"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me." John 15:4
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7
As my pastor said a few weeks ago, we must put aside the American Dream and work harder on the Heavenly Dream. As you all know, I very much love practicing and teaching real estate. I have many goals in my business plan and work very hard, day in and day out to accomplish those goals. I also have a desire to acheive the American Dream. Although there is nothing wrong with a desire for the American Dream, Jesus said our dreams will not come true unless we "abide" in him. Abide means to comply with and obey. Jesus was never concerned about the American Dream, rather to please our Heavenly Father and to carry out his commandments.
We work so hard for the things that matter the least. Jesus said for us to abide in him and whatever I wish, it will be done for me. Perhaps we should abide in Jesus and have his words abide in us so we can have all those things we need. Success is built on relationships with friends. Jesus also said in John 15:14, "You are My friends if you do what I command you". True Friends love and care for each other so much that they are willing to lay down their life for each other, just as Jesus did for us. Spend today making friends and building relationships and you will find this day to be the most fulfilling day you will spend.
If we will spend the time and effort building the Heavenly Dream, you will find the American Dream will not be far behind. We must get our priorities in order before we can achieve the ultimate SUCCESS!!
I pray that today will produce new friends that I may share my Heavenly dreams.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Growing Stonger in Uncertain Times
"Consider it all joy, my bretheren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1: 2-4
What a great and wonderful time to be a small business owner today! I know what you are thinking, we are living through the worst recession in the past generation. The economy is in the tank and showing no signs of improvement. Much uncertainty exist with pending government regulation and no one seems to know what the government is doing or trying to do.
James tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trails. It is often hard to grow and keep a positive perpective when everything around us seems to be crumbling. Just know that God will never forsake us or leave us. He knows what we can handle and what we cannot handle. We must trust in the inspired words of James and endure the trials by seeking God's wisdom and obeying his commands. The tests we endure produces perfection so that your life and/or business will be lacking nothing.
Father, give me strength to endure the many trials I will encounter today and tomorrow. Give me the wisdom to deal with all trials in a manner that will be pleasing to you. Use each trial to make me strong so that endurance will not be a concern, rather, it will be a habbit.
What a great and wonderful time to be a small business owner today! I know what you are thinking, we are living through the worst recession in the past generation. The economy is in the tank and showing no signs of improvement. Much uncertainty exist with pending government regulation and no one seems to know what the government is doing or trying to do.
James tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trails. It is often hard to grow and keep a positive perpective when everything around us seems to be crumbling. Just know that God will never forsake us or leave us. He knows what we can handle and what we cannot handle. We must trust in the inspired words of James and endure the trials by seeking God's wisdom and obeying his commands. The tests we endure produces perfection so that your life and/or business will be lacking nothing.
Father, give me strength to endure the many trials I will encounter today and tomorrow. Give me the wisdom to deal with all trials in a manner that will be pleasing to you. Use each trial to make me strong so that endurance will not be a concern, rather, it will be a habbit.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Success is Yours for the Taking
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." 2Timothy 4:7
For two years I have heard and listened to nearly everyone I talk to tell me how bad the real estate industry is. In fact, you know it is bad when charities call you wanting donations, and as soon as you tell them you are in real estate, they decide to send money to you. Thousands of real estate agents have quit over the last couple of years and most real estate schools in South Carolina have closed the doors.
Even during the worst of times, Top Producers not only survived the worst recession we have seen in our life time, many that I have talked to say they actually did better the last couple of years than ever before. How can they continue to do so well when most took a huge hit in their life style and many others just quit? Its because they believe the words spoken by Paul in the passage above. They know if they fight the good fight with all they have, they have faith they will win the fight! The winners/survivors chose not to believe or listen to the nay Sayers. All we heard over the last 2 years is how bad real estate is and no one can survive in real estate.
I know things are really looking good in real estate because I now only hear about half of those I talk to say real estate is still not a good industry to be in. The fact of the matter is simply. Those that seek the Lords guidance and have faith the Lord will deliver in all conditions and circumstances, we not only be standing at the end of the fight, we will have VICTORY!! Do not listen to those of little or no faith for they shall be defeated. Be diligent in all you do and success will surely be yours.
