Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2016-02-02) from his book, 3 Things Successful People Do: The Road Map That Will Change Your Life (p. 109). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Have you found that fear can be a powerful deterrent in living our life to its fullest?   It really can be but as John says, “Most of the fears we face every day are not based on facts. They are generated by our feelings.”   And that is so important to understand.   John shares a study conducted by the University of Michigan which showed the following: “• 60 percent of our fears are totally unwarranted; they never come to pass. • 20 percent of our fears are focused on our past, which is completely out of our control. • 10 percent of our fears are based on things so petty that they make no difference in our lives. • Of the remaining 10 percent, only 4 to 5 percent could be considered justifiable.” He then says, “These statistics show

A thought by John Ortberg (2016-05-01) from his book, What Is God's Will for My Life? (p. 49). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) It is true in any relationship, there is more to it than what I want out of it.   John says, “A full relationship with God will include intimacy, confession, worship, gratitude, learning, receiving encouragement, and surrender. ” He goes on, “These are all elements needed for me to become the kind of person God can use to achieve his good and great will. The critical question when it comes to guidance is not ‘Is God willing to give guidance?’ It’s ‘Am I becoming the kind of person it makes sense for God to give guidance to?’ When I am selfish or greedy or resentful, any knowledge I might gain about the future would simply enable me to do more harm.”  That makes sense doesn't it? Earlier he said, “It’s a wonderful gift to be able to ask God for guidance

A thought by John Ortberg (2016-05-01) from his book, What Is God's Will for My Life? (p. 23). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)   John says, “In the Bible, when God calls someone to do something, no one responds by saying, ‘I’m ready.’”    We do that too don’t we? . He shares some of their excuses, “Too inarticulate, too weak, too old, too young, too sinful, too dangerous, too rich, too poor, too much baggage. ”  He then says,   “ No one ever says, ‘Okay, Lord  — I feel ready.’ And God says to us what he has always said: ‘Ready or not . . .’” John then puts it right where we live, “ Feeling ready is highly overrated. God isn’t looking for readiness; he’s looking for obedience.”   That is what He wants from us. He gives an illustration, “When God brought the people of Israel into the Promised Land, he had them step into the Jordan first, then he parted the river. I