7 Traits Of A Finisher

. .

 Have you ever started a project, assignment or job with a sudden burst of enthusiasm only to be slowed down by the first obstacle and stopped short of your goal by continual obstacles?

Congratulations, you’re average.  But you don’t have to stay that way.  Those who rise above the crowd are the ones who go the extra mile while others are relaxing in front of the TV.

The strength of a person’s character and drive to success is determined by whether or not they can finish what they started.

Employees who complete the task are more highly valued than those who, though they make a valiant effort, nevertheless, fail to complete the project.

The One by whom our every effort, thought and action should be measured. . . was a finisher.  Should we be any less?

John 4:34 in the New Living Translation says:

“Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”

Not only was Jesus a finisher but he made us that way as well.

Philippians 1:6 in the New Living Translation says:

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

On Judgment Day, we want to be able to say the words found in 2 Timothy 4:7 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.”

In the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City, Tanzania's John Stephen Akhware, with his right leg bloody and bandaged, staggered into the stadium more than an hour after the winner had crossed the line to the hail of an inspired crowd. He said afterwards, "My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race."

2 Corinthians 8:11 in The Living Bible says:

Having started the ball rolling so enthusiastically, you should carry this project through to completion just as gladly, giving whatever you can out of whatever you have. Let your enthusiastic idea at the start be equaled by your realistic action now.”

 

1.         Start the ball rolling.

 

The most difficult part of any assignment is getting started.

 

“I’m thinking about starting” is not starting.

 

“I’m making a commitment to start” is not starting.

 

“I’m going to start” is not starting.

 

START by taking the first step!

 

Mark Twain, the American humorist and author, once said:

 

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

 

James 1:22 in the Amplified Bible says:

 

“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].”

 

Getting started is actively and continually doing what you said you were going to do.

 

I shared only part of the Mark Twain quote. . .now here’s the rest of it.

 

The remainder of the Twain quote says:

 

“The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”

 

Getting started. . .means you’ve got a plan and you’re planning to work it. . .NOW.

 

2.         This is something you must do.

 

You can’t effectively delegate getting started. . .it’s something you must do.

 

God is looking for people to get things done.  He’s looking for those who will finish what they’ve started.

 

Throughout recorded history, God has changed the world using one person.  He has done it many times before. . .and as surely as night follows day. . .He will do it again.

 

For instance. . .

 

When He wanted to give the children of Israel a deliverer He gave the assignment to Moses.

 

When He wanted to help the children of Israel enter the Promised Land. . .He gave the job to Joshua.

 

When He wanted to teach a message of faithfulness and honor. . .He gave the appointment to Ruth.

 

When He wanted to show that anybody. . .even someone who had no confidence in himself could defeat the enemy. . .He picked Gideon.

 

When He wanted to prevent the Jews from being exterminated . . .He gave the challenge to Esther.

 

When He wanted to give every person breathing on planet earth the opportunity for an abundant life now and eternal life later. . .He asked Jesus, His only begotten Son.

 

Now God wants to use you. . .yes, you.  This assignment is something you must do. . .a job you must finish.

 

Psalm 90:17 in the New Living Translation says:

 

“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts

successful. Yes, our efforts successful!”

 

3.         Be enthusiastic in what you’re doing.

 

From the moment your eyes open in the morning. . .until they close at night. . . serve the Lord your God with enthusiasm.

Ephesians 6:7 in the New Living Translation says:

“Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Here are three power thoughts to help you understand more clearly what enthusiasm really means.

First, the last four letters of the word “enthusiasm” are “iasm” which stand for “I am sold myself.”

Second, according to Latin and Greek dictionaries the word “enthusiasm” literally means “God within.”  When you can allow the greater one within you to stir your greatest desire for excellence, you will have all the motivation you need.

Third, enthusiasm is one of the six things that God wants you to excel at.