Paul tells Timothy that there will be many that do not listen to sound instruction, rather, listen to others that are saying what they want to hear. Followers in Christ must continue the good fight and have faith that our Lord will see that we all experience VICTORY!
For two years I have heard and listened to nearly everyone I talk to tell me how bad the real estate industry is. In fact, you know it is bad when charities call you wanting donations, and as soon as you tell them you are in real estate, they decide to send money to you. Thousands of real estate agents have quit over the last couple of years and most real estate schools in South Carolina have closed the doors.
Even during the worst of times, Top Producers not only survived the worst recession we have seen in our life time, many that I have talked to say they actually did better the last couple of years than ever before. How can they continue to do so well when most took a huge hit in their life style and many others just quit? Its because they believe the words spoken by Paul in the passage above. They know if they fight the good fight with all they have, they have faith they will win the fight! The winners/survivors chose not to believe or listen to the nay Sayers. All we heard over the last 2 years is how bad real estate is and no one can survive in real estate.
I know things are really looking good in real estate because I now only hear about half of those I talk to say real estate is still not a good industry to be in. The fact of the matter is simply. Those that seek the Lords guidance and have faith the Lord will deliver in all conditions and circumstances, we not only be standing at the end of the fight, we will have VICTORY!! Do not listen to those of little or no faith for they shall be defeated. Be diligent in all you do and success will surely be yours.
Paul tells Timothy that there will be many that do not listen to sound instruction, rather, listen to others that are saying what they want to hear. Followers in Christ must continue the good fight and have faith that our Lord will see that we all experience VICTORY!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Forgiving is not Forgetting
"But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for you sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes." 2 Corinthians 2: 10-11
We are instructed as Christians to forgive those that have offended us in any way. When others do things that cause harm to our families, our business, or to ourselves, by nature, we want to get back at the one that has caused the pain. This desire to seek revenge is an act of hatred and will grow and manifest within us until we learn to let it go. The only way to let go is by forgiving those that hurt us.
It might be impossible to forget the things that others have done and that is ok. Forgiving is not forgetting. When you forgive someone for things they have done, it means that you will not hold it against them any longer. It is a thing of the past. We cannot live in the future without leaving behind the past. We must decide to leave the past or be stuck in the past. Forgive those that have hurt you and leave behind the pain. As Paul writes in verse 11, Satan will cause havoc in our lives by playing off the pain and revenge we seek so desperately.
Revenge belongs to the Lord. We are instructed to forgive and leave the dirty work for our loving God. God will ensure every unrepentant person receives what they deserve. Remove the pain from your heart so your mind can function properly and be happy the rest of your days.
We are instructed as Christians to forgive those that have offended us in any way. When others do things that cause harm to our families, our business, or to ourselves, by nature, we want to get back at the one that has caused the pain. This desire to seek revenge is an act of hatred and will grow and manifest within us until we learn to let it go. The only way to let go is by forgiving those that hurt us.
It might be impossible to forget the things that others have done and that is ok. Forgiving is not forgetting. When you forgive someone for things they have done, it means that you will not hold it against them any longer. It is a thing of the past. We cannot live in the future without leaving behind the past. We must decide to leave the past or be stuck in the past. Forgive those that have hurt you and leave behind the pain. As Paul writes in verse 11, Satan will cause havoc in our lives by playing off the pain and revenge we seek so desperately.
Revenge belongs to the Lord. We are instructed to forgive and leave the dirty work for our loving God. God will ensure every unrepentant person receives what they deserve. Remove the pain from your heart so your mind can function properly and be happy the rest of your days.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Making the Right Decision Every Time
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of god may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3: 16-17
I tell my real estate students to successfully complete the class and pass the state exam, it is critical to read all the material. This is a fairly thick book and a lot of information to remember. Students often complain that it is just too much to remember. I just encourage them to read the information. Within our brain we have a reticular activating system (RAS) which is located at the base of the brain. This part of the brain stores information as the brain receives it through any of the five senses. As long as you read the material, the brain will store it so we can retrieve it if we ever need it.
