today differently. A wise sailor studies the weather before he goes to sea because he knows that avoiding a storm is easier than getting out of one. Howard Coonley of the American National Standards Institute stated, 'The leader of the future will be rated by his ab

'ELIJAH WAS…JUST LIKE US.' JAMES 5:17 NIV What was God's prescription for getting Elijah back on his feet? A lecture on the prophet's faltering faith? No, just rest and nourishment! God recognises our limitations, even when we don't. 'A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out' (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). When we neglect our own legitimate needs, it shows up in our attitude. God understands that being down is a 'perspective' problem, and getting back up requires adjustment in four crucial areas. So: 1) He adjusted Elijah's God-perspective. 'Get in the presence of God and he'll meet with you' (1 Kings 19:11 NIV). The One who gave Elijah victory on Mount Carmel, could also sustain him in the desert of Jezreel. But first Elijah had to spend time with Him; otherwise he was running on an empty tank. Hello! 2) He adjusted Elijah's world-perspective. Elijah said, 'God's covenant is broken, His altar des

'ELIJAH WAS…JUST LIKE US.' JAMES 5:17 NIV What was God's prescription for getting Elijah back on his feet? A lecture on the prophet's faltering faith? No, just rest and nourishment! God recognises our limitations, even when we don't. 'A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out' (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). When we neglect our own legitimate needs, it shows up in our attitude. God understands that being down is a 'perspective' problem, and getting back up requires adjustment in four crucial areas. So: 1) He adjusted Elijah's God-perspective. 'Get in the presence of God and he'll meet with you' (1 Kings 19:11 NIV). The One who gave Elijah victory on Mount Carmel, could also sustain him in the desert of Jezreel. But first Elijah had to spend time with Him; otherwise he was running on an empty tank. Hello! 2) He adjusted Elijah's world-perspective. Elijah said, 'God's covenant is broken, His altar des

There are times in life when we all feel down. But God's Word shows us the way to get back up. Look at Elijah, who 'was just like us.' How come he got so far down? 1) It happened on the heels of a great victory. He didn't start out in the doldrums, and he didn't fall into sin. No, he'd just called down fire from heaven and slain 450 false prophets (1 Kings 18:22-39). But that's hard work! So he went from exhilaration to exhaustion. Weary, defences down and vulnerability up, he fell into a natural depression because fatigue strips us of our courage. 2) Fear caused him to lose perspective. The man of God who'd just faced down an evil multitude, ended up running from one woman, Jezebel (1 Kings 19). Fear made him forget God's power; it skewed his perspective and left him feeling suicidal. Exhaustion coupled with fear is a dangerous combination. It invites hopeless, wrong thinking, and creates the illusion that your options are gone. 3) He became isolate

There are times in life when we all feel down. But God's Word shows us the way to get back up. Look at Elijah, who 'was just like us.' How come he got so far down? 1) It happened on the heels of a great victory. He didn't start out in the doldrums, and he didn't fall into sin. No, he'd just called down fire from heaven and slain 450 false prophets (1 Kings 18:22-39). But that's hard work! So he went from exhilaration to exhaustion. Weary, defences down and vulnerability up, he fell into a natural depression because fatigue strips us of our courage. 2) Fear caused him to lose perspective. The man of God who'd just faced down an evil multitude, ended up running from one woman, Jezebel (1 Kings 19). Fear made him forget God's power; it skewed his perspective and left him feeling suicidal. Exhaustion coupled with fear is a dangerous combination. It invites hopeless, wrong thinking, and creates the illusion that your options are gone. 3) He became isolate

Everything that can go wrong has! Your teenager pierced his nose, the dog threw up on the carpet, the toilet's overflowing, and the car's leaking fluid. No wonder you're stressed! When life gets overwhelming remember: (1) God's still looking out for you. When things look bad, remind yourself that God's bigger than your problem: 'Don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.' (2) Don't think about quitting! Every time you reach the breaking point it's a test. You have before you a series of choices that will add up to either quitting or persevering through to victory. Paul was flogged, thrown in jail, shipwrecked and run out of town, but he refused to give in to circumstances and in the end he was able to say, 'I have fought the good fight…finished the race, and… remained faithful' (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT). (3) If it doesn't have your name on it,

Everything that can go wrong has! Your teenager pierced his nose, the dog threw up on the carpet, the toilet's overflowing, and the car's leaking fluid. No wonder you're stressed! When life gets overwhelming remember: (1) God's still looking out for you. When things look bad, remind yourself that God's bigger than your problem: 'Don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.' (2) Don't think about quitting! Every time you reach the breaking point it's a test. You have before you a series of choices that will add up to either quitting or persevering through to victory. Paul was flogged, thrown in jail, shipwrecked and run out of town, but he refused to give in to circumstances and in the end he was able to say, 'I have fought the good fight…finished the race, and… remained faithful' (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT). (3) If it doesn't have your name on it,