2 Corinthians 8:7 in the New Living Translation says:

“Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us —I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

4.         Continue your assignment until it’s been completed.

 

Isaiah 55:11 in the Message Bible:

 

“So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed.  They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.”

God is so good. . .He has given each of us precious promises from His Word which enlightens, enables, empowers and energizes each of us toward the assignment that He given to us.

So God gives promises which we must act on to achieve the assignment He has given us.

Truth of the matter, God has provided us with the perfect plan to activate His promises as we act on our assignment from Him.

As we renew our minds with His Word. . .His perfect plan begins to manifest in our daily lives.

Can somebody say “Hallelujah!!”

5.         Do what you can with what you’ve got.

 

President Theodore Roosevelt said:

 

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

 

You should always start where you are. . .with what you’ve got. . .at the moment.

 

You must know that you have the God-given ability to perform at a level you never previously thought possible.

 

Write this down. .

 

God has given me an ability to perform at a level I never previously thought possible…with unique opportunities that I’ve yet to see.

 

Romans 12:6 in The Living Bible says:

 

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well….”

 

This empowerment is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

 

2 Timothy 1:14 in The Living Bible says:

 

“Guard well the splendid, God-given ability you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you.”

 

6.         Be motivated throughout the process.

 

What motivates you to do what you do. . .or for that matter, to not do what you know you should be doing.

 

Take time to sit down and write out what will motivate you to finish what you’ve started.

 

Hebrews 10:24 in the New Living Translation says:

 

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”

 

Les Brown, the motivational speaker said:

 

“Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner.”

 

7.         Talk realistic action every day.

 

1 John 3:18 in the Amplified Bible says:

 

“Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].”

 

The last phrase in the New Living Translation of 1 John 3:18 says:

 

“. . . let us show the truth by our actions.”

 

What are your plans for today?  What actions will you take today to accomplish your goals?

 

If your answers are not specific then they’re not good.            

 

Og Mando, a former editor of Success magazine, once said:

 

“Tomorrow is only found in the calendar of fools.”

 

This is your day to become a finisher. . .seize it.

 

Have you ever started a project, assignment or job with a sudden burst of enthusiasm only to be slowed down by the first obstacle and stopped short of your goal by continual obstacles?

Congratulations, you’re average.  But you don’t have to stay that way.  Those who rise above the crowd are the ones who go the extra mile while others are relaxing in front of the TV.

The strength of a person’s character and drive to success is determined by whether or not they can finish what they started.

Employees who complete the task are more highly valued than those who, though they make a valiant effort, nevertheless, fail to complete the project.

The One by whom our every effort, thought and action should be measured. . . was a finisher.  Should we be any less?

John 4:34 in the New Living Translation says:

“Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”

Not only was Jesus a finisher but he made us that way as well.

Philippians 1:6 in the New Living Translation says:

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

On Judgment Day, we want to be able to say the words found in 2 Timothy 4:7 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.”

In the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City, Tanzania's John Stephen Akhware, with his right leg bloody and bandaged, staggered into the stadium more than an hour after the winner had crossed the line to the hail of an inspired crowd. He said afterwards, "My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race."

2 Corinthians 8:11 in The Living Bible says:

Having started the ball rolling so enthusiastically, you should carry this project through to completion just as gladly, giving whatever you can out of whatever you have. Let your enthusiastic idea at the start be equaled by your realistic action now.”

 

1.         Start the ball rolling.

 

The most difficult part of any assignment is getting started.

 

“I’m thinking about starting” is not starting.

 

“I’m making a commitment to start” is not starting.

 

“I’m going to start” is not starting.

 

START by taking the first step!

 

Mark Twain, the American humorist and author, once said:

 

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

 

James 1:22 in the Amplified Bible says:

 

“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].”

 

Getting started is actively and continually doing what you said you were going to do.

 

I shared only part of the Mark Twain quote. . .now here’s the rest of it.

 

The remainder of the Twain quote says:

 

“The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”

 

Getting started. . .means you’ve got a plan and you’re planning to work it. . .NOW.

