success | Revelations From The Road

Be A Doer

September 20, 2014 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given September 20, 2014

Be a Doer
Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only. (James 1:22)

There is a word here for someone today:

You won’t get the job unless you apply.
You won’t find out if you’re any good until you try out for the team.
You won’t know if your idea is worthy until you tell the boss.
You can’t be published unless you submit a manuscript.
You won’t see a harvest unless you plant the seed.
You won’t get where you want to go until you take the first step.
You won’t get to know that person until you introduce yourself.
You won’t get what you need unless you ask for it.
You can’t pass the test unless you study.
You won’t defeat your fear until you face it.
You can’t get past your mistakes until you confess them.
You can’t mend a relationship without forgiveness.
You can’t move forward while you’re looking back.
You can’t find something unless you look for it.
You can’t become a great player without enduring the pain of practice.
You won’t know what’s behind the door until you open it.
You can’t catch the fish until you cast the bait.
You can’t learn to play the instrument until you pick it up.
You can’t get in shape until you get off the couch.
You won’t know what God has in store for you until you volunteer to serve Him.
You can’t praise God while focusing on your problems.
You can’t go to Heaven without saying YES to Jesus.
You can’t really have anything until you FIRST seek God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)

Please leave a comment if any of these statements encouraged you. Be blessed!

The Super Team

February 1, 2014 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given February 1, 2014

Most of us are aware that there is a big football game on February 2, 2014. There will be two teams of players who are top athletes competing for the coveted title, “Super Bowl Champions”. We realize they didn’t start training last month for this but have put in years of effort in all areas of their lives to reach this level. Their training regiment has become their lifestyle, directed by a coach, and they focus fully on a plan in order to achieve their goals. They usually are blessed from birth with certain physical attributes that suit the position they play and they develop this God-given physique to the max. They are dedicated to their purpose and goal and don’t let the trappings of their surroundings distract them, (usually). These professional athletes stand out from other athletes and are cheered on by the millions who watch them perform from the stands or through the media.

Can we compare Christianity to super athletes? Does God want us to “perform” at that level? Can we do it? Are we willing? Let’s look at the comparison. When we’re saved, we have our own plan developed by our “coach”, (God), which is designed to take us from babies to top performers comparable to Jesus. “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40). God wants us all to be part of a powerful Heavenly team on earth to defeat the enemy and carry out God’s plan. So, what does it take?

To be a super Christian, we must dedicate ourselves to “the Plan”. We must do whatever Coach God says; study, train, practice, and prepare for the next game. The super athlete doesn’t sit on the couch and pray for big muscles, he has to get up and work! It’s the same with aspiring super Christians. Sure we must pray but there’s so much more to it than that. We have to study, work, practice, go through testing over and over again as we develop and move from “glory to glory”, (2 Corinthians 3:18). It’s hard and sometime it hurts. It takes sacrifice and a lifestyle change to be successful.

Not very many athletes make it to the Super Bowl. However we can all make it to the Heavenly Super Game but some will be watching and others playing. What about you?

Lessons from Football – Part 4, The Coach

November 23, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 11, 2013

The football coach; sometimes you praise him, sometimes you question his decisions, but you know he always has the best interests of the team in mind. He’s the guy who puts his players through all kinds of hard, and many times, painful drills with the goal of preparing them to face the opponent. “No pain, no gain!” He says. He teaches them all the rules so they can play the game without being penalized which would give the other team an advantage. He gives them team rules of conduct which are for their benefit as players and individuals but also that they might represent the team in a positive light. The coach, he leads the team with the help of a group of assistants who follow his lead to accomplish their common goals which include athletic and personal improvement, integrity, sportsmanship and ultimately, victory. However, to achieve these goals, the players have to submit to the coach; they have to do what he says, follow his rules, and do their best to support him, their fellow players, and those who follow the team.

God; sometimes we praise Him but sometimes we question or don’t understand His decisions but we must know that He always has our best interests at heart. If we choose to be on His team, He will put us through all kinds of hard and painful training in order to be successful for His “team” and to defeat the enemy, the devil. Through God’s word, the Bible, and prayer, He will teach us His way so we can be effective in the game of life and please “the Coach”. His way will not only benefit us but our team members and all who are a part of the team. God leads His team with the help of His assistants…who are the players! Their loyalty and service makes them better “players” and helps the team to victory. We have to choose to be on God’s team, to submit to His rules, and support Him. “Put me in Coach.” “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall now want…He leads me in paths of righteousness…I will fear no evil for Thou art with me…surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord…Forever.” (From Psalm 23).

Lessons From Football, Part 3 – Comittment

November 10, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 3, 2013

There are three types of people who are involved in a football game, really four. First, many people choose NOT to be involved in the game. They stay home and do their own thing; they don’t have any interest in the game or other things in their lives take precedence. They’re not committed to the game at all.

Second, there are those who go to the game. They may wear their team’s colors, sit in the stands with other like-minded folks and cheer their team on to victory…they hope. They’re committed to the team and take part in the game, but from a distance…where they’re sitting.

Third, attending this game are the players. They’re on the team, wear the team equipment, have been through a training process, and are willing to do whatever they can, with the talents they have, to promote the success of the team. These players are under the direction of the coach who has put them through some hard drills but they’re willing to do it because they have a deeper commitment to the team.

Finally, on this team, there are those who do most of the playing; the first team. They’re usually more experienced, stronger, and have put in the time and effort to get to the athletic level required to be successful against their opponent. They get in the game. They get to use what they’ve previously learned in practice in the game. They’re not just on the team, standing on the sidelines, but have made the greatest personal commitment to the success of the team.

If you go back and read the four types of commitments, you’ll see that they’re the same as those involved in the game of life. Some don’t care about the game (church); some go to the game (church) but only watch from the stands (seats). Others have chosen to be on the team but spend most of their time on the sidelines. Then, there are those who have made the commitment to get the job done (God’s plan). Do you see yourself in any of these categories? “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). That’s the commitment Jesus wants.

Gods Protected Place

November 17, 2012 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 8, 2012

Many people are very concerned about the direction in which our country seems to be going. Freedoms that are guaranteed by our Constitution are being taken away, especially our religious freedoms. Things look pretty bad in America. But let’s not forget, our Pledge of Allegiance says, “One nation, UNDER GOD…”, we were founded as a nation under God. We, as God’s people, have available to us certain benefits promised by God IF we do our part. Over the next few posts, we are going to look at God’s historical favor on His people and be encouraged because, “I am the LORD, I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6).Jacob and his family went to live in Egypt because of the favor of God through His servant Joseph, (beginning in Genesis 37). Pharaoh gave them the Land of Goshen to live in. That was God’s favor but there was more to it. When the next Pharaoh, the government, began mistreating God’s people, God began sending plagues on Egypt to force Pharaoh to “Let My people go.” Many bad things happened to the country of Egypt but, in the land of Goshen, God’s people were protected.

Swarms of flies: “But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.” (Exodus 8:22). Darkness: “No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.” (Exodus 10:23). Death of the firstborn: “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13). It was the same with the plagues of hail, the death of animals, and locusts; none of it bothered God’s people who lived in His protected place.

The point is, IF we, as God’s people, will, “.. listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees,” (Exodus 15:26), then we will be able to live in “God’s Protected Place”, the United States of America.