You can't escape stress, but you can learn to cope with it by taking control of your life in small but important ways. Here are two: (1) Think about someone other than yourself. David was so frazzled that he was awake all night. Ever been there? That's when you need to 'Let…praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down' (Philippians 4:6 TM). Elijah was depressed and suicidal when God showed him how to help himself. How? By leaving the cave he was hiding in, and going out and ministering to others. Focusing on something other than yourself gives you perspective. Paul says, the 'God of all healing counsel…comes alongside…when we go through hard times…and…brings us alongside someone else…going through hard times so…we can be there for that person…as God was there for us' (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TM). Do you need help? Reach o

You can't escape stress, but you can learn to cope with it by taking control of your life in small but important ways. Here are two: (1) Think about someone other than yourself. David was so frazzled that he was awake all night. Ever been there? That's when you need to 'Let…praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down' (Philippians 4:6 TM). Elijah was depressed and suicidal when God showed him how to help himself. How? By leaving the cave he was hiding in, and going out and ministering to others. Focusing on something other than yourself gives you perspective. Paul says, the 'God of all healing counsel…comes alongside…when we go through hard times…and…brings us alongside someone else…going through hard times so…we can be there for that person…as God was there for us' (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TM). Do you need help? Reach o

Before a violin can produce music, stress must be put on the strings. But pull them too tightly and they'll snap. The same is true of you. Enough stress gets the juices flowing and helps you do what needs to be done, but beyond that you snap. Someone quipped, 'You know you're on overload when you've no time to cook a TV dinner, the cat's on tranquilisers, and family reunions have to be mediated by law enforcement!' Seriously, before it gets to that point, do two things: (1) Ask for help: During Hurricane Katrina eight dolphins were swept out of their aquarium into the sea, but because they stuck together they were rescued. If one had tried to go it alone he'd have perished. When you're alone too much you lose perspective. If the enemy can isolate you, he can influence you. God designed His family to stay connected. Or as Paul says, 'So that all the members care for each other' (1 Corinthians 12:25 NLT). (2) Get real with God: Under stress the sur

One of the hardest things to do is 'take a break'without feeling guilty and selfish;or worse,feeling like a failure because everything on your 'to do'list didn't get done. Here's a news flash;there will always be more to do!One of your biggest challenges will be learning the difference between setting high standards for yourself and setting unrealistic,impossible onces. We claw our way to success then discover we don't like the presures that go with it.So what should we do? Learn to walk away!Jesus did.'The Jesus did. 'The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done...Then,becuase so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,he said to them,'come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'So thgey went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place'(Mark 6:30-32 NIV). Jesus understand that if you don't take a break,you'll break! So: (a) make a lisst of

Before a violin can produce music, stress must be put on the strings. But pull them too tightly and they'll snap. The same is true of you. Enough stress gets the juices flowing and helps you do what needs to be done, but beyond that you snap. Someone quipped, 'You know you're on overload when you've no time to cook a TV dinner, the cat's on tranquilisers, and family reunions have to be mediated by law enforcement!' Seriously, before it gets to that point, do two things: (1) Ask for help: During Hurricane Katrina eight dolphins were swept out of their aquarium into the sea, but because they stuck together they were rescued. If one had tried to go it alone he'd have perished. When you're alone too much you lose perspective. If the enemy can isolate you, he can influence you. God designed His family to stay connected. Or as Paul says, 'So that all the members care for each other' (1 Corinthians 12:25 NLT). (2) Get real with God: Under stress the sur

One of the hardest things to do is 'take a break'without feeling guilty and selfish;or worse,feeling like a failure because everything on your 'to do'list didn't get done. Here's a news flash;there will always be more to do!One of your biggest challenges will be learning the difference between setting high standards for yourself and setting unrealistic,impossible onces. We claw our way to success then discover we don't like the presures that go with it.So what should we do? Learn to walk away!Jesus did.'The Jesus did. 'The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done...Then,becuase so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,he said to them,'come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'So thgey went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place'(Mark 6:30-32 NIV). Jesus understand that if you don't take a break,you'll break! So: (a) make a lisst of

