Week 47 - #Prepare - WIN

A Win Worth Chasing

1 Corinthians 15:57: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthians 9:25: "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

1 Corinthians 9:24: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it."

1 Timothy 6:12: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Ecclesiastes. The author wastes no time grabbing the reader’s attention with this bold message found in the first chapter, verses 1 & 2:

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

Now this scripture infers “the teacher” is possibly King Solomon. How interesting a wise man and a king who possessed almost anything he desired, would share his experiences of emptiness found in his wealth and in the material things we often ourselves pursue.

In this western culture we are blessed to live in, we are all free to pursue personal happiness.

Free to chase the victory and the win.

I believe that most of you that are reading these words at some level like to win.

In your preparation and pursuit, I ask you to consider this question:

What are you chasing?

DADs, in your preparation for victory, are you considering if the prize is even worthy? In your preparation have you asked yourself…will this provide something life changing, or simply short term and hollow?

In other-words…"Is what you are chasing eternal, or external? Kingdom-like or worldly?"

Stephen Covey used to share with his audiences, “Be you sure your ladder is leaning up against the right wall.”

So DADs here is another reminder in regards to your preparation and attitude about winning...you have already won! You are undefeated!

As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:57: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

DADs…we fight from the victory…not for the victory!

In your preparation to win…remember in Christ alone you have already won!

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to“WIN" Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering how to “Lose" in our lives.

Week 44 - #Prepare

Roundabout Ready?

Exodus 13:17-18 - 17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

What does detour mean? : a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a route.

I love the quote “I came to a fork in the road and I took it!

Funny but so true. Life is a series of crossroads bringing us to our decision points.

DADs how often have you been on the path of what you think is the straight and narrow way, which very quickly turns into a dead end or a detour?

Maybe you have encountered a detour in your career, your personal life or spiritual walk? A road not planned nor traveled.

It’s so interesting, looking back in hindsight how many times the detours presented and the struggles endured, led to an even greater path not even imagined!

Some of the detours are seen as a distraction or a hassle, while others see them as a new adventure or a welcome alternative to the norm.

In this life…this one glorious life we all enjoy, the only constant is change. And change can come in the form of detours.

The foundation in our preparation for detours is to acknowledge and accept this perpetual ebb and flow life we have been given.

To this day, one of my favorite quotes is “change is constant, misery is optional.”

DADs...I think what we sometimes forget in the detours of our lives, the mindset of “this too shall pass,” and the detours we Incur are only temporary.

Sometimes like the Israelites in the wilderness God provides a "roundabout" which essentially if we are prepared for the detours in our life, becomes a safety net or a much better solution.

DADs where do you need a “roundabout” today?

How will you prepare for the detours of your life?

Better yet, what will you do to help others prepare for the eminent detours in their lives?

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to“Detour." Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering how to “Win" in our lives.

Week 44 - #Prepare to Anticipate

Waiting with Anticipation

Hosea 12:6 - "Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually."

Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

I once attended a weekend gathering where we were constantly instructed by the facilitators to not anticipate. Although the overall experience was a life-changing event, for me to not anticipate went against my normal standard operating procedure!

One definition of anticipation is “a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen.”

I am not sure about you, but I like having feelings of excitement in anticipation for the day's activities!

To anticipate is in the same “family” of preparation. Sort of like "siblings."

I have heard it said, “anticipation is about preparing and making room for what you know is yours by faith.”

In other words, it is getting ready for what God has in store for you and looking forward to what’s next!

To anticipate helps us to prepare not only for the good times but can also see us through our struggles. Paul reminds of this in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

In our preparation to anticipate, we gain balance, ensuring our active anticipation doesn’t turn into anxiety. Our preparation to anticipate calls us to proactive action versus being caught off guard in frozen anxieties.

There’s so many daily experiences we can face with anticipation, fueling our purpose, and adding zest to our life. In Hebrews 11:1 we read how anticipation is tied to things to come, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

In your preparation this week where do you need to add anticipation?

DADs...be reminded that anticipation is not impatience, but serves as part of the discernment for God's opportunities He reveals, and offers daily.

Many times anticipating occurs in the actual quiet still moments of our lives. In our waiting our preparation to anticipate will become clear.

In our preparation to anticipate let us heed the instructions found in Hosea 12:6, to, "Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually."

DADs…Will you wait with me?

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to“Anticipate." Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering “Detours" in our lives.

Week 44 - #Prepare “Bless”

"Bless and Be Blessed"

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." - Romans 12:14

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart." - Psalm 119:2

One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is found smack dab in the middle of I Chronicles known as the prayer of Jabez. In 1 Chronicles 4:9,10 it is written, “Oh Lord bless me indeed, enlarge my territory, have Thy hand in all I do, and to keep me from causing pain.”

I find it so powerful this short prayer just appears in the midst of an Old Testament book filled with history and genealogy.

It’s a brief oasis for lost readers like me struggling to wade through what seems to be one biblical list after another.

In this myriad of remembrances, and historical accounts starting with Adam, God reminds us all of His presence and the real blessings He alone provides, if we just prepare to acknowledge Him along the way.

This prayer of Jabez for me reveals a God who never rests, is always present, always ready to bless us whether in our seeking or in our sleeping.

I wish that I could say the same.

I once heard a speaker ask the question,

“Are you a blesser or a stressor in the lives of the people that you come in contact with?”

When I reflect upon this question, I find myself more on the receiving end of God's countless blessings, rather than being a blessing to others.

And with those I may cause stress, I rarely consider opportunities for reconciliation.

Yet God wants to bless us indeed, while having His hand in our lives, ensuring we don’t cause pain!

So DADs our preparation and partnership with God is twofold:

To prepare to receive all God has for us, and to include Him along the way in every aspect of our lives!

Our preparation for blessings is to first be one. To be the peacemaker. To seek Him first. To bless and not curse those who persecute us.

DADs…who are we blessing and not stressing today?

To fully receive, let’s first be the blessing others need us to be, representing God's love in all we say and do.

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare for “Blessings." Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “Anticipate."