 

2.         This is something you must do.

 

You can’t effectively delegate getting started. . .it’s something you must do.

 

God is looking for people to get things done.  He’s looking for those who will finish what they’ve started.

 

Throughout recorded history, God has changed the world using one person.  He has done it many times before. . .and as surely as night follows day. . .He will do it again.

 

For instance. . .

 

When He wanted to give the children of Israel a deliverer He gave the assignment to Moses.

 

When He wanted to help the children of Israel enter the Promised Land. . .He gave the job to Joshua.

 

When He wanted to teach a message of faithfulness and honor. . .He gave the appointment to Ruth.

 

When He wanted to show that anybody. . .even someone who had no confidence in himself could defeat the enemy. . .He picked Gideon.

 

When He wanted to prevent the Jews from being exterminated . . .He gave the challenge to Esther.

 

When He wanted to give every person breathing on planet earth the opportunity for an abundant life now and eternal life later. . .He asked Jesus, His only begotten Son.

 

Now God wants to use you. . .yes, you.  This assignment is something you must do. . .a job you must finish.

 

Psalm 90:17 in the New Living Translation says:

 

“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts

successful. Yes, our efforts successful!”

 

3.         Be enthusiastic in what you’re doing.

 

From the moment your eyes open in the morning. . .until they close at night. . . serve the Lord your God with enthusiasm.

Ephesians 6:7 in the New Living Translation says:

“Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Here are three power thoughts to help you understand more clearly what enthusiasm really means.

First, the last four letters of the word “enthusiasm” are “iasm” which stand for “I am sold myself.”

Second, according to Latin and Greek dictionaries the word “enthusiasm” literally means “God within.”  When you can allow the greater one within you to stir your greatest desire for excellence, you will have all the motivation you need.

Third, enthusiasm is one of the six things that God wants you to excel at.

2 Corinthians 8:7 in the New Living Translation says:

“Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us —I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

4.         Continue your assignment until it’s been completed.

 

Isaiah 55:11 in the Message Bible:

 

“So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed.  They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.”

God is so good. . .He has given each of us precious promises from His Word which enlightens, enables, empowers and energizes each of us toward the assignment that He given to us.

So God gives promises which we must act on to achieve the assignment He has given us.

Truth of the matter, God has provided us with the perfect plan to activate His promises as we act on our assignment from Him.

As we renew our minds with His Word. . .His perfect plan begins to manifest in our daily lives.

Can somebody say “Hallelujah!!”

5.         Do what you can with what you’ve got.

 

President Theodore Roosevelt said:

 

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

 

You should always start where you are. . .with what you’ve got. . .at the moment.

 

You must know that you have the God-given ability to perform at a level you never previously thought possible.

 

Write this down. .

 

God has given me an ability to perform at a level I never previously thought possible…with unique opportunities that I’ve yet to see.

 

Romans 12:6 in The Living Bible says:

 

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well….”

 

This empowerment is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

 

2 Timothy 1:14 in The Living Bible says:

 

“Guard well the splendid, God-given ability you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you.”

 

6.         Be motivated throughout the process.

 

What motivates you to do what you do. . .or for that matter, to not do what you know you should be doing.

 

Take time to sit down and write out what will motivate you to finish what you’ve started.

 

Hebrews 10:24 in the New Living Translation says:

 

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”

 

Les Brown, the motivational speaker said:

 

“Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner.”

 

7.         Talk realistic action every day.

 

1 John 3:18 in the Amplified Bible says:

 

“Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].”

 

The last phrase in the New Living Translation of 1 John 3:18 says:

 

“. . . let us show the truth by our actions.”

 

What are your plans for today?  What actions will you take today to accomplish your goals?

 

If your answers are not specific then they’re not good.            

 

Og Mando, a former editor of Success magazine, once said:

 

“Tomorrow is only found in the calendar of fools.”

 

This is your day to become a finisher. . .seize it.

 

 

 

 

 

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