Daily Perspective for March 4, 2011

Challenge comes into our life every single day.  Some folks are energized by challenges and others are drained by them.  It seems that leaders love a challenge.  It has been said that you can always tell the size of the leader by looking at the challenges he tries to overcome; he’ll always pick on one his own size.

In the Bible there are two verses that I hope will help you focus today:

Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Romans 5:2-4 says “And we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory, but not only so.  We rejoice also in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.”

If you could take today’s big challenge away and not have to deal with it, what would you choose to eliminate from your day?  Now will you consider thinking of that very challenge and find a place that you can whisper to yourself aloud:  “God this is what you want me to face today to remind me that You are in the process of building my character so that I will have more hope tomorrow than I had this morning when I awoke.  Therefore, I thank you for this challenge and I will face it in the confidence that you will help me to overcome it!”

The challenge you face today is not unique to you.  God has lots of experience in helping others through the same one you face.  Listen to Him.  Trust Him. And Thank Him that He has so much confidence in you to give you such a big challenge!  He has great things in mind for you! J

This is my perspective for today; what’s yours?

Talk it over with God…even if you feel like arguing with Him about how much he dished onto your plate.

Shalom,

Brent

Daily Perspective for Feb. 28, 2011

Joshua 24:15-17

If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

“Choice” is a participant in the level of success one enjoys in life. There are two things actually that play into that success.

There is “Natural Ability” that every person on the planet has. The obviously varies from person to person.

Then there is “Choice” the person has in any given circumstance. When a person with much natural ability makes good choices, the potential for their success increases to the highest level. However, much natural ability accompanied by poor choices will almost certainly not lead to good results. Natural ability is God given to each person. Choices are the privilege God gives each man to make. Often it is not talent that determines if a person is successful; it is the choice made to engage that talent!

John Wooden was the coach of the UCLA basketball team. He is remembered by his young players for saying wise things as he coached them through life as well as basketball. One of his players recalled a practice session during which Coach Wooden said:

“There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end the choice you make, makes you.”

Have you made the choice to follow Jesus? How are you doing in managing that choice? The choice to follow Jesus was easier than the choices you will need to make daily to follow through on that most important choice of asking Him to be your Savior and making Him your Lord.

Don’t grow weary in following hard after Him in every choice of today! J

This is my Perspective. What’s yours?

Brent