The Bible is a thick book with a lot of information as well. For many years, I did not read the bible very much. Not because I did not believe it or think it was useless. I just thought it was too much to read. I find now that the more I read it, the more I need and want to read it. God's desire is for everyone to have all they desire. God has said to ask in faith and you shall receive. We must be disciplined to know what is good and what is bad. Often times, we make bad decisions in our businesses and personal lives because the decision we made was not inspired by God.
Paul is instructing Timothy that all scripture is inspired by God. There will always be temptations to do things we should not do and so many times, these things may seem to make sense. The more you read and meditate on the inspired word of God, we will begin to make the right decision every time.
I encourage you to also read the first five versus of 2 Timothy, chapter 3. In the last days, without the inspired word of God, it will become more and more difficult to make the right decision.
I tell my real estate students to successfully complete the class and pass the state exam, it is critical to read all the material. This is a fairly thick book and a lot of information to remember. Students often complain that it is just too much to remember. I just encourage them to read the information. Within our brain we have a reticular activating system (RAS) which is located at the base of the brain. This part of the brain stores information as the brain receives it through any of the five senses. As long as you read the material, the brain will store it so we can retrieve it if we ever need it.
The Bible is a thick book with a lot of information as well. For many years, I did not read the bible very much. Not because I did not believe it or think it was useless. I just thought it was too much to read. I find now that the more I read it, the more I need and want to read it. God's desire is for everyone to have all they desire. God has said to ask in faith and you shall receive. We must be disciplined to know what is good and what is bad. Often times, we make bad decisions in our businesses and personal lives because the decision we made was not inspired by God.
Paul is instructing Timothy that all scripture is inspired by God. There will always be temptations to do things we should not do and so many times, these things may seem to make sense. The more you read and meditate on the inspired word of God, we will begin to make the right decision every time.
I encourage you to also read the first five versus of 2 Timothy, chapter 3. In the last days, without the inspired word of God, it will become more and more difficult to make the right decision.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Indian Youth's Rite of Passage
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
His dad takes him into the forest, blindfolds, and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not take off the blindfold until the rays of the sun shine through it. He is all by himself. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood.
The boy was terrified and could hear all kinds of noises. Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth, and it shook is stump. Be he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It was the only way he could become a man.
Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his Blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him, at watch the entire night.
We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us. He is sitting on a the stump beside us.
All we have to do is reach out to Him.
His dad takes him into the forest, blindfolds, and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not take off the blindfold until the rays of the sun shine through it. He is all by himself. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood.
The boy was terrified and could hear all kinds of noises. Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth, and it shook is stump. Be he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It was the only way he could become a man.
Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his Blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him, at watch the entire night.
We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us. He is sitting on a the stump beside us.
All we have to do is reach out to Him.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Criticism Can Be Greater Than Love
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." Proverbs 27:6
Parents know one of the toughest things we must do is to discipline our children. Its not something we want to do anymore than the child wants it, but we do out of love. We want to ensure our children do not make the kind of mistakes that will hurt them.
The same is true of our friends. For those we love, we often offer criticism about something they are doing or plan to do. Those that do not have the same concern will offer encouragement and and support for the same idea. In many cases, those that would say all is good and to move forward with the plan may very well hope you fail.
True friends will tell it the way it is, even when it is not what the friend wants to hear. Friends do not want to hurt or cause pain to friends by being critical, but they do it out of love.
Dear God, surround me with friends today that will offer loving criticism when needed. AMEN.
Parents know one of the toughest things we must do is to discipline our children. Its not something we want to do anymore than the child wants it, but we do out of love. We want to ensure our children do not make the kind of mistakes that will hurt them.
The same is true of our friends. For those we love, we often offer criticism about something they are doing or plan to do. Those that do not have the same concern will offer encouragement and and support for the same idea. In many cases, those that would say all is good and to move forward with the plan may very well hope you fail.
True friends will tell it the way it is, even when it is not what the friend wants to hear. Friends do not want to hurt or cause pain to friends by being critical, but they do it out of love.
Dear God, surround me with friends today that will offer loving criticism when needed. AMEN.
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