Some of us think we deserve respect simply because of our position. No, respect must be earned; daily. General J. Lawton Collins asserted, 'No matter how brilliant a man may be he will never engender confidence in his subordinates and associates if he lacks honesty and moral courage.' Ultimately, all the skills in the world won't save you if your character is flawed. Author Stephen Covey writes, 'If I try to use human influence strategies and tactics to get other people to do what I want…and my character is fundamentally flawed…in the long run I cannot be successful. My duplicity will breed distrust, and everything I do will be perceived as manipulative.' It makes no difference how good the rhetoric is or even how good the intentions are; if there is little or no trust, there is no foundation for permanent success. Character can be built, but only slowly. If you want to know how long it will take you to get to the top, consult a calendar. If you want to know how lon

Some of us think we deserve respect simply because of our position. No, respect must be earned; daily. General J. Lawton Collins asserted, 'No matter how brilliant a man may be he will never engender confidence in his subordinates and associates if he lacks honesty and moral courage.' Ultimately, all the skills in the world won't save you if your character is flawed. Author Stephen Covey writes, 'If I try to use human influence strategies and tactics to get other people to do what I want…and my character is fundamentally flawed…in the long run I cannot be successful. My duplicity will breed distrust, and everything I do will be perceived as manipulative.' It makes no difference how good the rhetoric is or even how good the intentions are; if there is little or no trust, there is no foundation for permanent success. Character can be built, but only slowly. If you want to know how long it will take you to get to the top, consult a calendar. If you want to know how lon

Illness, stress, family problems, job demands, etc., rob us of sleep. And when we constantly run on low battery power it shows up in our attitudes, our relationships and our performance. The Bible says: 1) ‘It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.’ 2) ‘I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety’ (Psalm 4:8 NKJV). 3) ‘When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet’ (Proverbs 3:24 NKJV). Sleep is an act of trust: when you go to sleep the world is in God’s hands, not yours. And it will get along very well, even if you’re not awake to control things. When you awaken tomorrow morning, just like God giving Israel fresh manna, He will give you the grace needed. Jeremiah said, ‘After this I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me’ (Jeremiah 31:26 NKJV). Ever tried to pray when you were suffering from sleep defici

Illness, stress, family problems, job demands, etc., rob us of sleep. And when we constantly run on low battery power it shows up in our attitudes, our relationships and our performance. The Bible says: 1) ‘It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.’ 2) ‘I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety’ (Psalm 4:8 NKJV). 3) ‘When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet’ (Proverbs 3:24 NKJV). Sleep is an act of trust: when you go to sleep the world is in God’s hands, not yours. And it will get along very well, even if you’re not awake to control things. When you awaken tomorrow morning, just like God giving Israel fresh manna, He will give you the grace needed. Jeremiah said, ‘After this I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me’ (Jeremiah 31:26 NKJV). Ever tried to pray when you were suffering from sleep defici

‘If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.’ 1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV We keep saying that relationships are more important to us than anything else, but our actions don’t show it. We constantly short-change our friends and loved ones for the sake of money, or ‘getting ahead.’ Relationships are like flowers; if you don’t nurture and protect them, they die. That’s why Paul writes: ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others’ (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV). Sometimes it takes heartache and crisis to remind us how irreplaceable the people in our lives are. One author writes: ‘I have spent long hours in the Intensive Care waiting room watching anguished people, listening to urgent questions: “Will my husband make it?” “Will my child walk again?” “How do you live without your companion of 30 years?” The Intensive Care waiting room is different from any other place in the world. And the pe

‘If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.’ 1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV We keep saying that relationships are more important to us than anything else, but our actions don’t show it. We constantly short-change our friends and loved ones for the sake of money, or ‘getting ahead.’ Relationships are like flowers; if you don’t nurture and protect them, they die. That’s why Paul writes: ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others’ (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV). Sometimes it takes heartache and crisis to remind us how irreplaceable the people in our lives are. One author writes: ‘I have spent long hours in the Intensive Care waiting room watching anguished people, listening to urgent questions: “Will my husband make it?” “Will my child walk again?” “How do you live without your companion of 30 years?” The Intensive Care waiting room is different from any other place in the world. And the pe

‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 CEV Click Here! Only by loving yourself in a healthy way, can you love others the way God intended. When you don’t love yourself you live with insecurity, and you keep looking to others for approval. When you don’t get it, your self-worth shrivels. Click Here! As a result, you live far beneath your potential. You are the only person you can’t get away from, so unless you learn to accept yourself, you’ll be miserable. Stop and think about the last time you were around somebody you didn’t enjoy being with; how did it feel? Whether good or bad, you project onto others the thoughts and feelings you have about yourself. So if you want people to think well of you, have a good opinion of yourself; one that’s based on God’s Word and nurtured by the right relationships. No question, the Bible cautions us about having an over inflated opinion of ourselves. But don’t go to the other extreme! Living with continual self-rejection is an open