"If you aren’t willing to begin at the beginning, God cannot use you."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Locations 704-705). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Back when I was in college studying to be a Minister I worked as a custodian in a middle school. I was married and I needed to work to help with our expenses. Now I knew a lot of other young preacher boys who also worked as custodians but they thought they were so much better than their job because they were called of God. I looked at it a bit differently. I looked at that as a part of my calling and learning and I did my best to be the best custodian I could be. That attitude carried over into my ministry. I appreciated what I learned as a custodian.

I know of some kids who get married and their expectations are that they should have what their parents have, a big car, a big house and they get deep in debt. They don’t want to start at the beginning. But there are lessons to be learned and character qualities to be given at the beginning.

What are your expectation in your life? Do you want it all and expect God to give it to you right now? That is why I loved being a church planter. I loved starting with nothing and through God’s direction seeing it grow.

There is so much to learn at the beginning. Now of course God doesn’t want us to stay there. He does want us to grow and mature. And there is so much to learn and so much He wants to do through us.

So where are you today?

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"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

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"To put it simply, worry isn’t just a bad habit."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 1). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Ok, that is interesting. Louie says, "Worry is an Enemy tactic—a strategy built on lies that are designed to rob you of peace and tear your mind to pieces. "That’s why it’s crucial that you are able to spot the lies worry tells." He goes on, "Not long ago while on safari in South Africa, Shelley and I were really wanting to see a leopard in the wild. Early and late on our game drives our eyes were set on every tree limb, bush, grassy hill, and river path in hopes of finding one of several leopards that were known to frequent this particular area. But here’s the thing: leopards aren’t bright orange with tall, sparkly antennae on their backs. They are designed to blend into the surroundings, like the bark of a baobab tree where they might be lounging on one of its mighty branches. "In the same way, ...

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